Day 6 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

As Wilderness Wildlife Week in the Pigeon Forge Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains rolls into day 6, snow flurries are still falling and in scattered places in the Smokies and the thermometer are reading 5 degrees at the Le Conte center right now.

Sure we expected an inch of snow and were questioning whether some of the guided hikes could take place yesterday in the Great Smoky Mountains national park, what we didn't expect is up to 4 inches in some areas!

It is beautiful here in Pigeon Forge right however we all doubt that the guided Wilderness Wildlife Week hikes will take place today since most of the park roads are still closed and even areas that have access are still very icy and not necessary safe to hike around in.

The great news is the major roads are clear to get you to the LeConte Center off Teaster Lane when the indoor programs for Wilderness Wildlife Week take place and there are some great free programs that you can enjoy in the comfort of this great location.

So what programs are today's must see events? Ranger Bill Stiver the parks head of Wildlife Managements program on black bear will be incredible and you can ask him any wildlife question as well.

You also won't want to miss the Easy and Quick Guitar for the Absolute Adult Beginner works, and works well you will be able to play, and The Story of Pittman Center which will be presented by a former park resident, park ranger and Mayor Glenn Cardwell who is one of my favorite hiking buddies. Enjoy his humor and great knowledge of the Smokies.

There will also be more musical performances at Wilderness Wildlife Week by Boogertown Gap as well as Old Harp Singer and more.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 6: Thursday, January 30th 2014

• 8 – 11am: Introduction to Tracking People in the Outdoors. Presented by Joe Kelley. Taking place at room South 2.
• 8:45 – 9:45am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Somethin’s Fishy: Fish and Water In and Around Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by Matt Kulp. Taking place at room North 2.
• 9 – Noon: Basket Making. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Theresa Tyler. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 10 – 11am: Arches Along the Way: A Presentation of Arches and Natural Bridges Along Tennessee’s Trails. Presented by Keith Garnes. Taking place at room North 3.
• 10 – 11am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Ancient Rhythms: Native American Flute. Presented by Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 10 – 11am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Making a Gemstone Bracelet. Limited to 12 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by LaDonna Twyman of the Jim Gray Gallery. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 10 – 11:30am: The Wolves of Bays Mountain. Presented by Rick and Rhonda Goins of the Bays Mountain Park. Taking place at room South 3.
• 10:15 – 11:15am: The Garden Unseen Slide Presentation. Presented by Dr. Alan S. Heilman. Taking place at room North 2.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! The Story of Pittman Center. Presented by Glenn Cardwell. Taking place at room North 3.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The State Parks of East Tennessee Video Presentation. Presented by Robin Peeler Wooten. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: Special Kids Track. Garbage Pizza: Keep Sevier Beautiful. Limited to 30 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 11:30 – 1pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Journey on the Camino de Santiago, Part 2 (2013). Presented by Olga Pader. Taking place at room South 2.
• Noon – 1pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Outdoor Recreation: Alternatives to Hiking. Presented by Mark Kilgore of Bays Mountain Park. Taking place at room South 3.
• 12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count Video Presentation. Presented by Regina Garr of Birds-I-View. Taking place at room North 2.
• 12:30 – 1:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Smoky Mountain Ballads, Part 2. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Bear Tales: True, False and Partially True Stories About Bears. Presented by Kathy Sherrard of Appalachian Bear Rescue. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Rev. Dr. John Burnett, Founder of Pittman Community Church Monologue. Rev. Burnett the founder of Pittman Community and school was an active pastor and bishop of many Methodist and Episcopal churches in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Presented by Will Rabert. Taking place at room South 1.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Pioneer Toy Making. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Roy Henson. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Make a Native American Dreamcatcher. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants may choose to make a traditional or modern dream-catcher. Presented by Sue Todd. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Bats of the Great Smoky Mountains: Where We Stand with White Nose Syndrome. Presented by Jay Carr. Taking place at room North 3.
• 1:30 – 3pm: Do It Yourself: Building a Backyard Bird Habitat. Presented by Mark Dunaway. Taking place at room South 3.
• 2 – 3pm: Southern Appalachian Wildflowers Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at room North 2.
• 2 – 3pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Old Time Hymns. Presented by Don Huskey, Marcia Huskey Nelson and Roger Helton. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 2:45 – 3:45 pm: Black Bear Management in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by Bill Stiver. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 3 – 4pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! "Express Yourself" and "Go Hogwild" On All New Expressions and Sayings. Presented by Kathy Gwinn. Taking place at room North 3.
• 3 – 4pm: Ghost Birds!: Jim Tanner and the Ivory Billed Woodpecker. Presented by Stephen Lyn Bales of the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at room South 2.
• 3 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Workshop for Beginning Old Time Banjo. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Forest Insects and Disease in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by Jesse Webster. Taking place at room South 3.
• 3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Be a Junior Bear Biologist. Presented by Marci Spencer of the Appalachian Bear Rescue. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 3:30 – 5 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Civil War in the West, 1864-1865. Presented by Jack Carman of Wildflowers of Tennessee. Taking place at room North 2.
• 3:30 – 5:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Old Harp Singing School. Presented by David Sarten. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 4:30 – 5:30pm: Coexisting with Black Bears. Presented by Joel and Kathy Zachry of Great Outdoors! Adventure Travel. Taking place at room North 3.
• 4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! The History of Pigeon Forge’s Old Mill Square. Presented by representatives of Old Mill Square. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 4:30 – 6 pm: My Experience Through-Hiking the Appalachian Trail Video Presentation for mature adults. Presented by Bert Kunze. Taking place at room South 2.
• 5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Trekking to the Top of Kilimanjaro. Presented by Allyson and Chris Virden. Taking place at room North 2.
• 5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Easy and Quick Guitar for the Absolute Adult Beginner. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Some guitars available, but participants are urged to bring their own. Presented by Anna Uptain. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 5:45 – 6:45 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Native American Stories. Presented by Lloyd Arneach. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 6pm: Saturday Hike Signups Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 6 – 7pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Hymns and Songs of Faith. Presented by Whaley Family Singers. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 7:15pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Spiritual Lessons from Nature. Presented by Chuck Summers and 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

