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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

Last Minute Cabin Rental Specials for Fall Smoky Mountains Leaf Season 2012

If the weather continues to cooperate, we have about another week in the Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains where you can find nice fall color. Better yet, we have a few cabins and chalets for rent left for this last weekend of peak fall color and you can grab them now for a discount!

If you rent any of these cabins listed below which all available as of writing this article for this weekend, you can save 10%! This Last Minute Special Cabin Rental Special is only good for cabins are chalets being booked 7 days or sooner before arrival. You also MUST use the discount coupon code TLMR10 when making your reservation.

You cannot combine discounts and this Last Minute Cabin Special is only valid on new rentals only and Last Minute Cabin rental Discounts are not valid during holidays!

Update Friday 10/26 9:35 am. We now only have 6 cabins or chalets available to rent starting today and leaving this Sunday morning. These units are:

• Mountain Laurel Retreat
• A Smoky Retreat
• A Smoky Getaway
• Rippling Water
• A Sweet Retreat
• All in the Family

Colder weather coming into the Smokies Monday morning. This will make the rest of the color left on the trees really punch out but will probably mean little or no color after next weekend.

King of the Mountain VII 7 Bedroom Cabin Gatlinburg 7 Bedroom Log Cabin rental with stunning views above the city of Gatlinburg that will sleep 16 people with 7.5 Bathrooms, 3 King Size beds, 4 Queen size beds, 1 Sleeper sofa, Pool Table in Game Room, Hot Tub, Gas Fireplace, Lots of Deck space with breathtaking views. Steep driveway with parking for 5 cars, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels and this luxury cabin has Seasonal Swimming Pool Access. There is also free Unlimited Long Distance phone service and FREE Wireless HIGH SPEED Internet Access via WIFI! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

River Chase 4 Bedroom Chalet Pigeon Forge 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath Chalet for rent in the River Pointe area of Pigeon Forge Tennessee, Sleeps up to 8 people, walk to the river, Nature Trail along the River, Gas Fireplace, Jacuzzi, TV, DVD, VCR, Pool Table, Air Hockey, Sony PlayStation, Washer and Dryer, Dishwasher, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. In the Pigeon Forge City Limits! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

All In the Family 4 Bedroom Cabin Sevierville 2 story 4 bedroom log cabin in the Echota resort in Sevierville TN that sleeps 10, 4 baths, 2 king size bed, 2 Full size beds, 1 sleeper sofa, gas fireplace, private hot tub, Jacuzzi, Game room, pool table, TV, VCR, great room, living room, dining room, eat in kitchen, 2 decks, wooded view, gas grill, 3 car parking, Washer, dryer, iron and ironing board, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. Bring your laptop, there is free HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS via WIFI! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Hoot 'n Hollar 4 Bedroom Cabin Pigeon Forge 4 Bedroom Log Cabin located in Brothers Cove Resort Development in Pigeon Forge TN that will sleep 12 people with 3 Bath and 4 Queen size beds, 2 Sleeper sofa beds, 2 Jacuzzi tubs, Hot tub, Pool Table, Big Screen TV in Living Room and TV's in the bedrooms, charcoal grill, Picnic Table for 8, Washer/Dryer, Dishwasher, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. PET FRIENDLY! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

