Excursions

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• NC-28 Fontana Lake - Between Wesser and Lauada on US-74 (see also: Nantahala Gorge) is the intersection of NC-28. Following this route east takes you through Almond, past Fontana Lake and Fontana Village, then a final stretch on the north side of the Little Tennessee River to the intersection with US-129 at the Tennessee State Line (just east of Tapoco).
  Fontana Lake is the largest of the Tennessee Valley Authority impound-ments. Completed in 1945, it was then the fourth highest hydroelectric power dam in the world (and is still the highest in the eastern USA).
  You can put this route together with the Santeetlah Lake route and the section of the Nantahala Gorge route which allows you to make a nice loop through some of the most scenic mountain land in the United States. Driving time for the entire loop (depending upon pauses to enjoy the scenery) is about 2 to 2½ hours.
• NC-143 Cherohala Skyway - Once upon a time there was a certain Indian princess . . . No! Not this time. Many of us have heard the stories about Cherohala but they just are pure fiction. Cherohala is a modern-day coined word: Cherokee plus Nantahala. They needed a name (NC-143 isn't very romantic) for this very scenic skyline drive which connects the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina with the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee.
     From US-74 at Topton (see: Nantahala Gorge), take US-129 to Robbinsville. At the intersection of NC-143 turn left and follow it around the south end of Lake Santeetlah. (About a dozen miles from US-74 is a 'scenic overlook' with a special kiosk. Here, too, you can take a detour into the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest where you can view one of the finest stands in the country of virgin oaks, tulip poplars (some 20 or so feet in circumference).
     Continuing on NC-143, you'll soon cross Santeetlah Creek. This is known as the Santeetlah Gap. From here you will climb Cedar Top Mountain and then continue along the crests to Little Huckleberry Knob, Hoopers Bald (the highest here at 5429 feet), Laurel Top (on the Tennessee line) and then, following the Appalachian crest, on to John's Knob and Beech Gap where you can cross over into Tennessee.
     According to geologists, the Appalachian Mountains are the oldest mountains in the world. Worn down by millions of years of erosion, they allow very comfortable hiking trails. In fact, almost every parking area along the Cherohala also serves as an access point for at least one such trail.
     Though this route is only about 32 miles (to the Tennessee State Line at Beech Gap) it will take well over two hours to make the round trip. Please take advantage of the scenic overlooks - and, perhaps, follow a trail or two. While you are driving, please remember that you will encounter many pedestrians and cyclists along the road so please be careful.
• US-74 (w/US-19/129) Nantahala Gorge - US-74, leading east from Murphy, is 4 lanes. Ah, a freeway, you say. Don't hold your breath. It soon becomes two-lane and, as you climb the mountain, curvy two-lane. But the sight you are about to see on the other side the mountain will be worth the drive.
     For the next twenty miles you'll be in the famous Nantahala Gorge - the wild river (one of the most popular world-class white-water rafting spots in the USA). Early spring (during snow melts and spring rains) the gorge becomes ferocious but - unless there has been a long-term drought - the gorge is usually very much alive. You may find it interesting to stop in one of the parking areas (parking space is very dear so don't try to be too picky) and watch the kayaks manuver through the rapids. Most of them are so good they make it look easy: it isn't.
     The Nantahala River and US-74 part company at Wesser. A little beyond Wesser NC-28 West splits off to the left and, just before reaching Lauada, you will cross the Little Tennessee River. These two rivers join just north of here and then form Fontana Lake. NC-28 West would take you to Fontana Lake and, if you wish, on into Tennessee. Continuing a little further on US-74 to Lauada, NC-28 East will takes you over the mountains to Franklin if you wish a different, very beautiful route back to US-64.)
     Just east of Lauada you will rejoin the 4-lane divided highway - which it remains all the way to Asheville. This 4-lane highway is often overlooked as one of North Carolina's scenic highways - especially in autumn when the colors are really spectacular.
     Note: You can put the section of this route between the Robbinsville turn-off of US-129 (start of the Santeetlah Lake route) and the Fontana turn-off of NC-28 (start of the Fontana Lake route) which allows you to make a nice loop through some of the most scenic mountain land in the United States. Driving time for the entire loop (depending upon pauses to enjoy the scenery) is about 2 to 2½ hours.
• US-129 Santeetlah Lake - From US-74/19/129 at Topton, US-129 turns west to lead folks to Robbinsville, Santeetlah Lake and Cheoah Lake in Tennessee. This has got to be about the most isolated area in the eastern United States. That in itself is a major attraction for the tourists who spend their summer vacations in resort communities like Fontana Village (see also: Fontana Lake).
     The highway to Robbinsville is a good, two-lane with far too few scenic overlooks. Off to your right you can see the Cheoa Mountains and along that high ridge is the famous Appalachian Trail. Just before Robbinsville you'll cross the Tulula Creek which, together with the Sweetwater form the Cheoah River. In the early part of this century, the Aluminum Company of America ("Alcoa"), which was a major influence in the area south of Knoxville TN, built a dam across the Cheoah River about 16 miles downstream from Robbinsville. At the time it was the highest overflow dam in the world (and had the largest turbines in the world). All this was an attempt to supply the huge quantity of electric power required by the mining industry. (The TVA came along in the WW-II era to supplement this early effort to meet the nearly insatiable craving for electric power.)
     Continuing from Robbinsville on US-129 you will get on-and-off sights of the Santeetlah Lake and, finally Santeetlah Dam, also on your left. After the dam the highway flirts with the Cheoah River as they both wind on their way to Tapoco (the name is an acronym for Tallassee Power Company. The workers building the Cheoah Dam were housed in Tapoco. Just west of Tapoco is the intersection of NC-28 which leads through Fontana Village, skirts Fontana Lake and joins US-74 between Wesser and Lauada (see also: Fontana Lake).
     You can put this route together with the Fontana Lake route and the section of the Nantahala Gorge route which allows you to make a nice loop through some of the most scenic mountain land in the United States. Driving time for the entire loop (depending upon pauses to enjoy the scenery) is about 2 to 2½ hours.