Fall in the Smokies: Peak Color and First Snow for 2013

As we first predicted 10 days ago, not only are we right in peak leaf season or the Smoky Mountains with the best color at about 3,000 feet and up, we have had our first taste of snow for the fall of 2013.

The 2 places that first recorded snow as to be expected took place in the very high elevations of Mount Mitchell in North Carolina off the Blue Ridge Parkway and Mount LeConte to triple peaked mountain visible all around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville Tennessee.

Whereas Mount LeConte received just a few furies, Rangers had to close the access road 128 due to some snow but mostly being frozen sleet. Mount LeConte reported no accumulation this morning, but temperatures that dipped down into the teens with a high yesterday in the mid 50's.

The valleys in Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley and Gatlinburg stayed much warmer in the 40's last night with some of the foothills dripping down into the 30's and we are still under a frost warning and expecting a as much as few inches tonight at Clingmans Dome and Mount LeConte.

The combination of this cold weather that the jet stream drip brought into us here during peak autumn leaf color and the high probability of snow accumulations high in the mountains will mean brighter leaf colors, better long range visibility all with snow capped peaks? What could make for a better fall picture that that?

In the meantime, the fall color in the Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains has already been getting brighter at 4,000 feet and above with most of the fall color presently concentrated at 3,000 feet and up which of course will rapidly change given the cold weather that just moved into the Smokies.

I did an extensive fall color survey yesterday in the Smokies and I was not disappointed with what I saw. Starting up top at Clingmans Dome I had to break out both a winter coat and hat as it was windy and foggy and along the highest parts of Clingmans Dome Road we are already past peak which hot a week ago.

You don't go up to Clingmans Dome to see fall color in the leaves up close, but to get long range views looking down into North Carolina and going up and over to look down the valley into Tennessee. While it was in the lower 40's and windy, the fog would break every now and then so that you can see the color below.

 

See the video above from Clingmans Dome yesterday to see the fall color looking down into Deep Creek, Bryson City and you can see a glimpse of Lake Fontana. As you can see, yellows and some reds are out, in another 73 hours the reds will be far more prevalent.

Going down to Cherokee, some of areas around the Kephart area have turned and a few of the beech trees are already past peak. Cherokee has another week before hitting peak and there is far more green left than I can ever remember along the way.

Light Greens and yellows are creeping into Little River Road and Laurel Creek Road, and Cades Cove Will be really great starting this weekend and should have color lasting more than another week.

One of the best spots to see the fall colors right now in the Great Smoky Mountains national park is in the Cherokee Orchard Road area of the park behind Gatlinburg and along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trails.

 

Don't rush when you come here. One of the best places to spot bear early in the day and late in the afternoon is along this road - even before you hit the Ogle Cabin pictured above from yesterday.

If you want to have a gentle walk in the woods and an opportunity to see the color up close, park here and take the small guided loop trail around to a mill in the woods and along the way enjoy great photo opportunities and an opportunity to see the Smokies up close, all without steep climbs!

Further on up the road is the Rainbow Falls Hiking Trailhead. This trail goes along a large stream at the beginning and the fall color higher up on this trial is great!

Go past the second Rainbow Falls parking lot and on the right is the entrance to the Roaring Fork Motor nature trail. The further up you go, the better the fall color is right now and with 2 large overlooks, you have the opportunity to take some great pictures with a stunning long range view.

The first hiking trail parking area is for Grotto Falls a very easy 2-1/2 mile round trip with some nice fall color and if you hike about another 2 miles past the falls, you come to the best view of peak fall color in the Smokies on Brushy Mountain.

Further along on the motor nature trail are 3 more spots with historic buildings that look fantastic with the fall colors as well as many small cascades and waterfalls is the streams near the road.

This has been a very good year so far and it still looks as though we have more than another good week of peak fall color left in the Smoky Mountains!

Fall Color for October 21st 2013 in the Great Smoky Mountains

Last night was another cool night and tonight it will dip into the 40s again and the cool weathers timing is perfect as the leaves are just starting to change in the lower elevations and is in peak higher up.

In an around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg it was bright and sunny and in the mid 60s today with no real traffic what so ever compared to the weekends in fall. Many restaurants did even have lines.

