Day 7 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

As we wind down to the final 2 days of Wilderness Wildlife Week taking place in the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge were are finally going to start to see seasonally acceptable weather as well.

While weather in the Smokies was a big topic of discussions, so was the great time everyone has been having the past week here at the event. As a matter of fact I found some people coming here for more than a decade that said this was the best Wilderness Wildlife Week event ever.

Some of the Roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park had reopened yesterday as the weather just started to poke above freezing and the park is expecting most to be reopened by late today.

That's great news for those taking guided hikes in the park Saturday as we expect all the guided outdoor programs to be able to take place and fortunately it looks as though all the Wilderness Wildlife Week guided hikes can take place today as well!

Today's must see of Wilderness Wildlife Week programs include the exciting Famous Searches and Rescues in the Great Smoky Mountains by Joe Kelley, Bob Swabe, Judy Wasak and Joey Holt, live Eagles. Presented by American Eagle Foundation and In the Spirit of Adventure which will be presented by Charles Maynard.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 7: Friday, January 31st 2014

• 8 – 11am: Famous Searches and Rescues in the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by Joe Kelley, Bob Swabe, Judy Wasak and Joey Holt. Taking place at room South 2.
• 9 – 10am: Discovering the Cumberlands Video Presentation. Presented by Stuart Carroll. Taking place at room South 3.
• 9 – 10:30am: Nature Recording in the Smokies. Presented by Mark Dunaway. Taking place at room South 1.
• 10 – 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Folk Songs of Cades Cove. Presented by Maddie Carpenter. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 10 – 11am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! More People Who Shaped Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by Bill Deitzer. Taking place at room North 2.
• 10 – 11am: Our Smokies Heritage! Load a Wagon. Presented by Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: Jewels from the Sky: Snowflake Photography. Presented by Kris Light. Taking place at room South 3.
• 10:30 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Blount County Gunsmiths, 1800-1900. Presented by Randal Pierce. Taking place at room North 3.
• 11 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! History of the Pigeon Forge Iron Works.On a recent excavation at the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge the unearthed evidence of the original iron furnace which was used in the Pigeon Forge Iron Works in the early 1800s. Learn how this bloomary furnace system worked. Presented by Alan Longmire and Dr. Elizabeth Kellar. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 11 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Wildlife Diversity in Tennessee. Presented by Chris Ogle. Taking place at room South 1.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! What Are We Saying with Our Photography? Chasing That Special Look. Presented by Dale Knight. Taking place at room North 2.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Make a traditional or modern Native American Dreamcatcher. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Sue Todd. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 11:30 – 1pm: Bird Songs of the Smokies. Presented by Mark Dunaway. Taking place at room South 2.
• 12:30 – 1:30pm: Identifying Local Birds of Prey. Presented by Stephen Lyn Bales at the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 12:30 – 2 pm: Intermediate Mountain Dulcimer. Participants must bring own mountain dulcimer. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Tim Simek. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Sparks Lane: Then and Now Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at room North 3.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Jasper and Banff Natural Parks Video Presentation: Canadian Wonderlands. Presented by Harry Dunn. Taking place at room North 2.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Tennessee River: A Journey Video Presentation. Presented by Randy Hedgepath. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 1 – 2pm: Saving Tennessee’s Hemlock Trees Video Presentation. Presented by Stuart Carroll. Taking place at room South 3.
• 1:30 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Blindfold Surprise Blindfolded participants will identify objects given to them to determine if they are recyclable or not. Limited to 30 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Keep Sevier Beautiful. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Cherokee Stories. Presented by Lloyd Arneach. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: Intro to Autoharp. Presented by Tony Thomas and Judy Carson. Taking place at room South 1.
• 2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Colorful Birds of Spring and Summer Video Presentation. Presented by Regina Garr of Birds-I-View. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! A Moth-er’s Night Out: Learn about Moths and Other Nocturnal Insects. Presented by Kris Light. Taking place at room South 2.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! The Photos of William Derris of Townsend, TN, 1930-1956. Presented by Missy Tipton Green and Paulette Ledbetter. Taking place at room North 3.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Logging Railroads in the Smokies. Presented by Rick Turner. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Nature Writing for Love and Money, Part 1. Presented by Rob Simbeck. Taking place at room South 3.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: Special Kids Track. How to Make a Quill Pen. Limited to 10, ages 12-17 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants must bring sharp penknife or x-acto blade. Presented by Pat K. Thomas. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 3 – 4pm: Lakes, Lighthouses and Landscapes of the North Woods Video Presentation. Presented by Kendall Chiles. Taking place at room North 2.
• 3:15 – 4:15pm: America’s Best Idea: Our National Parks Video Presentation. Presented by Chuck Summers. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 3:30 – 4:30pm: Bald Eagle Recovery: Keys to Success. Presented by Bob Hatcher. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 4 – 5pm: Walking Through the Beauty of the Natural World Video Presentation. Presented by Don McGowan. Taking place at room North 2.
• 4 – 5pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Appalachian Music Concert by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 4 – 5pm: Finding Birds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Video Presentation. Presented by Dr. Fred Alsop III. Taking place at room South 3.
• 4 – 5pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Pioneer Toy Making. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Roy Henson. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 4:30 – 5pm: Birds of Prey: Live Eagles. Presented by American Eagle Foundation. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 4:45 – 5:45 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Outhouse is In! The Privy Goes Public. Presented by Kathy Gwinn. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Lighting Essentials. Presented by Douglas Hubbard. Taking place at room North 2.
• 5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Music of Coal: Mining Stories from the Coal fields of Appalachia. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 6:15 – 7:15 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! In the Spirit of Adventure. Presented by Charles Maynard. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 7:45 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! It’s OK to Get Older as Long as You Refuse to Grow Up! Humor About the "Joys of Maturity". Presented by Sam Venable. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

