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.

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.

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!

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.

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

If you are looking for the best peak fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains, it just does not get better than this! The next 2 weeks will be the best time to come to the Smokies to leaf peep and even 3 weeks from now, you will still be able to find great fall foliage colors in the Smokies.

This year the weather has not allowed for a very productive berry and acorn crop so animals such as black bear, elk and deer can be easily seen in and around the Great Smoky Mountains national park foraging for food. This year's weather in the Smokies has also another bonus for people coming here on vacation - bright brilliant fall colors from the mountain peaks to the valleys that will stick around longer than usual.

An early spring made for great wildflowers and being dryer than normal for much of the year, there were very few rain-out days where you had to sit in your cabin rental or worse yet, hotel room. This fall has also been dry with few storms and just enough moisture to keep the leaves on the trees, so as the days get shorter and the temperature drops we can have the most vibrant colors.

Weather predictions call for continued mostly dry weather - great for leaf peeping to see the best colors from your car or by hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains national park with just enough moisture to keep the leaves with fall color on the trees longer than usual.

As of today, there is peak color along the top of the Great Smoky Mountains and all along the Blue Ridge Parkway that starts right at the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains national park. Just along Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg Tennessee to Cherokee North Carolina the approximately 33 mile drive is loaded with fall color and there is still some vibrant greens in the lower elevations.

Newfound Gap Road (US 441) has dozens of pullouts where you can safely enjoy and photograph the great fall colors in the mountains, streams and rivers and the waterfalls that are all right by the roadway.

Some of the best sweeping vistas of fall color can be found by Newfound Gap at the Tennessee-North Carolina border. The best fall color this morning was at 3,400 and above. While you are up top, be sure to take the 7-mile drive up Clingmans Dome Road to the second highest point east of the Mississippi. Bring a jacket or sweatshirt, as it can be at least 10 degrees color up top than what it is in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.

Great fall color can also be found on the other major roads in and around the GSM national park, such as the Foothills Parkway East between I-40 and Cosby, State Road 321 between Cosby and Gatlinburg, the Spur between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley Road 321 between Pigeon Forge and Townsend running through Wears Valley, and the Foothills Parkway West from Walland to the parks Abrams Entrance.

Roads inside national park that have the best drives to see the fall colors besides Newfound Gap Road are Little River Road Between Gatlinburg and Townsend, Laurel Creek Road from Townsend to Cades Cove, The 11 mile Cades Cove Loop Road (the mountains are covered in color!) and the 2 exit roads from the Cove: Rich Mountain Road to Townsend and Parsons Branch Road to the Dragons Tail.

There is also a lesser used motor trail just behind the city of Gatlinburg off Cherokee Orchard Road. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail has fantastic color and stunning vistas showing off great fall color, lots of black bear activity, historic cabins, barns and buildings and access to many hiking trails of various difficulties. The most stunning hiking trail right now to see fall foliage is the Trillium Gap Hiking Trail to Brushy Mountain - a moderate 6 mile round trip to the most stunning year round views in the park.

Between Gatlinburg and Townsend, just off Little River Road is the Elkmont section of the park where you can also see plenty of fall colors and easy access to the Little River Hiking Trail, which is very gentle to walk trail right along a beautiful river with many waterfalls, huge boulders and beautiful views and again, great fall color!

Lastly, fall color means it is also elk rut season in the Great Smoky Mountains national park. In 2001 and 2002 a total of 52 elk were introduced back into the wilderness in a remote part of the Great Smoky Mountains national park. The herd now numbers 140 and the fall colors are at their best this week in the Cataloochee Valley where many of the large male bull elk bellow and fight each other to gather of group of female elk cows to mate.

If you have not seen elk in rut, this is not something to be missed. Best viewed the first and last 2 hours of daylight. Be sure to maintain at least the legal distance of 150 feet from any elk - or bear for that matter.

The 10 mile drive into the Cataloochee Valley and the roads within the valley have great colors and some stunning long sweeping vistas. For the more rugged, you can drive a 20-mile dirt road from Cosby all the way into Cataloochee.

The best location to stay in the Smokies to see the best fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains is in the Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge area of Tennessee. There is nothing better than to come back to a beautiful cabin and after a great dinner, slip into a hot tub or watch the flickering flames in the fireplace with someone special.

