Update for anyone interested. I visited on 10/9/23. There are a few sections I’d recommend every bit of 4-low on two uphill sections as they have been rutted quite a bit. Also one down hill section was pretty steep with rocks into a water crossing of a few inches. I did it in a stock manual Tacoma TRD Sport with stock Toyo A30 tires. I did all of parsons in 4-low 2nd gear.
Fyi just drove this today, 8/12/23. It has gotten ROUGH. Drove with my 2021 subaru crosstrek sport. There were storms here the last few days. Within the first mile or so in the beginning, there is a STEEP incline and it was very muddy with deep DEEP holes. Definitley needed my 9 inches of ground clearance. My Subie almost didn't make it up that hill. Back passenger tire completely off ground as front drivers tire dipped into deep hole toward the top of the incline. Very muddy and my subie slid to the left at the top. Only saving grace was XMode was turned on and put all the vehicle power into my back drivers side tire and got her out of the mess I put her in. Please please please be careful if you attempt in the next few days/weeks. Need ample ground clearance and definitely need AWD/4WD with current conditions from recent storms, very muddy. Plus if you have xmode or off road mode/assitance on your vehicle. Might be better if everything dries out in the future?? Good luck, have fun, get muddy!!!
Sounds like an awesome Subi adventure ! Know exactly the incline your talking about. 5:00 At the top of that hill is where the worst part is...Deep holes on the right side causes you to drift a bit to the ditch...I can imagine when its wet its a difficult climb for any capable vehicle. Did you get the chance to drive Rich Mnt Rd or Upper Tremont Road ? Ive heard those are a little rough now too.
@@GlennsHardWired definitely a subi adventure to remember!!! Rich Mountain Rd is currently closed due to bear activity and didn't have a chance to drive Tremont yet.
@@GlennsHardWiredwhere is upper tremor t road from cades cove? Back in May idrove my Tacoma trd off road truck in 4x2 mode on parsons branch. It came a hard downpouring rain while I was in back of cades cove at the rest area. So I credited to go on the adventure driving down parsons branch. The road was quite rutted out for sure.
@harolddenton6031 th-cam.com/video/lyIw5Dqp3H0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=T4t7mjFFjR2EMduP Directions are in title description. This road is absolutely beautiful when it rains. Lots of cascading water falls and pull off areas for resting or pictures. If Parson Branch is in too rough conditions for driving...this is a great alternative road rain or shine.
Thank you for showing the entire length of the road. The last time I drove that road was June 2014 in a FJ Cruiser. It's hard to remember what the road was like then, but after the storm that closed the road, I've been wondering about how it was, especially with the sign that says high clearance vehicles. I have a Toyota Highlander and after seeing your car make it, I am game to do it again in a little over a week.
Definately keep an eye on the weather. If it's raining or has been raining for a day or so the road can get very slippery and rutty. There are short inclines and slopes of 6-9 deg with heavy errosion...which can be problematic when wet. I almost got talked out of this ride by a guy who got stuck in a Jeep Cherokee with the same ground clearance as me. Lucky for him he had a winch...but he also drove it in the pouring down rain. Just be aware of the ruts and potholes because they can sneak up on you when you least expect it. I did hit my skid plate once or twice by not paying attention and driving a little too fast. Good luck on your adventure and please post back after you drive it... especially if you make a video of it. :} 5:01 ...and here's the worst part of the trail. If you make it though this area without dragging... the rest of the drive is cake. Some people have gotten stuck on this small hill. Hit it with momentum and don't slowdown... It's rutty and at the top there is a huge hole so lower clearance vehicles might bottom out. I BARELY rubbed my skid plates here (8.5" clearance).
Thank you for sharing. I went there on 7/16 in my Nissan Rogue wanting to do the road but others said the road has gotten rough. Seeing your video tells me my Rogue will make it. It’s on my bucket list as I did Rich Mtn Rd while there the same day. Also, great music.
Thanks for the kind words ! Im sure your Rogue wouId have no issues. Just take your time and be mindful of the ruts and potholes. We stayed at Cades Cove Campgrounds and wanted to do Rich Mnt Rd too but It got crowded (Memorial day weekend) on the Loop Rd so we had to limit our time there. We did manage to drive Upper Tremont , Roaring Fork (have videos ) ... you have to drive those roads if your in the area... breathtaking scenery !
I just don't see why a high clearance vehicle is needed. I have driven much worse in a geo metro and I'm not afraid of water crossings with my Kia soul. This is nothing more than a back country road. Thank you for introducing me to a new road to try.
@@gcpntball High clearnace is needed because there are eroded rocks protruding up more than 6 inches in areas. I also went over holes that were 8-10 inches and managed straddling ruts that were atleast 8 " deep in areas.. The water crossings were shallow on this drive but they are known to be close to 1ft+ deep at times. I also had a go pro mounted in front of car which shows the bad areas in a little more detail however I didnt use it in the vid because it was only in 1080p. Trust me... the video doesnt show the roughness of the road like it is in real life. No way would you make it SAFELY in a car with 6" clearance or less.
