For those familiar with Great Smoky Mountains NP
Jul 27, 2017 13:21:50 #
Go to Clingman's dome ( I prefer the flexability of the parking lot ) and arrive at least an hour before sunrise. Don't let the fog scare you off, conditions change and the fog does some funky in the early light. Every morning is different and go more than once. I prefer the streams along the Roaring Folk Motor Trail to the bigger waterfalls, lots of decent pull off areas.
Jul 27, 2017 13:33:08 #
Mingo Falls is a stairway up to the top, not difficult and fairly quick with no hiking. It's very nice. Cades Cove I would be waiting at the gate when they open in early am or take your chances in the evening. It's not always open to vehicle traffics so check the days on that. Its cold and often foggy on Clingman's Dome but you can get some nice pics there. Laurel Falls trail if I remember correctly, is paved and worth the walk.
Jul 27, 2017 16:11:58 #
Kissel vonKeister
Loc: Georgia
Firstdance_2000 wrote:
If your timing is not of the necessity, wait till late October, early November, before going. The color and the ambiance will be worth waiting for the 90 days till...plus, bears are
less likely with the exception of Cades Cove.
less likely with the exception of Cades Cove.
Bears? Yell and clap your hands loudly. They scatter. Unless they think you have food.
Jul 27, 2017 20:17:41 #
foathog wrote:
It's Gatlinburg. no G in the middle. If you're into tourist traps Dolleywood is in close vacinity of the Park.
It's Dollywood, no E in the middle. [grin]
Jul 27, 2017 20:29:58 #
big-guy wrote:
Thanks Bob. Guess that knocks out the 29' travel trailer. 
Definitely!
Jul 27, 2017 21:22:04 #
With five days you'll have plenty of time to explore the area. Cades Cove is a must. White water rafting on the Pigeon River shouldn't be skipped.
Jul 27, 2017 21:49:36 #
Cades Cove is a beautiful loop but patience is a must.. People(!) ignore the signs about pulling over and stop at anything they think might be observable - LOOK! a Deer! Maybe they live in Manhattan... Just be ready to slow to a crawl when driving this circuit. If you've never been I'd suggest a walk along the Abrams Creek trail.. It's a 5 mile out and back but if you're not up to the whole trip it's a fine walk for as long as you want... Bring some peanuts to feed the crows at the pull-offs.. Have a great time and happy pic_hunting..
Jul 27, 2017 22:05:56 #
big-guy wrote:
Have planned a trip through the park consisting of up to 5 days and I have several places picked out. What would you toss or cherry pick?
1) Waterrock Knob.
2) Soco Falls.
3) Mingo Falls.
4) Clingmans Dome.
5) Gatlingburg Scenic Overlook.
6) Cades Cove.
I am an early morning and late night (also pronounced all night long) photog so crowds don't bother me.
1) Waterrock Knob.
2) Soco Falls.
3) Mingo Falls.
4) Clingmans Dome.
5) Gatlingburg Scenic Overlook.
6) Cades Cove.
I am an early morning and late night (also pronounced all night long) photog so crowds don't bother me.
You should be able to get all those in, in 5 days. For sure Cades Cove in the early morning before the crowd takes over else you'll be crawling bumper to bumper all the way, esp. on weekends. Between Memorial and Labor day motor traffic is precluded till 10 AM on Saturdays allowing bikers the free run of the loop.
Also check out Roaring Fork if you have the time.
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/roaringfork.htm
Have fun
Jul 28, 2017 08:05:43 #
We will be visiting in mid November so I don't anticipate a lot of crowd issues, maybe Cades Cove but we'll be there first thing. I realize we will be at the tail end of the color season but with anything Mother Nature it's a crap shoot so fingers crossed. The fog is welcome as I love to shoot time-lapse and the fog can be a game changer for the better. To see what I mean, here's a link to a 13 second clip of downtown Kingston Ontario taken from Fort Henry. https://vimeo.com/200618315 I am not opposed to any likes you might want to give.
Once again, I appreciate all your helpful comments.
Once again, I appreciate all your helpful comments.
Jul 28, 2017 08:21:42 #
The visitor's center at SMNP is probably the best that I've been to. There are very interesting booklets on what the area and the people were like before it became a national park. It's quite a history. Mountain people lived there....and were all dispossessed. Much can be learned about them in the center.
Jul 30, 2017 20:24:20 #
ERoutten
Loc: Raleigh, NC
I'll add another vote for the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. There are many nice spots along it. Also, I'd take the Rich Mountain Road near the back of the Cades Cove Loop. It is beautiful and will get you away from the crowds in Cades Cove. If you are looking for a restaurant, it is hard to beat the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and the adjacent Apple Barn has the best apple butter anywhere! ;-)
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