Winter Snow Storm Sneaks in While Fall Colors Peak in the Smokies

While fall color was peaking in the Great Smoky Mountains, Hurricane Sandy did plenty of damage up and down the eastern US coastline before turning west and further ravaging areas inland. Fortunately, for the Smokies of East Tennessee, we just saw some much needed rain for a few days in the lower elevations and beautiful snow up top above 3,000 feet.

Weather forecasting though a science, is not always accurate - especially in the Great Smoky Mountains where a few thousand feet can be the difference between torrential rains or beautiful sunshine and in the winter the difference can be a blinding blizzard, or a gentle rain.

For more than 3 days the East Tennessee Smoky Mountains were under a winter watch and the a winter warning with predictions of high winds ranging from 25 - 35 mile per hour an accumulations that were estimated to be no more than 17 inches in the worst hit.

The first of the winter storm hit us on the 28th after much of the fall peak leaf season in the very high elevations of the park were already over. While color was still very nice in the 2,500 to 3,500 foot range, little was left when the first snowfall of the 2012 season fell on the Smokies.

The main road that runs through the park Newfound Gap Road US 441, which takes you from Cherokee North Carolina all the way up to Tennessee border at Newfound Gap with an elevation of 5,046 feet, and then back down to the city limits of Gatlinburg Tennessee, was the first road to close due to snow and ice.

US 441 was opened back up after a day's worth of plowing and sanding by the Great Smoky Mountain National Parks road crew and then had to close the next afternoon as the snowstorm picked up in intensity and with the dropping temperatures, part of the road started to freeze up.

While this was happening higher up, in the lower elevations started to experience cooler weather in the 40's which made some of the fall color especially reds and oranges pop up and moved the peak fall color elevation zone down to under 2,000 feet.

Most cabin rentals are in elevations that range from 1,000 to 2,200 feet so this was the best time to see bright fall colors in the Smokies without having to drive. In the national park, color was sporadic at this point with some of it gone in the lower elevations, but plenty to be found above 2,000 feet...go figure!

Frustrating to all of us, when Newfound Gap Road closed the second time, the mountaintops stayed hidden in clouds and storm weather so we could not see the huge amount of snowfall they received. Mount Le Conte reported 3 to 4 foot drifts!

Today the weather finally broke and the crews working diligently got to reopen Newfound Gap Road this afternoon and what were treated by was a close up look to a winter wonderland!

One of the most popular pullouts along Newfound Gap Road is the Carlos Campbell Overlook looking out at Mount LeConte (pictured above). This is just a few miles from the Gatlinburg park entrance and the Sugarlands Visitor center. There was no snow on the ground in this area and you can see that the leaves at this level and below are still very colorful.

Further on up Newfound Gap Road past the Chimney parking area and the Chimneys trailhead are pullouts looking out at the Chimney Rock formations picture above. Some light dusting of snow on the ground and on signs at this point.

At the highest point of Newfound Gap Road is the Newfound Gap Parking area where you can see the back end of Mount LeConte (pictured above) or look out at the mountain ranges in North Carolina (pictured below).

With the cool seasonal temperature that rolled, we are looking at having less than a week before virtually all the color will be gone in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains and at this point almost all of the color is gone in North Caroline.

If you want to see the last of the best fall color for 2012, you had better be here this weekend!

There are very few cabins left to rent in the Smokies and there is a 10% discount on all last minute cabin rentals in the Smokies!

Last Minute Cabin Rental Specials for Fall Smoky Mountains Leaf Season 2012

If the weather continues to cooperate, we have about another week in the Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains where you can find nice fall color. Better yet, we have a few cabins and chalets for rent left for this last weekend of peak fall color and you can grab them now for a discount!

If you rent any of these cabins listed below which all available as of writing this article for this weekend, you can save 10%! This Last Minute Special Cabin Rental Special is only good for cabins are chalets being booked 7 days or sooner before arrival. You also MUST use the discount coupon code TLMR10 when making your reservation.

You cannot combine discounts and this Last Minute Cabin Special is only valid on new rentals only and Last Minute Cabin rental Discounts are not valid during holidays!

Update Friday 10/26 9:35 am. We now only have 6 cabins or chalets available to rent starting today and leaving this Sunday morning. These units are:

• Mountain Laurel Retreat
• A Smoky Retreat
• A Smoky Getaway
• Rippling Water
• A Sweet Retreat
• All in the Family

Colder weather coming into the Smokies Monday morning. This will make the rest of the color left on the trees really punch out but will probably mean little or no color after next weekend.

