See Ancient Petroglyphs in Western North Carolina

This photo from the 1930s shows the Judaculla Rock petroglyphs chalked in so they can be seen more easily

Few people know that there are ancient rock art sites in the Smoky Mountains. However, if you know where to look, amazing petroglyphs can be found right here in the mountains of western North Carolina!

The rock art found in the Smoky Mountains was created by Native Americans living in the area about 3,000 years ago. One captivating example is Judaculla Rock, located in Jackson County, which is only about a 30-minute drive from your Bryson City or Cherokee vacation cabin rental.  Judaculla Rock is a soapstone boulder with hundreds of petroglyphs resembling humans, footprints and geometric shapes.

The meaning of the Judaculla Rock symbols are a mystery.  According to local legend, Judaculla (which means Great Slant-eyed Giant) was a giant hunter who lived on top of a mountain. Judaculla had the power to control the wind, rain, thunder, and lightning. The carvings on the boulder are said to represent scratches made by Judaculla’s feet as he jumped from the top of the mountain to the creek below.  The site has a small park where visitors can relax and ponder the mystery of Judaculla Rock.

To get to Judaculla Rock from US 74, take Exit 85 to Business Route 23 through Sylva. Stay on 23 1.3 miles to NC 107, then turn left onto 107. Drive 8 miles south on 107 and take a left onto Caney Fork Road, County Road 1737. Go 2.5 miles then turn left onto a gravel road and drive 0.45 mile. The rock is on the right, and parking is on the left. Have fun, and ponder how many other humans have stood beside this 3,000 year old piece of history!

Biking Event – The Hilly Hellacious

If you are an avid cyclist, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to take part in the Hilly Hellacious, which takes place in the Asheville area on September 25th. This landmark event offers four challenging routes; a Full Century and a Metric Century, a Half Century and a Hilly Lite. Each course offers a challenging ride through the scenic rural and mountain byways of Western North Carolina. New cycling enthusiasts have the shorter options which are perfect to check out!

While you are in the area enjoying your North Carolina Smoky Mountains vacation cabin rental, plan to head over to Asheville to take part in this amazing ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can register up to the day of the event and all proceeds go to support a local organization that promotes fitness through biking for area youth. The scenery will be incredible and it is sure to be a day you will never forget!  Asheville is an easy 1 hour drive from Bryson City, NC and the scenery along highway 74 is gorgeous.  For directions and registration information, click here.

Fishing at Deep Creek

If fishing is your passion, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to try for a Rainbow Trout, a Brook Trout, or the elusive Brown Trout that populate the streams and rivers of western North Carolina. The area has long been a favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts but has only recently become well known for fishing thanks to books like “Western North Carolina Fly Guide” by J.E.B. Hall, whose family has been fishing area rivers and streams for generations.

A great place to start is Deep Creek, located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park’s cool, clear streams are a popular destination and are easily accessible with well-marked and maintained trails. The best part is, Deep Creek is just a few minutes away from your Cherokee or Bryson City vacation cabin rental.

The trout season is open year round, but fly-fishing is at its best in the spring and Brown Trout season is best in the fall. Just make sure you purchase a fishing license before heading out. There are several outfitters in the area where you can pick up a fishing license and any other gear you require. You can also book your vacation rental cabin with a guided fishing trip package directly with Yellow Rose and save when you do.  Good luck!

Tubing at Deep Creek

Familly Fun at Deep Creek in Bryson City, NC

A favorite activity of locals on hot summer days, tubing at Deep Creek in Bryson City, NC is sure to be a highlight of your trip to the Smoky Mountains. Enjoying the splash of cool water as you float down a beautiful mountain stream is an experience you will never forget!

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your tubing adventure.

♦ Wear quick-dry synthetic clothing. Avoid wearing cotton, especially with young children. When cotton gets wet, it leaches body heat. Cold kids tend to complain and complaining usually puts a damper on the fun.

♦ Wear supportive footwear such as water shoes or an old pair of sneakers. Avoid flip-flops. They are likely to get lost in the water and are not particularly comfortable to walk in on uneven terrain.

♦ Rent a tube from one of the vendors along the road leading into the park. They will help you load them onto your vehicle. Beware! The tubes are light so they easily blow off the top of your car even when tied down. You will likely pass at least one person pulled over attempting to rescue their tubes from the side of the road. Don’t let this happen to you! Drive slowly on your way into the park.

♦ When you enter the park, follow the road until it dead-ends at the main parking area. Unload the tubes and walk up the pathway until you reach the point you wish to enter the water. There are several entry points, the furthest being about ¾ mile from the trail head.

♦ We recommend that kids under 75 pounds put in at the bridge about half a mile up the trail for their first few runs. There is a rapid a bit further upstream that can flip over the smaller tubes. Suddenly finding yourself completely submerged in cold water can be a bit of a shock and may lead to crying. Crying is no fun for anyone. To avoid this, let kids build their confidence with a few shorter runs before going all the way to the top.

♦ Little kids 30 pounds and under should wear a PFD, which can be rented along with your tubes. Though they may insist they want their own tube, this is not the best idea. Chances are, you will end up carrying the tube (and them) on the way back up and if they take a swim, there is likely to be quite a bit of the aforementioned crying. Have them ride with you. Trust us on this!

Tubing is a fun activity for people of all ages and is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. The best part is that Deep Creek is located just a few miles away from your Bryson City or Cherokee vacation cabin rental!  Have a great time!

Gem Mining in the Smokies – Turn Your Treasure into a Unique Work of Art

This is a beautiful example of a cut star ruby

So, while enjoying your vacation cabin rental near Bryson City,  you went on a gem mining adventure and found a beautiful native ruby or sapphire. Now what do you do with it? The stones themselves are interesting to look at but to the untrained eye, they just look like any other rock! When cut and mounted, however, they can be truly spectacular!

There are many artisans in the area who will cut and mount the stones for you. Most mines will be happy to refer you to a gem artist /jeweler who is both dependable and talented. Here’s a link to one of our favorite artist jewelers. Keep in mind that the cutting process can sometimes take a few weeks, so your stone will most likely be shipped to you once you are back home. When a stone is cut, the artist must around imperfections and determine the type cut that will produce the most beautiful finished gem. The cut stone you receive will be much smaller than the stone you now hold in your hand.

Some mines in the area are noted for a particular type of sapphire and ruby that produce six-pointed star when they are cut into a cabochon shape, with a smooth, rounded top. These are called Star-Sapphires and are considered to be rare. The star is the result of tiny inclusions that react with light, giving it a beautiful, lustrous star pattern.

Jewelry made from gems you found yourself is special and fun to wear because it has a story and will always remind you of the wonderful time your had on your vacation in Bryson City or Cherokee, NC and your rental cabin from Yellow Rose. Happy polishing!

All The Things To Do In The NC Smokies

Welcome to our new blog and Things To Do In The Smokies event website.We know this area intimately, from years and years of living here and doing all the things we now offer you info about on this site.  The Bryson City – Cherokee NC side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the outdoor recreation capital of the Smokies. It is easy to see why! White water rafting, kayaking, lake touring, fishing, hiking, jetboat rides, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino for concerts, arts and crafts festivals and performing arts centers, and much much more are within minutes of our gateway town.

Start planning your Smoky Mountain getaway now with Yellow Rose Realty and take advantage of our inside track on things to do, upcoming events, and the best rental cabin deals here in the NC Smokies.   Visit our main website Yellow Rose Realty, to book cabin rentals and adventure packages, or find your dream real estate in the Smokies.