BALD RIVER FALLS
My Faithful Hiking Companion and I have longed to take the drive along the Cherohala Skyway, one of the most famous stretches of roadway in the southeastern part of the United States. Completed in 1996, the 43 mile long Skyway connects Robbinsville North Carolina with Tellico Plains Tennessee. The road crosses the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee and the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina, thus the name "Chero" "Hala".
The Skyway is known for its curving mountain road and its scenic views. Folks from across the country will bring their motorcycles and sports cars to test their nerve as they weave through the mile high skyway.
While the Fat Bald White Guy was driving a Ford Expedition, we still enjoyed the drive nonetheless mainly because we had three destinations along the Skyway to enjoy. Leaving from the North Carolina side we drove straight through to do lunch at the Tellico Kat Deli.
On a wide spot in Tennessee Highway 165 is the popular Tellico Kats Deli. There is nothing fancy about this place which is part of its charm. On the day we visited we joined bikers from Michigan and a few locals partaking in hot off the outdoor grill hamburgers. We were lucky to wait around long enough to have the back deck to ourselves.
The Deli is built on the banks of the Tellico River and it is worth the trip just to sit, eat and watch the river flow by. I had a patty melt while my Faithful Hiking Companion had homemade chicken salad.
Traveling back up the mountain, we spied the sign for the "Bald River Falls". Now what self respecting Fat Bald White Guy would not stop to take a look at some waterfalls so eloquently named?
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No hiking is required. The falls are adjacent to a bridge with ample parking nearby. You may want to bring your swim trunks!
Few waterfalls I have visited are as compelling at this magnificent cascade. The falls are easily 100 feet tall with multiple cascades flowing over a series of rock ledges. Part of the water flowing into a large pool with the remaining streams pouring off the mountain with a load roar.
The falls were well attended by onlookers and swimmers. The Fat Bald White Guy resisted the temptation to jump in as we had a long day ahead of us but on a hot August day, the cool water had to be nice.
My eyes were drawn to the large pool located halfway up the falls. The cascade in that part of the falls seemed to disappear, the pool must be the size of a large swimming pool and deep enough to accommodate a lot of water. The water there gently flows out in the main cascade rather than over the side. Oh to take a swim in that pool?!
Leaving the waterfall, we proceeded up the mountain along the Skyway. Tellico Plains elevation is less than 1000 feet and our destination, Huckleberry Bald, is 5300 feet. Along the way we stopped to enjoy the scenery among the many overlooks. Majestic are the mountains of the Lord!
One disappointment is that the roadsides have been allowed to grow to the point that views from the Skyway that existed years ago are no longer there. Unlike portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway, there are few views from the drive. So be sure to stop at the overlooks!
Reaching our third destination of the drive late in the afternoon, we eagerly hiked up a fire road at the Huckleberry Bald trailhead to the 5600 foot highest peak on the Skyway.
Details of this hike will be covered in a separate blog entitled Huckleberry Bald. While the Cherohala Skyway is a nice drive, I was very disappointed in the lack of vistas along the drive. If you are motorcycle enthusiast this has to be a bucket list for you. Give me a Porsche or a Corvette and I might not leave that road regardless of the lack of spectacular views. Nevertheless take the drive in whatever car you have because the Tellico Kats Deli and the Bald River Falls are worth the drive. And if you really want to make the trip special take the 2.5 mile round trip hike to the summit of Huckleberry Bald!
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