Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior SMOKIES GUIDE The Official Newspaper of the Smokies • Fall 2022 e gi st Jo Ya r ko v ic h , Wildli lo io B fe Words with a Ranger Growing up in southwestern Pennsylvania, I was constantly out in the woods chasing after snakes, catching salamanders and crayfish, or going hunting and fishing. When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I gave the traditional answers: things like firefighter or police officer. I had no idea I could make a career out of doing what I loved. That changed when I was a teenager and took my first backpacking trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While I was out on the trail, I ran into one of the park’s wildlife technicians at a backcountry shelter. He told me about the incredible work he was doing with the myriad of wildlife in the Smokies, and I couldn’t believe he was getting paid to do the things he did. I made up my mind right then and there that I would have that job someday. Fast-forward through 17 years of service with the National Park Service to the present, and I serve as a wildlife biologist in the very same park that inspired me to seek a career in the field. When I show up to work in the morning I could be catching newborn elk calves, darting Continued on page 8 A bull elk lets out a high-pitched bugle, raising a challenge to another male. Ear tags like the one pictured help park biologists track and identify individual elk. Image by Phoebe Carnes. Keeping Up with the Herd Ancient rites of autumn return thanks to contemporary science T he Smokies will provide a scenic backdrop to the clashing of titans this fall as bull elk challenge each other in a heated competition for mates. The spectacle known as the rut begins in September when male elk—the largest animals in the Smokies, capable of weighing more than 1,000 pounds— assert their dominance by vocalizing, prancing, and occasionally locking antlers with rivals. Their loud, resonant bugles signal that the annual courtship display has begun and will continue through early November. All the while, special radio collars quietly signal important details about the status of the herd to the park’s wildlife biologists. Although these high-tech collars may seem out of place on wild animals, they’ve become an essential part of preserving the health of the Smokies ecosystem and the elk themselves since OUR PARK ON SOCIAL MEDIA they were reintroduced to the landscape in 2001. The data provided by devices like collars or tags allow biologists to track home ranges and develop population models based on elk survival and reproduction rates. Threats from disease remain a factor, but careful scientific monitoring is helping to ensure a thriving herd of around 200 elk can now roam, and rut, in the Smokies once again. The best places to stop for elk viewing in the park are the pull-offs and designated areas around Cataloochee Valley and the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Just remember that the rut is a time of heightened risk to visitors, so it’s best to use binoculars or a telephoto lens. Federal law prohibits feeding or approaching elk or bear closer than 50 yards or any distance that disturbs or displaces the animals. GreatSmoky MountainsNPS PARK IT FORWARD Beginning in March 2023, parking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will require a valid parking tag. For more info, scan code with camera app GreatSmokyNPS and SmokiesRoadsNPS GreatSmokyNPS S M O K I E S COVID-19 The National Park Service is working with federal, state, and local health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. Check nps. gov/grsm for the latest updates on open facilities, access, and updates on maskwearing requirements. All openings are based on available staffing. Temporary closures may occur on short notice. Play it #SmokiesSafe in the park: • Delay your trip if you are sick • Bring a mask and check for current mask requirements • Send only one or two members of your party into visitor centers • Avoid crowded areas • Maintain social distancing six feet away from others Visitor centers Hours may be modified due to COVID-19. Oconaluftee, Sugarlands, and Cades Cove: open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. September through November; 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. December. Clingmans Dome: open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. September through October; 9 a.m.