3 Bears Lodge 3 Bedroom Cabin Gatlinburg 3 Bedroom Log Cabin with Good Mountain View located in Gatlinburg's Chalet Village that will sleep 8 people with 4 Bathrooms, 2 king size beds upstairs, 1 queen size bed on lower level and 1 sleeper sofa in game room, Hot Tub, 2 Gas Fireplaces: 1 in living room and 1 in the Game Room with Pool Table, Jacuzzi in bathroom, Seasonal Access to Swimming Pool next door, 4 TV's, Charter cable bundle with unlimited long distance phone service, 3 steps into cabin, 4 car parking, Charcoal grill, Washer Dryer, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels and bring your laptop as there is Free WIFI High Speed Internet Access. Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Changes in Attitude 3 Bedroom Cabin Pigeon Forge 3 Bedroom, 3 story, semi private Log Cabin in Pigeon Forge will sleep 10 people with a good mountain view, 3 Baths, 3 King size beds, 1 Sofa sleeper, and 1 Futon bed, Gas Fireplace, Hot Tub, 2 Jacuzzi's, Pool Table, Foosball, 5 TVs with Cable service, Living Room, Dining room, 2 decks, 1 charcoal grill, 3-car gravel parking area, Washer, Dryer, Iron and Ironing Board, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Breathless Chalet 3 Bedroom Rental Gatlinburg 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath Premier Chalet, Sleeps 10, Gatlinburg, Chalet Village area, Hot Tub, 2 Jacuzzi's, Sauna, Gas Fireplace, Pool Table, TV, DVD, VCR, 4 Decks, Access to Swimming Pools, Kiddie Pools, Playgrounds, Tennis Courts, and Game Rooms, Washer and Dryer, Dishwasher, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels, Large Master Bedroom with Double Walk-in Shower and Jacuzzi. Free unlimited long distance for numbers is the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. Bring your laptop, there is free HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Halfway to Heaven 3 Bedroom Cabin Pigeon Forge 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! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Berry Delightful 2 Bedroom Cabin Pigeon Forge 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Chalet for rent, Sleeps 6 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee in the River Pointe area, Scenic Mountain View, walk to the river. No steep roads, Hot tub, Gas Fireplace, TV, DVD player, VCR, Washer and Dryer, Dishwasher, River Nature Trail, Rocking Chairs, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels, large level parking under Chalet. Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Rippling Waters 2 Bedroom Chalet Pigeon Forge 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath riverfront Chalet for rent, Sleeps 4 in the Pigeon Forge Tennessee River Pointe Area and on the River, Hot Tub, Gas Fireplace, TV, DVD, Dishwasher, Washer and Dryer, Covered Deck with River View, Nature Trail, City Limits, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Bear Paw Chalet 2 Bedroom Chalet Pigeon Forge 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Chalet on the river that Sleeps 6 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee, River Pointe area, sits on the banks of the Pigeon River. There are no steep roads, large level parking, Nature Trail, Hot Tub, Gas Fireplace, TV, DVD player, VCR, Washer and Dryer, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels and a Dishwasher. City Limits. Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Morning Mist 2 Bedroom Cabin Gatlinburg 2 bedrooms, 2 story Gatlinburg TN log cabin, sleeps 5, 2 king, 1 twin, 2 baths, gas fireplace, hot tub, pool table, 3 TV's w/cable, VCR, DVD, stereo, living room, eat in kitchen, 2 decks, gas grill, 3 car parking, washer, dryer, iron and ironing board, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

A Smoky Getaway 2 Bedroom Cabin Pigeon Forge 2 bedroom, 2 story PET FRIENDLY Log Cabin in Pigeon Forge Tennessee with only 1 step to enter the cabin that Sleeps up to 8 people with 2 baths, 2 King Size Beds, 2 Sleeper Sofas, Seasonal Pool Access, Gas Fireplace, Hot Tub, Jacuzzi in Master Bath, Foosball Table, Playstation 2, Living Room, Eat in Kitchen, 2 TV's with cable service, 2 DVD players, VCR and Stereo, 2 Car Parking, Washer, Dryer, Iron and Ironing Board, Central Air Conditioning and Heating. Don't forget to bring your laptop as there is FREE Wireless HIGH SPEED Internet Access! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Mountain Laurel Retreat 2 Bedroom Cabin Pigeon Forge 2 Bedroom Secluded Cabin for rent that Sleeps 6 in the Pigeon Forge, Dollywood Area with Scenic Mountain Views on 2 very private wooded acres with no neighbors, 2 Bathrooms, very private Hot Tub, Wood Burning Fireplace, Flat screen with surround sound, Game Room, Air Hockey, Foosball Table, large screened in deck, large BBQ area with picnic tables, Dishwasher, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. Seasonal Pool Access and this Cabin for rent is PET FRIENDLY! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Secret Falls 2 Bedroom Cabin Pigeon Forge 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Cabin, Sleeps 7, Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley area, Scenic River View, Cascades and Waterfalls, Loft, Covered and screened in Hot tub, Wood Burning Fireplace, Pool Table, Washer and Dryer, Dishwasher, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels. 100 year old Historic Cabin. Towels, linens and firewood are included. Smoking allowed but discouraged. PET FRIENDLY! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Pooh Bear Lair 1 Bedroom Chalet Gatlinburg 1 Bedroom, 2 Bath Chalet, Sleeps 2, King Size Bed, Gatlinburg, Chalet Village area, Scenic Wooded Views, Hot tub, Jacuzzi, Gas Fireplace, Bumper Pool Table, TV, DVD, VCR, Private Deck, Charcoal Grill, Dishwasher, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels, Access to Swimming Pools, Kiddie Pools, Playgrounds, Tennis Courts, and Game Rooms. Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