Day 5 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Thank goodness Wilderness Wildlife Week takes place indoors at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge as another arctic blast hit the south and we here in the Smoky Mountains have not been spared.

Presently virtually all roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park are closed due to snow and ice and even the visitor centers and park headquarters are not expected to be able to open on time even though there is a large event that was supposed to taking place today: the release of a new quarter honoring the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Our bold prediction is that none of the guided hikes will take place today in the GSMNP for Wilderness Wildlife Week and that is a real shame given that the Finley Cane and Alum Bluff hikes are some of my favorites and I many who were looking forward to the Cades Cove Photo trek as well. The guided bus tour of the History of Pigeon Forge should go on as planned.

Luckily Wilderness Wildlife Week mostly takes place in the warmth and comfort indoors and you do not need to leave the LeConte Center during the day for anything as it is all here.

I know it has been said before, but this is going to be another great day of lectures, musical performance and classed - all free of course - that make Wilderness Wildlife Week the amazing event that it is.

The must see and do events today include Learn About Bears Through Hands-On Activities presented by Kathy Sheppard of the Appalachian Bear Rescue organization, 15 Years of the Smokies' All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory by Todd Witcher which will amaze you and inspire you and Humorous Native American Stories presented by Lloyd Arneach.

There is another chance to learn how to play the Mountain Dulcimer and jam with others and the Boogertown Gap band will play again.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 5: Wednesday, January 29th 2014

