I thought I'd relate my trip to the Tail of the Dragon and offer some opinions and advise for those thinking about taking a road trip there.

I'm currently working as an independent contractor in SC but, I live in NC about an hour east of Asheville. I had the week of July 4th off and decided to take a couple of days toward the end of the week to ride the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway.

I got up Thursday morning (July 6th) with the weather in SC looking pretty crappy. They were calling for an 80% chance of rain and the skies looked more like 100% chance. But, I knew if it did rain and I could ride through it that the weather on the back side of the front was going to be beautiful.

I left Hartsville, SC around 9:30 that morning and rode down Old Camden Highway to Camden, SC where I picked up I-20 to Columbia. I hit a few pockets of light rain but, not enough to make me stop and put on the rain gear. In Columbia, I picked up I-26 toward Spartanburg, SC. Just out of Columbia, it started raining steadily and I pulled off at a weigh station to put on the rain gear. From there I rode in a steady rain to Spartanburg where I stopped for lunch and fuel (about 160 miles into the trip).

Got back on I-26 North which I rode to Hendersonville, NC where I got on Hwy. 64 West. The rain had just about quit by the time I got to Hendersonville. Hwy. 64 runs parallel with the NC/SC line. The traffic was a little crappy until I got through Brevard. The traffic was somewhat hit or miss through Cashiers and Highlands. However, the road from Highlands to Franklin, NC was worth it. It's very scenic with several waterfalls. Bridal Veil falls is right beside 64. There's actually a loop off the road (several hunderd feet) that you can drive underneath the waterfall. However, it's currently closed for repairs. A few miles further on (headed east to west) is Dry Falls. You'll have to get off the road and park to walk down to the falls but, it's nice because the trail allows you to walk under the falls (hence the name).

I stopped in Franklin, NC for gas, shed the rain gear, and then back on 64 west toward Murphy. The part of 64 West from Hayesville to Murphy was very nice. It wasn't very crowded, the road was well maintained, and it was overcast and cool. I checked out part of the downtown area in Murphy (very small). Hwy. 64 runs straight through town. Then I came back out of town (same direction I went in) and picked up Hwy 19/74/129 north east toward Andrews. After passing through Andrews, I turned left (north) onto 129 towards Robbinsville. On the way into Robbinsville, I stopped at the Two Wheel Inn just to see if they had a room for the night (possibly a cancellation). They didn't. The nice thing about the Two Wheel Inn is that they have a motorcycle garage adjacent to each room. If you plan to stay there, you need to book at least two weeks in advance (preferably longer). The folks at the Two Wheel Inn suggested the Microtel Inn just up the road in Robbinsville. I lucked up and got one of the last rooms at the Microtel but, I had to take an efficiency suite. It was the most expensive room in the place but, at $79 for the night, I couldn't complain. The folks at the Microtel really cater to the motorcyle crowd. The entire front of the motel is motorcycle parking only. They have free towels at the front desk for you to clean your bike. They have a free continental breakfast but, it's not much to speak of. They also had Tail of the Dragon tee shirts, stickers, and posters for sell in the lobby area. If you want to stay at the Microtel, I recommend making reservations there in advance as well. They only hold reservations until 6 PM. You don't have to worry about your bike being secure at the Microtel. I talked to guy who said a friend of his mistakenly left his bike unlocked all night and no one messed with it.

I met a lot of nice bikers from all over the east coast, mid-west, and Canada that evening. The p

 

Fletch, you've got it broke down pretty good. I wish I could have made the ride with you. I end up over there five or six times a year or so. Good riding. If you ever want anything from the store, I can pick it up and mail it to you.


Lynn

 

Two additional worth while things to do in the area is: HWY. 28 east of the dragon and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest if you have the time.

 

Thanks for all the great info,

I want to make the trip next year.

David

 

Good call Cosmo. After I got back to Robbinsville, I stopped back at the Microtel to pick up a few stickers (forgot to when I left that morning). I had intended to get back on 129, ride back up to the Crossroads of Time, and pick up Hwy. 28 over to Hwy. 19 (or 143 - 28 - 19). A friend of mine who'd been up there before told me it was very nice.

However, after I picked up the stickers, I spaced out and got on 129 South back to Hwy. 19. Then got on 19 North towards Bryson City. As it turns out that part of 19 runs right beside the Nantahala River. It was pretty cool to see all the rafters on the Nantahala. So, it wasn't a total loss. The downside is that there are a lot of rafting busses that travel that two-lane part of Hwy. 19. So, the traffic can get pretty slow. I must have hit it at the right time (11-12 AM) because there was a lot of southbound traffic but very light in the northbound direction.

Other than being very scenic, another good thing about riding Hwy 28 out to 19 is that it misses all of the two-lane portion of 19 and dumps you out on the four-lane portion.

 

I promised pictures.

The first picture is at the Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort. What most folks don't tell you is that Deal's Gap is actually at the NC/TN line about a mile further up the road.



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The following three pictures are from the only overlook on the Dragon. The first two are Lake Calderwood and the Calderwood Dam. The third picture is looking across the road from the overlook in the opposite direction of the lake.



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This picture is a lake on Hwy 360 between Hwy 411 and the Cherohala Skyway.



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A few more pictures.

These pictures are of the Tellico River. This is on Hwy 165 (the Cherohala Skyway) in Tennessee just west of the Hwy 360 / Hwy 165 junction.

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This is from one of the overlooks on the Cherohala (Tennessee side).

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Another overlook on the Tennessee side of the Cherohala.


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Hey Fletch,
Great write up. Have you seen this site? I am looking to head down that next spring/summer. Thansk for the tips.

 

Just got back from there!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!! too Many roads not enough time[sm=exactly.gif] all ready planing our next trip. The dragon stretch was good. but I enjoy more scenic. routes myself.ie "Mountian overlooks" My .02 is that anyone who owns a Bike owes it to themselves to make this trip..... I logged 1300 miles this on this one. and still wanted more [sm=happy046.gif]....

 

Good write up. Its on mine list of places to see. You got any more pictures put em on.