Great Smokies NP Part 2

On Saturday we decided to visit the Cataloochie Valley in the eastern part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This remote valley was once farmed and had over 1200 people in it, but when the park was formed they gradually sold their lands and moved away. A few farmhouses and public buildings remain, maintained by the park service, who also keep some fields mowed.

Getting there is a trip, though. This picture doesn't really capture how small the one-lane road is that snakes and stairsteps up and down a high ridge, and meeting oncoming traffic is scary. (On the way out we saw a bus-size camper on the way in, can't imagine how he could make it!) Once in the valley the driving is easier, though still on very narrow roads.

One reason to come here is a small herd of elk, and here they are, very relaxed and unconcerned about people watching them. Far different from the elk we saw in Yellowstone last year, where rival males were bugling and sparring the whole time!

A closer look at the male who seems to have no rivals here.

The Caldwell Place is one of the preserved farms in the valley. From the outside it looks fine, but inside it's empty with ancient peeling newspaper lining the bedrooms and dark, empty wooden walls elswhere. Kind of spooky.

Here's the Caldwell Barn. These homes were only used for about 100 years or less, and were largely cut off from the rest of the civilized world then.

In addition to the Elk we saw quite a few turkeys, like these Toms, also unconcerned with people nearby. Plus a Ruffed Grouse, first one I've seen in a decade.

After about five hours round trip to Cataloochie we returned to the park Visitor Center in Cherokee…

…where we were surprised to find two more bull Elk in the field nearby. Not sure if they're young bachelor males, or are just waiting for female Elk to arrive here from the hills.

The visitor center also has a recreation of a working farm from the area which is worth a visit, and a nice trail along the river which we enjoyed as we ended our second full day here. More next time.