Fall Colors in the Smokies and other parts of east Tennessee

(The following is an edited re-post from my friends at the GSMNP)

Forecasting the fall color change calls to mind the comedy routine of the late George Carlin as the “hippy-dippy weatherman” who said, “Tonight’s forecast: Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning.”

The leaves will inevitably change color as the days shorten and the nights grow cooler. The real question is whether autumn will bring a fiery burst of color, or a slow parade of muted pigments that fade from yellow to brown.

Kathy Mathews teaches biology at Western Carolina University, and every fall for the past nine years she has issued a color forecast based on the complex interaction between leaf chemistry and weather patterns.

Mathews’ forecast in late summer wasn’t encouraging. Based on consistent rain as far back as April, she called for a below-average color display this fall. A few weeks ago Mathews changed her forecast. Now, thanks to the recent dry weather coupled with sunny days and cool nights, she believes the stage is set for good leaf color.

“Until we get the first frost, the colors will be uneven,” Mathews said. “Frost kills the chlorophyll and brings out the other pigments that are more cold-resistant. That’s when all the trees change at the same time.”

It used to be that leaf colors at the lower elevations peaked around the second week of October. In recent years the peak has come about two weeks later, usually in late October or early November. Scientists say the delay is likely due to warming weather patterns.
(Hmmm?...is this what some call Climate Change?)

In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park there already is a splash of color above 4,000-feet elevation; lower down, the main leaf season still is about three weeks away. The park’s dogwood, sumac and sourwood trees already have turned orange and red. In a few weeks the hickories, maple and oaks will follow suit to produce the fiery colors that make October the park’s second busiest month next to July.

The Smokies maintains a fall color Web page — www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fallcolor.htm — that’s updated weekly.

The Cherokee National Forests’ fall color report can be found online at: www.fs.usda.gov/cherokee/. After accessing the home page, scroll down to “Spotlights” and click on the “Fall Color Report.”

Here are some other recommended scenic drives for viewing fall colors in East Tennessee. Bear in mind that color will come and go sooner at the higher elevations than the lower elevations.

* The Ocoee Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 64) through the Ocoee River gorge, elevation 838 at Lake Ocoee to 2,200 feet at the Chilhowee Recreation Area.

* Foothills Parkway, western tip of the Smokies, elevation 850 feet.

* Cherohala Skyway, Cherokee National Forest and Nantahala National Forest, elevation 930 at Tellico Plains to 5,390 feet at the crest of the highway.

* Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, elevation 2,440 feet at the Pinnacle Overlook.

* The Blue Ridge Parkway’s southern terminus between Cherokee and Asheville, N.C., average elevation, 5,000 feet.

Fall colors in the Smokies...Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail will close for the season on the evening of October 31, 2014...

Hello to all, we apologize for the lack of current post but we have been busy!  Busy with things like jobs, activism, other volunteer commitments, and hiking of course!!!  We have just fallen behind in keeping these post up to date.

So forgive our derelictions. I thought we could start with the following for those who may be traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains NP for the fall colors.

(Thursday Oct 2)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail will close for the season on the evening of October 31, 2014 and will remain closed until April 30, 2015 to replace eight bridges along the 5.5-mile, one-way roadway. The road will be closed to all public use including hiking and biking.

Due to the complete removal of the bridges and the use of large equipment to perform repair work, the road will be closed to all users. Hikers may not walk along the road to access trailheads, but may use connector trails to access the area. To access both Trillium Gap and Baskins Creek trails, hikers may begin their hike at the Rainbow Falls trailhead on Cherokee Orchard Road by following the connector trail for 0.6 miles to the Baskins Creek trailhead and 2.3 miles to the Trillium Gap trailhead. Baskins Creek Trail hikers may cross the road and walk to Baskins Creek Falls and continue east to the opposite end of Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Hikers may not cross the road for thru-access to Grapeyard Ridge Trail due to bridge construction at this intersection. However, hikers can enjoy the Grapeyard Ridge Trail by accessing it from the Greenbrier area and hiking west towards Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail which allows access to backcountry campsite 32. 

For more information about road closures, please visit the park’s website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm or call the park’s Road and Weather Information Line at 865-436-1200.

Ramsey Cascades

This was my first hike to the infamous Ramsey Cascades, and one which I should have taken long ago.  Man!, if not for my own enjoyment and enlightenment, then I should have been required to hike it before I was allowed to give out any recommendations to visitors while a volunteer at the Sugarlands Visitor Center.  Dude, I asked others (volunteers and staff) who had hiked it to get a feel for who I should and should not recommend this hike to when working.   Well, while making this walk I realized I had underestimated what I perceived in the descriptions given to me about this route and hoped I did not put anyone in danger with my inexperienced  advice.  Though in my defense I remember usually getting someone to help with these questions from visitors when possible.

