TundraTower wrote:
As you say 411 at Gadsden is pretty far out of the way. I knew there were some low tunnels I couldn't make around the base of Lookout Mtn but was not sure where they were, so thanks for that.
CRAZY IDEA?: I see a state route 27 that goes thru the Prentice Cooper Forest on the NORTH side of Mocassin Bend. Looks like you could use that to get to 27 thru Red Bank, then get on 153 at Falling Water and take that over the dam to I-75 on the east edge of Chattanooga. And if 75N was stacked at 153 looks like I could take 58 north parallel to I75 almost up to Cleveland.
My folks used to live on Signal Mtn and I vaguely recall the drive thru Red Bank as having a lot of red lights but maybe I could hold my breath that long.
The piece I'm not familiar with is this 27 thru the Forest. Is that do-able with a 31 ft (overall) bumper pull? We replaced the Tundra with a 3/4 ton chevy diesel and not as maneuverable as the Tundra - much wider turning radius.
=Traffic/lights would add some time
=it's a lot less added distance than my two alternatives
=but I'm hesitant to wade into secondary streets in Chatt with something this big
Is this 27 thru the forest paved? Fast or slow? Is there a reason not to try this idea?
Thanks for your help!
TN-27 or Suck Creek road is certainly doable. I mean your going to go through Oocee & Nantahala. Take exit 155 up TN-28 to Whitwell. Turn right on TN 283 to Powells Crossroads. Much better road than TN-27 from exit 158, by the lake. The Powells Crossroads (west) side will start pretty crooked up to the hairpin. From there up pretty straight to the top. Much like GA-136 up to Cloudland. The Chattanooga (east) side is about 5% almost no straights, but no real sharp corners. Do not be surprised to meet 18 wheelers or a pack of sport bikes. Once you cross Suck Creek it’s flat along the river to Signal Mountain Rd, I’m guessing you will see things that look familiar here. Any way turn right.
US-27 now bypasses all the lights in Red Bank. After passing WalMart get into the left lane, go under US-27 and turn left up the ramp. This turn is hard to see till you are right there, it’s behind the bridge support for the US-127 N ramp. TN-153 is 3 exits north.
If you see backup at the south end of TN-153 or I-75 by Hamilton Place take TN-317 Bonny Oaks from TN-153 exit 4 to I-75 at exit 7. Shade shorter, but 153 is usually faster. Exit 11 US-11/64 will take you up to US64/74 south Cleveland Bypass if there are issues on that part.
DO NOT take Old Lee Highway from exit 7 or 9 to exit 11, 7’10” under the railroad.