Fall Color Peak in the Great Smoky Mountains: Where to Go and What to Do Part II will have up to the minute fall color updates as well as more activities that make the Smokies Americas favorite vacation destination.

Fireflies, spring wildflowers, and other Great Smoky Mountains goings on for June.

The 2 major peak months for people to take vacations in the Great Smoky Mountains are July and October. However, June has become more and more popular every year as people have discovered that besides the great late spring early summer weather, there are less crowds, lots to do and nature shows us some spectacular events taking places in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains national park during June (pictured below) is filled with plenty of deer, wild turkey and black bear foraging around with a backdrop of mountains and a foreground of lush green fields with wildflowers still blooming. Drive, bike or hike this 11 mile outdoor cultural museum and nature preserve.

Spring wildflowers and flowering bushes can found throughout various elevations during June even though the season started in April and in many places peaked in May. Mountain laurel are still blooming throughout the park and the 2 native species of Rhododendron and now blooming as well.

To celebrate the great weather, find food and interesting culture found in the Smokies, there are plenty of events going on during spring such as the Cosby In Park Celebration, the Bloomin' BBQ and Bluegrass Festival in downtown Sevierville, the Smoky Mountain Pottery Festival in Townsend, Dollywood's KidsFest taking place at Dollywood, and 2 true miracles of nature: the synchronous fireflies and peak flowering of hybrid azalea bushes on Gregory Bald overlooking Cades Cove.

One of the most amazing sights the Smokies has to offer tales pace in the Elkmont section of the Great Smoky Mountains national park just outside of Gatlinburg.

During the 2nd and 3rd weeks of June, one of our fireflies performs a natural light show second to none in Elkmont. These fireflies flash on and off in a pattern which allows them to synchronize with thousands of other lightning bugs in sight. The flashing goes on and on and then all at once – darkness, then it starts all over again.

Since the discovery of this phenomenon only a few short years ago, the firefly show in Elkmont has become incredibly popular. So popular in fact, the Elkmont section of the GSMNP closes to motor vehicles. To get there you must take a trolley from the Sugarlands visitor center to Elkmont from June 4th to the 12th.

The Trolleys to the Elkmont firefly show cost $1 per person round trip and start departing at 7 pm. The parking lot and the trolleys fill up fast so it is wise to get there early. No pets allowed and everything you take on the trolley must fit on your lap.

While the synchronous fireflies, which are lightning bugs that all flash and go dark simultaneously can be enjoyable by anyone with little effort, the 11 mile road trip hike up to Gregory Bald to see the heath bald consisting of hundreds of flame azaleas naturally hybridized in a rainbow of colors with stunning 360 degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee and North Carolina requires considerably more effort and should only be tackled by those in good shape.

If an 11-mile hike is too much for you, but you still want to see great views and flame azalea bushes from a bald, Andrews Bald with its trail-head at the Clingmans Dome parking area is much more reasonable at less than 4 miles round trip.

Whether you choose to take a trolley into Elkmont to the spectacular fireflies of the Smokies, or sit in a mountain stream or river to cool off, or take an extreme hike the mountain peak where you will find the flaming azaleas blooming at Gregory Bald, you are sure to a have a great time in the Great Smoky Mountains during June.

Related Smokies Blog Stories:
Rare Synchronizing Fireflies Find Confirmed In Brothers Cove Resort in Wears Valley.

Fireflies synchronized light show season starts in Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Synchronous fireflies and admirers about to invade the Great Smoky Mountains national park

Cabins for rent where you can see the synchronized fireflies in the Smoky Mountains

Smoky Mountains firefly show in Elkmont near Gatlinburg

Elkmont Section of national park yearly visit by synchronized fireflies

Synchronized Fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains

Peak Fall Colors Smoky Mountains: Where and When for 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rare Synchronizing Fireflies Find Confirmed In Brothers Cove Resort in Wears Valley.

The synchronizing firefly in the Southern Appalachian Smoky Mountains is a rare sight to see when it is flashing its mating signal - a yellowish green pulsing light that breaks the darkness of the night. Found and confirmed by scientists less than a dozen years ago, the lightning bugs special light show has amazed and delighted visitors and residents of the Smoky Mountains for years.

