Blue Ridge or Natchez Trace Parkway?

[Tonto]

That's been kind of the general consensus I think. That's why we're leaning pretty heavy towards riding the Blue Ridge unless something happens to change our minds.

What we have been discussing lately is what kind of weather swings we might expect to encounter in Sept? The closest we've been was one year we were in Gatlinburg and went over the mountain to Cherokee NC. It was very hot in Gatlinburg and as we went up and over the mountain it got much cooler, not cold but cooler. I am thinking that in the middle of Sept on the Blue Ridge we might expect over night temps in the 40's to be possible?

I looked at a few weather sites to check, and you seem to be on target with the lows, at least in the higher elevations. Planning for the unexpected is key as long as you have the room to pack what you may need.

 

[michael2480]

For anyone that has ridden the BRP more than once, do you have a preference on which end to start on? I am planning on starting on the south end and going north.

 

[dmccord]

Michael, One thing i haven't seen mentioned on here is the City of Natchez. My wife and I rode from Nashville all the way down to Natchez. We spent two days there and toured several of the antebellum homes there that was way worth the trip. Beautiful city beyond anything i have ever seen. If you go there, the first thing you need to do is to go downtown and rent a carriage ride to get introduced to the city. It's a very laidback city with lots to see. We carried a picnic lunch with us and ate at roadside parks along the trace. We have rode the BRP also. If you do take this route, be sure and stop at Ashvile, NC and tour the Biltmore, but plan for a whole day there. Whichever trip you take, you will not be disappointed.

We have ridden the BRP in Sept. many times, and tho it got a little cool at times, it was never a problem for us. Just pack some warm jackets and you will be fine. Ever get back toward Sikeston, contact me, we just live 25 miles west of there, and the throwed rolls are fantastic!!

 

[michael2480]

Thanks for the info dmcccord, we were planning on stopping in Asheville and seeing a couple of things there. We will probably be coming through Sikeston on our way over and will try to look you up on our way through. We have been to Natchez before and did really enjoy the city.

 

[michael2480]

Have any of you stopped to fish anywhere along the way while riding the BRP?

 

[dmccord]

Sorry for the late response. No, i have never stopped to fish. I have a 5 acre bass and crappie lake in my backyard. I do all my fishing at home. lol

 

[skuuter]

I've ridden both, and are on sections of both each year. Blue Ridge Parkway is the best of the Two, and mid Summer is the Best Time to miss "Mudslide Closures", Fog, Massive Temp Changes, etc. The Natchez Trace is Great on each end...The Start in Nashville/Franklin, Tennessee to Florence, Alabama, and the end at Natchez, Mississippi are both beautiful places with a really dull and boring middle. History along the way is interesting though....if You plan to do one though, "Mid-Summer BRP" and You won't be disappointed.....ThumbUp

 

[TUSK]

I've ridden both twice. The Blue Ridge is infinitely more scenic and offers more attractions near the Parkway. You might even encounter a bear as I did.

 

[michael2480]

Sorry for the late response. No, i have never stopped to fish. I have a 5 acre bass and crappie lake in my backyard. I do all my fishing at home. lol

Not a lot of trout in your lake though I bet! Was just thinking it might be fun to do while in the area.

 

[Cybyrd1]

I know that the town of Gatlinburg stocks the creek running through the middle of town on a weekly basis (I think on Thursdays). The creek running through the Cherokee reservation is stocked also, but I don't know how often. Gatlinburg will require a Tennessee fishing license, Cherokee a reservation fishing license. Also, the Blue Ridge Parkway starts in Cherokee. It is one of my favorite rides in the area.

 

[HarleyPap57]

I've ridden the BRP numerous times from Cherokee, NC all the way up to the Skyline Drive to Front Royal, VA. It's just beautiful no matter when you ride in the spring to the fall. Take your time and stop at the numerous pull offs. We've seen black bear, deer, wild turkey and more riding up thru there. As for fishing Cherokee has a nice trout stream going thru their town. Since it's a reservation you would need to get a permit from them. Going thru Asheville, NC you can stop and tour the Biltmore, Boone, NC the Daniel Boone Inn or Woodlands BBQ in Blowing Rock, NC are great places to eat. We ride the BRP the most from Boone, NC south the Cherokee when heading to Gatlinburg via the Smoky Mtn. Parkway, 441.