–5 p.m. November. Road closures • Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to vehicles on Wednesdays from May 4 through September 28 to allow for non-motorized recreation. • Many secondary and higher-­ elevation roads close in late fall and remain closed through winter. Refer to the map on pages 6 and 7 for closing dates for C ­ lingmans Dome Road and other roads that close seasonally. SMOKIES GUIDE T R I P P L A N N E R Services Camping in the national park Smokemont, and Look Rock. Sites may be reserved up to six months in advance. Make your reservation at ­recreation.gov or call 877.444.6777. Site occupancy is limited to six people and two vehicles (a trailer = one vehicle). The maximum stay is 14 days. Campsites for large groups are at Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, and Smokemont. Reservations are required and may be secured up to a year in advance. For more information, visit nps.gov/grsm. The National Park Service maintains developed campgrounds at ten locations in the park. Only Cades Cove and Smokemont are open in winter. There are no showers or hookups other than circuits for special medical uses at Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont. Campsite reservations are required at all park campgrounds, including Abrams Creek, Balsam Mountain, Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, No. of Sites Elevation Expected Open Dates Nightly Fees* Max RV Length Abrams Creek 16 1,125' 4/29 – 10/30 $17.50 12' Balsam Mountain 42 5,310' 5/13 – 10/11 $17.50 30' Big Creek 12 1,700' 4/15 – 10/30 $17.50 tents only $25 35'–40' $25 31' Site Cades Cove 159 1,807' open year-round Cataloochee 27 2,610' 4/15 – 10/30 There are no gas stations, showers, or restaurants in the national park. Firewood To prevent the spread of destructive pests, only USDA- or state-certified heat-treated firewood may be brought into the park. Campers may gather dead and down wood in the park for campfires. Picnic areas Picnic areas at Cades Cove, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, and Metcalf Bottoms are open year-round. Heintooga closes Oct. 11. Big Creek, Collins Creek, Cosby, Look Rock, and Twin Creeks close Oct. 31. Chimneys closes Nov. 29. Picnic pavilions may be reserved for $12.50–$60 at recreation.gov. Some restroom facilities at picnic areas may be closed. For rent The Appalachian Clubhouse and Spence Cabin at Elkmont can be reserved for daytime events at recreation.gov through October 31, 2022. Accommodations LeConte Lodge (accessible by trail only) provides the only lodging in the park. Advanced reservations required. 865.429.5704 or lecontelodge.com Cosby 157 2,459' 4/15 – 10/30 $17.50 25' Deep Creek 92 1,800' 4/15 – 10/30 $25 26' Elkmont 220 2,150' 3/11 – 11/27 $25– $27 32'–35' Smokemont 142 2,198' open year-round $21– $25 Special events and ranger programs 35'–40' Look Rock 68 2,600' TBD $25 no limit Check at visitor centers or nps.gov/ grsm for information about special events and ranger programs. *Camping fees will increase effective March 2023. See QR code on page one for details. Publication dates Smokies Guide is produced four times per year by Great Smoky Mountains Association Spring: mid-March and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Summer: early June Autumn: mid-Sept. Winter: mid-Dec. nps.gov/grsm SmokiesInformation.org Senior Editor Frances Figart Managing Editor Aaron Searcy Supporting Editor Valerie Polk Lead Designer Emma Oxford NPS Coordinator Stephanie Kyriazis Design assistants Karen Key Miranda Bemis © 2022 GSMA P.O. Box 130 Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Smokies Guide Fall 2022 • 2 E Printed on recycled paper Available in digital format at issuu.com/ greatsmokymountains association Download the free NPS App for interactive maps, tours, and more. Bicycling Most park roads are too narrow and heavily traveled for safe or enjoyable bicycling. Bicycles are permitted on park roads but prohibited on trails except Gatlinburg, Oconaluftee River, and lower Deep Creek and Indian Creek trails. Helmets are required by law for persons age �� and under and strongly recommended for all. Cades Cove Loop Road is open exclusively to cyclists and pedestrians on Wednesdays from May 4 through September 28. Bikes may be rented at the Cades Cove ­Campground store. 