The most popular place people come to see a large gathering of the synchronized firefly flash its special light that sends waves of lights up and down mountains, trees and then will plunge into darkness, is the Elkmont section of the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Conditions have to be right to support the rare lightning bug that will emerge from beneath the ground when the temperature is just right and in search of a mate will flash its amazing light. For safety's sake and transportation convenience, the 2nd week in June at Elkmont was the best place to bring visitors to see the light show.

While well coordinated, safe and a great place to see the Smokies fireflies do their thing, standing in line for a long wait to take a shuttle into the park, dealing with 1,000 other visitors that night on a small area and waiting in line to take a shuttle back to your car is not an ideal way to view the fireflies - especially with small kids.

What could be more fun that to come to the Smokies and see the special fireflies from your cabin without any hassles? Well it sounds easier than it actually is.

While you can find the synchronizing fireflies in many areas of the Southern Appalachians, it is hard to see them in large numbers in the developed areas where most cabins are. The best place to observe the fireflies are not in wooded areas, but more open places where they can see each other to stimulate the flashing, and you can see in turn see them as well.

Most cabin rentals are often fairly close to one another so light from one cabin can be seen by the cabin next door. This makes it harder to see the fireflies flashes and the ambient light discourages fireflies to flash on their own.

Last year, after much searching the perfect conditions for lightning bugs were found in a small area between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Tennessee near large fields and a small stream, at the right elevation and way down a back road with very limited ambient light.

After watching the area for the optimum time, lighting bugs did synchronize and they do in fact inhabit this area and put on quite a show! The only problem is that there are only 3 cabins for rent where you could see the fireflies in that small area.

Well obviously 3 cabins is not enough to cover the demand to see such a spectacle in the Smoky Mountains so the search was on to find another area where the lightning bus synchronize and they can be seen from a cabin as well as within the property of a development.

After 4 years of searching for a great new place outside the Great Smoky Mountains national park that you can rent a cabin and get to see the special firefly show from the property, the best place was just found to see the rare lightning bugs!

Brothers Cove a premium private log cabin resort community tucked off Walden Creek in the Wears Valley area outside Pigeon Forge turned out to have all the right conditions: the correct elevation range, water sources, ground cover, great topography, lack of excessive ambient light and of course plenty of the Photinus Carolinus - the synchronizing firefly!

The past three weeks they have been observed in large numbers in the Brothers Cove Resort - home to more than 40 log cabins for rent! They have been found around many of the cabins located in this private gated community as well as up toward the top of the community in the large field / play area next to the in-ground swimming pool, the outdoor gazebo and the huge lodge.

An even greater concentration of the fireflies have been discovered in the lower field by the Brothers Cove Rental office - also on private property that the guests staying at Brothers Cove can use! They have been observed in the huge field, as well as in and up the treeline on the Brothers Cove Mountain.

If you are in this field at Brothers Cove and you look up a clear night, you can see actually see the Milky Way! And guess what? No crowds making noise or people bumping into you! At night all what you can hear are the whippoorwills, the crickets and frogs chirping and owls - what a private way to experience the most interesting natural phenomena in the Smokies!

So, what are the best places, ways and times to observe the Smoky Mountains synchronized fireflies in the Brothers Cove resort? Well the best place with the highest concentration of mating fireflies that light up in June will depend on when they emerged from the soil. Since the lower field is at 1,130 feet the field near the swimming pool is at 1,650 feet looking out over the valley and the top ridge of Brothers Cove is 1,950 feet and all 40 plus cabins for rent are located between the lower field and the top ridgeline, there can be an almost full weeks difference between firefly activity at the bottom of Brothers Cove verses the top.

Wherever you decide to watch the fireflies, you should bring along a flashlight with a red led or get a red lens cover or red cellophane so you can move around safely and still not throw off the light show or reduce your night vision. If you are going down to the lower field, you may want to bring folding chairs so you can sit. There are chairs at all the cabins and plenty of seating around the pool area.

If you staying at the cabin to watch the fireflies, turn off all the lights so it is as dark as possible. Pick a spot to sit with the widest panorama and if you can away from other cabins that have lights on. Do not forget to look up at the beautiful stars!

There are some many weather and other natural conditions that will dictate when the light show will reach peak and how many fireflies will be out that year. The one thing you can count on is that they will be there during the month of June and the best time to see them is at least half hour after sunset and the show is over by around midnight. Best all round time is should be the 2nd and 3rd week of June from 10 pm - 11 pm.