King of the Mountain VII 7 Bedroom Cabin Gatlinburg 7 Bedroom Log Cabin rental with stunning views above the city of Gatlinburg that will sleep 16 people with 7.5 Bathrooms, 3 King Size beds, 4 Queen size beds, 1 Sleeper sofa, Pool Table in Game Room, Hot Tub, Gas Fireplace, Lots of Deck space with breathtaking views. Steep driveway with parking for 5 cars, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels and this luxury cabin has Seasonal Swimming Pool Access. There is also free Unlimited Long Distance phone service and FREE Wireless HIGH SPEED Internet Access via WIFI! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

River Chase 4 Bedroom Chalet Pigeon Forge 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath Chalet for rent in the River Pointe area of Pigeon Forge Tennessee, Sleeps up to 8 people, walk to the river, Nature Trail along the River, Gas Fireplace, Jacuzzi, TV, DVD, VCR, Pool Table, Air Hockey, Sony PlayStation, Washer and Dryer, Dishwasher, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. In the Pigeon Forge City Limits! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

All In the Family 4 Bedroom Cabin Sevierville 2 story 4 bedroom log cabin in the Echota resort in Sevierville TN that sleeps 10, 4 baths, 2 king size bed, 2 Full size beds, 1 sleeper sofa, gas fireplace, private hot tub, Jacuzzi, Game room, pool table, TV, VCR, great room, living room, dining room, eat in kitchen, 2 decks, wooded view, gas grill, 3 car parking, Washer, dryer, iron and ironing board, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. Bring your laptop, there is free HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS via WIFI! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Hoot 'n Hollar 4 Bedroom Cabin Pigeon Forge 4 Bedroom Log Cabin located in Brothers Cove Resort Development in Pigeon Forge TN that will sleep 12 people with 3 Bath and 4 Queen size beds, 2 Sleeper sofa beds, 2 Jacuzzi tubs, Hot tub, Pool Table, Big Screen TV in Living Room and TV's in the bedrooms, charcoal grill, Picnic Table for 8, Washer/Dryer, Dishwasher, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. PET FRIENDLY! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

3 Bears Lodge 3 Bedroom Cabin Gatlinburg 3 Bedroom Log Cabin with Good Mountain View located in Gatlinburg's Chalet Village that will sleep 8 people with 4 Bathrooms, 2 king size beds upstairs, 1 queen size bed on lower level and 1 sleeper sofa in game room, Hot Tub, 2 Gas Fireplaces: 1 in living room and 1 in the Game Room with Pool Table, Jacuzzi in bathroom, Seasonal Access to Swimming Pool next door, 4 TV's, Charter cable bundle with unlimited long distance phone service, 3 steps into cabin, 4 car parking, Charcoal grill, Washer Dryer, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels and bring your laptop as there is Free WIFI High Speed Internet Access. Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Changes in Attitude 3 Bedroom Cabin Pigeon Forge 3 Bedroom, 3 story, semi private Log Cabin in Pigeon Forge will sleep 10 people with a good mountain view, 3 Baths, 3 King size beds, 1 Sofa sleeper, and 1 Futon bed, Gas Fireplace, Hot Tub, 2 Jacuzzi's, Pool Table, Foosball, 5 TVs with Cable service, Living Room, Dining room, 2 decks, 1 charcoal grill, 3-car gravel parking area, Washer, Dryer, Iron and Ironing Board, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Breathless Chalet 3 Bedroom Rental Gatlinburg 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath Premier Chalet, Sleeps 10, Gatlinburg, Chalet Village area, Hot Tub, 2 Jacuzzi's, Sauna, Gas Fireplace, Pool Table, TV, DVD, VCR, 4 Decks, Access to Swimming Pools, Kiddie Pools, Playgrounds, Tennis Courts, and Game Rooms, Washer and Dryer, Dishwasher, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels, Large Master Bedroom with Double Walk-in Shower and Jacuzzi. Free unlimited long distance for numbers is the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. Bring your laptop, there is free HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Halfway to Heaven 3 Bedroom Cabin Pigeon Forge 3 Bedroom Log Cabin located in the Brothers Cove Private resort community outside of Pigeon Forge that will sleep 8 people with 3 private bathrooms each with a shower/tub combo, 3 Queen size beds and 1 sleeper sofa, Hot Tub, 2 Jacuzzi tubs, Pool table in loft area, and WIFI throughout. All bedrooms have TVs with satellite service and 2 have Gas fireplaces, living room has real wood burning fireplace, a large flat screen TV with satellite service and surround sound system. 8 person dining room table, bar seating with 4 tall chairs, gas grill, 9 steps to enter cabin, 3 car parking, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels, Seasonal Pool Access and don't forget the Free High Speed Internet Access! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Berry Delightful 2 Bedroom Cabin Pigeon Forge 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Chalet for rent, Sleeps 6 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee in the River Pointe area, Scenic Mountain View, walk to the river. No steep roads, Hot tub, Gas Fireplace, TV, DVD player, VCR, Washer and Dryer, Dishwasher, River Nature Trail, Rocking Chairs, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels, large level parking under Chalet. Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Rippling Waters 2 Bedroom Chalet Pigeon Forge 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath riverfront Chalet for rent, Sleeps 4 in the Pigeon Forge Tennessee River Pointe Area and on the River, Hot Tub, Gas Fireplace, TV, DVD, Dishwasher, Washer and Dryer, Covered Deck with River View, Nature Trail, City Limits, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Bear Paw Chalet 2 Bedroom Chalet Pigeon Forge 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Chalet on the river that Sleeps 6 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee, River Pointe area, sits on the banks of the Pigeon River. There are no steep roads, large level parking, Nature Trail, Hot Tub, Gas Fireplace, TV, DVD player, VCR, Washer and Dryer, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels and a Dishwasher. City Limits. Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Morning Mist 2 Bedroom Cabin Gatlinburg 2 bedrooms, 2 story Gatlinburg TN log cabin, sleeps 5, 2 king, 1 twin, 2 baths, gas fireplace, hot tub, pool table, 3 TV's w/cable, VCR, DVD, stereo, living room, eat in kitchen, 2 decks, gas grill, 3 car parking, washer, dryer, iron and ironing board, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