 

[slick rick]

Michael, One thing i haven't seen mentioned on here is the City of Natchez. My wife and I rode from Nashville all the way down to Natchez. We spent two days there and toured several of the antebellum homes there that was way worth the trip. Beautiful city beyond anything i have ever seen. If you go there, the first thing you need to do is to go downtown and rent a carriage ride to get introduced to the city. It's a very laidback city with lots to see. We carried a picnic lunch with us and ate at roadside parks along the trace. We have rode the BRP also. If you do take this route, be sure and stop at Ashvile, NC and tour the Biltmore, but plan for a whole day there. Whichever trip you take, you will not be disappointed. We have ridden the BRP in Sept. many times, and tho it got a little cool at times, it was never a problem for us. Just pack some warm jackets and you will be fine. Ever get back toward Sikeston, contact me, we just live 25 miles west of there, and the throwed rolls are fantastic!!

:Agree::Agree::Agree: The old homes are beautiful and there's a lot of history along the way , again rode 'em both and this is my favorite !!!!!:clapping::clapping::clapping:

 

[michael2480]

I've ridden the BRP numerous times from Cherokee, NC all the way up to the Skyline Drive to Front Royal, VA. It's just beautiful no matter when you ride in the spring to the fall. Take your time and stop at the numerous pull offs. We've seen black bear, deer, wild turkey and more riding up thru there. As for fishing Cherokee has a nice trout stream going thru their town. Since it's a reservation you would need to get a permit from them. Going thru Asheville, NC you can stop and tour the Biltmore, Boone, NC the Daniel Boone Inn or Woodlands BBQ in Blowing Rock, NC are great places to eat. We ride the BRP the most from Boone, NC south the Cherokee when heading to Gatlinburg via the Smoky Mtn. Parkway, 441.

Thanks for the information Pap. I was through Cherokee once and seemed to remember seeing a nice stream running on the east side of the main road. Will have to look into that when we go through there this time. We won't be there when the leaves change but I'm betting from what you and others have said it will be beautiful with plenty to see. Looking forward to it.

 

[dirtdobber]

If time allows why not ride both of em. Since your in Nashville you can get on the trace ride to Hwy 72, go east you will pass a HD shop pretty quick. This will take you to I24 if you don't mind interstate riding. Going to the smokies, Cherokee. If you want to do back roads go through Red Bank just out of Chattanooga.
We go to Cherokee and Pigeon Forge several times a year.
be careful of your speed on the trace as they will get you if over 2 mph of the speed limit. Great ride. If I was just going to do just one I would do the Brp.

 

[HarleyPap57]

If time allows why not ride both of em. Since your in Nashville you can get on the trace ride to Hwy 72, go east you will pass a HD shop pretty quick. This will take you to I24 if you don't mind interstate riding. Going to the smokies, Cherokee. If you want to do back roads go through Red Bank just out of Chattanooga.
We go to Cherokee and Pigeon Forge several times a year.
be careful of your speed on the trace as they will get you if over 2 mph of the speed limit. Great ride. If I was just going to do just one I would do the Brp.

Yeah :Agree: Ride from Nashville to Lynchburg, TN and tour Jack Daniels (Free Tour) then head to Chattanooga. Next morning ride Hwy. 64 past the Olympic Whitewater Center over to Murphy, NC and then go north to Cherokee. It's absolutely beautiful from the Spring to Late Fall. Rivers, Lakes, Streams, Mountains everything.

 

[GARYD]

Each year I take the Skyline drive/BRP/Cherohala Skyway home from Rolling Thunder - I never get tired of it.
I also like the "mini" Tail of the dragon in Arkansas called the Pig trail and of course Mt. Nebo = :AGGHH: not for the faint of heart. ThumbUp

 

[michael2480]

If time allows why not ride both of em. Since your in Nashville you can get on the trace ride to Hwy 72, go east you will pass a HD shop pretty quick. This will take you to I24 if you don't mind interstate riding. Going to the smokies, Cherokee. If you want to do back roads go through Red Bank just out of Chattanooga.
We go to Cherokee and Pigeon Forge several times a year.
be careful of your speed on the trace as they will get you if over 2 mph of the speed limit. Great ride. If I was just going to do just one I would do the Brp.

That's a good idea, if time allows we might just do that. I had looked at that before and kind of forgot about doing it for some reason or another but looking at the map it looks like a good way to get from point A to point B with lots of scenery in between.

 

[michael2480]

How would the middle of June be on the BRP? Would most things be in bloom and the weather fairly good at that time?