Just spending time in the peace and quiet of Brothers Cove is an amazing experience, but to be able to enjoy one of the Smoky Mountains most impressive natural treasures in privacy and without crowds.

Brothers Cove is an amazing custom built private neighborhood of luxury cabins on more than 400 acres much of which is unspoiled forest. Each cabin is unique and every cabin has a spectacular view of the mountains or a secluded wooded view or both! More than half of the almost 80 cabins that have been built in this private resort are for rent through BrothersCove.com.

Only guests of cabins rented through Brothers Cove or American Mountain Rentals who owns BrothersCove.com are entitled to all of the amenities maintenance, housekeeping and services offered at the on site office in Brothers Cove.

Only registered owners, renters or their guests are allowed in Brothers Cove for firefly viewing as well as entering Brothers Cove property including the fields and natural areas, roads, swimming pool and gazebo.

So what are you waiting for? Start looking for the cabin you want so that you can see the fireflies in peace and privacy! Rent a Brothers Cove cabin now before the one you want is gone!

Related Smokies Blog Stories:
Rare Synchronizing Fireflies Find Confirmed In Brothers Cove Resort in Wears Valley.

Fireflies synchronized light show season starts in Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Synchronous fireflies and admirers about to invade the Great Smoky Mountains national park

Cabins for rent where you can see the synchronized fireflies in the Smoky Mountains

Smoky Mountains firefly show in Elkmont near Gatlinburg

Elkmont Section of national park yearly visit by synchronized fireflies

Synchronized Fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains

Day 8 of the 2010 Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Hard to believe but today is the last day of the 2010 Wilderness Wildlife Week in the Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. If you were not here you really missed something and be sure and be here next year.

Last night's slow jam which ended the day way moving to all who attended and you can catch Tony Thomas who lead the jam again tonight. There were many outstanding programs and it was a cool yet perfect day for hiking and taking in the free guided tours in the Great Smoky Mountains national park and today looks to be even nicer outside.

Furry, fuzzy and scaled creatures and funny stories entertained kids of all sizes when Silly Safari showed off their live wildlife exhibit. Can you believe you can have belly laughs and still learn about creatures in the wild? This program will be repeated today so if you have kids or love animals and having fun do not miss it.

Today there are great classes such as on Photoshop for nature photographers, a live raptor bird show presented by the Bay Mountain Park naturalist and if you hike - especially with kids you should attend the Hug-A-Tree and Survive for Kids program - it could save a life!

Attendance at the Wilderness Wildlife Week this year was fantastic so be sure and plan to come back or for the first time in Pigeon Forge Tennessee - you will have a great time in the Great Smoky Mountains!

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for January 16, 2010

• 7:00 am - 9:00 pm The Information Desk is open.


• 9:00 am - 10:00 am The Appalachian Trail - An entertaining adventure. Presented by: Jeff Alt - In the Dobro Room.


• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Photoshop for Nature Photographers. Presented by: Larry Perry - In the Harp Room.


• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Black Bear Biology. Presented by: David Whitehead - In the Ukelele Room.


• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Discovering the Cumberlands - slide presentation. Presented by: Stuart Carroll - In the Guitar Room.


• 9:30 am - 11:30 am Beginning Mountain Dulcimer. Presented by: Ginny Cliett, Deby Libby, and Linda Smith - In the Violin Room.


• 10:00 am - 11:30 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM KIDS TRACK: Games for the Young at Heart. Presented by: Brad Jones - Meet in the hallway next to the Cello Room (Dress warm to go outside.)


• 10:30 am - 11:15 am Hiking Tips for the Whole Family. Presented by: Jeff Alt - In the Dobro Room.


• 10:30 am - 11:30 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Taking it to the Next Level. Presented by: Bill Fortney - In the Guitar Room.


• 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Bays Mountain Raptors - Live Bird Show. Presented by: Bays Mountain Raptors - In the Harp Room.


• 10:30 am - 12:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Light Room for Nature Photographers. Presented by: Marilyn Kay, Bart Baldwin and David Hartfield - In the Ukelele Room.


• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Nathan Sparks - Cades Cove Frontier Man 1828-1891. Presented by: Larry Sparks - In the Violin Room.


• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Light and Composition. Presented by: Bill Fortney - In the Guitar Room.


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm KIDS TRACK: Silly Safaris Show - Live Animal Show. Presented by: Silly Safaris - In the Dobro/Harp Room.


