Seth, I'm still at the FL Starter Joint, but a quick web look shows it reopened ~ March 20th.
Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, motorcycle and sport car two lane tourism serving Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, Cherohala Skyway, Moonshiner28, Devils Triangle, and Six Gap North Georgia.
Imo, the Cherohala Skyway is 'better/more fun/more enjoyable' to drive than Deal's Gap:
it is similar to sections of the BR Pkway, but at higher altitude, with better views, and less traffic than BRPKway, or Deal's Gap...And, it is a thoroughly enjoyable ride/drive at regular speeds or, at higher than regular speeds. It does not toss the driver/passenger around with a litany of tight azz, off camber, diminishing radius turns like DG does, and it takes an idiot or someone taking a nap to get in trouble on the Skyway. The Skyway is not 'cop free', but less than the Gap and surrounding areas.
Speaking of surrounding areas, the road(s) leading into the Deal's Gap area are fabulous in themselves: Rt 129 in from Robbinsville, or Rt 28 in from Almond, are both exc roads...though the cop activity has picked up on these 'Dragon feeder roads' in the past few years.
I run the SC Skyway several times a season, Vette or one of the Scoots...I might drive the Gap once a year, but if I didn't I wouldn't miss it. The Gap 'store'/campground/motel area on the NC side is more fun for hanging around on a weekend morning looking at Scoots and cars. The C Skyway does not really have a hang out area, per se.
I realize most of you work, but Deal's Gap, the Skyway, BR Pkway and all the surrounding find 2 lane blacktops, in western NC, are delightful on a weekday vs weekend, though the Gap will have less scoots and cars to 'see' on a weekday.
GL, mD
Skyway Links:
Cherohala Skyway, mile high legend from Robbinsville NC to Tellico Plains TN
Skyway 'map':
http://www.cherohala.com/maps/chero_tn_map.gif
Cherohala Skyway, mile high legend from Robbinsville NC to Tellico Plains TN