Trip Overview A trip through a section of the western North CArolina mountains, from the edge of Fontana Lake along streams draining into the lake, into the Cherokee Indian lands, with a brief excursion into the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Trip Segement Details 1. The trip starts at the junction of US 19 and NC 28 just east of Almond, and travels east on US 19.
Steep grades are likely.
In many ways the road is a typical main highway through a sparcely populated region. The hills rise on either side as we cross the low passing, going from the valley of the Nantahala River to that of the Tuckaseegee. Both are tributaries of the Little Tennessee, but their junction was flooded by the creation of Fontana Lake, hence the need for the engineering over the pass. Once safely over US 19 Business leaves this main road, becomes a two lane, and winding, road dropping into Bryson City. Bryson City Bryson City sits on the flat valley floor of the Tuckaseegee River, spreading on both sides of the stream.