865.448.9034. Horseback riding Some 550 miles of park trails are open to horses. See park trail map for trails and rules. Horse camps are available at Anthony Creek, Big Creek, Cataloochee, Round Bottom, and Tow String. Make reservations at recreation.gov. Three concession horseback riding stables offer rides from March through November. Call for exact opening dates. • Cades Cove 865.448.9009 cadescovestables.com • Smokemont 828.497.2373 smokemontridingstable.com • Sugarlands 865.436.3535 sugarlandsridingstables.com Fishing Fishing is permitted yearround in the park, but a Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required. Either state license is valid throughout the park, and no trout stamp is required. Fishing with bait is prohibited. Special permits are required for the Qualla Boundary and G ­ atlinburg, and licenses are available in nearby towns. A free fishing map with a complete list of all park fishing regulations is available at visitor centers. roads as long as they are restrained at all times. Pets are not allowed on park trails, except for Gatlinburg and Oconaluftee River trails. Pets must be kept in control on a leash no longer than six feet. Backcountry camping Camping can be an exciting adventure for those who are properly equipped and informed. To facilitate this activity, the NPS maintains more than 800 miles of trails and more than 100 backcountry campsites and shelters throughout the park. One of the greatest challenges is deciding where to go. Here are some tools to help. 1. Get the map. Go online to view the park’s official trail map (nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/maps. htm), which shows all park trails, campsites, and shelters. Park rules and regulations are also listed here. You can purchase the printed version of the trail map for $1 at any park visitor center or online at SmokiesInformation.org. 2. Plan your trip. Call or stop by the park’s Backcountry Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for trip planning help. The office is located in Sugarlands Visitor Center, two miles south of G ­ atlinburg on US 441. 865.436.1297. 3. Get a permit. Make your reservation and get your permit through the Backcountry Office at ­Sugarlands Visitor Center (by GSMNP BY THE NUMBERS phone or in person) or online at smokiespermits.nps.gov. Note: Nightly backcountry permit fees will be increasing to $8 effective March 2023. Scan the QR code on page one for more details. Reservations and permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. The cost is $4 per person per night. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance. Fall hikers should be especially aware of abrupt weather changes and the danger of hypothermia— the dangerous lowering of body temperature. The combination of rain, cold, and wind (especially at the higher elevations) is extremely dangerous. Carry reliable rain gear at all times. Layer clothing that provides warmth when wet (not cotton). Always carry an ample supply of water and food. Know your limits. See page 4 for more trip essentials. Park weather In autumn, a pattern of warm, sunny days and crisp, clear nights emerges by mid-September. However, cool, rainy days may also occur. Snow may fall at higher elevations beginning in November. As winter arrives, days can be sunny and 65°F or snowy with highs in the 20s. Snows of an inch or more may occur at lower ­elevations. Learn the BARK principles so you and your pet can have a safe and fun visit any time you go to a national park. Take the BARK pledge: B ag and bin your pet’s waste A lways leash your pet R espect wildlife K now where you can go 14 million+ 1,000 +species visitors per year new to science found in the park Pets in the park Pets are allowed in frontcountry campgrounds and along bark ranger great smoky mountains national park of species species mtns. higher 31 species salamanders 69 of mammals 9,900+of insects 16 than 6,000' Smokies Guide Fall 2022 • 3 The only two pet-friendly trails in the Smokies are Gatlinburg Trail in TN and Oconaluftee River Trail in NC. Check out the BARK ranger products at SmokiesInformation.org Anything can happen out on the trail, but you’ll be prepared if you keep it SMOKIES SMART! Tell someone where you’re going, stay on established trails, pack the essentials, and know what to do in case of an emergency. Let the NPS Backcountry Office help you plan your hike and prepare for what you may experience along the way. Call 865.436.1297, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. PACK