Saturday, March 08, 2008

Parsons Branch Road reopening in Cades Cove Delayed

Parsons Branch Road located off of Forge Creek Road in the far western section of the Cades Cove 11 mile loop road will not be opening for the season on time due to washouts and fallen trees from this past week's stormy weather.

This recently renovated unimproved roads reopening last year was highly anticipated as it was closed for years after a storm created massive damage due to flooding requiring extensive repairs which included better drainage and vegetation cutbacks.

Parsons Branch is an 8 mile one way gravel road which takes you along stream beds, and woods and hollows with a few large growth trees visible from the road. This road passes by one the trailheads leading to Gregory Bald and eventually takes you to 129 where you can go to Fontana North Carolina or Maryville Tennessee.

Parsons branch road is now slated by the national park service to reopen on Tuesday March 11th and in my opinion is one of the best unimproved roads to drive on and experience the Smokies.

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