Log Heaven 1 Bedroom Cabin in Gatlinburg 1 Bedroom, 1.5 bath Cabin, Sleeps 2, King Size Bed, Gatlinburg, Chalet Village, Scenic Wooded View, Loft, Hot tub, Jacuzzi, Wood Burning Fireplace, Pool Table, 2 TV's, VCR, Covered Deck, Charcoal BBQ Grill, Dishwasher, Central Air Conditioning and Heating, linens and towels, Access to 3 Clubhouses with Conference and Wedding Reception Facilities, Swimming Pools, Kiddy Pools, Playgrounds, Tennis Courts, and Game Rooms. This Cabin Rental is PET FRIENDLY! Click Here To Visit This Cabin or Rent This Cabin Online Now

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy your leaf peeping this fall in the Tennessee Smokies!

More About Peak Leaf Season in the Great Smoky Mountains:

• Peak Leaf Color Season Dates In Cades Cove and the Great Smoky Mountains for 2012
• Peak Leaf Season Dates For Fall of 2012
• Smoky Mountains Fall Color Season: Where and When To See the Best Leaves In 2010

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.

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

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

Cades Cove showing best leaf colors of the fall season right now – where are you?

Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains national park is right now in middle of peak leaf season and is showing off fantastic leaf colors on the fields, tree lines and all alongside the mountains that ring the Cades Cove Valley. Right now is the best time to see fall colors in Cades Cove!

Most of the leaf peepers are gone - especially during the week and what they missed is the 2008 peak of the Cades Cove fall colors that keep getting better by the day.

While much of the Great Smoky Mountains national park is still green and the peak colors are a week or more away - Cades Cover is in peak leaf season right now!

Though the fields are slowly tuning golden yellow, there is still enough green and will be for a while to set of the amazing bright colors that are now glowing in the leaves in and around Cades Cove.

Since winter in the Smoky Mountains is right around the corner and some of the animals will find it harder to find food or will be hibernating, now if a great time to spot wildlife in Cades Cove.

The deer have turned in their golden brown coats for a darker gray coat to better hide in the winter woods. The young fawns have grown quite a bit and are losing their baby spots and venture further away from mama deer and the bucks have shed their velvet on their antlers and rutting season will begin soon.

Though it is getting harder to spot them you can still find bear roaming around looking for acorns and persimmons in Cades Cove. They are getting huge this time of year as they are storing up fat for winter.

The Coyote are active year round but have grown in a winter coats and their tails are a little bushier. Best time to spot the Coyote and bear are earlier in the morning or near dusk.

Squirrels and Chipmunks are easy to spot around trees and the rocks in the woods. Most of the noise you hear in the leaves rustling the fall leaves in Cades Cove are in fact the squirrels searching for the acorns that the black bear have missed.

The falls colors also form the perfect backdrop when talking pictures or just appreciating the view of all of the historic buildings in the Cades Cove Valley.

There are many historic buildings along the Cades Cove 11 mile Loop and taking a driving tour of Cades Cove is a great way to see them all. You can find a Cades Cove Driving Tour Booklet at the entrance of Cades Cove.

The hour just after sunrise and the hour before sunset brings out even more color and punch to the fall leaf colors in Cades Cove. This is the best time to take pictures!

How long will the fall colors last in Cades Cove? There should be at least another 2 weeks of good color in Cades Cove. The Oak trees and other hardwood are just starting to change and there are still tons of trees that are still green so wee have a ways to go.

Just because it is peak leaf season right now doesn't mean you won't be able to see fantastic scenery in the Great Smoky Mountains national park for weeks to come.

Even in the winter when the leaves have fallen, there are still plenty of pines, firs, hemlocks and rhododendron that stay green all winter long and a sprinkle of snow and you have a Christmas card quality picture!

Fall colors at peak in the Sinks area of the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Fall colors here at the Smoky Mountains are just starting to peak in some areas and even though we had snow 2 days ago, yesterday was a beautiful sunny day with comfortable fall temperatures.

Many leaves have fallen early but that doesn't mean that you have missed the fall peak season for 2008. As a matter of fact the best and brightest colors are just starting to pop out all over the Smoky Mountains.