ESSENTIALS IN AN EMERGENCY • Navigation—map, compass, and knowledge of how to use them • Call 911 if you can acquire a signal. • Water and food • Extra layers • Remain with any injured parties until help arrives. Use what basic first-aid techniques you know, but do not attempt invasive intervention unless you are medically trained. • Rain gear and pack cover or waterproof bags • Headlamp or flashlight • Traction support like hiking poles or microspikes •U  se an emergency whistle to issue a series of three spaced blasts every few minutes to alert rescue crews. If you are in an open area, display brightly colored clothing or gear. • Emergency whistle • First aid kit •S  un protection with sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat FOR A LONGER HIKE • Repair kit with multi-tool or knife YOUR CELL PHONE IS NOT • a light • a map • a survival kit • always going to have service • Fire starter • Shelter—emergency tent or tarp Smokies Guide Fall 2022 • 4 THINGS TO DO IN THE FALL Hit the trail T here are more than 800 miles of maintained trails in the Smokies ranging from leisurely quiet walkways to challenging mountain ascents. Just be sure to come prepared with rain gear, layers, and plenty of water and snacks. Download a free copy of the park’s trail map at nps.gov or purchase one for $1 at a visitor center or kiosk. Visitor center bookstores offer hiking references including Day Hikes of the Smokies and Hiking Trails of the Smokies. See page 4 for pack essentials. Find the Smokies Most Wanted Savor the harvest Look out for falling leaves L D earn all about growing, harvesting, and preserving a Smoky Mountain staple at live sorghum syrup–making demonstrations in Cades Cove this fall. Sorghum cane is processed using a century-old mill creating juice that is then boiled to render a sweet, grassy syrup. Demonstrations will be held near the Cades Cove Visitor Center on most weekends from September through November. Try a sample on the spot or pick up a jar of the good stuff at a visitor center bookstore. id you know that there are more than 100 different species of native trees in the Smokies that collectively produce about 13 trillion falling leaves every autumn? Fall colors typically peak between mid-­October and early November but may begin to pop in late September at the highest elevations in the park. Sunny days and crisp, cool nights are thought to bring out the best colors. Check out the views from the Foothills Parkway or park and pick a trail to enjoy the view up close. See page 11 to brush up on your leaf-identification skills. Help scientists gather important information about plants, animals, fungi, and more by using the free iNaturalist app in the park. 1 Get the iNaturalist app Download the app. Log in. Try it out. 2 Record life you find in the Smokies Contemplate the stars T he beautiful views don’t have to end when the sun sets over the Smokies. The park’s size, high peaks, and relative distance from larger cities make for some of the best stargazing in the region. Higher elevations are typically less affected by artificial light. Pull off at a scenic overlook along the Foothills Parkway or try setting up with a telescope at Newfound Gap or a visitor center parking lot. On the evening of November 5, you can join rangers and local astronomy clubs in Cades Cove to learn more about the night sky and view the stars, weather permitting. Photo by Jessie Snow Smokies Guide Fall 2022 • 5 Find a cool organism. Take photos or sound recordings. Post it to iNaturalist. Repeat. Up for a challenge? Look for the target species (like this witch’s butter) in the Smokies Most Wanted guide. Find the guide and more at dlia.org/smokiesmostwanted. Photo by Joshua Bemis To Knoxville To I-40 Cosby 321 129 Lake Cheoah OL I NA Lake Twentymile ke vie Juney Whank Falls Trail wD r al a Swain County Visitor Center 28 ch i ch ala d. Co ve Bi g Balsam Mountain ad g e R id e Parkw ay Cherokee Museum Q UA L L A B O U N DA RY (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians land) Soco Gap Restrooms Horseback Riding (rental) NATIONAL WAYNESVILLE Camping Great Smoky Mountains National Park occupies the traditional lands of the Cherokee (ᏣᎳᎩ, Tsalagi), now the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of the Cherokee. FOREST 441 23 Major Hwys Major Roads Paved Roads Gravel Roads Select Trails B rk w NANTAHALA Dellwood Picnic Areas 74 To Asheville 19 Oconaluftee River Trail