Cades Cove remained busy today with a moderate flow of well moving traffic except for the 3 black bear jams. You can tell the bear are desperate to fatten up as one was working the trees in the first field near the horse stables and another by the exit of Cades Cove Loop Road in the middle of the day. It isn't often you get to see black bear so easily in the middle of the day in Cades Cove when it is not raining.

Bears need to fatten up now in the fall before they slow down for the winter and these bear were working the cherry, oak trees as well as the Persimmon trees whose fruit will be much sweeter after the first frost.

Little River Road and Laurel Creek Road all still all leafed in boasting various shades of green and some yellows with an occasional red.

Even the waterfall by the Sinks has yet to color in, but with near or at freezing temps for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night, you can be assured that the bright color is right around the corner.

Fall color has crept further down on Rich Mountain, Cove Mountain, and Mount LeConte with the brightest color up high still a few days away. The view from Clingmans Dome was wonderful.

 

The hiking trails were fabulous from Greenbrier to Tremont and even the very busiest trails such as the Little River Trail pictured above today were still quiet and peaceful.

As you walked along the trails, you hear the rustling leaves underfoot and the bright blue sky set off the color in the leaves in the trees above or on vines growing on the trees like the flame red Virginia creepers.

Deer were out on 3 trails which is fairly unusual that they are so brave in the Smokies. They now have their darker grayish winter coats and like the bears are looking to take advantage of the few easy acorns left to find.

The squirrels are sill chattering at one another as they do in the fall and they are in a mad rush to make the most of what's left of the red oak and white oak acorns littering the forest floor.

It doesn't just look, feel and sound like fall, it smells like fall too. In the daytime you can smell the fresh leaves and in the evening, those lucky enough to have a wood burning fireplace are making themselves cozy in front of it while that wonderful smell of seasoned wood burning is in the air.

The exciting part is, we know it is just going to keep getting nicer and nicer day by day as the fall peak runs from the mountain peaks into the valleys.

If you haven't booked a cabin to come and enjoy the fall peak season, don't even bother trying to this weekend as any good unit is already booked.

If you are smart, take advantage of a last minute deal during the week when the traffic is light, trails are emptier, restaurants have no wait and you can still get a great deal and see what could be the best peak fall leaf season in years!

Fall Color Report for 2013 Leaf Season in the Great Smoky Mountains

Right on time in the Smokies we have seen fall color in some random trees and bushes such as sourwood and dogwood for the past 2 weeks, and yellows in hardwoods such as oaks above 5,000 feet for more than a week.

Late summer and early fall have been a mixed bag between dryer than normal on the Tennessee side and wetter than normal on the North Carolina side. This very strange combination has mean for a bumper crop of apples, but lousy acorns due to the stress.

The fact that we have good apples has us very excited as that is usually a good indication of a great autumn for color. The fact that the acorn crop is light means that the bears will be moving around looking more for food to fatten up for the winter.

The great news for leaf peepers looking to enjoy a both long colorful fall leaf season in the Smokies is that stressed trees and bushes often produce the best fall color. The trick is not to have too much stress which can cause a tree to go from green to brown and dropping its leaves within a day or 2.

Fall Leaf Season along Newfound Gap Road

To get the best fall leaf color possible, just as the leaf is turning off sugar production, you want a cold snap to convert the sugars in leaves such as maples into bright reds and hot oranges. Not enough cold and when the green goes, all what remains are yellows - still a very pretty sight.

Some places have many of the same species of tree or bush at the same elevation with the same exposure. When this is the case, you get a mass of basically the same color all at once. The peak leaf season in that case may only be a few days, but it can be quite spectacular.

The Smokies on the other hand vary greatly in both diversity and environment. Just go to Gatlinburg and look up at Mount LeConte and you are looking at more than mile in elevation gain - the most dramatic elevation change east of the Mississippi.

You also do not have 10, or 20 different species of trees growing in the Great Smoky Mountains, you have more than 100. There are more local native tree species growing in the Smokies - most of which produce color in the fall - than there are in the entire European continent!

The timing on all the trees as to when they shut off their leaves and produce the bright colors that remain in the leaves are all different. Even for the same species of tree, since elevations, canopy cover, soil types and conditions vary so much, so does the peak leaf season for each species of tree in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Since we have hundreds of different trees with different leaf colors in the fall peaking at different times, you can see that coming to the Smokies in autumn to see the leaves change; you have a window of 2 to 3 weeks minimum when the leaf color is great.

