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Cherohala Skyway Condition 12/29/13

bobframe

New member
I'm considering a ride over Cherohala on either New Years Eve or New Years day...in either case, during daylight hours.

Anyone have any insights to what condition the road surface is in (Ice? Snow?), now that the latest storm has passed through?

Thanks.

Bob
 
I'm considering a ride over Cherohala on either New Years Eve or New Years day...in either case, during daylight hours.

Anyone have any insights to what condition the road surface is in (Ice? Snow?), now that the latest storm has passed through?

Thanks.

Bob

I don't know about there but I rode up to Cave Creek, AZ today and the roads were just fine and the temps a bit brisk at about 71F đź‘Ť
 
I'm considering a ride over Cherohala on either New Years Eve or New Years day...in either case, during daylight hours.

Anyone have any insights to what condition the road surface is in (Ice? Snow?), now that the latest storm has passed through?

Thanks.

Bob

I don't know about there but I rode up to Cave Creek, AZ today and the roads were just fine and the temps a bit brisk at about 71F.
 
I can't speak to the exact conditions for today but I know from past experience it can be smooth riding at the bottom, turn treacherous at the top, and get smooth again as one descends back to the lower elevations. It's the same as any other such mountain ride in that respect.

To wit - when my wife and I were there last year in October it was cold and overcast when we suited up at the gas station on the Tellico side, was sleeting and snowing as we crossed the top, and turned tolerable again by the time we got over to the greasy spoon at Deal's Gap.

My thought would be to contact the local ranger station or perhaps the folks at Tellico Moto to get real time intel of what to expect.
 
Exactly right.

I can't speak to the exact conditions for today but I know from past experience it can be smooth riding at the bottom, turn treacherous at the top, and get smooth again as one descends back to the lower elevations. It's the same as any other such mountain ride in that respect.

To wit - when my wife and I were there last year in October it was cold and overcast when we suited up at the gas station on the Tellico side, was sleeting and snowing as we crossed the top, and turned tolerable again by the time we got over to the greasy spoon at Deal's Gap.

My thought would be to contact the local ranger station or perhaps the folks at Tellico Moto to get real time intel of what to expect.

You understand the place...up top its a different micro-climate. Tellico Moto is operating on their "Winter hours" and won't be available between now and New Years.
 
Howdy. I live in north Georgia,not far from the Cherohala Skyway. The weather has been wet and cold here. It is 33 degrees right now and cloudy,and probably cooler there. I have not heard of any landslides lately,but the do happen. Do call the ranger first. It is one of my favorite rides.
 
Update 1/1/14

Rode over Cherohala today and the road was in very good condition...almost completely dry. They have salted the road and there is some evidence of that, but its very light. There's lots of heavy icing on the rock faces but I saw no signs of water running onto the road. I don't think the temps got below freezing even at the highest elevation...I'm estimating it was around 40F...though I never stopped to carefully examine my thermometer.

Anyway, my first ride of the year was a doozy...appreciate your help!
 
Rode over Cherohala today and the road was in very good condition...almost completely dry. They have salted the road and there is some evidence of that, but its very light. There's lots of heavy icing on the rock faces but I saw no signs of water running onto the road. I don't think the temps got below freezing even at the highest elevation...I'm estimating it was around 40F...though I never stopped to carefully examine my thermometer.

Anyway, my first ride of the year was a doozy...appreciate your help!


That is most definitely a great ride to start the new year. Fortunate that the road was in good shape. I would think that in most years the road conditions on New Years day could be treacherous for motorcycles, especially the stretch at the Tn and NC border,
 
Agreed.

That is most definitely a great ride to start the new year. Fortunate that the road was in good shape. I would think that in most years the road conditions on New Years day could be treacherous for motorcycles, especially the stretch at the Tn and NC border,
I have seen pictures of the Skyway when it would not have been a fun ride. My plan was to start up it and if it got at all dicey, turn around. But crossing several gaps in north Georgia, I had a pretty good idea that it was going to be ok.
 
It is an awesome ride. My wife and I rode it a couple of times last year. The first time was midday in August and it was hot on both ends...pleasant at times...and cold in the middle. The second ride we made was in November at night...cold at Tellico Moto...cold at times...and lows of 30F. Damn cold but a fun ride. Unfortunately, the great Mike at Tellico Moto and his wife, the icecream lady across the street have retired. They are riding and enjoying life, but are missed.
 
Some buddies that live there have told me that the Cherohala is pretty beat up with frost heaves and potholes. It was a rough winter there and it's been a while since any paving has been done.
 
Skyway a few weeks ago; still awe inspiring

I live in the Chattanooga area and ride the Skyway as a day trip multiple times a year (my favorite ride on my 2012K1300S). It is still in great shape and a spectacular ride. Although, yes the winter was hard and it is significantly worse but only in a few places. I rode it a few weeks ago and can attest that a few spots, particularly a few in NC which were rough previously, are now very rough (as in TC activating if one skips over the choppy asphalt too fast with the suspension in sport mode). The rest is still altogether...majestic. Probably gone now with the rains, but weeks ago there was still a lot of salt and gravel on the turns by the Rattlesnake overlook. Very dangerous. I saw reference to Tellico Moto in the string below; they closed...tragic. Ride safely...
 
I did my third ride of the year over Cherohala last week. After lunch at (my favorite restaurant on the planet) Tellico Grains, we thought we'd drop by Tellico Motorcycle Outfitters, only to discover they'd closed shop (Feb 28, 2014). The world's a worse place for it.
 
2012 K1300S - How's the Skyway Condition Now?

Need a break and was thinking of riding up 30 into Tellico Plains and then the Skyway both ways on Friday (everyone has their own way of recharging the old batteries). How's the condition these days? Sand and salt gone?
 
Unless it's winter conditions this 4k elevation road is a scenic, fun road to ride with a few curves & some sweepers. Hardly a place to be concerned about "conditions" when it's not winter or leaf peeper time...
 
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