Day 2 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Mother Nature may have made the Smokies even more magical with a little more snow, however for those wanting to take one of the guided hikes today the outlook is fairly grim as most roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park are closed right now including Newfound Gap Road, Little River Road and Laurel Creek Road cutting off all access to Cades Cove.

So far the only guided hikes in and around the GSMNP that could take place would be the 6 mile hike in the Sugarlands to the Rock House, the 8 mile hike to Ramsey Cascades, the tour of the Railroad Museum in Townsend and maybe the Owl Prowl.

Luckily it toast warm inside with no chance of snow and ice so Wilderness Wildlife Week will go on as placed in the Le Conte Center in Pigeon Forge.

Some of yesterdays favorite Wilderness Wildlife Week programs included the talk by Dr Don Linzey on panthers in the Smokies, the working with wildflowers photography workshop, and the exciting story of Doc Henderson Versus the White Caps in the Smokies.

Today's must see Wilderness Wildlife Week demonstrations include a program on a landmark anyone who comes to the Smokies knows: A History of the Towers in Clingmans Dome by Marci Spencer.

Today there is also a great program on the Walker Sisters of Little Greenbrier presented by award winning local park volunteer Robin Goddard who grew up with the women, Nighttime and Low light Photography presented by renowned local photographer Eric Gebhart and don't miss the final special program of the day by presented by Ken Jenkins.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 2: Sunday, January 26th 2014

• 8:30 – 9:30am: Sunday Morning Sing-Along. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 9 – 10am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Travel Photography: Beyond the Postcard. Educational and entertaining program featuring a theme-based travel photography with diverse locations such as Tennessee, Scotland, Costa Rica, Switzerland and more. Presented by Tom and Pat Cory. Taking place at room North 2.
• 9:30 – 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Lewis and Clark in US History, Part 1. Presented by Peter Seifert. Taking place at room South 2.
• 9:30 – 10:30am: Marking Time: A Guide to the Historical Markers in East Tennessee. Presented by Fred Brown. Taking place at room South 3.
• 9:30 – 11:30am: World Class Stream Small Mouth Bass. Presented by Greg Ward. Taking place at room South 1.
• 10 – 11 am: Wildflowers of the Smokies Video Presentation. Presented by Jack Carman of Wildflowers of Tennessee. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Creating a Wildlife Habitat for Every Season Video Presentation. Presented by Regina Garr of Birds-I-View. Taking place at room North 3.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Wildlife and Nature Photo Trips: What to Take? Presented by Harry Dunn. Taking place at room North 2.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: Weather Signs. Presented by Ila Hatter of Wildcrafting with Ila. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 11 – Noon: Smoky Mountain Llama Treks. Learn about llamas and their cousins and see pictures of llamas along hikes by Smoky Mountain Llama Treks. Presented by Steve Garrett. Taking place at room South 2.
• 11 – Noon: Discovering the Gray Fossil Site. Learn how the Gray Fossil Site was discovered and a see some of the fossils found from there in upper East Tennessee. Presented by Harry Moore. Taking place at room South 3.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: Birds the Word. Presented by Doug Elliott. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! To Be Announced Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• Noon – 1 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! 2013 Scenic City International Photography Exhibition Video Presentation. Presented by Pat Gordy. Taking place at room North 3.
• Noon – 1 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Where and When to Photograph in the Smokies. Presented by Roger Trentham. Taking place at room North 2.
• Noon – 1 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Out of the Dark, Part 2. The history of how one amazingly heroic deputy sheriff rescued his community from committed by nightriders in the shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by Tom Davis and the Graveyard Hosts: Don Williams. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 12:30 – 2 pm: Learn Clawhammer Banjo, Part 2. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants must bring own five string banjo tuned in the key of G. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 12:45 – 1:45 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Lewis and Clark in US History, Part 2. Presented by Peter Seifert. Taking place at room South 2.
• 1 – 2 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Smoky Mountain Old Time Gospel Singing. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 1 – 2 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! History of the Towers in Clingmans Dome. Presented by Marci Spencer of the Appalachian Bear Rescue. Taking place at room South 3.
• 1 – 3:30pm: Casting a Fly Rod: Bring own rod if possible. Presented by Greg Ward. Taking place at room South 1.
• 1:30 – 2 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Old Harp Singing School. Presented by David Sarten. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Natural Wonders of the Southern Appalachians Video Presentation. Presented by Harry Dunn. Taking place at room North 3.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Range of Light: Capturing the Mood of the Smokies. Presented by Jerry Whaley. Taking place at room North 2.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Southern Bears of Tennessee, Arkansas and Florida Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 2 – 3 pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Old Harp Singing. Presented by David Sarten. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! A Sunday Morning in the Smokies. Presented by Hills-N-Hollows. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Bodacious Cartooning for Kids. Limited to 100 so you must pre-register at Information Desk and please remember to bring paper and pencils! Presented by John Rose, Snuffy Smith Cartoonist. Taking place at room South 2.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Bugs and Blooms. Learn about the diverse native flora and associated insects of the Southern Appalachians, as well as their functional importance. Presented by Leon Bates. Taking place at room South 3.
• 3 – 4 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! A House Divided: The Civil War in Knoxville and East Tennessee. Presented by Fred Brown. Taking place at room North 3.
• 3 – 4 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Improving Your Photographic Vision. Presented by Bill Fortney. Taking place at room North 2.
• 3 – 4 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Goodness of Gander. hear about the story of good people helping Americans on our nation’s worst day, September 11, 2001, and hear how the people of Gander, Newfoundland hosted 6,500 people for 4 days on 1 hour’s notice. Presented by Rosemary Deitzer. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 4 – 5 pm: Advanced Possumology: Possum Lore, Stories, Natural History and More. Presented by Doug Elliott. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 4 – 5 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Elkmont’s Lem Ownby: Sage of the Smokies. Presented by Carroll McMahan. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 4 – 5 pm: The Beauty and History of Switzerland Video Presentation. Presented by Shannon Harris of Alpine Adventure Trails and Tours. Taking place at room South 3.
• 4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Digital Photo Editing. Presented by Richard Iceland. Taking place at room North 3.
• 4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Seasons and Weather: Watching the Smokies Change. Presented by Jerry Whaley. Taking place at room North 2.
• 4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Woods Are Lovely, Dark and Deep, Where Do All Our Bears Sleep? Presented by Joel and Kathy Zachry of Great Outdoors! Adventure Travel. Taking place at room South 2.
• 6 pm: Tuesday Hike Signups Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 6 – 7 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Nighttime and Low light Photography. Presented by Eric Gebhart. Taking place at room North 2.
• 6 – 7 pm: Our Smokies Heritage! The Walker Sisters of Little Greenbrier. Presented by Robin Goddard Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 7:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! To Be Announced. Presented by Ken Jenkins. 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