A Smoky Getaway 2 Bedroom Cabin Pigeon Forge 2 bedroom, 2 story PET FRIENDLY Log Cabin in Pigeon Forge Tennessee with only 1 step to enter the cabin that Sleeps up to 8 people with 2 baths, 2 King Size Beds, 2 Sleeper Sofas, Seasonal Pool Access, Gas Fireplace, Hot Tub, Jacuzzi in Master Bath, Foosball Table, Playstation 2, Living Room, Eat in Kitchen, 2 TV's with cable service, 2 DVD players, VCR and Stereo, 2 Car Parking, Washer, Dryer, Iron and Ironing Board, Central Air Conditioning and Heating. Don't forget to bring your laptop as there is FREE Wireless HIGH SPEED Internet Access! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Mountain Laurel Retreat 2 Bedroom Cabin Pigeon Forge 2 Bedroom Secluded Cabin for rent that Sleeps 6 in the Pigeon Forge, Dollywood Area with Scenic Mountain Views on 2 very private wooded acres with no neighbors, 2 Bathrooms, very private Hot Tub, Wood Burning Fireplace, Flat screen with surround sound, Game Room, Air Hockey, Foosball Table, large screened in deck, large BBQ area with picnic tables, Dishwasher, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. Seasonal Pool Access and this Cabin for rent is PET FRIENDLY! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Secret Falls 2 Bedroom Cabin Pigeon Forge 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Cabin, Sleeps 7, Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley area, Scenic River View, Cascades and Waterfalls, Loft, Covered and screened in Hot tub, Wood Burning Fireplace, Pool Table, Washer and Dryer, Dishwasher, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. 100 year old Historic Cabin. Towels, linens and firewood are included. Smoking allowed but discouraged. PET FRIENDLY! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Pooh Bear Lair 1 Bedroom Chalet Gatlinburg 1 Bedroom, 2 Bath Chalet, Sleeps 2, King Size Bed, Gatlinburg, Chalet Village area, Scenic Wooded Views, Hot tub, Jacuzzi, Gas Fireplace, Bumper Pool Table, TV, DVD, VCR, Private Deck, Charcoal Grill, Dishwasher, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels, Access to Swimming Pools, Kiddie Pools, Playgrounds, Tennis Courts, and Game Rooms. Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Log Heaven 1 Bedroom Cabin in Gatlinburg 1 Bedroom, 1.5 bath Cabin, Sleeps 2, King Size Bed, Gatlinburg, Chalet Village, Scenic Wooded View, Loft, Hot tub, Jacuzzi, Wood Burning Fireplace, Pool Table, 2 TV's, VCR, Covered Deck, Charcoal BBQ Grill, Dishwasher, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels, Access to 3 Clubhouses with Conference and Wedding Reception Facilities, Swimming Pools, Kiddy Pools, Playgrounds, Tennis Courts, and Game Rooms. This Cabin Rental is PET FRIENDLY! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Peak Leaf Color Season Dates In Cades Cove and the Great Smoky Mountains for 2012