Bad weather conditions such as an extreme drought, or a huge wind storm or rainstorm that blows down leaves can reduce this window by a week, great conditions such as light moisture when needed, light winds and real cool nights to process the sugars can extend a peak leaf season to 4 or more weeks of color.

To time peak fall color in the Smokies it depends on where you want to see it peak. Even then it is part science and park art. We all know for example that folk legends such as the position and width of the bands on our wooly caterpillars is not an accurate predictor of how cold it will be during the winter. A coin toss works even better on average!

The biggest variable is weather conditions as to when the peak begins. Leaves turn off their green color which is chlorophyll and become colorful as both light and the temperature changes. When the days become shorter, less light means less sugar is produced triggering a fall shutdown of the Chlorophyll producing parts of the leaves. Continuous bright sunny days mean that the fall season will start later and thus peak later.

Darker, cloudy and rainy day's make plants start turning into fall colors faster, thus moving the peak season start and end sooner. With all this going on, temperature has an effect too so you can see since weather patterns can change real fast in the mountains, what can look like a late peak season can turn into a normal fall peak season in days.

Right now we are just starting to peak at the highest elevations which are generally only producing yellows at around 5,000 feet. Higher points such as along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the 6,000 foot range are seeing bright reds in some bushes and trees. If you are high up and looking down along the higher ridge lines, the fall colors including reds and oranges will really start to pop by next weekend.

Most people do not have the ability to be along higher ridge lines so the fall color when it moves to the middle and lower ridges will offer both better fall color long range views as the ability to be closer at the mid line where you will find many cabins and scenic pullouts so you can see the leaves with their fall colors up close in person.

The best time to enjoy peak season fall color in Cades Cove is right about when the mid range comes into color. For some reason the valley does not hold color long and f you wait too long for it to creep down the mountain, the tops of the mountains around Cades Cove are already done.

Cataloochee and the bald at Max Patch are at least a week earlier to fall peak leaf season than the lower parts of Tennessee such as Cades Cove.

Of course the best you can ask for is when the tops are at the tail end of peak, the mid and low elevations are at peak and there is a dusting of snow up top. If you are lucky enough to catch this, the contrast is thrilling and makes for postcards perfect pictures.

Long range forecasts today show the possibility of a dusting of snow in high altitudes on the 20th, 24th, 25th and the 31st. For most of this week we are expecting highs in 70's, and for the rest of the month in the 60's.

If you are coming here for a visit to see fall colors during October, pack warm clothes if you plan on going to the upper parts of Newfound Gap Road or on the Blue Ridge Parkway which is open all the way through to Virginia as we already have had lows up there in the 40's for days.

As long as the rain predicted for the 16th and the 17th is a gentle, long, soaking rain, some of the tail end of the fall color in hardwoods such as red oaks will still be visible in the Great Smoky Mountains and valleys such as in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg into November. In 2005, reds were still nice the second week in November.

The best bet to be sure to see the best fall colors in the Smokies is the 3rd week in October, you might not have full great color in the hardwoods and valleys, but you will be sure to have the mid elevations very bright and colorful. Even if a huge storm blows through, there will still be fresh fall color peaking everyday further on down below every few days.

Pigeon Forge Chalet Rentals Website Has Major Update and More Cabin Rentals!

For more than 15 years PigeonForgeChalets.com has been renting chalets and cabins for overnight and weekly rentals in the Pigeon Forge Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Most of these cabins were within 5 miles of the Dollywood Theme Park and all are just a few minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

American Mountain Rentals took over all the operation of Pigeon Forge Chalets and removed any cabins up to their higher standards and added in a few new units to the rental program which has 2 dozen cabins and chalets. They also improved cleaning and maintenance with brand new crews of their own and it showed!

The web site for Pigeon Forge Chalets was also completely updated with newer up to date information, higher privacy and improved security. Better quality pictures were also added so you can better see the individual cabins for rent as well as their amazing views and privacy.

In the past 4 months some additional major updates have just been completed with another one about to be rolled out.

The first improvement was to more than double the cabin and chalet for rent on PigeonForgeChalets. There are now more than 60 handpicked cabins and chalets for rent spread throughout the Tennessee Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Wears Valley, Walden Creek and Sevierville.