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!

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!

Fall colors to peak and intensify after cold snap and snow in the Smokies

The Tennessee Smoky Mountains has had spectacular weather this whole fall and late summer. Maybe a little too nice as there have been no very cold days to snap the leaves into the bright fall colors in the mid and lower elevations.

Yesterday morning the upper elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains where shrouded in deep dark snow clouds which dropped snow on the high elevations and even down to mid elevations prompting road closures in the national park and for hikers to break out the hats and gloves.

Since the fall colors were the brightest and best in the Roaring Fork area right next to Gatlinburg and minutes from Pigeon Forge, it was time to check out to see if the cold weather made the fall colors even better.

One of the most popular hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains national park is the Rainbow falls trail. Most hikers only go up the first 2.5 miles where the waterfall is but you can take the trail all the way up to the Mt Le Conte summit.

The parking area fall colors were just a little brighter and even though it seemed warm here, the trial climbs quite a bit so bringing gloves, a hat and a vest was a must.

Just about 40 minutes into the trail which first starts along the stream the trail heads deeper into the woods and there is a switchback bend. While there were a few leaves along the way that had a few snow flakes on them, the major snow on the trail started just after the bend.

Here the bright yellow trees burst forth in color and look fantastic against the dark greens and contrast beautifully against the white snow. Normally you get a great view of the mountain peaks across the trial, but the snow was falling hard high up and hid the peaks.

While you are hiking on this trail don't just admire the bright colored fall leaves just about to peak, look around and you will see moss covered chestnut trees on the forest floor dusted with snow and the huge boulders.

This time of the year you should also be able to catch a glimpse of a chipmunk and you will hear the red and gray squirrels chattering way at each other as they jump from branch to branch of the trees knocking down colorful leaves and snow as they perform their acrobatics.

Squirrels and other animals right now in the Great Smoky Mountains national park are already sporting their heavy winter coats and are working hard to eat what they can to build up their winter fat. The squirrel eating below was on the trail and not concerned about anything other than eating acorns.

As you are gaining altitude you will notice it is getting a little colder and the snow is a little deeper and there are few outstanding overlooks as well.

While this is a heavily traveled hiking trail, more often than not you will find it quiet where you can hear the wind blowing through the leaves in the trees and the far away gurgle of streams and creeks.

Sometimes it is so quiet up here you think you are hearing the noise of traffic in the distance. Listen carefully, it's actual the wind blowing down the valleys and hollows of the Smoky Mountains.

Even though Rainbow Falls is less than 3 miles from the trailhead it takes most people from 1-1/2 hours to 2 hours to reach the waterfall. Don't rush getting up here as the journey is as special as the destination is.

You will first pass a smaller lower falls where you may have to rock hop as you are crossing the lower part of the falls. Be careful here is it can freeze up and get very slippery.

You continue up the path and the beautiful Rainbow Falls with its shear multi colored walls framed by huge boulders and ringed by trees unfolds in front of you.

As you can see by the picture above, it's not just the water tumbling down the cliff side that sets Rainbow Falls apart from other waterfalls in the area, it is the sheer size and scale of the waterfall, the huge pools of water below and the gigantic boulders littering the stream bed.

Since we are still in a drought situation here in the Smoky Mountains, the flow of water is very light. Sometimes in the spring and summer after big storm of after a big now melt, the huge section of the wall is a flowing curtain of water. In the winter the whole waterfall sometime freezes.

You can see that even though the trees around the falls right now are crusted in a blanket of white snow, the autumn colors are still showing through. You can see yellows, reds, light and dark greens which look stunning what the sky will clear up with a deep blue sky and the snow will glisten like diamonds.

Rainbow Falls gets its name not by the fact that you will see a rainbow in the sky or in the air around the waterfall but by the fact that rocks on the cliff have many colors running from greens to grays, whiles, blacks and yellows.

It is stunning to if the angle of the sun is right see the falls in the 1/2 hour during sunset and sunrise when everything has a golden hue. Flashlights and experience in hiking in the dark is a must of you wish to do this.

Now that the cold weather has set in with freezing temperatures the last few nights, the fall colors are going to accelerate and intensify in color. So far even though the nights are very cold, but by midday you still need a jacket but you won't be freezing.

Be sure to travel around the Smokies as the colors are going to be popping out everywhere now. Even in the lower elevation such as Little River Road and the Spur the color in the leaves is getting better and better.

Personally this is my favorite time to appreciate the fall colors as there are still greens and they look awesome against the contrast of the other leaf colors and of course snow if we get anymore before the leaves drop from the trees.