Last Weeks of Peak Color for 2013 in the Great Smoky Mountains and Where It is.

The word unusual is what best describes the peak autumn leaf color of 2013. Well pretty, late and long lasting work too. With all that said, I will even throw in unpredictable too.

I have been chasing fall color in the Smokies for 15 years now and so far the pattern has been very clear and predictable. This year's fall starting and peak color has lasted longer than usual in most locations, and most spots are later than usual and surprisingly much is out of synch making it more of a challenge.

The great news for everyone coming to the Great Smoky Mountains to appreciate the fall leaf colors is that the weather has been wonderful with virtually no rainy days and most of the time seasonably warm except when we got a light dusting of snow on the higher elevations along Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

All those sunny warm and dry days, has pushed the leaves to start changing color just a little latter than normal. It has also created more of an islands of color effect where spots of color appear caused by just a few trees close together change color more than large bands of color moving down the mountain at the same time.

Chimneys Overlook Fall Color
 

We have also seen where the fall color start and just stop as seen in the picture above taken at the Chimneys overlook 2 days ago where you can clearly see the tops of the ridge lost their leaves and was in peak last week, yet the lower part of the mountain that should be in peak right now is still in dark greens and yellows.

Normally when the top of this range is red, at least 300-400 feet below, the trees and bushes that change in the fall are very bright yellow and light green too. Clearly this is not the case.

Though peak color is at around 3,000 feet, a few spots such as along the Foothills Parkway Spur which more than 1,000 feet lower have dropped many leaves and have yet to peak color. The same can be seen in Cades Cove, Tremont, Greenbrier and Cataloochee.

Fall Color Middle Prong River Tremont
 

The picture above was taken yesterday at the Middle Prong River in Tremont where many trees have just turned yellow in the past 3 days. The bright reds and oranges are just around the corner.

The hiking trails in Tremont such as the West Prong Ridge Trail and the Lumber Ridge Trail are both very quiet and there is some fantastic color in spots that is only getting better by the day. Highly suggest both of these trails to see fall color and enjoy some tranquility.

The Middle Prong Trail in Tremont is much busier and has better color is spots. The 2 major waterfalls along the trail Lynn Camp Prong Falls and Indian Flat Falls have unusually light water flow, but are still very pretty.

Lynn Camp Prong Falls will be at peak color sometime late this week which may not last long. Indian Flats has mostly evergreens around it so anytime of the year is pretty.

Fall Sunrise in Cades Cove
 

Early mornings are beautiful in Cades Cove as pictured in sunrise this Sunday above. While peak color is working down the surrounding mountains ranges and should be still very bright and pretty into next week in parts, some of the color in the lower elevations never peaked and is surprisingly gone.

Don't get me wrong, with the help of some gentle moisture we could have an absolute riot of color still in Cades Cove as the trees with later colors to come out are still more than 80% green. At this rate we will have color into the second week in November.

Remember, Cades Cove does not open until sunrise to cars, but you are welcome to park At the orientation shelter by the entrance and walk in to watch the sunrise. Sunrise in Cades Cove is magical and before 9 am THIS LAST Sunday I saw bear, coyote, tons of deer and turkey.

The Cataloochee Valley about and 1-1/2 hours from Gatlinburg and its peak fall color is usually about 2 weeks ahead of Cades Cove due to the fact it is so much higher and generally colder as well.

Cataloochee Valley Fall Color
 

As you can see by the picture above taken 3 days ago, its fall leaf color is far from over along the peaks and down the mountainside.

Although the lower elevations along the valley floor are not very bright this year, just look in the distance and up the mountains and hill surrounding the valley and there is still plenty of great fall color to see.

Right now the best hiking trail to get the best fall leaf picture and enjoy stunning long range fall leaf season views is along the Cataloochee Divide Trail right at the park entrance.

Since the Cataloochee Divide Trail is not a loop, you can walk in a few minutes or hike in 10 miles or mile on this very easy trail. Take a break at the overlook with the large rock.

Down in the valley, Cataloochee is one of the best spots to see wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains other than Cades Cove. Of the more than 150 plus elk that live in the Smokies, more than 90 call Cataloochee home.

Elk Rut Cataloochee Valley
 

The elk rut, which is their mating season, is just about over. Some of the elk such as the one pictured above who obviously lost a battle with another elk over a potential mate must be glad their days of fighting will be over next week.

Unlike the peak fall color in Cataloochee the elks mating timetable seems to be right where it should be. You should be able to still get some great elk photos with fall color in the background for at least another week or so. Far later than normal!

So where is the best fall color right now in the Great Smoky Mountains that should also be very bright, colorful and beautiful this coming weekend? the Foothills Parkway West in the photo below from yesterday is the place to go!