There are now more vacation rentals on the web site than ever before that have seasonal swimming pool access as well as Free WIFI high Speed Internet Access. A few more pet friendly units that take dogs or cats that are 30 pounds are less have also been added.

The second improvement is the new availability calendar that is on each cabin page so that you do not have to "click over" to our vacation rental booking engine. This new feature allows anyone looking to rent a cabin or chalet to immediately see what is available and shortly when phase 2 of the update is rolled out, you will be able book direly from the calendar.

The third roll-out is the 2 new featured cabins or chalets that we have on the home page each and every day. There are now daily large featured cabins that are anywhere from 3 to 9 bedrooms, and our small cabins have 1 and 2 bedrooms.

Don't be fooled by the name small cabins and chalets as many of these 1 and 2 bedroom vacation rentals can accommodate from 6 to 8 people very comfortably!

The last update is under the hood and something you won't see but feel, a faster loading web site so you spend less time looking for the perfect cabin to rent in the Great Smoky Mountains and more time planning how much fun you will have when you get here!

See the new and improved Pigeon Forge Chalets web site.

Latest 2013 Great Smoky Mountains Fall Leaf Color Peak and the Start and End of Fall Color

If you look carefully you will see it. It's happening all around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and in a few places in Sevierville too. They won't be ready to be turned on for a while, but when they do, boy will they shine!

What am I talking about? The Christmas Winterfest in the Smokies lights of course and you know what it means when they start putting up the Christmas lights in the Smoky Mountains? Fall color is right around the corner!

So far we are having what many feel is one of the nicest later summers and early falls in decades and they few days of rain we have gotten are just what the trees and bushes need to show off the most brilliant fall colors possible.

Temperature highs are still in the mid to low 70's during the days and the upper 50's to 60's which are ideal with the bright sunny days. This current trend will allow leaves to produce the most sugar and staying power for the brightest reds and oranges.

Early predictions for fall color in 2013 are very good and seem to be getting better by the day. The temperature drops have been consistent and steady and huge swings upward which would stress the leaves more have just not happened yet.

This year's Smoky Mountain acorn mast crop is also fairly sub-par, especially in white oaks. Combine this with a very good apple crop and all indications are for a long and brilliant fall peak leaf season for 2013.

So what will be peak fall color for the Great Smoky Mountains this year? Going by the spring wild flowers, bird and insect movement and the elk rut which was about a week late, it looks as though depending on elevation peak will fall from the early part of the last week in October for the valleys and as early as the 2nd week of October from 3,000 to 4,500 feet, sooner for up to 6,000 feet. Above that there is not really any color as you are in more fir environment which stays green year round.

While with a very damp Spring and Summer is behind us, current long term predictions are for an average fall precipitation and potentially cooler than normal temperatures. My opinion is it is just too soon to call it.

Some minor leaf color changes can already be observed at 1,500 feet and higher, dogwoods and sourwoods getting a burgundy to flame red color in a few branches above 3,000 feet today and lighting of the deep greens can be observed on Cove Mountain in Wears Valley, Some spots on Bluff Mountain, Shields Mountain near Dollywood, Mount LeConte and just below the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

I just returned from the Blue Ridge Parkway all the way to Mount Mitchell and so far a few bushes in the highest elevations are showing of color but we are a week or more away from brilliant color covering large swathes on Grape Yard Ridge, Looking Glass and the Balsam Mountain area which looks even further away.

Cades Cove and Roaring Fork are also showing no lighting and real fall color yet however there are a few spots high up on Rich Mountain Road the unimproved road between Cades Cove Loop Road and Townsend Tennessee.

You are sure to find nice color from the 1st week in October, great colors the second week and breathtaking the 3 and 4th week. Expect some color to still be good through the first week in November in areas such as Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. If conditions continue, it is possible there can be great fall color in some place for 2013 as late as the second week in November. It has happened before and so far the conditions are good for long staying color.

2 Bedroom Cabin Rentals for $115 a Night in the Great Smoky Mountains!

You don't have much time left to take advantage of one of the best cabin rental deals in the Great Smoky Mountains! We have 13 cabins you can rent right now for a minimum of a 5 day stay during the month of May (except during Memorial Day Holiday block out) for only $115 a night.