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Wild Hog Biology. Presented by: David Whitehead - In the Ukelele Room.


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM KIDS TRACK: Young Artists Coloring Sessions. Presented by: Louise Bales - In the Music Road Hotel Breakfast Room. (Limit 15 students that are 12 years and older. Pre-registration at Information Desk required.)


• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm KIDS TRACK: Hug-A-Tree and Survive for Kids. Presented by: Joey Holt - In the Violin Room.


• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: A Wildlife Habitat for Every Season - slide presentation. Presented by: Steve Garr - In the Guitar Room.


• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Heartbreak and Hilarity - Humor and tragedy as reflected in song and folk tales. Presented by: The Trantham Family and Dr. Harley Jolley - In the Dobro Room.


• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm An Overview of Primitive Wilderness Skills. Presented by: Larry "Coyote" Smith - In the Ukelele Room.


• 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Woodcarving, Humming Bird and Flower - DAY 3. Presented by: Don Taylor - In the Music Road Hotel Breakfast Room. (Limit 10 students. Pre-registration at Information Desk required. Must take all 3 classes to complete the project. Items needed: Carving tools and paint brushes.)


• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Trail Less traveled - The North Carolina Bartram Trail - The travels of William Bartram. Presented by: Tim Warren - In the Violin Room.


• 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm: Photoshop for Nature Photographers. Presented by: Bart Baldwin, David Hartfield and Marilyn Kay: Guitar Room.


• 4:15 pm - 5:15 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Remote Trail Camera Use. Presented by: Ben Shrader - In the Harp Room.


• 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Tony Thomas in Concert. Presented by: Tony Thomas - In the Dobro Room.


• 5:00 pm - 5:45 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Perry's Camp Murders - One of Sevier counties most infamous murders that happened in 1949. Presented by: Robert S. Allen and Steve O. Watson - In the Ukelele Room.


• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: White Oak Sinks History. Presented by: David Ledbetter, Cades Cove Preservation Association - In the Violin Room.


• 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Great Smokies - A portrait in words. Presented by: Charles Maynard - In the Violin/Guitar Room.


• 7:45 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Ken Jenkins Slide Program. Presented by: Ken Jenkins - In the Dobro/Harp Room.

When is the best time to see fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains?

The Smokies are renowned for having some of the best fall colors when the leaves change in autumn but with as large as the Great Smoky Mountains are where the best place is and when is the best time to see the foliage in peak colors is not a simple answer.

The reason why there is no exact day for the peak colors in 2009 or the perfect places to see the autumn leaves is that there are so many places - hundreds of them to catch breathtaking fall foliage bursting in all the colors of the rainbow.

There are many reasons why the fall colors in the Smokies attract so many people to come see them. One of the most import reasons is that in the Great Smoky Mountains national park there are more than 100 species of trees and hundreds of different species of bushes that all change color.

Since the falls leaves colors during leaf season vary for many reasons and one of the main reasons is which species of trees or bushes are changing as all of the different trees and bushes show a different range of colors. This is what makes the Smokies a great place to see the leaves change as there is a wide range of colors everywhere you look and it is best to go to a few places to see the wide range of fall foliage colors.

Other key factors the effect when the leaves change color in the Smokies as well as the intensity, duration and where to see the change in colors are temperature, moisture, exposure to sunlight and even soil composition.

Since there is a huge difference in elevations from Pigeon Forge Tennessee, Gatlinburg and Cades Cove on the low end to Clingmans Dome, Mount Le Conte and the Blue Ridge Parkway as a higher elevation and where you are in elevation and location will change to surrounding temperatures of the trees as well as exposure to sun, the same species of tree such as a sugar maple tree can display wild vibrant fall colors in some places weeks before it does in others in the Smoky Mountains.

So if you ask when do the leaves start to change colors in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Wears Valley, Cades Cove and all throughout the Great Smoky Mountains national park the answer is they already have started this year in late August!

Look carefully in the Smoky Mountains right now and you will see in the dark green canopy touches of color in a few random leaves in the dogwoods, maples and sourwood trees especially at the higher elevations such as along the Foothills Parkway. But you don't want to come here to just see a few random leaves change color - you want to see the fall colors at their peak in the Smokies!