• 9 – 10am: The Art of Dowsing. Limited to 30 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Charles Monday. Taking place at room South 1.
• 9 – 10am: Returning the Whooping Crane to the Eastern Flyway Slide Presentation. Presented by Ken Dubke. Taking place at room South 2.
• 9:30 – 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Reelfoot Lake: Tennessee’s Earthquake Lake. Presented by David Haggard. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 9:30 – 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Conservation Efforts at Pogue Creek State Natural Area. Presented by Travis Bow. Taking place at room South 3.
• 9:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Make Your Own Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Bandana. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Louise Bales. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 9:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Painting the Smokies. Limited to 18, ages 18 and older and you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants must bring own #6 or #8 flat brush. Presented by Dick Ensing of Dutchman’s Loft. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 10 – 11 am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! To Niagara and Back by Waterfall Slide Presentation. Presented by Bill Carter. Taking place at room North 2.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! 60 Years of Supporting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by the Great Smoky Mountains Association. Taking place at room North 3.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: Energy, Effort and Passion: Volunteering in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by Christine Hoyer who runs the GSMNP Volunteers in the Parks. Taking place at room South 2.
• 11 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Amazing Trees of Tennessee. Presented by Flo Moore. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 11 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Rev. Robert Hall, Bishop of the Cumberlands Monologue. Presented by Will Rabert as he takes on the role of Robert Hall, the Bishop of the Cumberlands and founder of the Cumberland Mountain School for plateau children. Taking place at room South 1.
• 11 – 12:30pm: Journey on the Camino de Santiago, Part 1 (2011). Presented by Olga Pader. Taking place at room South 3.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: Concert by the Carolina Bluegrass Boys Featuring the Appalachian Cloggers. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• Noon – 1pm: 15 Years of the Smokies’ All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. Presented by Todd Witcher. Taking place at room North 3.
• Noon – 1pm: Better Flower Pictures. Presented by Bob Stephenson. Taking place at room South 2.
• 12:30 – 1:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! The Story of Greenbrier Cove. Presented by Glenn Cardwell. Taking place at room North 2.
• 12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Camera Basics 101: Understanding Your Camera’s Adjustments Used in the Manual. Presented by Douglas Hubbard Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 1 – 2pm: Alligators, Bears and Wolves. Presented by Jim W. Wigginton. Taking place at room South 3.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Get Growing! Keep Sevier Beautiful. Participants which are limited to 30 and must pre-register at Information Desk, will make a planter from common recyclable's to take home along with seeds and soil. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 1:15 – 2:15 pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Smoky Mountain Ballads, Part 1. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Black Bear Cubs Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at room North 3.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Miracle of the Monarch. Presented by Lois English and Glenna Julian. Taking place at room South 2.
• 1:30 – 3:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Playing Mountain Dulcimer by Ear and Playing in Jam Sessions. Participants must bring own mountain dulcimers and there is a Limited to of 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Tim Simek. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Cherokee History: Both Sides of the Smokies. Presented by Jon Elder. Taking place at room North 2.
• 2 – 3pm: The Art of Dowsing. Limited to 30 so you must pre-register at the Information Desk. Presented by Charles Monday. Taking place at room South 1.
• 2 – 3:30pm: Civil War in the West, 1863. Presented by Jack Carman of Wildflowers of Tennessee. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Plants and Animals Important to the Native Americans. Presented by Stephen Lyn Bales of the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at room South 3.
• 3 – 4pm: A Ranger Family’s Recollections. Presented by Joe Kelley and Sons. Taking place at room North 3.
• 3 – 4pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! America’s First Ladies. Presented by Kathy Gwinn. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 3 – 4pm: Wild Ones among Us. Presented by Lynne McCoy. Taking place at room South 2.
• 3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Murder and Baseball in Sevier County, 1949-1953. Presented by Robert S. Allen. Taking place at room North 2.
• 4 – 5pm: Special Kids Track. Learn About Bears Through Hands-On Activities. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Kathy Sherrard of the Appalachian Bear Rescue. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 4:30 – 5:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Margaret Steverson: The Walkingest Woman in the Smokies. Presented by Bill Deitzer. Taking place at room North 3.
• 4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! New Joints for Old Hikers! Presented by Joel and Kathy Zachry of Great Outdoors! Adventure Travel. Taking place at room South 2.
• 4:30 – 6pm: My Experience Through-Hiking the John Muir Trail Video Presentation. Presented by Bert Kunze. Taking place at room South 3.
• 5 – 6pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Vintage Views Video Presentation. Presented by Kevin Tierney Taking place at room North 2.
• 5 – 6pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Humorous Native American Stories. Presented by Lloyd Arneach. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 5:30 – 6:30pm: Concert by Carolina Bluegrass Boys Featuring the Appalachian Cloggers. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 6 pm: Friday Hike Signups Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 6:30 – 7:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Meanderings of a Silly Man: The Extremes. Presented by Doug Mills. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 7:45pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! From the Heart of Appalachia: Even More Heartland Stories and Adventures. Presented by Bill Landry. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

Day 3 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Attendance was high for the first weekend of Wilderness Wildlife Week though the weather has not been cooperative most guided hikes could not take place in the Great Smoky Mountains national park on the first day of hikes which was yesterday.

The good news is that the Wilderness Wildlife Week programs taking place in the Pigeon Forge LeConte center were packed and when the day ended, people were already discussing in the halls the programs they were coming to today.

