Jim Bales Homestead © William Britten use with permission only
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a narrow, one-way loop and a wonderful opportunity for Smoky Mountains photos. Start from stoplight number 8 in Gatlinburg, proceed up the hill and enter the Smokies at the Cherokee Orchard entrance. The six-mile route will take you past several cabins of the early settlers of the area. Jim Bales place is one of several early homesteads that are preserved in the Park.
Who was Jim Bales? James Wesley Bales was born in 1869. Jim and his older brother, Ephraim, spent most of their lives from the 1860s to the 1930s on the Roaring Fork. Jim married Emma Ogle, a young woman from a neighboring homestead.
The cabin pictured above was actually the Alex Cole cabin moved by the Park Service from the Sugarlands area of the Smokies. But the corncrib and barn, seen below, are what remains of Jim Bales’ life on the Roaring Fork.
The view from Jim's Place © William Britten use with permission only
The Roaring Fork cuts down right next the the Bales homestead and provides some fine angles for photos — especially when the dogwoods and rhododendron bloom.
Smoky Mountains photos along the Roaring Fork © William Britten use with permission only
Please stop in for a visit to see the complete display of Smoky Mountains Photos at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN. I’m located along the historic Arts and Crafts Loop along Glades Rd. And if you are a facebook follower, please consider following my facebook page for daily updates and more Smoky Mountains photos.
I love the Roaring Fork Motor Trail, sad to think that a lot of visitors to the area in Gatliburg do not even know it is here. They are missing a great place. Thanks for sharing these great pics.
We have never been to the Great Smokey Mtn Nat Park but now that we are retired and plan to travel in an RV, we will make sure to visit and see these beautiful sites. Thanks for the information.
We are not far from the Great Smoky Mountains and visit that area often and we do not leave out the Roaring Fork trail. It is a joy and we visit that area many times when it is open. Thanks for sharing this info to those who do not know about it and let them know to visit. We have not been to your gallery, but we will put it on our list to visit.