Planning Ahead for your visit to the mountains in Western North Carolina.

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When visiting Western North Carolina is always best to come prepared. No matter what time of year, rapid temperature changes can occur in the mountains. Drastic changes may occur in the higher elevations, and the rivers and streams are pretty cold in all seasons. In the summer, the water is pleasantly cool, but can get a bit chilly in the evening and night-time hours. In the summer, biting insects, poisonous plants, and snakes are in abundance. Rivers and streams can swell rapidly in the rainy months, and the footing is always treacherous in these fast moving waters. In winter, the driving conditions can become quite perilous, and some roads through the parkways and US routes can become closed to all traffic. This page is designed to help you prepare wisely for your visit to our scenic mountains, and by following these suggestions, you will be better prepared to handle most of the situations described in the above paragraph.

Winter

Winter is a time of extreme cold, snow, and icy road conditions. If you plan to drive into our area, always call ahead and check the road conditions for road closings. Always keep in mind that many businesses close down during this time, but essential services are available. A 4 wheel drive vehicle and chains should be used if you plan to come through the mountains using any US routes other than US 74 which remains open when most of the others are closed. Don’t count on US 74 to be cleared immediately, so you may have to drive real slow on snow or ice. ALWAYS carry an emergency car kit in your vehicle.

Spring

Spring is a time of rapid change. The nights remain cold, but the days are pleasant, so it is best to bring a mixture of warm and cold weather clothing. The best medicine is to carry an emergency survival backpack kit in your car at all times.

A light jacket for the day and a good sweater for the evening hours are recommended. For those who will be so bold as to enter the cold mountain streams and rivers to trout fish, an insulated pair of non-slip hip waders should be top on the list. If you plan to explore the National Park, or Blue Ridge parkway, make sure you fill up your tank.

Cell Phone services are a touch and go experience, so don’t count on your phone to work if you get into trouble. Some areas may still require 4 wheel drive vehicles only, or chains on your tires, so always stop at the visitor centers to check road conditions. The parks are usually good with putting up warning signs, and if the road looks bad, turn around. Traffic nightmares include several spring festivals and a huge Bike Rally in March.

Summer

The only thing I can say about the summer months is that the congestion through the Great Smokey Mountain National Park, and Blue Ridge Parkway is pretty bad. Places like Cherokee, Waynesville, and Bryson can become pretty crowded during festivals, and the bike rallies, so be prepared for long delays. Sometime it's slow going, especially if you get behind mobile homes on wheels with drivers who don’t know how to drive them. Other traffic nightmares can occur during the summer festivals that are held in just about every town during this time of year.

Fall

Fall is spring and summer conditions combined, and this is because of the flood of “Leaf Lookers” who come to our area during the September thru November months. Traffic nightmares can happen during the Indian Festivals, Parades and the huge Bike Rally in the Cherokee area. There are also many events going on in Tennessee, at Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge during this time of year. Folks who don't want to miss out on anything, will travel back and forth to go to events being held in both locations.

Driving Tips:

Rock Slides - drive at the posted speeds because you never know just when a slide will occur that will block a road.

Down Shifting- Every vehicle is equipped with lower gears, but people tend to forget this. Use Low 2, and Low 3 when descending a steep mountain, and save your brakes. You’ll know what gear is best for the slope if your vehicle remains at a speed that is close to the speed posted. Clutched vehicles can simply ride in a lower gear. This will save your clutch, and brakes. Pass the word… we could use less pollution.

Winding, Twisting Roads - Most accidents occur because people keep breaking the speed limit, and they don't pay attention to the 15 MPH speed limits that are posted throughout the parks. Do that here and you will find yourself halfway down the mountain where even an ATV 4 wheeler doesn’t want to play around. There are Many hair-pin, 160 degree, and switch-back curves within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway. Drivers really, really need to pay attention to road warning signs and posted speed limits. One spot in the Great Smoky mountain National Park is just as I described, and many folks lose it in this curve.

Speed Limits/Pull Offs - There is nothing more frustrating than getting behind someone who is either too scared to do the speed limit, or is too busy sightseeing, and not paying attention to their driving. There are many pull-offs along the routes you take, so please use them if a line of traffic is forming up behind you. It is the courteous thing to do, and it is safer all around for both you, and the other drivers. Some areas on the routes you take go from 15 MPH to 45 MPH within a ½ mile stretch, and if you’re still doing 15 MPH in a 40 MPH stretch, people will let you know… Trust me.

I hope these tips have been useful, and we would like to wish you a safe and enjoyable trip. We look forward to your visit. Give us a call if your in our area, and say high. It's always a pleasure to hear from people who have found our website beneficial. Thanks.

Western North Carolina Guidebook

Home of the Cherokee Indian, Smoky Mountain National Park, The Blue Ridge Parkway, trout fishing & vacations.

Typical Car Kit:

This package is designed for those who drive or live in areas with harsh weather conditions and rural travel that has limited service facilities. This is a list of the typical essentials everyone should carry in their vehicle at all times. By no means is this a complete list of everything you may need, and you may want to add items to this list. For a complete guide to survival kits, go to the American Red Cross website. The kit below is pretty standard, and every item in it should be in your car at all times. We don't recommend taking anything away from this list, though you may want to add other essentials to it.

Red Reflective Backpack
Light Stick
Jumper Cables - These 12 foot cables are made of heavy duty 10 gauge rubber and copper
First Aid Kit - Contains Band-Aids, Aspirin, Sting Relief Pad, First Aid Instructions and more
Waterproof Poncho - User friendly - fits right over your clothes
Multi-Purpose Knife - 13 functions in all. Pliers, screwdrivers, saws, scissors, can openers, etc…
Flashlight w/ Batteries - This "D" size flashlight has wrist strap and comes with 2 batteries
Drinking Water - Carry enough bottled water to last 3 days for each passenger.

Food - Carry enough for the amount of passengers to survive 3 days. Energy bars, nuts, canned goods, etc…
Solar Sleeping Bag - 7' x 4' contains 90% of your body heat.
Several Disposable Lighters
Whistle with Lanyard
Emergency Instructions & Help Sign
Roll of Duct Tape

Warm Weather Clothing - Carry warm gloves, extra socks, and a face mask style head cover.

Hiking Boots

Wind-Up Radio Flashlight - Radio shack has them for less than $40.

Tinder - Save your dryer lint in a zip-lock bag. It makes great tinder to start a fire.

Medications

Cell Phone