The programs that were big hits yesterday were 2 of the photo programs Working with Wildflowers and Nighttime and Low light Photography, were master photographers shared their secrets and I for one can't wait to try some of them out. Always bring a pen and pad to Wilderness Wildlife Week!

The Wilderness Wildlife Week demonstrations you need to be sure to see today will be the history of Moonshine in Tennessee which has seen a huge increase in interest in the past few years and aspiring musicians will like Beginning Hammer Dulcimer which is limited to 20 participants.

Everyone will enjoy Ranger Recollections given by Joe Kelley and one of our favorite local musical duos Boogertown Gap will teach you how to Play Spoons and a Washtub Bass.

If the weather cooperates the only guided hike that looks like it will be cancelled is the one to Mount Cammerer. While most roads on the Tennessee side of the park have reopened, the Great Smoky Mountains Twitter reports many trails are very slick and icy and more cold weather and snow is on the way.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 3: Monday, January 27th 2014

• 9:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Make Your Own Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Bandannas. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Louise Bales. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 10 – 11am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Songs of the Civil War. Presented by Tony Thomas Taking place at room North 3.
• 10 – 11am: Transforming the Blue Ridge Mountains into Shenandoah National Park. Presented by Bill Deitzer Taking place at room North 2.
• 10 – 11am: Leave No Trace: The Principles of Outdoor Ethics. Presented by Mike Braun Taking place at room South 2.
• 10 – 11:30am: 10 Hints for Creating a Successful Backyard Habitat: Advice from a Lifetime Master Gardener.Limt 50 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Dr. Leo and Linda Lubke. Taking place at room South 3.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! A Cub’s Life. Presented by Kathy Sherrard of Appalachian Bear Rescue. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: Hosting Hummingbirds Video Presentation. Presented by Steve Garr of Birds-I-View. Taking place at room South 1.
• 10:30 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Carving a Bear Pin. Limited to 12 so you must pre-register at Information Desk and bring your own sharpened wood carving tools. Presented by Don Taylor. Taking place at room South 4A. 11 – Noon: Wildflowers of Tennessee Video Presentation. Presented by Jack Carman of Wildflowers of Tennessee. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Meet President and Mrs. Lincoln and Civil War Ladies where Attendees may have photos taken with historical guests. Taking place at room North 3.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Putting the Pigeon Back in Pigeon Forge. Presented by Paul James of the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at room North 2.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: Learn to Play Spoons and Washtub Bass. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at room South 2. Noon – 1pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Forsaken by God and Man: The Fort Loudon Story. Presented by Eric Hughey. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• Noon – 1pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Beautiful Winter Garden: Plants with Winter Interest. Presented by Sue Hamilton. Taking place at room South 1.
• Noon – 1pm: Meditations on Nature. Presented by Phylis Rollins. Taking place at room South 3.
• 12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Totally Tennessee, Part 1: A Sampler of Tennessee Trivia That’s Anything But Trivial. Presented by Kathy Gwinn. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Make a Native American Dreamcatcher. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants may choose to make a traditional or modern dreamcatcher. Presented by Sue Todd. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Civil War Guns and Surgical Display. Presented by David Clinton and 63rd Tennessee Infantry. Taking place at room North 3.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Plants and People of the Southern Appalachians. Presented by Leon Bates. Taking place at room South 2.
• 1 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Outsmart Your Smartphone. Presented by Richard Iceland. Taking place at room North 2.
• 1 – 2:30pm: Beginning Hammer Dulcimer. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk and participants must bring own hammer dulcimer. Presented by Tim Simek Taking place at room South 4B.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: Everybody’s Fishin’: A Cross-Cultural Fishing Extravaganza. Presented by Doug Elliott Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: Audubon’s Birds. Presented by Stephen Lyn Bales of the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at room South 1.
• 2 – 3pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Meet Some of Tennessee’s Most Famous Residents. Presented by Maranda and Elisa Vandergriff. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Water birds of the Southern States Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at room South 3.
• 2:30 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Limited to 20 Must pre-register at Information Desk. Fred and Ted the Fish: Keep Sevier Beautiful. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! The Battle of Fairgarden. Presented by Carroll McMahan. Taking place at room North 3.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: Wild Hog Management: Are We Too Late? Presented by David Whitehead. Taking place at room South 2.
• 3 – 4pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Moonshine in Tennessee: Stories and Songs about the Moonshine History of East Tennessee and the Moonshine Trail. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 3:30 – 4:30pm: Woodpeckers: Nature’s Homebuilders Video Presentation. Presented by Steve Garr of Birds-I-View. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Wildflower Identification. Presented by Tom Harrington. Taking place at room South 3.
• 4 – 5pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Divided Loyalties: The Civil War in Sevier County and the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by Dr. Aaron Astor. Taking place at room North 3.
• 4 – 5pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Mock Trial from the Past. Join a reenactment a local trial from Sevier County’s past to see how different the dockets looked in earlier times. Presented by Sevier County High School Students. Taking place at room North 2.
• 4 – 5pm: Ranger Recollections. Presented by Joe Kelley. Taking place at room South 2.
• 4 – 5pm: Special Kids Track. Batteries Not Included: Old Time Toys and Games. Presented by Mike Meldrum. Limited to 25 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 4:30 – 5:30pm: Wildwoods Wisdom: Our Spiritual Connection to Nature. Presented by Doug Elliott. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 5 – 6pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! More Trials and Tribulations of Two Professional Naturalists. Presented by David Taylor and Joe Taft. Taking place at room South 3.
• 5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Moonshining in Cocke County, TN: A Fascinating Focus of Fact vs. Fiction. Presented by J. Duay O’Neil. Taking place at room North 2.
• 5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Ukulele for the Adult Beginner. Limited to 20, ages 13 and older so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Some instruments available though participants are encouraged to bring own. Presented by Anna Uptain. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 6 pm: Wednesday Hike Signups Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 6 – 7pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Old Time Hymns and Songs of Faith. Presented by Don Huskey, Marcia Huskey Nelson and Roger Helton. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 7 – 8pm: Tales from Lost. Presented by Dwight McCarter. Taking place at room North 2.
• 8pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! And Heaven and Nature Sing. Presented by Ken Jenkins, Judy Felts and Friends. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