Foothills Parkway West Fall Color
 

Not only will the 18 mile long scenic drive thrill you will great colors surrounding you on both side of the road, make use of the pullouts on both sides of the road. The northern pull outs look out past Walland, Maryville, Townsend, Alcoa and all the way out to Knoxville. Best night view in the Smokies.

On the Southern facing pull outs you are looking out at the Great Smoky Mountains national park and in some cases down into Happy Valley as well. In my opinion, some of the best views in the Great Smoky Mountains are right off this roadway and they are never more beautiful than during fall.

Sunrises and sunsets off of the Foothills Parkway West are fantastic. If I could choose just one time, it would be sunrise when the fog can fill the valleys below. Indescribable.

So what is the best part of the fall peak leaf season for 2013? The fact that since it is running so late and lasting so long, that so many more people can enjoy it than usually can.

Where it is usually impossible to take advantage of any special deals on good cabin rentals, because the season should be over, there are still some cabin rentals left at the lower November rates and you can use the coupon below for an additional 10% discount!

Last Minute Cabin Rental Discount
 

Peak Fall Colors Smoky Mountains: Where and When for 2010

If you are looking for the best fall colors set off by a backdrop of stunning mountains such as the Smokies, now is the time to book a leaf peeping trip to the Great Smoky Mountains for the best autumn colors of 2010.

The Great Smoky Mountains encompass such a huge area with lots of different trees showing different colors such as sugar maples, sweet gum, oak, beech, hickory, walnuts, dog wood, tulip poplar and more than a hundred other trees and bushes that will amaze you with their dazzling colors for many weeks.

Some of the best fall colors of the Smoky Mountains are just starting to show in the highest elevations such as the leaves along Newfound Gap Road pictured above in the Great Smoky Mountains national park yesterday. The hot reds, oranges, peach colors and salmons have yet to come out up there.

Just a few days ago, everything was deep green with just a hint of some light greens and a flash of red or deep burgundy from sweet gum and dogwood.

Now the ridgeline's and peaks are highlighted with yellows, reds and oranges which are quickly starting to spread down from little patches to the valleys and hollows throughout the Smokies.

Since the color starts in the higher elevations where it is cooler, the best auto tours to see the leaves change colors right now are along Newfound Gap Road especially above 3,000 feet, the Blue Ridge Parkway which borders the Great Smoky Mountains national park, The Foothills Parkway East by Cosby just outside Gatlinburg, The Foothills Parkways West outside Townsend near Cades Cove past Pigeon Forge and Wears Valley and the infamous Tail of the Dragon.

North Carolina with its slightly higher elevation and cooler temperatures is a about a week ahead in its fall colors than that of the Tennessee side of the Smokies.

Cades Cove in Tennessee has some really good leaf color right now when you look up at Rich Mountain and Gregory Bald however, you may want to take a ride instead this week and next to Cataloochee Valley (Pictured above yesterday) just outside Maggie Valley.

In Cataloochee right now you can see better fall colors, and you can see up close as many a 60 elk in a day during what is now rut season. This is the time of the year when elk which have been introduced back into the area have their mating rituals which include loud bellowing called bugling between the males (bulls) back and forth which echoes in the valleys.

Female elks called cows are still nursing their young calves born this year. The calves still sport their baby spots as their longer winter coat is now growing in. Elk are very social animals that gather and interact with one another within the harem - fascinating to watch and you can get fantastic photographs such as the one taken below last week.

Just as Cades Cove has historic structures, so does the Cataloochee Valley. There are a handful of structures you can explore built in the late 1800's and early 1900's including a church, a schoolhouse and historic home sites.

A 5-mile round trip hike into Little Cataloochee reveals 2 very old log cabins from the 1800's, an apple house and another beautiful church. Al of the hike is right now under a canopy of green and fresh fall colors, which will be peaking next week and should last the month of October.

You will also find in Cataloochee there are miles of hiking trails and some of the best fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains in streams and creeks littered with bright orange and yellow leaves.

The acorn crop which is huge this year is moving lower so seeing black bear in a week or so will be common in the valley. Best time to see the black bear and elk is close to sunrise and the last 2 hours before sunset.

While it is 73 degrees in right now in Gatlinburg, during autumn in the Smokies the weather can change real fast in the Smoky Mountains. Last week there were 2 light dustings of snow on the peaks and the best place to see early snow and the best fall color of any roadway right now in the road off Newfound Gap up to Clingmans Dome.

Up at Clingmans Dome you can also enjoy the Christmassy smell of the fir trees and great views of the national park> You can look down on the cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. This is also one of the best palaces to watch the sunset or sunrise so make sure to bring a camera!

