Great Smoky Mountains information

I am going to be photographing in the GSM starting on April 25, 2007 and am interested in any reports from fellow members who hae been there recently or are there now. I understand that frost has killed alot of the early wildflowers and Dogwood and that the weather is still kind of winterlike.( Most of the country is, though.) Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I will be staying in the Townsend area and moving around a bit. I am sure to get some great shots of waterfalls, streams and wildlife, regardless. Thanks in advance for any input.

You should check out the SENP forum. All the photographers there are amazing and helpful. A lot of them frequent the Smokies.

Was there early fall. I like to shoot at the Ocanaluftee visitor center right at sunrise, there is a little historic village there with great fences and a cornfield, tons of dew covered spider webs and heavy fog with the mountains in the background. From there you can head north on Newfound Gap road for great shots of stacked fog and mountains in a number of spots.

Roaring Fork is the spot for cascading brooks, but stay out of Gatlinberg if you can, nightmarish traffic jams and tourist trap! Clingman's Dome is the spot for sunsets, but get there early - there is a wall of photographers within a half hour of sunset - best views are right from the parking lot, which gets crowded.

For waterfalls, Mingo Falls are great, but only if there has been decent rain. Laurel Falls is popular but not that photogenic, I like the Sinks near Elkmont, Grotto Falls are a nice hike and secluded falls on the Roaring Fork, they are also very accessible, you can walk right up to them with a wide angle. Juney Whank falls are also a bit of a hike but nice. Happy shooting!

Philip gave some good advice. Also check out Morton's Overlook for sunset, and don't pass up Cades Cove for early morning fog and wildlife. If you want to make the trek to the NC side of the park, Big Creek is one of my favorite areas. The Baxter Creek trail at Big Creek is wonderful for wildflowers, but they are probably mostly gone by now. Still a good area though, with Big Creek and Mouse Creek Falls. Also on that side is Cataloochee with morning fog, old houses and churches, and wildlife (elk and deer). Have fun!

Thanks to all for responding. Looking forward to a great week of photography.

Hi, Jeff-- I just returned from a trip to the Tennessee side of the Smokies last week. I went to catch the wildflowers and found that almost all of them had been ruined by the warm and then frigid weather, topped by a snow and sleet storm. Found a few yellow trilliums and blue phlox at the lower elevations, but nothing at the higher ones, such as the usually-excellent Cove Hardwoods Nature Trail. Total devastation! Got good shots of other things, like mossy rocks and cascades along Roaring Fork and pastoral scenes at Cades Cove, but if you're eager for spring wildflowers, you'd be better off waiting a year. June should be good for rhododendrons and other summer flowers, but by then the crowds may be something to contend with. Some further advice: Avoid Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg at all costs! The nearby town of Townsend is very nice and has good accommodations and food.

Gerry