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
 

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.

First 2013 Fall Leaf Season Predication for the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee

First it was a random a leaf changing color in our dense Smoky Mountain forests, then it was the blackberries and blueberries no longer on the bushes in my favorite picking spots.

Now just as the days are just starting to get shorter the sounds of fall could be heard with the first bugling sounds of our elk. Fall in the Great Smoky Mountains is right around the corner!

Predicting how long a leaf season will be, when the fall color will start, when the peak of the 2013 leaf season in the Great Smoky Mountains is, how brilliant the colors will be and how long it will last is far from an exact science. What our leaf season predictions must be based upon is previous historical norms as a start.

Last year spring in the Smoky Mountains came more than 3 weeks earlier than normal for wildflowers and some of our insects in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area. Unfortunately for our migratory birds and some of our plants, the birds came when they normally do so some of the food sources they were expecting were not here.

This spring in the Smokies was another story as it was about 1 to 2 weeks later than normal throughout much of the Tennessee Mountains. Besides a late spring, we had one of the wettest summers on record.

This summer with all that rain the streams were full and the waterfalls were astonishing with huge flows of water cascading over the moss covered rocks. The forests and fields that are normally lush seemed impossibly green with the some of the best flower displays in years.

All of that rain and more moderate temperatures than most years started huge growth bursts, awesome for the forests, not much so for crops like our locally grown tomatoes and watermelons which split because they were growing too fast.

Though most of our vegetables suffered from too much water, the reports coming in this week from the local apple farmers look like we will have one of the best crops in years! Though we will lose some our apple trees from too much water, those that survived are producing a bumper crop of great fruit.

So why and I telling you about apple crops and not the 2013 fall leaf season and when the leaves will change color? Very simply, more often than not, the quality of apples most often is an indication of the quality of the leaf season in terms of how long the leaves can last and how bright the colors will be.

Since everything is on target for great leaf season with great fall color in the Smokies, what we just need now is for the weather to continue favorable conditions. If the conditions cooperate, this could be one of the best falls seasons in many years.

As fall starts and the days become shorter we can uses what the weatherman is predicting for the next week to continue. Altering bright sunny skies with moderate temperatures and a little moisture each day is what it will take to make the leaves bright and stay on the trees as long as possible.

