Cades Cove

On the north side of the park liesCades Cove, a lovely area of open pastures and preserved homes and churches, now filled with grazing deer, and choked most days with lines of cars touring its narrow tree-lined lanes.

Cades Cove, Great Smoky National Park. September, 2000
Photographed with a Hasselblad XPan and 90 mm lens on Provia 100F

It’s possible that the wordbucolicwas coined when settlers first saw Cades Cove. This photograph was taken about 40 minutes after sunrise just as a fog bank was clearing from the valley. If you look closely (particularly in the larger version) you can see a deer in the field at the left of the frame. 

About half-way round theCades Coveloop road is an unmarked and unpaved road on the right calledRich Mountain Road. It is a one-way shortcut out of the park towardTownsend. Otherwise, its claim to fame is a small break in the trees that offers this stunning view of the oldMissionary Baptist Church.

Blue Church, Cades Cove, Great Smoky National Park. September 2000
Photographed with a Rollei 6008 and 300mm Schneider lens on Provia 100F

Of course the church isn’treallyblue. The colour cast is caused by it being totally in the shade, in contrast to the warm light of late afternoon. Also, as you can see in this mid-September shot the foliage hasjuststarted to turn. It’ll probably be at its peak in about 3 weeks.

NB:TheCades Coveroad doesn’t open until after sunrise, so unfortunately you can’t be on location there for best light. Also, note if you’re planning a Fall 2000 visit that the road doesn’t open until 10am on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Cades Cove Tree, October, 2000

Photographed with a Rollei 6008 Integral and 300mm Schneider APO Tele-Xenar on Provia 100F

I returned to Cades Cove for a third time in late October. Here a late sunrise due to heavy clouds provides a backdrop to this lovely old tree and dilapidated barn. 

We ran into a dew drenched field to capture this frame as a few minutes later the sun emerged from behind the cloud bank and the light became brighter and flatter.

Cataloochee

Cataloochee Cabin, Cataloochee, Great Smoky Mountains NP. September, 2000
Photographed with a Hasselblad Arcbody and 35mm Rodenstock lens on Provia 100F

Located on the southeastern side of the park well away from the madding crowds is the old settlement ofCataloochee. Situated in a valley very much likeCades Coveit contains several fascinating settlers cabins. This one is named thePalmer House.The walls must have been covered at one time with old newspapers. In an enlargement much of the text is legible and makes fascinating reading.

If you’re planning a trip toGreat Smokyhere are two sites that may prove to be of interest. The first is a liveweb camshowing the view and the current weather from the top ofLook Mountain. The second is theweather forecastfor the region.