ericlambi wrote:
OK, this is taking shape a bit. We’re going to do 2 days in chatt with my son then 5 days at BlackBerry Mountain resort in Walland, around 15mi east of Maryville. Chatt won’t be a ton of training, more family time, but will try to get to the pool since it will be difficult at the resort (~30min drive to Maryville). My training bucket list for while we’re at the resort, please critique/add/modify:
- run Cade’s Cove
- ride Foothills Parkway
- ride Cherohala
- ride Clingman’s Dome
The latter two I might do one way from the resort and get picked up. (Note: this will all be during the week, though peak season the last wk of June)
Running Cades Cove is the best idea. One year, I decided to run it while my wife and family drove it in the car. They got stuck in traffic, and it took them forever. Cars would see a bear and then stop so that there would be large gaps in the road with no other cars up ahead. While my family was in their car, they saw a lot of deer and only one bear. During that same time, while I was running, I saw five different bears, with one crossing right in front of me on the road. It was pretty cool, and my wife was very jealous.
The Foothills Parkway is certainly the safest of the three ride choices (plus, there's a lot of other decent rides in the Townsend area). As others have said, I would only do Cherohala on the weekdays. Clingman's Dome, I would NOT do regardless of day of the week. Even in June, during the weekdays, that road is very crowded and way too many tourists not paying attention to the road.
If you want a good hike, you should take the Alum Caves Trail and go to the top of Mt LeConte. Incredible views up there, and it will beat the heat. Also, there is a rustic lodge up top where you can go in and get a drink or snack.