Since the Smokies vary by more than 5,000 feet from the lowest valley to the top of Clingmans Dome - the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Between the elevation variations which can mean a change in temperature of 10 degrees or more and the various exposures between open fields and dense forests, fall peak should stretch out this year by more than 3 weeks if you know where to go.

If were continue to be blessed with the right temperatures and moisture as we have been the past few months, we are looking at a stellar 2013 leaf season in the Smoky Mountains starting in late September and the last of the fall leaves will be falling in November.

Let's just hope this fall leaf peeping season for 2013 continues to be as good as we expect it to be. Keep your eyes open for further updates!

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)

Great Smoky Mountains Elkmont Firefly Watchers to Invade this June!

It happens every year in the Smokies and it doesn't happen anywhere else in the world like this. The invasion. It may not be the British invasion of the 60's, but beetles are involved in this one as well. The synchronous fireflies of the Smokies are coming…The synchronous fireflies of the Smokies are coming!

To say that the sight of a Smokies firefly blinking in perfect harmony with thousands of other lightning bugs all around you is a true miracle of nature is not an exaggeration. Scientists have been coming here from around the world to study our extremely rare fireflies and though they know much about these little creatures, the ability to control the synchronized flashing lights is still a mystery.

Other than a small area in Asia that has a different lightning bug that flashes in the trees synchronized, no other fireflies around the world can do this like ours in the Smoky Mountains can.

The synchronous firefly Photinus carolinus is not alone in the Great Smoky Mountains as there are actually 18 other species that we know of, but only this one flashes in unison, thousands of them at a time!

While this amazing firefly is so rare, it can be found in staggeringly huge numbers in section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee just a few minutes from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

So many people came to this small place every year for the 2 weeks that this display of flashing lights happens, that a shuttle service had to be arranged in order to fit as many people as possible safely and comfortably.

Until last year if you wanted to see the fireflies in Elkmont during the peak mating season when they flash, you would have to park at the Sugarlands Visitor Center Parking area just outside the city limits of Gatlinburg Tennessee.

You would then wait in line for hours hoping that there was space on the shuttle for you. Many people were turned away everyday as only about 1,000 people per night could be accommodated.

Last years in 2012 the system changed so that you must reserve a parking pass in advance for $1.50 a car and then up to 6 people from that car are able to buy a round trip ticket to see the fireflies in Elkmont for $1 a person.

While the new reservation system for the firefly shuttles worked far better, a problem last year was that the fireflies were just about done with their mating a full 2 weeks earlier than normal when the shuttle were running. Wildflowers were also blooming about 2 - 3 weeks earlier than normal as well due to exceptionally warm weather in the winter.

This year the wildflowers, trees, migrating birds and insects in the Great Smoky Mountains are about a week behind normal so the shuttles are scheduled to run from June 6th through June 13th a time right in line with previous peak flashing seasons.

The early reservations sold out within hours and now the only parking passes so you can ride the firefly shuttle are being sold on a first come first served bases the day before departure. With only 85 passes a day to be sold, we expect them to be sold out in minutes every day they become available.

If all this sounds like too much of a hassle, or if you missed out and the tickets are gone, all is not lost. There are a few places where the fireflies can be seen before, during and after the main display in Elkmont.

As a matter of fact, there are even cabins that you can rent where you will be able to see the synchronous fireflies right from your deck or just a short distance on private property you and other guest have access to. No crowds, no lines and no fees!

The Brothers Cove Log Cabin Resort community happens to be one of those magical places in the Smokies where you can find the synchronous fireflies because it has everything the little critters like: a very wooded natural environment with small creeks and even large open fields. Brothers Cove is also tucked in a mountain far away from the lights of Pigeon Forge which makes the firefly show that much better.

Besides Brothers Cove, there are other places in the Great Smoky Mountains national park where you can catch the fireflies away from the crowds. If you are willing to hike in for a distance, park your car at the Cades Cove orientation shelter and walk right in. Fireflies can be seen in the fields, on Sparks Lane, by the Abrams Falls Trailhead and Hyatt Lane.

Don't feel like walking far? They can be seen in Tremont which is between Townsend and Cades Cove also at around the same time of the year. Coming later? Mid to late June they can be found if you park your car at one of the pull outs along Clingmans Dome Road. Since it is up higher the season starts later.

There are other places outside the park in Wears Valley, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge that these true miracles of God's creation can be found!

