Canebrake Branch

Driving up from Sylva NC to Knoxville, I wanted to make a few stops including driving through Bryson City and checking out the Road to Nowhere. I did my research on it. I knew that it was a road that was started in the 30's and 40's. At the end of the road they built a tunnel, and then just stopped the construction. I knew there were walking trails and that you couldn't drive to the tunnel but had to walk, but what I imagined it to be was not at all what it was. I made it much more difficult that it actually was.

I set my Google maps to lead me to my destination. It was a winding mountain road just like all the others. The further from the city, the less reception I had. Listening to Fleetwood Mac and the music would stop and start streaming. I pass a scenic overlook that looks stunningly beautiful but it's on the opposite side of the street, so I pass. Just part this point, Google maps says I've arrived, but I don't really see anything and I don't know if it's accurate since there is no phone signal now. I see a parking lot with about 3 parked cars. There are some trails there. They are blocked off to vehicles, but I'm not sure it's the Road to Nowhere.

I decide to double back to the lookout hoping to get phone signal so I can figure out where the Road to Nowhere is located. I get there and take some pics, but there is still no phone signal. The overlook was a gorgeous view of the river below between the mountains. With no more information at hand, I decide to drive 2 miles back to the small parking lot and trail head to see if that's the Road to Nowhere.

Now if you've been there before, you are already laughing at me. Anyway. I get our of the van to hike. Layered 3 layers of clothing, my backpack on my back which includes nothing but a bottle of water and my keys. I start down the trail which is a very steep blacktop road. It's so steep that I'm taking baby steps and my toes are hurting as they bang against my shoes with each step. I need better hiking shoes. "OK, this looks like a road. It's steep, and yes, I will have to walk back up this mountain, but I've come this far and I'm going to find this road to nowhere and the tunnel."

I come to the bottom of the blacktop road and it splits in 2 directions. To the left is a wooden bridge over the creek, so I decide to go that way.

As you can hear on my video, I'm convinced that I'm on the road to nowhere. I cross the bridge, and the road turns to a mulched dirt trail. A little bit further down, I cross a second bridge over the same winding creek, followed by a third and fourth wooden bridge. I'm being careful to count, make mental notes and document everything in pics so I can find my way back.

This app only allows me to post so many pics and videos per post, so this story is to be continued...Read more