This pic of the Cades Cove Loop Road was taken about 2 weeks ago. The road looks ok here but overall is in very bad condition, probably setting a Guinness record for potholes per mile. The Loop is likely the most traveled road in any National Park, and to see it in such horrible condition is a disgrace to the nation. I have mixed feelings however. Personally I would just as soon see the road closed permanently and the cove return to forest, but I realize that view is probably held by just me. With the Twin Creeks resort mentioned in the previous post the Park has made it difficult to advocate for additional funding for necessary infrastructure improvements. Such is life in our ownership society.
Comments (4)
Nice, I like this photo a lot. Must be the high proportion of pines.
Posted by DSK | April 21, 2008 10:26 AM
ye aint thonly one. i wish they wood turn it into a place ye had to hike say 20 mile to git to n then had to sleep in sum kinda primitiv place (meanin nuthin to plug into) over nite, mayhap less welcomin than the top of le conte. tiz a verr nice place, but tiz overrun with cars. me n miz bd dont never go no more.
Posted by buddy don | April 21, 2008 12:59 PM
Sort of sad, dontcha think?
Posted by poopie | April 21, 2008 9:15 PM
Fletch is right about the terrible condition of the Cades Cove loop road. The road is so rough that I can no longer recommend biking this route unless you are riding a suspension-equipped mountain bike. And all those midnight rides by moonlight we used to enjoy? Forget it. You'll hit some unseen giant pothole and go sailing over the handlebars.
The Smokies just doesn't get the same kind of funding preference that I see given to other busy national parks like Yosemite, Rocky Mtn and Glacier. Some have said it is our no admission fee mandate that causes this. I wonder.
Posted by Al | April 21, 2008 10:00 PM