Count on being able to see fall colors popping out in mid to late to late September 2009 but the real displays will start to be fantastic in October and will still be sowing into November. It is not uncommon to see nice vibrant deep reds and maroons in the hardwoods in the Smoky Mountains such as the oak trees as late as Thanksgiving but you will be far past peak at that time.

So what are the predictions for the 2009 leaf season in the Great Smoky Mountains? Actually the predictions are for an extremely good leaf season in both color and duration if the weather continues to so cooperative!

In the past 2 years in the Smokies there have been record breaking droughts. The lack of water stressed the plants and the colors were actually very good. Temperatures were also much higher during the peaks in summer and even late spring also stressing the tress in bushes in the Smoky Mountains.

Though last year the color of the leaves during the fall season were good, they were lacking in duration and when it would rain, it washed down many leaves prematurely and even though fall leaves are colorful on the ground, for the best impact you want to see is the colorful leaves in peak longer on the trees.

This year 2009 we have made up for the past few years of lack of water and the health of the forests and mountains are fantastic! Add to this cooler than normal temperatures all spring and summer long and you have a recipe for beautiful leaf colors as well as duration where the beautiful brightly colored foliage stays on the trees longer during leaf season along with a greater range of colors all showing at the same time.

Because of the very good weather we have had in 2009 including the cooler than normally temperatures we are experiencing right now in the Smoky Mountains, it is likely that the fall leaf season will start earlier this year and the peak leaf season may run only until the 2nd week in November.

As we had done last year, we will do fall color report updates to let you know where to go to see the best fall colors in the Smoky Mountains and the best places to stay to see the fall colors in 2009. Our updates will also be broadcasted on Twitter and our new Face Book account.

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

Wireless Internet Access in a 3 Bedroom Gatlinburg Log Cabin for Rent

Nothing beats getting away from it all and renting a cabin high up in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Smokies with a commanding view looking out at the Great Smoky Mountains national Park. Sure up here in the private seclusion of the mountains you can relax and take it easy while you are enjoying the peace and quiet but sometimes you need to be connected with the world and what better way can you do that with the internet?

Sure only a short while ago it was very hard to get a cell phone signal up here in the Smoky Mountains let alone even find a vacation rental unit where you can use your dial up service without racking up huge long distance charges.

Now it is possible to rent a cabin in the Smokies that has free high speed wireless internet access! There are more than 30 cabins for rent in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg with free high speed internet service to choose from ranging in size from honeymoon cottages for 2 on up to huge cabins that can handle as many as 14 people at once!

Another exceptional cabin for rent in the Great Smoky Mountains has just had high speed wireless internet access installed that guest can use for free! Windsinger is a great 3 bedroom log cabin for rent is located in Chalet Village - a private community looking down on the city of Gatlinburg with luxury amenities that guests can use such as swimming pools, kiddie pools, tennis courts, game rooms and even clubhouse facilities.

Once you arrive at the Windsinger log cabin, you will appreciate its down home country charm, and be blown away by the stunning view. Whether it is the deep cool green of spring and summer in the Smokies unfolding beneath you, falls breathtaking colors or the snow capped peaks this is the perfect place to make the most of your vacation!

Out on the deck you will not only find seating to enjoy the spectacular view, there is large hot tub just waiting to be used to wash away the stress of everyday life while enjoying the great view of the Smokies. Out here on the cabins deck you can even check your email, surf for restaurant reviews or just check the latest weather reports for the Smokies if you bring your laptop.

Inside there are all the creature comforts you could want on your vacation in the Smoky Mountains. Sit and relax in the living room in either the love seat or couch as you gaze upon the view or just watch your favorite DVD on the TV. In season you can enjoy a crackling fire in the real wood burning fireplace!

Of course you can use your laptop here in the living room because there is free wireless high speed internet access all throughout the cabin! Download movies or music or play the lasted games online - the world is at your fingertips when you have internet access.

Tired of just playing games on the internet? Than close up your laptop and bring it down to the lower level of this cabin where you will find the game room. Here you will find a real pool table with another couch and TV close by and if you want you can even play a game of foosball on the foosball table!

3 bedrooms await you in the wonderful Gatlinburg cabin - 1 with a king size bed and 2 with comfortable queen size beds. Doesn't matter which bedroom you pick, they all get high speed internet aces as long as you have a laptop with a wireless card.