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Update for anyone interested. I visited on 10/9/23. There are a few sections I’d recommend every bit of 4-low on two uphill sections as they have been rutted quite a bit. Also one down hill section was pretty steep with rocks into a water crossing of a few inches. I did it in a stock manual Tacoma TRD Sport with stock Toyo A30 tires. I did all of parsons in 4-low 2nd gear.
Fyi just drove this today, 8/12/23. It has gotten ROUGH. Drove with my 2021 subaru crosstrek sport. There were storms here the last few days. Within the first mile or so in the beginning, there is a STEEP incline and it was very muddy with deep DEEP holes. Definitley needed my 9 inches of ground clearance. My Subie almost didn't make it up that hill. Back passenger tire completely off ground as front drivers tire dipped into deep hole toward the top of the incline. Very muddy and my subie slid to the left at the top. Only saving grace was XMode was turned on and put all the vehicle power into my back drivers side tire and got her out of the mess I put her in. Please please please be careful if you attempt in the next few days/weeks. Need ample ground clearance and definitely need AWD/4WD with current conditions from recent storms, very muddy. Plus if you have xmode or off road mode/assitance on your vehicle. Might be better if everything dries out in the future?? Good luck, have fun, get muddy!!!
Sounds like an awesome Subi adventure ! Know exactly the incline your talking about. 5:00 At the top of that hill is where the worst part is...Deep holes on the right side causes you to drift a bit to the ditch...I can imagine when its wet its a difficult climb for any capable vehicle. Did you get the chance to drive Rich Mnt Rd or Upper Tremont Road ? Ive heard those are a little rough now too.
@@GlennsHardWired definitely a subi adventure to remember!!! Rich Mountain Rd is currently closed due to bear activity and didn't have a chance to drive Tremont yet.
@@GlennsHardWiredwhere is upper tremor t road from cades cove?
Back in May idrove my Tacoma trd off road truck in 4x2 mode on parsons branch. It came a hard downpouring rain while I was in back of cades cove at the rest area. So I credited to go on the adventure driving down parsons branch. The road was quite rutted out for sure.
@harolddenton6031 th-cam.com/video/lyIw5Dqp3H0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=T4t7mjFFjR2EMduP Directions are in title description. This road is absolutely beautiful when it rains. Lots of cascading water falls and pull off areas for resting or pictures. If Parson Branch is in too rough conditions for driving...this is a great alternative road rain or shine.
Thank you for showing the entire length of the road. The last time I drove that road was June 2014 in a FJ Cruiser. It's hard to remember what the road was like then, but after the storm that closed the road, I've been wondering about how it was, especially with the sign that says high clearance vehicles. I have a Toyota Highlander and after seeing your car make it, I am game to do it again in a little over a week.
Definately keep an eye on the weather. If it's raining or has been raining for a day or so the road can get very slippery and rutty. There are short inclines and slopes of 6-9 deg with heavy errosion...which can be problematic when wet. I almost got talked out of this ride by a guy who got stuck in a Jeep Cherokee with the same ground clearance as me. Lucky for him he had a winch...but he also drove it in the pouring down rain. Just be aware of the ruts and potholes because they can sneak up on you when you least expect it. I did hit my skid plate once or twice by not paying attention and driving a little too fast. Good luck on your adventure and please post back after you drive it... especially if you make a video of it. :} 5:01 ...and here's the worst part of the trail. If you make it though this area without dragging... the rest of the drive is cake. Some people have gotten stuck on this small hill. Hit it with momentum and don't slowdown... It's rutty and at the top there is a huge hole so lower clearance vehicles might bottom out. I BARELY rubbed my skid plates here (8.5" clearance).
Thank you for sharing. I went there on 7/16 in my Nissan Rogue wanting to do the road but others said the road has gotten rough. Seeing your video tells me my Rogue will make it. It’s on my bucket list as I did Rich Mtn Rd while there the same day. Also, great music.
Thanks for the kind words ! Im sure your Rogue wouId have no issues. Just take your time and be mindful of the ruts and potholes. We stayed at Cades Cove Campgrounds and wanted to do Rich Mnt Rd too but It got crowded (Memorial day weekend) on the Loop Rd so we had to limit our time there. We did manage to drive Upper Tremont , Roaring Fork (have videos ) ... you have to drive those roads if your in the area... breathtaking scenery !
I just don't see why a high clearance vehicle is needed. I have driven much worse in a geo metro and I'm not afraid of water crossings with my Kia soul. This is nothing more than a back country road. Thank you for introducing me to a new road to try.
@@gcpntball High clearnace is needed because there are eroded rocks protruding up more than 6 inches in areas. I also went over holes that were 8-10 inches and managed straddling ruts that were atleast 8 " deep in areas.. The water crossings were shallow on this drive but they are known to be close to 1ft+ deep at times. I also had a go pro mounted in front of car which shows the bad areas in a little more detail however I didnt use it in the vid because it was only in 1080p. Trust me... the video doesnt show the roughness of the road like it is in real life. No way would you make it SAFELY in a car with 6" clearance or less.
How do I get to that road from Gatlinburg?
Drive to Cades Cove loop road in Townsend , TN.
From Gatlinburg, Tennessee
1 hr 48 min (40 mi) maps.app.goo.gl/WKeDhQbL7DaCrYww8
You called that rough roads? lol yall don’t get out much.