SYLVA 28 276 Maggie Valley 23 74 143 Co ve Ro Cre ad ek Exit 20 Mingo Falls Blu Boogerman Loop Trail e Pa ©GSMA2022 129 ) Trail Santeetlah Lake /Rou 441 n JOYCE KILMER - SLICKROCK WILDERNESS AREA in er nt ga 19 Deep Creek BRYSON CITY ed wi oo i nt id g lue R NO Ap p Trail Fontana La ia These temperature and precipitation averages are based on data for the last 20 years. Temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit. An average of over 84 inches (7 feet) of precipitation falls on the higher elevations of the Smokies. Deep Twentymile Cascade Juney Whank Falls Goldmine Loop Trail CHEROKEE os PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST Cataloochee He Ro 441 Indian Creek Falls Tom Branch Falls K AR Smokemont Loop Trail Mountain Farm Museum Loop Trail Ap p i Mingus Hazel Creek Trail il FONTANA VILLAGE at Oconaluftee Mill Visitor Center Bone Valley Trail l T ym went Kan Andrews Bald ra i Deals Gap EE R S ES Wolf Ridge Trail I P L ONA Smokemont il Twentymile Loop Trail Calderwood Lake Chasteen Creek Falls Thunderhead Mountain eT CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST om nte s D wi an i n ek er) int m Big Creek Mount Guyot Kephart Prong Trail Cre ad Tr a n in w r so Pa osed (cl Ro Loop Road closed to motor vehicles on Wednesdays May 4– September 28. Appalachia n ch CA 6.7" 5.6" 7.0" 6.7" 8.0" 8.7" 9.0" 7.6" 7.2" 4.7" 6.8" 6.4" NN 18° 19° 25° 31° 39° 47° 50° 49° 44° 35° 27° 20° n B ra TE 36° 37° 44° 52° 58° 64° 67° 67° 62° 55° 46° 38° PRECIP. H 4.0" 4.1" 5.5" 4.5" 5.7" 5.8" 6.3" 5.3" 4.7" 2.9" 3.4" 4.6" LOW RT 27° 28° 35° 42° 50° 58° 62° 61° 55° 43° 34° 28° AVG. HIGH Clingmans Dome Mouse Creek Falls Trail N AT Tr Clingmans Dome Visitor Center Ramsey Cascades Straig ht F ork R M O U N TA I N S Charlies Bunion rk SMOKY an Newfound Gap Trail Middle Prong Trail ek Trail Cre Heintooga Ridge Rd . Jan. 49° Feb. 53° March 62° April 71° May 77° June 82° July 85° Aug. 84° Sept. 79° Oct. 70° Nov. 60° Dec. 51° PRECIP. Chilhowee Mt. Le Conte elev. 6,593' Alum Cave Bluffs Chimney Tops Chimney Tops Cades Cove Forge Creek Road Alum Cave Trail eR r) d. wi in d re sC ke Fern Branch Falls Cli n (cl g os ed R n n t e r) un t ai Mo Rich p Trail 40 es M ounta i n Bottom Rd nd . b er Ga ek T il ra il Tra lls G R E AT Ja cu m Mount Le Conte il Tra m sF a Cu re r ve d e Daisy Town A Porters Flat Rainbow Falls Lit tle N OR TH C AROL IN Mount Cammerer Trail Lo w Tra Gap il s Trail ade asc Ramsey C Grotto Tr Falls Ri tR Ab ra Abrams Falls Abrams Creek s (clo Little GSM Institute at Tremont Lynn Camp Prong Cascades Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail illi u bo Tram Gap il Tra w F a ll il s r Rive Elkmont on Schoolhouse Gap Trail Sugarlands Visitor Center Road Trail wi n in Ra Meigs Falls Fighting Creek Trail Laurel Falls Laurel Falls Tre m Look Rock Tower o Little Greenbrier School 73 l op Trai ut T stn Ch e Cataract Falls Little Greenbrier Road 321 Heritage Center ad Little Brier Gap Trail ed in Red light #8 Po r t e r s C Fo o t hi Townsend Visitor Center (clos GATLINBURG Wears Valley TENNESSEE Exit 451 Mount Cammerer Hen Wallow Falls Gab Fo Metcalf Bottoms ll s Pa ay rk w Pa ills Cades Cove Visitor Center LOW 73 321 Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center y rk wa Townsend Townsend, TN to: Cades Cove: 9 miles (¼ hour) Newfound Gap: 34 miles (1¼ hours) Gatlinburg: 22 miles (¾ hour) Cherokee: 52 miles (1½ hours) Look Rock: 18 miles (½ hour) Cataloochee: 87 miles (3 hours) AVG. HIGH Cosby Pittman Center r) te To Chattanooga h F o ot CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST 32 Big PIGEON FORGE ek Tra il Walland Hartford Exit 447 441 Greenbrier 129 411 Exit 443 a il 321 th To Newport ay 416 All roads are subject to temporary closures due to dangerous driving conditions. Check twitter.com/SmokiesRoadsNPS for updates. 