Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Great Smoky Mountains

The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is an annual five-day event in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that has attracted nature and history lovers, photographers, artists and tourists to the Smokies every spring since 1951.

This annual gathering had humble beginnings starting with 400 attendees from 20 different states which has grown to thousands who come for the formal programs or informally on their own.

The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage programs include close to 150 professionally guided walks and hikes along with indoor presentations exploring the Great Smoky Mountains region's rich abundance of wildflowers, wildlife, biodiverse environment along with the Smokies own rich cultural and natural history.

Virtually all of the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage programs held outside such as the guided hikes take place in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Indoor programs take place in the Sugarlands Visitor Center, the W. L. Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg and a host of other locations all throughout Gatlinburg Tennessee.

What started as a 2 day event has now grown to a 5 day event with most visitors attending the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage staying a week or more in the Great Smoky Mountains as there is just too much to take in such a short period and through there may be a few April showers - great for May wildflowers, the weather is generally extremely comfortable.

Timing for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage can be difficult especially given the significant weather variations in the past decade. For example, last year January and February were both more than 9 degrees above normal and everything in the Great Smoky Mountains came to life and then bloomed about 3 weeks early than normal.

The good news is that even if everything blooms real early and you miss the emergence of some plants, and animals for that matter, it's OK as there are blooming plants and trees into October! The timing of wildflowers emergence and then blooming also depends on elevation and exposure which varies greatly throughout the park so "peak bloom" of any plant in the Smokies can stretch for weeks of you know where to go.

The heavy flowering in the Great Smoky Mountains normally starts in late March and peaks from April through May with some of the best mass flowering displays such as that from the Mountain Laurels, Rhododendrons and Azaleas peaking in May and June in the best locations, and some will still flower into July.

With more than 1,700 flowing vascular plants in the Great Smoky Mountains national park, some of which are so rare they are only found in isolated tiny locations, the advantage of exploring the park with local experts is priceless. Many of the attendees of the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage are local experts as well so it is not uncommon on a hike with a dozen attendees to have more than a century of combined wildflower, photography and wildlife experience on the trail with you!

Especially if you are not from the area I would highly recommend getting at least 1 wildflower identification book from one of the visitor centers. I personally recommend 2 such books: the small pocket guide "Wildflowers of the Smokies" and the larger spiral bound "Great Smoky Mountains Wildflowers". You may want to also purchase a Wildflower Checklist for $2.95 at one of the National Park Visitor centers. All purchases help the park.

Speaking of helping the park, the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is a non-profit event made possible by individuals with local organizations who donate their time and resources and if you would like to volunteer your time or make a contribution, please contact Holly at Friends of the Smokies.

There is another way that you can help the park and that is by become a member of Friends of the Smokies. Doing so not only help fund educational programs, restorations efforts, scientific research, hiking trail maintenance and repairs and so much more, it also means that you can save 10% off of any regular rate on a cabin rental in the Great Smoky Mountains managed by American Mountain Rentals (not valid on Holidays).

What could possibly be better than hiking around the nation's most beloved national park and enjoying great weather, beautiful vistas, the sounds of creeks and streams and waterfalls and the sight of a carpet of wildflowers in the peaceful woods? Coming back home to a cabin with a great view, lots of privacy and after a home cooked meal climbing into a hot tub to watch the shooting stars and the flickering fireflies - all at a discounted price!

Can't make the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage but still want to visit the best wildflower locations in the Great Smoky Mountains? There are far too many to list all of them, but the cream of the crop are Porters Creek and Old Settlers rail in Greenbrier outside the Gatlinburg City limits in Pitman Center, the Lower Mount Cammerer Trail and Nature Trail in Cosby neat Gatlinburg, Old Sugarlands Trail near park headquarters in Gatlinburg, Cucumber Gap Trail in Elkmont, White Oak Sinks and Finley Cane hiking trail between Townsend and Cades Cove, Mingus Creek Trail and Kanati Fork Trail off Newfound Gap Road in North Carolina along with some areas in Lakeshore.

So where should you stay if you are attending the Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Smokies? Certainly on the Tennessee side as though even though there are great wildflower hikes on the North Carolina side, most of the programs are taking place in Tennessee.

