GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK - CADES COVE

 CADES COVE

One of the most scenic drives in the Great Smoky National Park is the 11.2 mile loop in the Tennessee mountains near the village of Townsend.

Cades Cove is a high mountain valley.  The area was inhabited by Cherokee in the late 18th century.  Little is known of the extent of the settlement, but the name of the area is believed to have been named for a Cherokee named "Chief Kade".

John Oliver moved his family to the Cove in 1818.  More settlers arrived in 1821.  By 1850, there were over 600 residents of the Cove.  The community became a self sufficient thriving village.  Farms small and large grew crops, cleared pastures for livestock and erected several churches. Homesteads dotted the countryside. 

Like many in Eastern Tennessee, folks in Cades Cove remained loyal to the Union and during the war suffered from Confederate Bushwacker raids which resulted in the death of several residents and the confiscation of crops and livestock.  

After the war, the community became less vibrant and it was not until after the turn of the century that the community regained population and began to thrive again. Due in part to illegal moonshine stills and logging industry

 But the federal government had some ideas about Great Smoky Mountains.  In 1926, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was created.  By the 1930, much of the Cove had been condemned and the residents relocated. The Civilian Conservation Corps went to work developing the park. Some residents of the Cove remained with "life leases" but by the late 1940's, the abandoned community was turned into a large meadow with a few historic structures left as "cultural exhibits".

Driving the loop is a great experience that thousands enjoy every year.  A slow drive through the Cove provides stunning views of surrounding mountains, pastures and woodlands.

It is also a wildlife sanctuary. During our drive we saw many deer, wild turkey and even a family of black beer!

Strict rules keep tourist at a distance from the animals but we got some great pictures of deer.

Cades Cove has a great campground, bike shop and many trails.  On Wednesday, automobiles are prohibited and the loop is full of  hikers and bicycles. 

The many remaining the historical buildings and cultural exhibits provide many opportunities to stop and walk in the footsteps of the early pioneers of Cades Cove. 

My favorite building was the grist mill that is found at Stop 11.  There the Cove's visitor's center offers a rest stop with a country store and several interesting farm buildings.  The centerpiece is the John P. Cable Grist Mill.  The mill was constructed in the 1870's and is a fully operational waterwheel driven grist mill. 

At the peak of the Cove's population in the 19th century, the community supported at least three other mills, all water driven.  In the 1920's the Ledbetter steam mill opened. 

The Cable Mill is in excellent condition and is period correct in every respect.  On our visit we watching the Park Ranger grind corn into meal.  

Still along the 11.2 miles of one way paved road, it is the constant views that drew our attention.  The mountains were laced with clouds as we arrived in the morning.  Smoky Mountains greeted us hiding the sun. 

After hiking Abram's Falls trail we took another loop around the Cove and headed down the Rich Mountain Trail to Townsend Tennessee.  By that time the sun had burned off the clouds and the mountains majesty was on full display.

The Cades Cove Loop is a wonderful "Motor Park Trail".  Access is easy from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area as it is about a 45 minute drive along some really scenic highways.  The scenery is off the charts good.  The effort to view ratio does not apply...so rating this trail is pretty easy.  If you visit the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  Spend a day at Cades Cove.  Ride the loop a couple times, visit the buildings and exhibits, and take a hike to Abram's Falls!  But most of all visit the Cable Grist Mill and watch the water turn to the old wheel!

This deer was not five feet from the pavement and was content to eat without giving one thought to the passing cars...majestic young 8 pointer!