Synchronized Fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains

Wilderness Wildlife Week Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains Schedule for 2013

Every year one the most popular events that takes during Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge are the guided hikes that take place in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

These guided hikes fill up fast and you must preregister at the Music Road Hotel and Convention Center the day before hand and the number of hikers permitted may change due to availability of transportation. Hike may also be cancelled due to bad weather.

Sunday, January 13, 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• 6:00am - Noon Cades Cove Photo Trek led by Dempster via Bus (Easy)
• 7:30am - 2:00pm Original Road to Walker Sisters led by Snyder: 5 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 7:30am - 4:30pm Little River/Goshen Prong/Cucumber Gap led by Owen: 9.5 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 8:00am - 4:00pm A.T. / Road Prong led by Lloyd: 7.2 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 9:30am - 4:30pm Middle Prong led by Teague: 7 miles long rated Moderate
• 10:00am - 5:00pm Albright Grove led by McFarland: 7.5 miles long rated Moderate
• 6:00pm - 9:00pm Owl Prowl led by Garr via Bus (Easy)

Monday, January 14, 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• 7:00am - 1:00pm History of Cades Cove led by Iceland via Bus (Easy)
• 7:00am - 3:00pm Finley Cane / West Prong led by Luckett: 6 miles long rated Easy Moderate
• 8:00am - 3:30pm Greenbrier - Off Trail led by McFarland: 8 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 8:00am - 5:00pm Rhododendron Creek led by Duncan: 7 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 8:30am - 4:00pm White Oak Sinks led by Domingue: 5 miles long rated Easy Moderate
• 8:30am - 4:00pm School House Gap led by Zachry: 5 miles long rated Moderate
• 10:00am - 4:00pm Huskey Gap / Sugarland Mountain led by Owen: 5.1 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 6:00pm - 9:00pm Owl Prowl led by Garr via Bus (Easy)

Tuesday, January 15, 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• 7:30am - 4:00pm Mt. Cammerer led by Maynard: 11 miles long rated Strenuous
• 7:30am - 4:30pm Meigs Mountain / Lumber Ridge led by Owen: 10.8 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 8:30am - 2:30pm Cades Cove led by Snyder via Bus (Easy)
• 10:00am - 2:00pm Injun Creek led by Cardwell: 2 miles long rated Easy
• 10:00am - 3:30pm Jakes Creek / Avent Cabin led by Jenkins: 3 miles long rated Easy Moderate
• 10:00am - 3:30pm Little River led by McFarland: 6 miles long rated Easy Moderate

Wednesday, January 16, 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• 7:00am - Noon Cades Cove Photo Shoot led by McLemore via Bus rated Easy Moderate
• 7:30am – 1:00pm Abrams Falls led by Owen: 5 miles long rated Easy
• 7:30am - 5:00pm Blanket Mountain led by Doughty: 8 miles long rated Strenuous
• 8:00am - 5:30pm Albright Grove led by Voorhis: 7 miles long rated Moderate
• 8:30am - 1:00pm Elkmont Historic District led by Dietzer: 4 miles long rated Easy
• 8:30am - 3:00pm Old Sugarlands Trail led by McFarland: 6.5 miles long rated Moderate
• 10:00am - 4:00pm Llama Hike led by Garrett: 4 miles long rated Easy Moderate
• 11:30am - 5:30pm Bus Tour of Cades Cove led by Harrington via Bus rated Easy

Thursday, January 17, 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• 7:30 am – 3:00 pm Laurel Falls/Little Greenbrier led by Domingue: 7.4 miles long rated Moderate
• 8:00am - 2:00pm Rainbow Falls led by McFarland: 6 miles long rated Moderate
• 9:00am - 3:00pm Round Top - Off Trail led by Snyder: 3.5 miles long rated Easy
• 10:00am -1:30pm Old Elkmont Town led by Cardwell: 1 mile long rated Easy
• 10:00am - 3:30pm Cucumber Gap / Little River led by Luckett: 6 miles long rated Easy Moderate
• 6:00pm - 9:00pm Owl Prowl led by Garr via Bus (Easy)

