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TN 143

Located in extreme northeastern Tennessee, TN 143 connects the community of Roan Mountain in Carter County to Bakersville, NC via NC 261. TN 143 is a very scenic route, entering North Carolina at Carvers Gap, Carvers Gap divides and is next to the furthest north of the 6,000 ft. peaks in the Appalachians between Tennessee and New Hampshire. The highway offers numerous amenities including Roan Mountain State Park, Twin Springs picnic area, the Rhododendron Gardens on Roan Mountain and of course Roan Mountain itself, a 6,285 ft. peak covered in large stands of spruce, fir and the famous groves of rhododendrons. Roan Mountain State Park itself is also a beautiful site featuring the clear-flowing headwaters of the Doe River running through the valley below Roan Mountain.

It should be noted that because of the high elevation of the route, this route south of Roan Mountain State Park should be avoided in wintry or rainy conditions due to large amounts of snow, ice or fog.

All photos below taken January 14, 2007.

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Northern terminus in Roan Mountain. Looking southbound (actually east) on U.S. 19E at the northern terminus of TN 143 in Roan Mountain.
First reassurance shield southbound. Here is the first reassurance shield southbound. While the highway looks wide open, it doesn't stay wide for long, quickly becoming more narrow and winding.
Doe River near Roan Mountain State Park. The Doe River runs along part of TN 143 prior to the route climbing up to Carvers Gap.
TN 143 climbing Roan Mountain. Here is a view of TN 143 climbing up Roan Mountain. The roadway is quite steep in this area.
Looking back north on the downgrade. This view is looking back on the downward grade towards the state park.
View from the road into the valley. This photo shows the views from the road at the same locations as the photos above. Note the continuation of the road in the distance.
The Tennessee State Line is prominently posted at Carvers Gap. This small state line sign greets those entering Tennessee while the North Carolina state line sign is grand. This is completely opposite from the U.S. 19W state line crossing. Apparently the priorities are exactly the opposite.
First northbound reassurance shield in a very scenic and alpine view. Here is the first northbound reassurance shield with a very majestic view aided by the balsam forest.
Carvers Gap sign. National Forest sign marking Carvers Gap. It is Blue Ridge Parkway worthy.
Looking south into North Carolina. Looking south into North Carolina. Do not be fooled by the snow. It was over 60 degrees here and 70 at the base of the mountain on a very unusually warm January day.
First NC 261 shield southbound. Here is the first NC 261 shield looking southbound, featuring a very impressive view. NC 261 is also an extremely scenic route as it descends into the picturesque coves between here and Bakersville.
Looking across Carvers Gap. The parking lot is crowded because the road to the summit is closed. Here I am looking across the high meadow to the parking lot and the road to the summit of Roan Mountain. Note the northern spruce/fir forest.
In the summer, this is a spectacular scene. Back behind the last photo is this incredible highland meadow that can be compared to paradise in the spring when the Rhododendrons are in bloom and this is all green.

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Natchez Trace
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