This cabin as well as all of the other cabins in the Smoky Mountains that have free internet access are all winners. Great locations, well appointed, clean, comfortable and above all - very reasonable. Up to 6 people can enjoy this cabin for only $170 to $200 a night (Holidays slighter higher).

Find out more about the Windsinger 3 Bedroom Cabin or Rent it online now:

 

See all cabins in the Smokies with free high speed internet access

Easter vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains

This Easter weekend is going to be a very special treat for anyone coming to vacation in Gatlinburg Tennessee, Pigeon Forge or Sevierville in the Great Smoky Mountains.

The crowds are lighter than usual and even though the wildflowers are out and there has been lovely spring weather in the Smokies for weeks, last night there was a light dusting of snow in the mid elevations on the mountains and even a few inches of snow in the upper elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

The weather for this Easter Weekend is expected to be in the mid 50s to 60s and the high points in the national park will still have some snow on the ground which can be seen in the distance. What could be more perfect for an Easter vacation in the Smoky Mountains?

We suggest a drive through Cades Cove in the GSMNP where the valley floor is warm and the deer will be out enjoying the green grass and you will find plenty of beautiful wildflowers.

For the adventurous at least one momma back bear and her cubs have been spotted in Cades Cove this past week from the roadway even though it's still early to see them.

Dollywood is now open for the season and you can now get discounted Dollywood theme park tickets with a cabin and chalet rental and get to miss most of the crowds that come in the summer!

As always there's lots of indoor activities in the Smokies but with spring weather in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and winter weather just a few minutes drive away this Easter Vacation in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee can't be beat!

The outlet malls in the area are looking for business so prices have been slashed in most of the stores making this a perfect time to pick up some really good deals on clothing, shoes, housewares, home accessories, tools - just about anything you can imagine is on sale in the stores all around Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville Tennessee.

There are also some specials deals to be had in the whole artist community in the outskirts of Gatlinburg Tennessee. The artist community stretches for miles which will make for a beautiful drive past the rolling hills and green fields of the farms framed by the Great Smoky Mountains with fresh snow at its peaks!

Hurry and rent a cabin or chalet for an Easter getaway in the Smokies now as there are some real bargains still left but they won't last long.

What to expect in the Smoky Mountains during January

One of the best times to come to the Smokies is in January. Most people who come to vacation in the Smoky Mountains have been here at least once before and often they are looking to come here and enjoy one of the seasons when they have not been here before and January is one of the favorites of the locals.

January in the Smoky Mountains is unpredictable when it comes to the weather, but you can be guaranteed that you will have a great time, find off season prices everywhere including cabin and chalet rental rates and no crowds!

Stay here long enough in January and you can be pretty well assured you will see snow in the highest elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

The weather in Smoky Mountains during January changes day to day for example last weekend it was almost 70 degrees in Gatlinburg and today we are expecting up to 6 inches of snow!

When it does snow during January in the Smokies, it almost never sticks around for more than a few hours in the lower elevations but the upper elevations in the Great Smoky Mountains national park can see snow stay for days or even weeks.

Of course outdoor water parks in the Smokies are closed during the winter and you will find some other attractions close down as it is so quiet here in January but don't despair - there is still plenty to do!

During January you will find that Winterfest is still going on strong. Winterfest takes place in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville and starts in November as a holiday celebration with events and millions of holiday lights decorating the Smokies and turning the area into a winter wonderland.

During January one of the most popular events of Winterfest takes place called Wilderness Wildlife Week and this year marks the 19th anniversary of Wilderness Wildlife Week.

Wilderness Wildlife Week is based out of Pigeon Forge and has guided hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains national park, wildlife classes and lectures, photography classes and exhibits, historical lectures and demonstrations and musical performances and so much more.

Spending time during January in the Great Smoky Mountains national park is a fantastic time to get away from it all and enjoy the peace and quiet and the beauty of the Smokies.

In January the wildlife in the Smokies can be a little harder to find as snakes, spiders and mosquitoes are not around and active in the cold. The black bears are also in their quiet hibernation mode and almost impossible to see as they are almost never active.

Take a tour of Cades Cove by car or bike and you will see that not only is there almost no traffic, the deer are everywhere and the male deer called bucks are sporting their antlers from the December rut.

In the Cataloochee valley section of the national park you will be able to see our North American Elk that have been reintroduced in the park which are an awesome site to behold.

Look carefully all around the park and you should be able to see coyote in the hour or so after sunrise or before sunset and if you are really lucky, red or grey fox as well.

