Drive to Deal's Gap (Tail of the Dragon - Highway 129) in East Tennessee Tomorrow (March 11, 2025)

[john_pifer]

Haven't taken a road trip out to my favorite driving roads (East Tennessee/Western North Carolina) since getting my "ultimate dad car" (Elantra N) last summer.

Used to love driving these roads in my 2016 Subaru WRX, and, before that, I rode these roads on my 2005 and 2007 Yamaha R1s for the first time back in 2007. Lot less traffic back then!

My favorite thing to do is to drive out to the Cherohala Skyway, to within a few miles of the highest point (Huckleberry Knob, 5560 feet elevation), park at a pull-off, and do a run along the highway, up to Huckleberry Knob Trail, up the trail, and back, for around 8 miles or so. Then drive the rest of the Skyway and head over to Deal's Gap to drive Highway 129.

It's supposed to be 79º tomorrow with no chance of rain, so I might do it if I don't have to work.

From Dickson, it's about 4.5 hrs, so I'd leave the house around 4-4:30 AM.

Anybody else driven or ridden out there lately?

 

[Pew]

Last time I was out there was 2017-ish. TBH I didn't really care for it, two lane road with too many corners with too low of a speed, big mix of regular traffic, wanna-be Verstappens crossing the mustard everywhere, and 10mph Harley riders that should be on a electric scooters. Scenery is alright.

I sound pessimistic but last thing I care for is some driver/rider to fly around a corner going over the lines and smashing into my car and me having to figure out the 10 hour drive home.

 

[LazyDog]

Nice car, have a good time

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Haven't taken a road trip out to my favorite driving roads (East Tennessee/Western North Carolina) since getting my "ultimate dad car" (Elantra N) last summer.

Used to love driving these roads in my 2016 Subaru WRX, and, before that, I rode these roads on my 2005 and 2007 Yamaha R1s for the first time back in 2007. Lot less traffic back then!

My favorite thing to do is to drive out to the Cherohala Skyway, to within a few miles of the highest point (Huckleberry Knob, 5560 feet elevation), park at a pull-off, and do a run along the highway, up to Huckleberry Knob Trail, up the trail, and back, for around 8 miles or so. Then drive the rest of the Skyway and head over to Deal's Gap to drive Highway 129.

It's supposed to be 79º tomorrow with no chance of rain, so I might do it if I don't have to work.

From Dickson, it's about 4.5 hrs, so I'd leave the house around 4-4:30 AM. View attachment 267313

Anybody else driven or ridden out there lately?

I can be there in about 2.5 hrs from Atlanta. With my current ride I've only been able to drive through Nantahala forest once or twice in the last 10 yrs. There's a turn at the forest which would take me straight up to The Dragon but I've never had the opportunity to take it.

 

[Fa24wrx]

I can be there in about 2.5 hrs from Atlanta. With my current ride I've only been able to drive through Nantahala forest once or twice in the last 10 yrs. There's a turn at the forest which would take me straight up to The Dragon but I've never had the opportunity to take it.

I'm just north of Atlanta (kennesaw) and still haven't been

 

[john_pifer]

I'm just north of Atlanta (kennesaw) and still haven't been

I have a 1st cousin in Kennesaw. Nice area.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I'm just north of Atlanta (kennesaw) and still haven't been

Vinings here.

 

[john_pifer]

I'm just north of Atlanta (kennesaw) and still haven't been

Y’all have some great roads up in N. GA. also. I drug my knees on Richard B. Russell Highway.

Wolf Pen Gap also.

 

[gman2304]

TBH I didn't really care for it, two lane road with too many corners

Hence, the appeal……..

 

[02SE]

It's been about 10 years since the wife and I were there riding two-up on our modified 1st gen Hayabusa. It was the middle of the week so traffic wasn't too bad, but noticeably busier than the roads we regularly ride in the mountains near home.