These are not second rate cabins, these are top cabins and chalets in only the best locations in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley and Sevierville Tennessee. You want a hot tub? You got it! You want entertainment? There is plenty inside each of these vacation rental homes to keep you entertained.

Expect a wood burning or gas fireplace, large comfortable living areas, a fully equipped kitchen, outdoor deck space to relax along with a gas or charcoal grill - all in a clean well maintained cabin or chalet you are sure to want to come back to again and again.

If you stay in any of these cabins even at this great discount price, you are still eligible to buy discounted Cheap Dollywood Discount Tickets, Ripley's Tickets and more!

Because of the extreme discounts and the limited supply of cabin rental units that quality for this special discount in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg that qualify, this offer can be withdrawn at anytime without notice. Book now while you can and enjoy a fabulous vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains.

This special off season weekly rental rate cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts and you must use Cabin Rental Discount Promo Code TEXT115 when making your reservation online or by phone to (800) 508-6070.

Even though this the last month in 2013 that you can take advantage of this extended stay off season discount for a 2 bedroom cabin rental in the Smokies, you can book now for the 2014 off season from January through May (holidays not included).

Bear Paw Chalet 2 Bedroom Chalet in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 6 Rent This Chalet for only $115 a Night (Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Suite Temptations 2 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 6 Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night (Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Whispering Pines 2 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 6 Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night (Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Lovin Life 1 Bedroom with Loft in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4 Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night (Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Finders Keepers 1 Bedroom Cabin in Sevierville TN - Sleeps 6 Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night (Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Gummy Bear 2 Bedroom Cabin in Sevierville TN - Sleeps 4 Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night (Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

A Smoky Getaway 2 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 8 Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night (Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Treetops 2 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 6 Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night (Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Rippling Waters 2 Bedroom Chalet in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4 Rent This Chalet for only $115 a Night (Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Nature's Retreat 1 Bedroom with Loft in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 5 Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night (Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Morning Mist 2 Bedroom Cabin in Gatlinburg TN - Sleeps 5 Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night (Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Berry Delightful 2 Bedroom Chalet in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 6 Rent This Chalet for only $115 a Night (Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4 Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night (Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Log Heaven 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 1 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4 Rent This Cabin for only $99 a Night (Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Fall Peak Leaf Season Best Color Dates for 2012 in Great Smoky Mountains Tennessee

Fall is the time in the Smokies when the trees leaves change to outrageous colors and the carpet of brilliant colors climbs up more than 6,000 feet to the tops of the Great Smoky Mountains where a bright red leaf may be next to a yellow leaf and even a green leaf and this year looks like the best leaf season to be in many years.

Peak leaf season for 2012 in the Smokies will be starting this week for the high elevations and the leaf peepers will be able to see brilliant leaf colors in the high tops of the Smokies for at least 2 weeks at which time the fall peak color will be great and just starting in elevations of around 2,500 feet in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Tennessee.

All of the pictures in this story about peak leaf season in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have been taken in the past few days from places down by the city of Gatlinburg all the way up to the Newfound Gap parking area and in-between. As you can see, the bright fall leaf colors are already starting to happen in the Smokies.

In the mid elevations of the Smoky Mountains where you will find most cabin rentals and scenic lookouts the best fall colors in general will be the second and third week of October 2012. Hardwoods, which show the most brilliant reds and maroons, will be peaking 3rd week in October and the peak leaf season should end around the last week in October.

These estimations of peak fall colors in the Smokies are from air and soil temperature and moisture readings that show that unless the weather patterns change drastically, we should have long leaf duration meaning trees will hold their leaves longer.

What we are hoping for here in the Smokies, particular around the lower elevations in Gatlinburg, Wears Valley and Pigeon Forge is that we continue to get some light rain as we have had in the past few nights to keep the plants well hydrated so that the leaves will stay up and a sharp cold front comes in or we have some very clear nights with temps dipping into the 40's to make the red colors in the leaves pop.

Our leaf season did not get an early start because our weather has just been too nice during the daytime and with less cloud clover and warmer temperatures even high up in the Smoky Mountains the plants internal clocks think it is still late summer and are not shutting down the leaves for fall and turning off chlorophyll production which keeps them green.

