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Author Topic: Great Smoky National Park  (Read 2965 times)

Scott O.

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Great Smoky National Park
« on: April 15, 2015, 10:06:51 am »

Headed to the Smokies in the near future. Not too familiar with the area, so wonder if any of you can suggest areas or specific places which are not to be missed. We will be there 5 days...

Les Sparks

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Re: Great Smoky National Park
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2015, 02:43:18 pm »

The Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail in Gatlinburg takes you to several interesting spots including Grotto Fall, Place of a thousand drips, old mills, etc.
The Deep Creek Area has lots of waterfalls and wildflowers should be in bloom.
Elk are in the Cataloochee section of the park.
Cades cove is one of the highlights of the park for many people. You get a look at the area before the park was established. Old cabins and farms. Catalooche also has the remains of the community that existed before the park.
Visit the NPS park site and get the trail map for places to see and hikes.
Take you rain gear because this can be a wet time of year.
Les
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new_haven

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Re: Great Smoky National Park
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2015, 10:23:22 am »

I recommend the hike to Spruce Flat Falls near the Institute at Tremont.
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Les Sparks

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Re: Great Smoky National Park
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2015, 02:48:57 pm »

Big Creek is another great area to visit. Deep Creek has its page on the NPS site, http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/deepcreek.htm, Big Creek doesn't. Big Creek can be reached off of HWY out of Cosby TN or off exit exit 451 on I40 Just before the NC, TN line. If you have a large RV, you probably won't be able to make a couple of the curves on 32 so exit 451 is the way to go.

The trail at Big Springs follows an old railroad so the grade is gentle. The trail follows Big Springs which was on long cascade full of water when we were there in early May 2012.
I've got some info on the park on my website at http://ncsparks.com/smokies/index.php
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tim wolcott

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Re: Great Smoky National Park
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2015, 12:53:42 am »

Its over the dogwoods are fried.  But here a couple I shot two weeks ago with Steven Friedman.

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Tony Ventouris Photography

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Re: Great Smoky National Park
« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2015, 11:01:30 am »

I just got back from there!  Be prepared for traffic in the park.  One bear sighting and all the cars get stuck when someone leaves their car in the middle of the road to snap an iphone pic.  Its pretty funny...and ridiculous. 

That aside, its awesome.  I suggest the trail maps that are purchased from the NPS centers.  There is one just outside the park in townsend.  They are like a dollar or two.  Also, check out google maps of the park to see the roads as well.  Between the two you can do some decent planning cause once you get in the park there is no cell reception.  So no data or gps mapping with a phone.

All the spots mentioned are great.  Cades cove has some great landscape opportunities too beyond the wildlife.  The rivers and creeks all over the park are excellent.  You can just drive up and down along them and find photographic spots. 

ericbowles

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Re: Great Smoky National Park
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2015, 07:57:52 am »

I'm in the Smokies regularly leading tours and providing instruction and guide service.  It's a big park and with just 5 days, you'll need to prioritize.  Driving from Townsend to the opposite side of the park in Cataloochee Valley would take nearly three hours each way.  Also consider the time of year and shoot what's available.  The Smokies is a year around park with great photo opportunities throughout the year. 

Traffic in Cades Cove is a problem - especially on weekends or from late morning until sunset.  I've had it take an hour to drive just three miles to a sunset location.  You need to plan carefully for visits into Cades Cove.  I emphasize the early morning, and only have one sunset shoot in Cades Cove.  Cades Cove is the place for wildlife - but what you look for varies seasonally.  It's also a great place for landscapes.

The Roaring Fork area is also good but quite busy.  It's another one of those early morning places because the one lane road can turn into gridlock on a busy summer weekend.

Tremont and Greenbrier are wonderful areas for stream photography.  You can spend hours in either area and revisit the same locations on multiple days.

Clingman's Dome is a good place for sunrise and sunset but it involves a long drive.  Clingman's is an hour from Gatlinburg.  The sun rises very early and sets late due to the elevation.  And you may be completely socked in by fog.

Cataloochee Valley is a small version of Cades Cove - and lacks the crowds.  It's a good place to get away from some crowds and has some nice trails.





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Eric Bowles
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