Smoky Mountains Metcalf Bottoms

Today is our first full day in the Smoky Mountains after arriving late yesterday and walking the Alum Caves trail.

We ate our free breakfast at the pancake restaurant. When we were ready to leave, Eddie took the bill for Zero Dollars ($0.00) to the cashier. Eddie told the cashier that she owed him a refund because there was something not included on the bill. The cashier politely asked what was not included on the bill. Eddie showed her the bill where it was stated “Gratuity not included”. She laughed and said that she was getting ready to remove something from the bill and give us a refund.

We are departing now from Pigeon Forge, turning on the Gatlinburg bypass toward the Smoky Mountain National Park. The first overlook has a fantastic view of Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg is beautifully nestled in the valley surrounded by a dense population of trees and vegetation that flow to the top of the mountains.

It is around 7:45 A.M. and a very clear day, There is no typical smoky mountain low lying fog and clouds. We can clearly see mountain tops, trees vegetation, and buildings. The trees that cover the mountains around and above Gatlinburg look as though they are covered with a velvet carpet, sparkling with dew.

We are now passing the second overlook which is further down the mountain. It is not nearly as good of a view of Gatlinburg as is the first overlook.

Gatlinburg is famous for its numerous specialty shops, entertainment, hotels and restaurants. It’s a great time for people who enjoy shopping and crowds.

We find it is very difficult to drive through Gatlinburg. It seems that there are constantly crowds of people walking throughout the town and crossing the streets.

We usually focus on driving into the mountains and head for the creeks, the valleys, the streams and the trails. We do like the outdoors, the wooded areas, the animals and nature. We like to see what God made and enjoy the beauty of it all.

We just came down the mountain and turned away from Gatlinburg entering into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. We come to a fork in the road.

The left (or straight ahead) fork (Newfound Gap Road) goes over the Mountain toward Cherokee Indian reservation. In the past, we’ve seen the elk in North Carolina, and on another occasion we saw a wolf. This is also the road to Alum Caves, my subject in another article.

The right fork is the Little River Road and goes to Sugar land’s Visitor Center, Elkmont , Townsend, Tremont and Cades Cove. This is the way we drove today.

Townsend is 18 miles and Cades Cove is 24 miles from Sugar land’s Visitor Center.

We passed 5 wild turkeys waddling along the road. In the last two years we’ve seen a tremendous increase in the wild turkey population roaming throughout the Smoky Mountain National Park. I guess the Gobblers around here don't get eaten at Thanksgiving..

We passed a “quiet walkway”, Eddie said “I guess that means there’s no women allowed”.

The road we are currently traveling on follows alongside the rolling stream called the Little River. This road starting at the Sugar land's Visitor Center, all the way past Townsend and into Cades Cove is one of Eddie's favorite drives. Eddie has been coming down here for approximately 60 years. Eddie loves to drive. It's relaxing to him. Eddie loves the curvy roads, mountains and trees.

It is just so very relaxing, especially after living in the city. The highlight of the drive for both of us is driving alongside the Little River.

The Little River Roars and rolls for miles in the springtime, especially after a rain. It has flooded the roads, gouging out sections of the road.

We've never been here when the water was really high or wide during a flood. We've had a hard time thinking of this as a river like the wide Ohio River.

But today we see water rushing and bouncing through the rocks and blazing beautifully in the sunlight.

Next we came to Laurel Falls on the right side. We saw a mama bear and three cubs near the trail head here a few years ago.

Next we see Elk Mont camp ground to the left. Eddie’s granddad and family lived here at one time.

There is lots of fishing and tubing on the Little River. The Little River Road switches back and forth from one side to the other side of the river and everyone in the car can have a good view of the water.

Next we come to Metcalf Bottoms picnic area and Little Greenbrier School and pulled in. There are restrooms here. This is about half way between Gatlinburg and Townsend.

One year we saw a mother black bear and three cubs in the tree just before crossing the bridge over the Little River. The ranger said that the bears had been there all morning. He was trying to keep people away from the tree because he said that when the bears decide to come down it would be fast.

At Metcalf Bottoms we cross the one lane bridge over the Little River. At the other end of this bridge is the Greenbrier trail to the right along the river. After a short walk beside the Little River, the Greenbrier trail then takes a sharp left turn up the mountain into a densely wooded area and eventually follows a sparkling stream all the way to Little Greenbrier School. Along the way there are log bridges that cross the stream. This is a pleasant one mile walk to Little Greenbrier School and the sign states that it is two miles to Wear Cove.

Instead of taking the Greenbrier trail, we stayed on the road and around the corner about 3 tenths of a mile there are three parking places on the right. If we stayed on this road it would end at Wears Valley road that connects Pigeon Forge and Townsend.

However at the parking area and the trail head, you will see a one lane road with pull over places in case you meet oncoming traffic. The sign says “Narrow two way road, be prepared to back up. No towed vehicles or motor homes.” This is a gravel road with lots of deep ruts, so proceed with caution.

The sign says “Wears Cove – Little Greenbrier School. This one lane road goes to the school about 5 tenths of a miles.

Just before turning the corner to the school the trail to the Walker Sisters goes off to the left but you will need to park next to the school. The Walker Sisters, who lived here before the National Park was established, walked to the Little Greenbrier School. We have walked the trail before but not today. Walking past the Walker Sisters Cabin, the trail proceeds to a beautiful view atop the mountain.

Back to the parking lot for the Little Green Briar School, there is a sign with photos.

There is a small fenced in cemetery next to the school. The School building is fascinating. The Greenbrier trail that started at the bridge next to the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area crosses the stream and comes out just behind the school.

We lingered here for a while, talked and took pictures before returning to Metcalf Bottoms and turning right on the Little River road toward Townsend.

I will pick up on my article to Townsend and Tremont next time.

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