The road off Cherohayla parkway which we called Bald River Falls road is spectacular and has low traffic. Most folks who venture off the Cherohayla at mile 5 to head towards Bald River falls are either fishing, camping, or just having a nice scenic drive. We saw more bikers there (30+) than cars. But we still tell our folks to stay single file and call out "car back, car up" when appropriate.
A few of us biked from visitor center on the Cherohayla then turned on Bald River road, while many of my bike buds parked right before the turn on a little up on Bald River road to start their bike adventure there. The Bald River that dumps into the Tellico River is your constant companion and provides so many gorgeous picture taking spots that you do need to take it easy and stop along the way to see the many falls and flowers. Then at about mile 6 you come to THE BALD RIVER FALLS They are spectacular and there is a trail that you can hike on right behind the falls. It is a slightly uphill climb the whole way but not too steep. Then a half mile past the falls you start seeing nice campsites and restrooms along the way also. There is a fish hatchery on your left a few miles up then about 6 miles past the falls a little community called GREEN COVE. It makes you feel like you have gone back in time a good 50 years. A little shop there has bait, some food and drinks and also serves at hotel. There are some new cabins and trailer area there too. After a rest stop there we head on and finally get to the NC State line and campground. You can now go a mile past there which makes one way 18 miles from the turn or 23 miles from visitor Center. BUT while you may be tired, it is now all DOWN HILL back to the cars. There are many good little restaurants in Tellico Plains like the bakery. We often opt for a good ole burger at the Tellico Beach Drive in along Cherohayla with picnic tables and nice cold water in Tellico River where Carol O and I stayed and got in to Refresh our sore legs. Fares at West Bikes had some folks who are just getting into cycling come and do a short easy ride and others who looked like they may have been doing a warm up for the Cherohayla Challenge that was the next day.
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| go janie |
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| missy taking own pic w/ sharon |
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| the hikers head tilt sharon/ellen |
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| okay is this working on iPhone? |
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| green cove motel and store feels like mayberry |
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| it doesn't get better than his (sharon) |
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| ok rebecca see it was not a rear shot |
