Deals Gap area first week of march

[kenbike]

I planning a week trip in the Deals Gap area the first week of March. What is the typical weather I should expect and will most of the service roads in the national forest be open? Plan on a few days in Robinsville and have a PCV and dynp tune set up from Wheelers and them shoot over to Telico to ride and get fat at Telico grains! Any locals have any advice or recommendations on back roads. I will stay off the single track and running Conti trail attacks so use some caution about to rough or muddy stuff.

 

[True Grip]

Hey Ken I'm from middle Tn not exactly where you are going but the weather in March could be snow to 80 degrees so you better plan for anything. As far as roads to ride the last time i went through Tellico i stopped at the moto shop and Mike (super nice) highlighted a map for me of good back roads. He is very knowledgeable of the area and if you need any gear he is well stocked. He can show you 3 or 4 days of riding quickly and will know the current conditions of those roads.Oh and enjoy the Bakery ::008::

 

[nga]

I planning a week trip in the Deals Gap area the first week of March. What is the typical weather I should expect and will most of the service roads in the national forest be open? Plan on a few days in Robinsville and have a PCV and dynp tune set up from Wheelers and them shoot over to Telico to ride and get fat at Telico grains! Any locals have any advice or recommendations on back roads. I will stay off the single track and running Conti trail attacks so use some caution about to rough or muddy stuff.

kenbike,

I ride a lot in this area. I don't know which way you'll be coming from, but due to recent rains there are several major roads closed in the Deals Gap area. U.S. Hwy 441 (a.k.a. Newfound Gap Road) is closed to through traffic between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC due to a landslide at mile marker 22 on the NC side of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

The Cherohala Skyway also had a landslide, so I would check on this road too. The Cherohala Skyway Vistor Center telephone # is 423-253-8010.

Here's a good link about about some road closures in the area:

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

While you're checking out the above link, look over to the left-hand side of the page and you'll see the Seasonal Road Schedule. Parson's Branch Road is fun to ride, but isn't scheduled to open until March 8, 2013. This road is one way from Cades Cove to U.S. 129 (the dragon).

Also my good friend made several YouTube videos of off-road rides in this area. Just go to YouTube and search: Greg Salyer
There are about 16 videos. He rides a DL650 and made these videos for infomational purposes, not for entertainment; however, I thought they were great to just sit and watch.

Have a great ride.

 

[BaldKnob]

Ken, the last report I read was the Cherohala was open to traffic (one lane only through the landslide area) but 441 was still closed.

 

[kenbike]

Thanks for the heads up on roads being closed and the link to info. Really looking foreword to the trip.

 

[Torque6988]

Where are you staying? What days will you be there? I might ride up and hang out with you.

 

[kenbike]

Will be on Robinsville 3/4 and 3/5 then Telico 3/6 and 3/7 highlands 3/8