The Smoky Mountains are always awesome, but this time of year, no one can beat the beauty of the Smokies showing off its fall peak colors. Stay tuned as we track the best of fall colors in the Smokies for you.

Though some of the best cabin rentals in the Smokies have been booked for month, there are a few left and you can take advantage of the last minute rentals 10% discount on some of them right now!

Where to hike and bike and enjoy the last of the fall colors in the Smoky Mountains.

There is still some fall color left when hiking and biking in the Great Smoky Mountains for this years leaf season, but don't expect to last past the weekend.

Right now the best place to bike to see fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains national park is also a place that you can hike as well.

The Foothills Parkway West has an incomplete section that hikers and bikers can use for as much as 9 miles in. This section can be found right across from the open section of Foothills Parkway West from just past Townsend at Walland to US 129.

Once you start hiking in you will see what should have been the Foothill Parkway sign now missing but there is plenty of light and dark yellows all around even though it rained earlier today and knocked many of the leaves down.

The whole 9 miles in is all paved and is perfect for biking and hiking and you can even bring a leashed dog is you wish. Since it is paved it has a moderate grade and most of what you will be hiking or biking going in will be uphill.

Though there is color left along the sides of this hiking area, most of the color is out in the mountains across from you and in the valleys.

About 1 mile in on the right there is the first pull off with a small grass island and a hill. There was lots of fog and clouds today but on a clear day walk up the island for an even more birds eye view.

Beneath you is 321 and as you can see by the picture above the fall colors in the trees in the mountains across from you are still bright and vibrant with autumn leaves showing reds, oranges, yellows, green and some browns and tans.

Some of the weeds and shorter plants are also giving of some nice color and they add to the whole autumn feel. There are also still a few wild flowers still blooming here but it's the autumn leaves that give off the best show right now.

The weather here in the Smokies is expected to have some rain and possible snow so if you decide to hike or bike on this trail make sure to bring enough layers and rain gear to stay dry.

Today there was too much fog for any good long shots and there weren't the usual blue skies we have had the past few weeks all throughout our peak leaf season.

Try to come out and enjoy the fall colors now as they won't be around for more than a few more days in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Update: The incomplete section of the Foothills Parkway is closed right now due to ongoing construction.

Best fall drives to see the fall colors in the Smokies: Foothills Parkway

As each day passes the best fall colors are in smaller and smaller pockets such as the Foothills Parkway west starting just outside of Townsend on 321 which ends at US 129 which becomes the famous Tail of the Dragon.

Right now the best fall colors and long vistas of color in the Great Smoky Mountains are found on the Foothills parkway. This 14 mile stretch of beautiful roadway has little traffic, stunning overlooks and a short hiking trail with a stunning view.

This is one of the few places that is under national park control that you can look out at a spectacular long range vista of cities and towns all the way out past Knoxville.

The picture above was taken yesterday of one of the long vistas looking out over Maryville and beyond. There are 3 great pull offs on the right hand side of the Foothills parkway that all have spectacular views - stunning at night too!

The fall colors along the Foothills Parkway vary from bright glowing yellows to deeper gold and tans along with bright and deep reds. Some of the flame oaks are now showing off crimson red and deep maroons in pockets and slowly tuning brown.

Watch as you drive by the colorful fall leaves on the side of the road or there is a stiff wind and the leaves flutter like snowflakes. Take advantage of the pulls off to the right that look out over the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

At about 9.5 miles in there is a large pull off with an observation area near the parking lot as well as the trail head for the Look Rock observation tower.

The tower is little more than a 1/2 mile in on a small paved easy hiking trail that takes you through wooded area. Most of the leaves here on the nature trail have fallen but there is still color to be found.

The forest floor here has some pretty large builders and old rotting logs covered in dark green moss with light green lichen. These look beautiful against the browns, tans and yellows of the leaves on the forest floor.

Before you reach the Look Rock Observation Tower you will pass by 2 buildings that are fenced off. There building contain weather and air monitoring equipment to keep track of the air quality which is increasing being assaulted by ozone mostly from coal burning power plants and automobile exhaust.

The Look Rock Tower is a modern concrete structure and you ascend 2 ramps without stairs to get to the observation area up top.

As you walk up the ramps you are ascending up into the canopy of the trees to get your birds eye view at the top. keep your eyes out for squirrels racing around and jumping from branch to branch knocking down the fall leaves.

The view at the top of Look Rock is fantastic and the mountain right across as seen in this picture was glowing with reds and maroons as well as some of the valleys.