Based upon the present long range Smokies Weather reports the light rain of the past few days with slightly cooler temperatures and the upcoming light rain with overcast skies the color should kick in just slightly past normal, but the good news is also that all indications are for one of the brightest and best fall leaf seasons in years.

The Smokies can use another great leaf season as we suffered a few duds where heat stressed and dehydrated trees and bushes dropped leaves quickly during heavy winds that came with fall thunderstorms. The good news is that there are so many different trees in the Smokies that peak at different times so that even these "bad leaf seasons" were still better than most other leaf seasons in the US.

So what will be the best weekend exact day of peak leaf season to see the fall colors in the Smoky Mountains? It all depends on where you want to look at leaves, but be assured; you will have great leaf color for the next 4 weekends with the best fall colors the second and third week of October from most of the Smokies and even some left the first week of November.

What we are waiting for to set peak color in motion is our first heavy frost that will be in higher elevations before the mid and lower ones. We also have 8 of the next 24 days predicted to have rain - none of which are on weekends and that will really help keep the leaves up longer and the colors brighter.

No matter what time you come to the Smokies between now and the end of the first week in November you will be able to see fall colors depending on where you are willing to look and the best peak colors will be from mid to late October for most of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Enjoy your leaf peeping this fall in the Tennessee Smokies!

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

Cabin Rental Property Management in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Wears Valley Smoky Mountains in Tennessee

For many the idea of owning a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Wears Valley or Sevierville is a dream come true.

What can make it even better is when an experienced cabin rental company in the Smokies manages your property so that instead of just being an expense for a homeowner, you can rent your cabin or chalet when you and your family are not using it, and produce rental income.

Now may be the time for you to think about purchasing a cabin or vacation home for rental income since Real Estate prices in the Smokies are still lower than what they should be. The Smoky Mountains are only slightly down in visitation, despite the economy and the price of gas, and are still doing far better than other tourist destinations.

If you are already own rental property in or around the Pigeon Forge Tennessee Smoky Mountains and are not happy with your rental income and how your property is being managed, now may be the time to consider moving the management of your property over to a company that has the experience and resources to make you and your renters happy.

What you need in a property management company for your vacation rental unit in the Smokies is one who knows the area inside and out, knows their customers and what it takes to make them happy and how to market your rental cabin or chalet as well as how to protect your investment.

American Mountain Rentals, is a premier cabin rental company in the Smokies which has been located conveniently right off the parkway in Pigeon Forge Tennessee for around 10 years and they are now looking to manage more cabin and chalet rentals in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Wears Valley and Sevierville Tennessee. At this time, no condominiums are being considered nor are marginal cabins short on amenities or any cabin rentals in less desirable locations.

Presently American Mountain Rentals manages more than 160 rental properties in and around the Pigeon Forge area and has the staff and resources to handle another 40 more units while still being able to maintain the attention to detail and customer service their homeowners and renters have come to expect.

Besides having their own large screened staff of cleaning and maintenance personnel so that and all the units on their rental program are cleaned and maintained to the highest standards, they have two offices in the Smoky Mountains staffed with experienced reservationists and office personnel with a great knowledge of the property being managed and the area so they get more reservations for your rental unit.

All rental property being managed is aggressively marketed on at least 2 of cabin rental web sites for the Smoky Mountains: American Mountain Rentals, AMR Cabins, Brothers Cove and Pigeon Forge Chalets and well as through social media. Offline there are mailers, magazine ads and radio spots to promote vacation rentals in the Smokies.

They have a Pigeon Forge Booking engine that updates the rental properties calendar in real time and integrates with their accounting system so owners monthly statements and year end tax information packets are always on time and accurate. Can your present property management company say this?

So if you own a great cabin, chalet or A Frame vacation home for rent in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Wears Valley, Walden Creek, or Sevierville Tennessee, and you want a property management company who will manage your rental unit(s) as if they were you own, and has the experience not only do the job right, but also maximize your cabin rental income, look no further than American Mountain Rentals.

Cabin Rental Property Management Application Form.

Fall Color Peak in the Great Smoky Mountains: Where to Go and What to Do Part II

We are at best of peak leaf season right now in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Wears Valley and Cades Cove will be the best places to see the best fall colors for 2012 through this weekend. Starting next week the last round of fall color will start in the leaves as reds and maroons from the hardwoods start to pop.