There are some important aspects one should consider before taking this trail.  One being the distance, two being the long straight sections of incline on the route, three being rough rocky portions of trail, and also the relative remoteness of the trail access.  If you have time, relatively good physical endurance, and strong ankles and knees then it is well worth meeting these challenges and seeing another awesome section of the GSMNP.  I would rate this route as challenging to difficult depending on ones physical health and mobility.

Rich Mountain Trail

Wow!  This spring hike was very pleasant and brought with it lots of blooming plants and one of the many varieties of Salamanders found in this area of the Appalachians.  I began this hike from the access point on where Rich Mtn. rd. leaves the park and where you can reach it coming from Townsend, without having to drive through the park and into Cades Cove.  I have done the Rich Mtn. Loop from this point and though it adds a few miles to the hike I prefer that to the time I'd spend in car getting to and from the Cades Cove loop.






























This area of the Appalachain Mountains, in which the GSMNP sits, is the salamander capitol of the world (http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/amphibians.htm).  Currently 30 different species have been identified.  This salamander was floating with several others in the well site for the old  Rich Mtn. fire tower site atop Cerulean Knob, the highest point on Rich Mountain at 3686'.  This hike would be a moderate to strenuous hike for the the experienced , conditioned hiker, depending on the rate at which one climbs up the continuous 2+ mile incline from the trailhead to campsite #5, and the trail junction.
I do this hike often as a day hike and find it challenging each time as well as rewarding with lots of flowers blooming in some fashion throughout most of the year and some awesome views from the fire tower site looking back at Clingmans Dome and some higher peaks in that vicinity.  Another great hike to be grateful for.  Peace

Stone Mountain GA

While working in the Atlanta area I was staying near this big rock sticking out of the ground, commonly known as Stone Mountain, and knew while I was there I'd have to get up on it. This park area is used heavily by locals and folks from the immediate metro Atlanta area. The mountain has an elevation of 1686', with an actual vertical of 825' from the base and has a primary foot trail (1.3 mls each way), which just heads straight up the "rock" and thus is steep. The vertical gain on this trail is almost 900' which makes it very strenuous for most people and on the spring days when I hiked on the mountain I saw several folks who the were needing to pace themselves better and avoid the cramps and relative levels of dangerous over-exertion. There is also a Skyride which folks can use to access the summit. This is a day use park. The photo below is from the summit with some of the Atlanta skyline in the background. If you'd rather ride a bike then you're in luck! There is a road which circles the mountain and which vehicle access to is limited because it is within the park boundary. The park is self-contained and charges fees for vehicle access. There are various parking spots and areas outside the park perimeter which one can utilize; which is what I did, and then walk in to avoid paying the daily rate for vehicles inside the park. If you are an experienced hiker and look at the map for the park before you start you'll notice some primitive access roads for maintenance, which with some imagination and a little bushwhacking, you'll be able to find a route(s) to the top without having the crowds on the primary trail. This picture below was from a route I chose off the trial and I am heading to those trees on the top right of this picture which was just short of the summit. If you'd like further details on the routes I followed just respond and I'll send you the details. I'd recommend this day hike if your in the area as there are some great views and awesome geology.

Going Downhill

This walk was approximately 12 miles, beginning off the Clingman's Dome road, at the Sugarlands Mountain trailhead. There is a small parking area just across the road from this access point, where the Fork Ridge trail comes out of the woods. The whole route continues along Sugarlands Mtn trail, to the Fighting Creek Gap and the Laurel Falls trail. What an awesome hike! I had inquired about this hike several times over the last few years as I would see folks coming off the end of this route into the parking area, which is primarily used by folks hiking the Laurel Falls trail, when I'd be there working as a volunteer in the park (VIP). The trail begins at close to 6000', and maintains elevation for most of the hike. A hike which I'll do again in the fall in order to experience the changing colors and potential views. Though notice that in the one picture there are no leaves on the trees yet, except for the rhododendrons, and it's the middle of April. Winter lasted this year. I'd estimate in the last 3-4 miles of this hike is when the most elevation was lost and that the majority of our walk was along ridgelines. Though there was a relative decline throughout the walk it was a strenuous hike in both the distance and in the use of different muscles when walking downhill on natural terrain for this distance. The only camping on this route was the Mt Collins shelter which is a few hundred feet into the trail as I have described it here.

Back Country Search and Rescue

The GSMNP Rangers demonstrate once again their importance and...more importantly this incident again points to the need for every hiker, be it for a an overnight or a day-hike, to be knowledgeable and prepared for about what they are getting ready to do and not full of some make believe BS that they think they know from watching a TV show. 
http://www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/12325-a-winter-rescue-rangers-trek-into-frigid-snowy-darkness-to-save-hikers