Autumn in the Smokies is breathtaking at peak leaf season and it look like our predictions for 2012 fall peak color were right on target and better yet, the weather has so far been conducive to more great color which should be around into November!

Where should you go to see the best fall color right now? Right now, the fall color views are from the very highest elevations in the Great Smoky Mountains. For example , there is still color which can best be seen along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Foothills Parkway near Cosby and the Parkway near Walland and Townsend, and of course, all along Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg and Cherokee.

Just look at the picture of the fall color on Newfound Gap Road above taken yesterday at the Carlos Campbell overlook about 4 miles from the city limits of Gatlinburg Tennessee.

As you can see, there are still plenty of light greens and yellows higher up Mount Le Conte and out into the Greenbrier and Sugarlands valley so there will be plenty of color for weeks to come.

The drive is still nice along the highest parts of Newfound Gap Road US 441 where you can look down to the great color unfolding beneath you. You should be able to enjoy this spectacular view of the peak fall foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains national park for at least the next 2 weeks.

The best time to photograph the great fall color high up in either the Great Smoky Mountains national park or along the Blue Ridge Parkway with its entrance that is near the brand new Oconaluftee Visitor Center is the first hour and a half after sunrise and before sunset.

Another great place to catch sunrises and sunsets where you can look down on great peak fall color right now is along Clingmans Dome Road and especially at Clingmans Dome itself. The cloud formations along can be breathtaking, throw in some great Smokies fall foliage with bright color and perfect lighting and you have the picture of a lifetime.

Fall Peak Color in Cades Cove

Considered one of the most picturesque places in the Southeastern United States, Cades Cove is an incredibly popular placer to drive, hike or bike the 11 miles to see fantastic fall color. It is also a great place to see our famous black bear, white tail deer, turkey and a host of other wildlife.

Since Cades Cove ranges in elevation from around 1,400 feet on the valley floor to the more than 5,000 feet on some of the peaks that look down into the valley, the peak time to see fall color this year in Cades Code started more than a week ago and there will be very good color visible for the entire month of October.

Give yourself plenty of time to drive around Cades Cove during peak leaf season. The drive that normally takes an hour or 2 can now take 3 to 4 hours. Want to avoid the leaf peepers during peak season in Cades Cove? Come first thing in the morning on weekdays. Best bear sightings at that time too.

If you are looking to photograph great color in Cades Cove around the historical log cabins that dot the valley floor, the best color will start be around next weekend and may hold out for the rest of the month.

As you can see by the picture taken last night near Forge Creek Road in Cades Cove, only the early color changing trees have leaves in full color near the cabins.

Peak Leaf Season in Wears Valley
and The Brothers Cove Mountain Resort

Wears Valley is an area of the Smokies that borders the national park on the Tennessee side and is between both Pigeon Forge and Townsend TN, which is close to Cades Cove.

Both Wears Valley and Cades Cove are very similar concerning geography and when the leaf season falls at peak. The difference is Wears Valley is outside the national park so there are shops, restaurants and of course great cabins for rent in the Wears Valley area.

The most exclusive location in the Wears Valley area is the Brothers Cove resort. This secluded mountainside community looks out at Bluff Mountain, which is not yet at peak and runs from about 700 feet in elevation all the way up to 1,700 plus feet. Color is not in yet and the peak will be around 28th of October.

We will survey next the ridgeline communities such as Chalet Village, Ski Mountain and Ober Gatlinburg in Gatlinburg and Shields Mountain outside Pigeon Forge.

More About Peak Leaf Season in the Great Smoky Mountains:

• Peak Leaf Color Season Dates In Cades Cove and the Great Smoky Mountains for 2012
• Peak Leaf Season Dates For Fall of 2012
• Smoky Mountains Fall Color Season: Where and When To See the Best Leaves In 2010