11/26/22 - Cataloochee Elk Viewing Valley
I've been a little stalled out on working on photos. Because this set makes me real sad.
11.26.22 George and I went hiking at the Cataloochee Elk Viewing Valley. This was my second time visiting and I was so excited to see elk and to get to spend more time here. I picked this place completely at random because I wanted to go on a hike once when I was here alone and being alone I was free to do as I pleased. So I picked it because I liked the name of the place and because the chance to see elk in a meadow sounded nice. Between these two visits I was hooked. This was one of my favorite places in the area. History and nature and peaceful hikes and little graveyards. A single lane gravel and dirt road twisted up and down the mountains to deliver you to this valley where one of the two herds of reintroduced elk live.
Hurricane Helene hit the Smokies hardest here. Some of these buildings are just gone. Some of them will require signifigant repair. The road is gone. It's just a gorge now. There is no reopening date. For now the elk will have a peaceful existence with no humans bothering them.
There is a tiny campground just before the valley that I had been hoping to camp in this summer.
I hope one day to be able to return.
A one room schoolhouse that dates back to when there was a small settlement in the valley.
Reports are that part of this barn has collapsed.
The Caldwell Place. According to photos it is still standing although damaged as well.
Fin.
11.26.22 George and I went hiking at the Cataloochee Elk Viewing Valley. This was my second time visiting and I was so excited to see elk and to get to spend more time here. I picked this place completely at random because I wanted to go on a hike once when I was here alone and being alone I was free to do as I pleased. So I picked it because I liked the name of the place and because the chance to see elk in a meadow sounded nice. Between these two visits I was hooked. This was one of my favorite places in the area. History and nature and peaceful hikes and little graveyards. A single lane gravel and dirt road twisted up and down the mountains to deliver you to this valley where one of the two herds of reintroduced elk live.
Hurricane Helene hit the Smokies hardest here. Some of these buildings are just gone. Some of them will require signifigant repair. The road is gone. It's just a gorge now. There is no reopening date. For now the elk will have a peaceful existence with no humans bothering them.
There is a tiny campground just before the valley that I had been hoping to camp in this summer.
I hope one day to be able to return.
A one room schoolhouse that dates back to when there was a small settlement in the valley.
Reports are that part of this barn has collapsed.
The Caldwell Place. According to photos it is still standing although damaged as well.
Fin.