Friday, January 18, 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• 7:00am - Noon Cades Cove Photo Shoot McLemore via Bus rated Easy Moderate
• 8:00am - 2:30pm Meigs Mountain. - Off Trail led by Snyder: 5 miles long rated Moderate
• 8:00am - 4:00pm Little River / Huskey Gap led by Zachry: 6.8 miles long rated Moderate
• 8:00am - 5:30pm Miry Ridge led by Whitted: 8.4 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 10:00am - 5:00pm Barnes Sisters led by Duncan: 5 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 10:00am - 5:00pm Llama Hike led by Garrett: 4 miles long rated Easy Moderate
• 6:00pm - 9:00pm Owl Prowl led by Garr via Bus (Easy)

Saturday, January 19, 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• 8:00am - 3:30pm Birding in Cades Cove led by Alsop: 3 miles long rated Easy Moderate
• 10:00am - 4:30pm Albright Grove led by Maynard: 7 miles long rated Moderate
• 10:15am - 2:30pm Bus Tour to Cosby led by Cardwell via Bus (Easy)

Nothing better after a long hike than some private time in your cabins hot tub!

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!

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

The Halfway To Heaven 3 Bedroom Cabin Rental in a Great Smoky Mountains Resort

When you are the best vacation cabin rental company in the Great Smoky Mountains with more than 160 vacation homes and log cabins for rent, it takes a very special cabin to excite you.

The Halfway to Heaven vacation rental is just such a log cabin rental in the Tennessee Smokies and everyone is very excited that it is now on the American Mountain Rentals program!

When you hear about a cabin named Halfway to Heaven, you expect that not only is the cabin going to be great and filled with luxury amenities and is very spacious where everyone has enough room.

The cabin also needs to be located in a nice area of the Great Smoky Mountains second to none. The view from inside and outside the cabin had better not just be great…it must be Heavenly!

This spacious 3 bedroom log cabin rental is in the gated community of Brothers Cove just outside the city limits of Pigeon Forge in the Wears Valley Walden Creek foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Why just look at the great view above that you will see from this cabin from the moment the sun rises, and since this location in the Brothers Cove Resort is secluded in the mountains blocking the city lights of Pigeon Forge, the stars at night are amazing!

Before we even move to the inside of the Halfway to Heaven cabin, enjoy the gorgeous panoramic view along with all the fresh mountain air you can want, plenty of Adirondack chairs, the spacious hot tub, porch swing, parking or 3 cars and the gas grill. See the pictures below.

Now it is time to enter the Halfway To Heaven log cabin rental where you will get to go into the comfortable living room that has a wood burning fireplace with a flat screen TV above it.

The living room TV is hooked up satellite service and a surround sound system, so relax and enjoy a great movie and the flickering flames of the fireplace. What could be more romantic?

Who wants to cook on vacation? You will in the fully equipped kitchen in this beautifully appointed 3-bedroom cabin in the Smokies has modern stainless steel appliances and tons of upscale touches along with massive counter space and a stunning view that will just know your socks off. A home cooked meal or takeout - you decide!

What could be better than having your own game room in a cabin that you are renting the Great Smoky Mountains? Why having a game room that also has a stunning view of the Smokies and comfortable enough for everyone to enjoy.

As you can see the Halfway To Heaven game room has a pool table where you can play for hours as well as a sleeper sofa, and of course...the fantastic panoramic view!

We cannot tell you about a great 3-bedroom cabin for rent without showing off its great bedrooms so here we go.

The first bedroom is on the main floor and it has a Jacuzzi jetted whirlpool tub with a view, a fireplace, a comfortable and beautiful queen size bed with matching night table and chest of drawers and a TV.

The second bedroom has a black queen size sleigh bed with nightstand and dresser and it has a Jacuzzi, gas fireplace, TV and a private deck with a porch swing and a bench.

To get to the third and final bedroom in the luxury cabin rental in Brothers Cove outside Pigeon Forge Tennessee you need to go upstairs where you will find the gracious four-poster walnut bed and a TV sitting on a matching chest of drawers.

Last and certainly not least, there is free WIFI internet access and any of the guest who stays here has complementary swimming pool access from Memorial Day to Labor Day in the private Brothers Cove in-ground pool with a million dollar view!

Halfway to Heaven - Pigeon Forge TN 3 Bedroom Log Cabin - Sleeps 8 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! $255 - $325 per night(holidays higher) Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent it online now