If there is a dusting of snow on the ground you usually don't have to look too hard or go too far to find tracks of deer, rabbit, squirrel fox and coyote.

What to get away from it all and take a hike in the Smokies and see awesome views. Drive up US 441 to Newfound Gap and park at the Newfound Gap parking area and walk up the Clingmans Dome Road which closes December 1st. Walk a few hundred yards or walk the whole 7 miles up to the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower and look out at the 360 degree view of the Smokies - breathtaking!

Make sure if you walk up Clingmans Dome road to check out the walls of ice that form white and transparent curtains that glistens in the sunlight - a perfect backdrop to the evergreen trees above.

Came back after enjoying a great day outside in the fresh air of the Smoky Mountains to a delicious hot meal in of the hundreds of restaurants in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg for some good southern cooking, delicious steaks are any type of food you can imagine.

January is a great time to enjoy the Smokies and avoid the crowds, enjoy the winter beauty and get great off season rates on cabins and chalets for rent in the Smokies!

How great are the rental rates for an extended stay in the Smokies? How about cabin rentals for less than $100 a night in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

November leaf color report for Great Smoky Mountains: Greenbrier

The leaf colors are bright and in peak season in the Greenbrier section of the Great Smoky Mountains national park just outside of Gatlinburg Tennessee.

Greenbrier is known for being one of the quieter sections of the Great Smoky Mountains national park with outstanding hiking, great fishing and a picnic area and picnic pavilion.

We just checked 2 hiking trails to see how the fall colors are doing in this section of the Great Smoky Mountains national park and we were not disappointed and neither will you.

Both hiking trails begin at the Ramsey Cascades Trailhead which is well marked. When you enter Greenbrier you might think all the colorful fall leaves are gone but keep on driving, it gets better and better the closer you get to the trailhead.

From the trailhead you can to go to the Ramsey Cascades Falls - an 8 mile round trip or the Pinnacles Man Way a 7 mile round trip. Remember you don't have to hike all the way to enjoy the scenery!

Both trails first cross the river where you should take pictures from the bridge. By now you already have seen bright yellows and reds and a few orange leaves in the trees. Plenty of light and dark green so we have a while before this section will flame out.

The hiking trial was made on an old logging roadbed at this point and gently keeps climbing up along the river. On your left hand side there are gigantic boulders and sheer rock cliffs, even a semi cave at once point.

Stop and listen to the sounds of the river and when the wind blows the leaves falling from the trees. A perfect spot to do this is there is a log bench on the right hand side by the roaring river.

At the 1-1/2 mile mark there is a small sign on the left of the trail showing that the Ramsey Cascades trail is straight ahead. This unmarked trail is the Greenbriers Pinnacles trail.

The Pinnacles trail is a non maintained trail where you will have to climb over a few logs as you work your way up almost 2,000 feet in and works its way up to some fantastic overlooks and the top of the mountain where you will find the ruins of an old fire tower.

Since this is a rarely used trail more often than not you will see no one on the way up and down this hiking trail and there are great fall colors and the ability to look across at other mountains fall colors.

Here you will walk by rocks walls, cross a small stream, pass by some large old tress and through some rhododendron and mountain laurel lined sections of the trail. Picture below was taken on this trail.

Ramsey Cascades is also about a 2,000 foot climb with no scenic overlooks but you get to cross a roaring river on log bridges where you will also see a stunning rock wall by one of the log bridges with a beautiful pool along the riverside.

Another special feature of this trail beside the fantastic cascade waterfall at the top of the trail is the huge hemlock trees and poplar trees - some of the larger and older trees in the Great Smoky Mountains national park. Take a picture with a person next to the tree so you can get the scale of how large the trees are.

The fall colors on this trail come and go. In some areas of the trail we have gone pasty peak and others have yet to come out in full color. The shot below from the trail shows one of the peak fall color sections.

Even though these hiking trails are not exceptional long they are fairly strenuous.

You will also find that you will go through some real changes in temperature getting both hotter and cooler are you go up in elevation so dress in layers. Ramsey Cascades even the summer is much cooler than the trail is.

Come on out whole the fall colors are still great in the Greenbrier are right next to Gatlinburg Tennessee and just minute from more than 150 cabin rentals by American Mountain Rentals.

Information on the Greenbrier Section of the National Park