2013 Fall Peak Color In The Great Smoky Mountains Has Started!

After losing more than 2 weeks of being able to have full access to everything in the Great Smoky Mountains due to the government shutdown, everything turned around just in a nick of time to be able to catch to beginning of the 2013 fall peak color in the Smokies.

Even with the prospect of a government closure that kept people out of our beloved national park, it did not stop the leaf peepers from coming to the Smoky Mountains and who could blame them?

As a matter of fact it appears that what few regulars who come every autumn to the Smokies to see the leaves change each year that didn't show up were replaced by many new fist time leaf peepers. You just needed to drive through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Tennessee to see how busy we were.

With the very wet spring, summer and early fall in North Carolina and now the mild temperatures with mostly sunny days, the fall peak leaf season is generally running a few days late in most areas and the same for Tennessee.

Normally you would expect to see a lot of bright reds at the highest elevations along with some deep maroons of early hardwoods starting to show for days now. Instead, yellows and oranges are still the dominant changing colors and the cooler weather that started last night is just starting to bring out the flame reds.

The Blue Ridge Parkways no has some areas of full peak and the light greens and yellows are as low as the Chimneys Overlook on Newfound Gap Road with full color stating on the Alum Cave Hiking Trail parking.

The vista at both Newfound Gap and the Oconaluftee Overlook just a little south of the Gap on the North Carolina Side is really starting to look beautiful. Further south at the swinging bridges overlooks you can see we have another week to be in real peak.

Fall Color at the Swinging Bridges

By the time you work just another 1,000 feet down in elevation along Newfound Gap Road, you are still predominantly dark and light green.

Little River Road, Lakeshore Road, the Foothills Parkway East and west all still mostly green and when you look up at the peaks in the distance the oranges and reds are getting more prevalent on the ridges every day.

For the most part, Cades Cove does not really have great color yet and the best way to enjoy it is long range looking from Rich Mountain across the valley. The hike to Gregory Bald is fantastic right now and will be for another week up top.

Looking Down at Cades Cove from Rich Mountain

Cherokee Orchard Road behind downtown Gatlinburg and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail have some nice color, but again this is really getting better by the day and will start peaking by the weekend. Be sure to past Grotto Falls and up to Brushy Mountain and the visibility has been good and the vista fantastic.

Cosby, Big Creek, Deep Creek and Elkmont all have spectacular color in spots as you hike up higher and best yet, the weather is amazing for hiking and though it is fairly crowed in the park, many trails are not overrun especially during the week.

The river in Greenbrier is just beautiful and has about 2 weeks of color left in spots. Do not miss out on Ramsey Cascades or the Pinnacles. Though the cascades water flow is light right now, the changing color in the forest is worth and the view from the Pinnacles today was breathtaking.

Greenbrier Tennessee - Pigeon River
 

Bluff Mountain, Ski Mountain and chalet Village all have some color coming in with a ways to go and Brothers Cove which is all decorated for fall looks like it will have some real vibrant color this year.

Be sure to take some pictures on the overlooks on the Gatlinburg Bypass which is a week to peak. The Spur leaves may drop before they hit peak as some have done in other places. If the leaves start falling here, be sure to check out Tremont which should be in peak at that time.

Fall Color in Cataloochee

The fall color will be peaking this week in Cataloochee and the elk are still putting on a show and rutting. Color will last into next weekend.

All said we will have good color this year and so far with real staying power. We may be a few days later than expected due to so many sunny days but then again, those were fabulous days to be outside enjoying the beautiful fall weather in the Smokies.

Related Fall Color Reports for 2013

• Fall 2013 Leaf Season Color for Great Smoky Mountains
• 2013 Fall Peak Color Smoky Mountains National Park
• 2013 Smoky Mountains Leaf Color Peak, Start and End

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