Caution when entering GSM NP thru Wears Valley
Most probably wont care, but I wish I had known.
I recently entered the Great Smokey Mountain N.P. My route was from Pidgeon Forge to Elkmont Campground in the N.P.
Almost all the way the roads were great and the view was amazing, but just before reaching my destination I encountered a One-Way bridge with a 10 Ton limit. That was manageable, but the road onto the bridge made a very sharp 90 degree turn and the road was way to narrow to swing wide. My unit is a 5th wheel 29ft long. After nearly 40 minutes of maneuvering I was able to negotiate the turn. Had I been one foot longer I am certain I would never have been able to make the turn. And if that isn't bad enough, the nearest area large enough to make a U-turn was several miles back. I would never have been able to back up that far.
I made the trip several more times during my stay without the trailer. I did look for any warning signs from Wears Valley to the bridge and there were NONE. Noted this to several park officials, but they really didn't seem to care.
WORD TO THE WISE, I HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE ELSE.
I recently entered the Great Smokey Mountain N.P. My route was from Pidgeon Forge to Elkmont Campground in the N.P.
Almost all the way the roads were great and the view was amazing, but just before reaching my destination I encountered a One-Way bridge with a 10 Ton limit. That was manageable, but the road onto the bridge made a very sharp 90 degree turn and the road was way to narrow to swing wide. My unit is a 5th wheel 29ft long. After nearly 40 minutes of maneuvering I was able to negotiate the turn. Had I been one foot longer I am certain I would never have been able to make the turn. And if that isn't bad enough, the nearest area large enough to make a U-turn was several miles back. I would never have been able to back up that far.
I made the trip several more times during my stay without the trailer. I did look for any warning signs from Wears Valley to the bridge and there were NONE. Noted this to several park officials, but they really didn't seem to care.
WORD TO THE WISE, I HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE ELSE.
