A VISIT
TO CATALOOCHEE VALLEY
November 6-7,
2006
Driving
north to Waynesville, NC, we found patches of leaves in the North Georgia Mountains
that were still in full color. We stopped at
the Tallulah Falls Gift Shop to stretch our legs.
Hwy 441 north from Frankin towards Dillsboro
This
hedge of Burning Bush led to our motel on the hillside overlooking
Waynesville, NC.
After
fine dining at the local Huddle House we drove to Cataloochee, following the map from the Welcome Station in Waynesville. We only got lost
once trying to find Cove Creek Road. Looking down into the valley
from the Cataloochee Overlook.
The
Great Smoky Mountains National Park took over the thriving community of
Cataloochee. A population of 1,250 people and over 200 buildings
were scattered around the cove. By 1938 all but a few of the families had
moved. Big Cataloochee is accessible by auto but Little Cataloochee by hiking or horse back
riding only.
Cove
Creek Road into the valley is 11 miles of winding, narrow, graveled
road. Meeting another vehicle is an adventure. The valley is
beautiful and our first sight of elk was exciting. 
The
elk did not seem to be concerned with the people. Elk were reintroduced
into the valley in 2001.
25
elk were released in February, 2001 and 27 more in 2002. This was
the first time elk had roamed the Smokies in 150 years.
All
the elk are radio-collared and will be monitored closely during the five
year experimental phase of the project.
The
elk did not pay attention to the people watching them but when the horse
came by they watched carefully.