This fall report is for the Sinks area just off of Little River Road between Gatlinburg and Townsend Tennessee a short drive from Elkmont, Wears Valley and the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area.

The Meigs Creek Trailhead is at the Sinks parking area which is right by a bridge and is marked as a congested area by national park road signs and is located between Elkmont and the Townsend Wye.

The Sinks Waterfall is a popular place for people to come to year round to see the massive rocks, deep pools and the beautiful waterfall. Though people try to, this is not a place to swim due to very fast moving water and submerged rocks.

In the winter the sinks pools can freeze up and be careful if you are climbing on the rocks around the sinks when they are wet or icy as a slip can lead to a serious fall.

Sit here before hiking and take a few pictures of the falls and listen to the roar of the water. Look around and you will see most of the trees here have not even started to change colors or are just starting to lighten in color.

The Meigs Creek Trail is wide comfortable trail to hike on that only goes for about 3.5 miles. It passes through deep forests with beautiful huge trees, along a low ridge line, along the Meigs Creek and lower forests and back up another low ridge where it meets with other trails. The only warning is you will have to cross the Meigs Creek often and right now you can do so by walking on rocks and logs.

After you climb a very low hill, the beginning of the Meigs Creek Trail first travels in a lower elevation where you will see a few trees just starting to turn yellow. Expect to see plenty of birds and right now there a 2 bear very active in this area.

You will cross a small creek/wet area and start slowly ascending a series of switchbacks. Here on the switchbacks yellow and some colored leaves are all over the trail and forest floor and the large tress above and below the trail are just changing colors and will have weeks to go before they fall. Occasionally you will see a deer scampering up and down the hills side here.

After about 1/2 mile and a 500 foot elevation gain in on the Meigs Creek Trail you will come to a turn where in the trail and immediately the trail becomes dryer and warmer and within feet the color explodes!

Here is the best peak leaf color right now in this general area of the Smoky Mountains. Flaming reds, oranges, peaches and salmons are missed in with yellows and various shades of green. In the picture below taken on the trail yesterday you can see how deep blue and clear the sky was and how bright the colors in the leaves are.

Here on the ridge line you should keep walking and you will see plenty of yellow pine which will stay green up here year long. Look to the right and you will see mountain peaks all along side you.

These mountain peaks show how much longer the fall color will last. Look at the mountainside and right now you can see the dots of red and orange and yellow starting to turn against the deep dark green of the forest. This is why there is no best time to come see the fall colors in the Smoky Mountains as they last so long!

Take in the ridge line as you walk along it and be sure to look all around you are even along the trail floor small trees and bushes are bursting forth in a riot of color.

Eventually the ridge-line starts to gradually descend lower and lower and the colors slowly gives way to more green as the forest is just starting to gradually change color.

Lots of yellow leaves are on the forest floor here and you will start to have the Meigs Creek and tributaries more than 10 times before you reach the end of the trail.

If you brought along a camera take a picture of the leaves flowing on the top of the water showing of their colors and floating down the small waterfalls and around the rocks which you can use to cross the creek.

It's so quite here except for the sound of the water and the gentle sound of the leaves falling. This is a great spot to take a picnic lunch but be sure to pack up and take everything you brought into the woods back out with you.

Look in the trees, bushes and along the forest floor while you are hiking and you will see plenty of berries and nuts that will be a autumn feast to the large and small animals that live in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Alongside the trail and on the rocks and some of the logs you will see plenty of partridge berry plants (Rubiaceae Mitchella) in some areas. These small ground cover plants have deep green leaves and pretty bright red berries. If you are lucky and look hard enough you may still be able to find a few blooming as I did yesterday.

The hiking trail starts to now ascend and you will see some patches of fantastic fall color. The leaves of the ground are in a rainbow of glowing colors and you will hit patches of red and orange that would hurt your eyes if you stare at them!

You will also walk through a deep green tunnel of rhododendron bushes that will stay green year round. Many of the trees are still green here giving you an opportunity to see great fall colors for weeks to come.

Eventually the trail starts to ascend more steeply for a few hundred feet and you will come to the end of the trail where it meets 2 other trails. If you want to go further in and see more color at peak, go to the right and take the trail to Tremont.

This was not a hard hike and is right now one of the best places to see the fall colors.

If you could not make it this year, there is always next year to come stay in the Smokies and enjoy the best of the fall color.