Headed to Cades Cove towards the end of April to photograph the black bears. I plan on using an ebike to beat out the bear jams. Does anyone else have a good tips for that location?
Cades Cove tips
- Thread starter Wes Peterson
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I don't know what the regulations are for an ebike. Normally you need to wait until they open the gate to enter, but bikes or foot traffic can enter early and avoid the need to arrive an hour or more before sunrise to get in line.
In general, the best strategy is to park and walk along Sparks Lane or Hyatt Lane. Bears will look a little ragged due in the spring, but you might see some cubs and the mother on dead logs hunting for grubs. Bears can be found anywhere in Cades Cove, and they quickly attract a crowd. Anticipate where the bears will go when people get too close, and move in anticipation of that movement.
Cades Cove is a one way loop. If crowds are heavy, work back and forth on Sparks and Hyatt. Avoid the visitor's center and mill area at the west end beyond Hyatt Lane if it's crowded.
With a big camera you are the target for rangers if you get too close. Set a good example.
In general, the best strategy is to park and walk along Sparks Lane or Hyatt Lane. Bears will look a little ragged due in the spring, but you might see some cubs and the mother on dead logs hunting for grubs. Bears can be found anywhere in Cades Cove, and they quickly attract a crowd. Anticipate where the bears will go when people get too close, and move in anticipation of that movement.
Cades Cove is a one way loop. If crowds are heavy, work back and forth on Sparks and Hyatt. Avoid the visitor's center and mill area at the west end beyond Hyatt Lane if it's crowded.
With a big camera you are the target for rangers if you get too close. Set a good example.
abc123brian
Well-known member
I take an eBike in quite often. If doing the loop in the intended direction, save the battery for just the hills as there is a lot of easy peddling of downhills that will allow you to make multiple laps on a charge. I can usually get 5-6 before running low on battery. Watch the battery because the extra weight of an ebike is not fun on the hills on the way out. Sometimes they have the main gate open to walk in, but since Covid it has been closed more frequently. If this is the case, you have to go in backwards. You can cut across Sparks Ln but keep in mind there is 1-2 water crossings depending on water level. One can be deeper and if too high might not be good to cross on an eBike and results in the road closing for cars. The campground store has some food for lunch if needed, nothing else available without leaving the park. Last year was a bigger year for spring cubs, but there should be some but there will be more healings. . That is the best time to be there and unless something comes up to change that I’ll be there then. If you message me closer to the time, I might have more specific info.