This is the all-day drive scheduled for Friday, October 11th.
Stage 1: Foothills Parkway
About 40 minutes
Starting Point – the Lodge at Valley View
7726 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Townsend, TN 37882
1. Head west on TN-73 W/US-321 S/E Lamar Alexander Pkwy toward Chestnut Hill Rd 6.4 mi
2. Turn left toward Foothills Pkwy 0.2 mi
3. Slight right onto Foothills Pkwy 16.8 mi
4. Turn left onto State Hwy 115/US-129 S/Calderwood Hwy
Continue to follow State Hwy 115/US-129 S 3.2 mi
Enter pull off on left side of road to prepare for Stage 2: The Dragon
Stage 2: The Dragon
About 20 minutes
This is the 318 curves in 11 miles so many people rave about.
Simply follow the road up the mountain to the TN/NC state line.
Do not push it on this run, especially if you have never driven the Dragon.
Enjoy the drive and get a feel for the Dragon’s variety of curves and elevation changes.
Saturday you will have a chance to return and drive the Dragon as many times as you’d like.
After passing the state line, we will come to Deals Gap about a mile down the road.
TURN LEFT on NC-28 South just past the motorcycle resort on the left.
Stage 3: Moonshiner 28, part 1: Fontana Road
About 20 minutes
914 GROUP PHOTO at Fontana Dam
About 45 minutes
914s only, please. (Other makes/models please park at entrance point)
This may take 15-20 minutes or more to set up so your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Photo will be taken from the top of Fontana Dam
ALT: Photo will be taken as a panoramic with Fontana Dam in the background.
Stage 4: Moonshiner 28, part 2: Fontana Road / 143 to Robbinsville
About 35 minutes
speed limit is 55mph much of this route (need to verify)
LUNCH in Robbinsville
1.5 hours – variety of restaurants from which to choose
Meet about 1/2 mile down the road at SECU parking lot to regroup for afternoon drive
Stage 5: River Run – Hwy 19/74
About 60 minutes
Stage 6: Great Smoky Mountains Expressway to Cherokee
About 20 minutes
At the beginning of GSMExp there is a long incline. At this point a photographer will be positioned at the top of the hill.
As a photo op, would like all 914s to slow to around 40mph and line up in both lanes for photo/video.
Once you’ve crested the hill, cruise on to Cherokee to meet up at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at the entrance to Great Smoky Mtn National Park.
Stage 7: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
About 60 minutes
GSMNP is federal land. If you speed, it is a federal ticket. Don’t speed. This drive is not a race.
Oh… and don’t get too frustrated if you get behind slow moving traffic. In fact, stop at the next overlook and enjoy the beauty of the Smokies in her Autumn colors.
Being peak season in the Smokies, this part of the drive is bound to be slow going.
We will quickly regroup at Sugarlands Visitor Center just before Gatlinburg.
At this point, you may head to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge for dinner, shopping, etc or return with the main group to Townsend via Little River Road.
Please let your group leader know what you plan to do so we are not left wondering if you got eaten by a bear.
Stage 8: Little River Road
About 40 minutes
Still on federal land so DO NOT SPEED! You have come this far without incident (you have, haven’t you?), so don’t mess it up this close to “home”.
See you back at the motel.
SUMMARY:
115 minutes drive + 20 minute stop at Dragon + 45 minutes group photo
90 minutes lunch
30 minutes at Oconaluftee VC + 20 minutes at Sugarlands VC
~3hrs before lunch
90 minute LUNCH 12:15-1:45
~4hrs after lunch
TOTAL SCHEDULED TIME = ~8.5hrs
Leave – 9:14am
Return – 5:45pm