The highest elevations from about 3,200 feet and above are pretty much done already. The fall color this year was good high up in the Smokies even though we have had very few cold days - at this point just 2 light dustings of snow along the ridgelines and the Blue Ridge Parkway at the highest point. Most days are still in the 70's.

The best color now is at the lowest elevations from around 800 feet to 2,500 - perfect for road trips in and around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains national park. Cades Cove still has color on the valley floor and up the mountainside. The picture below is from Cades Cove this week and yesterday it was in the 70's!

Black Bear are very active right now in the park and surrounding areas and will continue to be until December as they are foraging for acorns to fatten up for their winter sleep. The Deer are getting more active in rut so you can see male deer called bucks sparring - best seen in Cades Cove around sunrise and dusk. The elk rut is winding down fast and will be done by next week.

Along with bright colored leaves, fall means fresh local apples in the Smokies and there as some great places close by to enjoy them. In Pigeon Forge, visit Applewood just off the parkway. Outside Gatlinburg there is Baxter's Orchard on 321. Continue down 321 into Cosby for my favorite place for apples, apple cider and what locals call the best apple pie: Carvers. Their restaurant is top rated too!

Fall color and comfortable weather is a great time to take one of the many zip-line tours in the area. There is a zip line in Dollywood, 2 in Pigeon Forge, 1 outside Gatlinburg and a new zip line in Wears Valley.

Speaking of Dollywood, now is a great time to visit the world class top rated theme park Dollywood where you can enjoy comfortable weather, the Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration taking place until October 29th. The Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration is the biggest Southern gospel festival in the Smokies with free concerts! Rent a cabin and you can buy the cheapest Dollywood tickets around.

Don't have a great place to stay and you want to see the best of the best fall color this weekend? There are only a few cabins left and if you act fast you can get 10% off any cabin rental for this weekend by using discount rental code TLMR10. Click here to search for a cabin to rent. (discount applies to new cabin rentals only)

New Pigeon Forge - Gatlinburg Tennessee Cabin Rental Booking Engine for the Great Smoky Mountains of TN

There is now better brand new way to rent a cabin or chalet in America's most popular tourist destination in the mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Tennessee along with nearby Wears Valley and Sevierville Tennessee. Cabins of all sizes, all near the Great Smoky Mountains national park, the Dollywood Theme Park, Dolly's Splash Country Water Park, 2 convention centers, dozens of shopping centers are all listed with a fresh new looking web site, more information and now cheaper cabin rental rates on top rated cabins.

The new cabin rental booking engine is now faster loading with more photographs of each cabin for rent with larger pictures of each cabin as well. There are now more amenities listed for each cabin in an easier to read format that will let you switch faster from Photos and overview information to the brand new review and ratings section and the rates and availability calendar. See at a glance the 6-month real time calendar or search instantly for the dates you want, bedrooms, sleeps size and cabin location up to a year in advance.

One of the exciting new features just added to the Pigeon Forge Cabin rental booking engine is the ability to enter Cabin Rental discount and coupon codes for special promotions without having to make a phone call to make a reservation. Book your cabin or chalet in the Smokies 24 hours a day 365 days a year online and get the lowest price when it is convenient for you, not when the office is open!

If you still need to speak to a reservationist before you can rent the Smoky Mountains cabin or chalet that you are interested in, they can be reached from 9 am to 9:30 pm 7 days a week except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day at either (800)508-6070 or at (865)428-5551.

What more could you want? A large inventory of top notch cabins and chalets served to you on faster loading pages, with better search features, larger and more numerous photographs of the cabins, new lower cabin rental prices, ratings and reviews all on the best cabins and chalets for rent in the Great Smoky Mountains.

This new cabin rental booking engine can be found on AMRCabins.com where you will find cabins for rent in Sky Harbor, Chalet Village, Wears Valley, Bluff Mountain, Shields Mountain, Riverpointe, Echota Resort, Brothers Cove Resort, Walden Creek, Caney Creek, McCarter Hollow, Eagle Springs Resort, inside and outside the Gatlinburg city limits, inside and outside the Pigeon Forge city limits, and inside and outside the Sevierville city limits. With so many cabin to choose from the hard part will be figuring out which one you want to rent!

Try out the new Pigeon Forge Cabin rental booking engine.