I hit the White Oak Sinks last year the weekend of April 21. It was a few days past peak. This year everything seems to be about 3 weeks early, so April 14th may be too late for flowers in the lower elevations such as White Oak Sinks and Cades Cove. If you head up to high elevations you may have better luck.
April 7 is Easter weekend and you may find things pretty crowded.
I generally find the sinks bloom much later than you would think -- even later than the Chimney Picnic Area which is well over 2000 feet.
Unfortunately I can't go up next weekend, but I'll shoot for the following one!
Thanks for the heads up!
Posted by Thomas Biggs on March 25, 2012 at 9:20 PM
I'm heading down the 31st for a few days. Not sure I'll make the sinks, but I'll report what I find wherever I end up.
Posted by Nye Simmons on March 31, 2012 at 6:00 PM
Hello to all
yesterday the dogwoods were in full bloom along Little River Road - sweet whit trillium along the same grandiflora and phacelia at Chimneys picnic area and above along the hairpin bends
phlox there and laong Little River Road - that suggests WO sinks is at prime but I have no first or second hand knowledge - I will be taking a friend out somewhere on Monday - working at the "body shop" this weekend. Will post a followup
the sweet whites came up ealry the littel side stream near the "Y" that is so popular is not as godo this year due to a very large hole in a major leaf - its possible to postion the blossom "just so" and minimiaze it but requres care - it could be on its way out soon
redbuds were good along Foothills parkway east around mid-week last week
everything ismoving very fast
Tremont is so-so at best - many of the dogwoods in the classic comps went mostly to leaf LR Road is better
I spent Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday morning in the park. Trillium at lower elevations up to Newfound Gap are at or near peak. Dogwoods looked good along the Little River Road. White Oak Sinks was about a week from peak Sunday. Did find one Yellow Lady Slipper bloomed out but all the others were still a few days away. Also hiked Deep Creek and was disappointed. Other than fields of Phlox, there wasn't as much on the south side of the park. I'd say anytime this week through this weekend will be great. Not so sure about the traditional peak time around April 20.
Water flow is good right now with evening rains most every day. Green moss in the creaks is fantastic. I heard Roaring Fork was great but there were way too many cars and people to do any shooting there.
Posted by Steve Hamley on April 3, 2012 at 11:17 PM
I have a friend coming on the 13th of April to photograph GSM area. We planned the trip before the end of last year. Normally it would be a great time. He's from Arizona. Any suggestions on where to go and what may be left? I have a time share rented in Gatlinburg, so we are limited on travel.
You can always move up to higher elevations to find the flowers. There will still be plenty left. I'm planning on going again the weekend of April 20 - 21, which is when most of the organized photo workshops are going on. You should be able to find some young wildlife in the Cades Cove area.
Discussion
8 repliesGiven the earliness of spring this year, should I plan to go the weekend of April 7 or 14th?
Thanks
I hit the White Oak Sinks last year the weekend of April 21. It was a few days past peak. This year everything seems to be about 3 weeks early, so April 14th may be too late for flowers in the lower elevations such as White Oak Sinks and Cades Cove. If you head up to high elevations you may have better luck.
April 7 is Easter weekend and you may find things pretty crowded.
I generally find the sinks bloom much later than you would think -- even later than the Chimney Picnic Area which is well over 2000 feet.
Unfortunately I can't go up next weekend, but I'll shoot for the following one!
Thanks for the heads up!
Hello to all
yesterday the dogwoods were in full bloom along Little River Road - sweet whit trillium along the same grandiflora and phacelia at Chimneys picnic area and above along the hairpin bends
phlox there and laong Little River Road - that suggests WO sinks is at prime but I have no first or second hand knowledge - I will be taking a friend out somewhere on Monday - working at the "body shop" this weekend. Will post a followup
the sweet whites came up ealry the littel side stream near the "Y" that is so popular is not as godo this year due to a very large hole in a major leaf - its possible to postion the blossom "just so" and minimiaze it but requres care - it could be on its way out soon
redbuds were good along Foothills parkway east around mid-week last week
everything ismoving very fast
Tremont is so-so at best - many of the dogwoods in the classic comps went mostly to leaf LR Road is better
Water flow is good right now with evening rains most every day. Green moss in the creaks is fantastic. I heard Roaring Fork was great but there were way too many cars and people to do any shooting there.
Cheers, Steve
You might check out this websites for updates
http://www.smokiesinformation.org/nature-wildlife/wildflower-updates/