Up here you have a 360 degree view and when the visibility is good you can see all the way out to the Cumberland Plateau and across way into the Great Smoky Mountains national park and the of the beautiful fall colors.

Less than 1/2 an hour away from all this beauty you will find more than 150 top rated cabin rentals in the Smokies.

Hundreds of hot cars to Cruise the Smokies at the Fall Rod Run

Did you miss the rod run this fall in Pigeon Forge Tennessee? Don't despair as Cherokee North Carolina only an hour away is expecting more than 800 classic and souped up custom cars for the Cruise the Smokies Cherokee rod run.

With fall leaf season at its peak in the Smoky Mountains, this will be a perfect time to come out and see the beautiful classic cars and watch them later on motor around the Smokies.

This is also a prefect time for photography enthusiasts to catch special shots of these classic cars against the stunning backdrops of the of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains national park and the Foothills Parkway. Some of the finer autos are going to take on the famous tail of the Dragon.

We are expecting at least 3,000 attendees to show up for the Cherokee Rod Run and if your wheels are older than 1972 or your car is heavily customized you can register to show you car and compete for cash drawings totaling $15,000 for only $40.

The fall rod run is a great place to meet and network with car lovers, shop at the swap meet, enjoy the daily entertainment. If all of this is not enough to get you excited, The Temptations and The Platters are going to play Saturday night at Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

The Cherokee rod run for classic cars in the Smoky Mountains will be held from October 31st to November 2nd at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. On Friday and Saturday the fairground gates are open from 9-5 and on Sunday from 9 until noon. Tickets for adults and kids 7 and up cost $5 and kids 6 and under are free.

The fall rod run in Cherokee North Carolina is sponsored by Cherokee Travel and Tourism and Harrah's Casino and for more information visit Cherokee Web Site or call (828) 438-1601.

Fall Weekend activities in the Great Smoky Mountains October 18th – 19th

Looking for activities to do on a budget this weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee? We have 2 big events going on here in the Smokies and the most expensive one is only $2 a carload!

This weekend we have activities going on in Cosby Tennessee and Walland Tennessee both evens are in sight of the Great Smoky Mountains national park and both Smokies events are a few minutes drive from Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville Tennessee.

The first event this weekend actually started today at the Cosby visitors center on 321 at the Moonshine Capital of the world Cosby TN - the 11th annual On Cosby outdoor festival.

Here at the On Cosby festival for the price of parking which goes to the local fire department, you an enjoy live musical shows, dancing, demonstrations, talent shows, events and free games for the kids, antique tractor and car show, story telling and so much more. On Cosby Festival Schedule.

The On Cosby show is a great way to meet and mingle with the locals from the Smoky Mountains and is the best family friendly entertainment value of the year - perfect for everyone whether you are on a budget or not.

You will also see local artwork and handicrafts and there are plenty of booths to shop for bargains and taste some locally made food. Be sure to bring back some of the locally delicacy: sourwood honey!

Further down 321 a short drive past the Foothill Parkway you will find the Carver families Apple groves and their retail store which features more apple varieties than you have ever seen before - most locally grown and tasting is encouraged.

People drive up as far away as Alabama during apple season to buy apples as well as their famous fried apple pies. Be sure to pick up a gallon on fresh pressed apple cider - it delicious and unpasteurized for a full bodied flavor.

On the other end of the Great Smoky Mountains national park 12 miles west of the Townsend entrance and 11 miles east of Maryville the national park service will be holding a open house Autumn Leaf driving tour on the Foothills Parkway.

The Foothills Parkway is a stunning section of roadway that is meant to stretch from the east end of the park to the west on the Tennessee side connecting the Towns of Cosby from I 40, Pigeon Forge Gatlinburg, Wears Valley, Townsend, Walland and ending up on 129.

There is also a section of the Foothills Parkway known as the Spur which connects Gatlinburg with Pigeon Forge and has a short cut via a bypass into the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

The Foothills Parkway has some of the most beautiful scenery in the South Eastern US that can be seen from any roadway and is maintained and patrolled by the national park service.

Even though the construction of this road started in the 1970's, only parts of the Foothills Parkway are finished because of construction problems and budgetary issues.

2 sections of this incomplete road just need to have a so called Missing Link connecting both these sections of the Foothills Parkway finished which is expected to be done by some time in 2009.

Since the fall colors are starting to peak here in the Great Smoky Mountains the national park service will be opening one of these sections to motorists this weekend so they can enjoy the beauty of this road while being enveloped by the beautiful fall colors of the Smokies.

Drivers will be allowed to ride on the Foothills Parkway from 9 am to 3 pm this Saturday and Sunday and the entrance is at the Foothills Parkway interchange off US 321 where you will be directed.