Bull Elk - Cataloochee Cove - Great Smoky Mountain National Park
A little known area of the Smoky Mountains is Cataloochee. Cataloochee was an old settlement in a cove that has much to show. There are some old buildings to see, but the real treat are the elk. Elks were native to the area, but people hunted them out. In 2001 they started re-introducing them to the cove. People come to watch them in the early morning and late evening as they come out to the fields to feed. During the rut, the bulls will fight over their harems. You may ear one bugle or better yet see two bulls spar. This magnificent animal is a must see for all who will travel the winding dirt roads up and down the mountains to this remote site.
Little Pigeon River - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
If you want to get away from the traffic in Gatlinburg and yes the park, then head east out of Gatlinburg. Greenbrier is another old settlement area. This area has some nice hiking trails. One of them is Porters Creek Trail. But on the way to the trail you drive along a scenic river called the Little Pigeon River. There are plenty of places to pull off and photograph. There is nothing like spending an hour in an area photographing then spending another hour sitting by the river with your eyes closed listening to the water rushing over the rocks. Life can be so fun.
Little Pigeon River - Great Smoky Mountain National Park
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