The vast majority of the hikes and programs in the Smokies Wildflower Pilgrimage are taking place in Gatlinburg so that should be your first choice. The south end of Pigeon Forge and along Wears Valley is also very convenient is it will also give you the opportunity to bypass some of the traffic and go right on through to the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Of course the last thing you will want to do after a day of being surrounded by the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains national park is to be crammed into a hotel room along the parkway so you should take advantage of the Friends of the Smokies members discount on cabin rentals during this and all future Spring Wildflower Pilgrimages in the Great Smoky Mountains.

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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Cabins for Rent in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg for less than $100!

The weather and the scenery right now in the Smoky Mountains is fantastic and so is this great deal on cabin rentals in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge where you get to stay in the Smokies for 5 or more nights for less than $100 a night in April and May!

You can't find a better time to take a vacation in the Smokies than right now and this limited cabin rental special is an unbeatable deal that you cannot afford to miss if you are looking for the cheapest price on the best cabins in the Smokies.

All of these cabins are top notch rental cabins in the best locations in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Wears Valley and Sevierville Tennessee. These clean well maintained cabins all come with the exceptional service that American Mountain Rentals has been providing guests for close to 10 years.

April and May are the best months of the off season in the Smokies. Don't expect to find big crowds or in season prices. Expect to find places like Dollywood upon for business and the lines far shorter than they will be just a few short weeks from now.

The trees all have fresh green leaves right now and if you look carefully you may get so see one of our baby bear cubs just born this year climbing around in one and mama bear is sure to be close by.

The forests - about 1,000 square miles starting minutes away from Gatlinburg now have lush growth and are loaded with wildflowers - so loaded that the 63rd Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Smokies which brings in naturalists and photographers from around the country has just started. There are more than 1,700 flowering plants in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park alone!

The fishing? Outstanding! Warmer streams mean more active fish and boy are they biting, so you may be able to make a fantastic meal of the fresh caught trout from a crystal clear stream in your cabins fully equipped kitchen.

After you delicious home cooked meal are at a stop at one of the many hundred restaurants in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, kick back and relax in your private hot tub on your deck or relax in the living room and watch some TV.

Besides the $99 cabin rentals, we have some larger 2 and 3 bedroom cabin rental units for just a few more dollars a night more so take a look. These units book fast so do not wait too long!

Our special cabin rental prices are for new rentals only for at least 5 consecutive nights, holidays not included. This offer cannot be used in addition to any other discount and guests are responsible for paying all taxes, cleaning and reservation fees.

Bear Naked
Smoky Mountain 1 Bedroom Log Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 6

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



Cabin Fever
Smoky Mountain 1 Bedroom Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



Cuddly Bear's Lair
Smoky Mountain  1 Bedroom Chalet for Rent
1 Bedroom Chalet in Gatlinburg TN - Sleeps 2

Rent This Chalet for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



Heavenly Vision
1 Bedroom Smoky Mountain Chalet for Rent
1 Bedroom Chalet in Gatlinburg TN - Sleeps 5

Rent This Chalet for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



All About Romance
Smoky Mountain 1 Bedroom  Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



Hooked on You
1 Bedroom Smoky Mountain Log Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



Log Heaven
Smoky Mountain 1 Bedroom Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Gatlinburg TN - Sleeps 2

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



A Hunka Hunka Burning Love

Smoky Mountain 1 Bedroom Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Sevierville TN - Sleeps 3

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



All About Love
Smoky Mountain 1 Bedroom Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



Almost Paradise
Smoky Mountain 1 Bedroom Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



Alone at Last
Smoky Mountain 1 Bedroom Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



The Cats Meow
Smoky Mountain 1 Bedroom Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Sevierville TN - Sleeps 2

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



Peaches 'N Cream
1 Bedroom Smoky Mountain Chalet for Rent
1 Bedroom Chalet in Gatlinburg TN - Sleeps 2

Rent This Chalet for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



Arm's Way
Smoky Mountain 1 Bedroom Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



Bareskin Romance
Smoky Mountain 1 Bedroom Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 6

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



Smoky Mountain Memories
Smoky Mountain 1 Bedroom Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



She Thinks My Tractors Sexy
1 Bedroom Smoky Mountain Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



Lucky Star
1 Bedroom Smoky Mountain Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 2

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



Majestic View II
Smoky Mountain 1 Bedroom Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 2

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



Mountain Laurel II
Smoky Mountain 1 Bedroom Cabin for Rent
1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4

Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)



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