321 o Fo ill w ar k s P Tr 411 MARYVILLE 32 Heintooga/Round Bottom Road and Straight Fork Road close November 1 Rich Mountain Road and Parson Branch Road close November 13 Little Greenbrier Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail close November 28 Clingmans Dome Road closes November 30 Forge Creek Road closes December 31 129 Gatlinburg, TN to: Cherokee: 34 miles (1 hour) Cades Cove: 27 miles (1 hour) Newfound Gap: 16 miles (½ hour) Clingmans Dome: 23 miles (¾ hour) Cataloochee: 65 miles (2½ hours) Greenbrier Cove: 6 miles (¼ hour) Deep Creek: 48 miles (1½ hours) Gatlinburg, TN elev. 1,462' 321 SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURES All driving times may vary due to traffic conditions. Cherokee, NC to: Gatlinburg: 34 miles (1 hour) Cades Cove: 58 miles (2 hours) Newfound Gap: 18 miles (½ hour) Clingmans Dome: 25 miles (¾ hour) Cataloochee: 39 miles (1½ hours) Deep Creek: 14 miles (½ hour) SEVIERVILLE (cl Driving distances and estimated times ay To Knoxville To I-40 Cosby 321 129 Lake Cheoah OL I NA Lake Twentymile ke vie Juney Whank Falls Trail wD r al a Swain County Visitor Center 28 ch i ch ala d. Co ve Bi g Balsam Mountain ad g e R id e Parkw ay Cherokee Museum Q UA L L A B O U N DA RY (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians land) Soco Gap Restrooms Horseback Riding (rental) NATIONAL WAYNESVILLE Camping Great Smoky Mountains National Park occupies the traditional lands of the Cherokee (ᏣᎳᎩ, Tsalagi), now the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of the Cherokee. FOREST 441 23 Major Hwys Major Roads Paved Roads Gravel Roads Select Trails B rk w NANTAHALA Dellwood Picnic Areas 74 To Asheville 19 Oconaluftee River Trail SYLVA 28 276 Maggie Valley 23 74 143 Co ve Ro Cre ad ek Exit 20 Mingo Falls Blu Boogerman Loop Trail e Pa ©GSMA2022 129 ) Trail Santeetlah Lake /Rou 441 n JOYCE KILMER - SLICKROCK WILDERNESS AREA in er nt ga 19 Deep Creek BRYSON CITY ed wi oo i nt id g lue R NO Ap p Trail Fontana La ia These temperature and precipitation averages are based on data for the last 20 years. Temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit. An average of over 84 inches (7 feet) of precipitation falls on the higher elevations of the Smokies. Deep Twentymile Cascade Juney Whank Falls Goldmine Loop Trail CHEROKEE os PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST Cataloochee He Ro 441 Indian Creek Falls Tom Branch Falls K AR Smokemont Loop Trail Mountain Farm Museum Loop Trail Ap p i Mingus Hazel Creek Trail il FONTANA VILLAGE at Oconaluftee Mill Visitor Center Bone Valley Trail l T ym went Kan Andrews Bald ra i Deals Gap EE R S ES Wolf Ridge Trail I P L ONA Smokemont il Twentymile Loop Trail Calderwood Lake Chasteen Creek Falls Thunderhead Mountain eT CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST om nte s D wi an i n ek er) int m Big Creek Mount Guyot Kephart Prong Trail Cre ad Tr a n in w r so Pa osed (cl Ro Loop Road closed to motor vehicles on Wednesdays May 4– September 28. Appalachia n ch CA 6.7" 5.6" 7.0" 6.7" 8.0" 8.7" 9.0" 7.6" 7.2" 4.7" 6.8" 6.4" NN 18° 19° 25° 31° 39° 47° 50° 49° 44° 35° 27° 20° n B ra TE 36° 37° 44° 52° 58° 64° 67° 67° 62° 55° 46° 38° PRECIP. H 4.0" 4.1" 5.5" 4.5" 5.7" 5.8" 6.3" 5.3" 4.7" 2.9" 3.4" 4.6" LOW RT 27° 28° 35° 42° 50° 58° 62° 61° 55° 43° 34° 28° AVG. HIGH Clingmans Dome Mouse Creek Falls Trail N AT Tr Clingmans Dome Visitor Center Ramsey Cascades Straig ht F ork R M O U N TA I N S Charlies Bunion rk SMOKY an Newfound Gap Trail Middle Prong Trail ek Trail Cre Heintooga Ridge Rd . Jan. 49° Feb. 53° March 62° April 71° May 77° June 82° July 85° Aug. 84° Sept. 79° Oct. 70° Nov. 60° Dec. 51° PRECIP. Chilhowee Mt. Le Conte elev. 6,593' Alum Cave Bluffs Chimney Tops Chimney Tops Cades Cove Forge Creek Road Alum Cave Trail eR r) d. wi in d re sC ke Fern Branch Falls Cli n (cl g os ed R n n t e r) un t ai Mo Rich p Trail 40 es M ounta i n Bottom Rd nd . b er Ga ek T il ra il Tra lls G R E AT Ja cu m Mount Le Conte il Tra m sF a Cu re r ve d e Daisy Town A Porters Flat Rainbow Falls Lit tle N OR TH C AROL IN Mount Cammerer Trail Lo w Tra Gap il s Trail ade asc Ramsey C Grotto Tr Falls Ri tR Ab ra Abrams Falls Abrams Creek s (clo Little GSM Institute at Tremont Lynn Camp Prong Cascades Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail illi u bo Tram Gap il Tra w F a ll il s r Rive Elkmont on Schoolhouse Gap Trail Sugarlands Visitor Center Road Trail wi n in Ra Meigs Falls Fighting Creek Trail Laurel Falls Laurel Falls Tre m Look Rock Tower o Little Greenbrier School 73 l op Trai ut T stn Ch e Cataract Falls Little Greenbrier Road 321 Heritage Center ad Little Brier Gap Trail ed in Red light #8 Po r t e r s C Fo o t hi Townsend Visitor Center (clos GATLINBURG Wears Valley TENNESSEE Exit 451 Mount Cammerer Hen Wallow Falls Gab Fo Metcalf Bottoms ll s Pa ay rk w Pa ills Cades Cove Visitor Center LOW 73 321 Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center y rk wa Townsend Townsend, TN to: Cades Cove: 9 miles (¼ hour) Newfound Gap: 34 miles (1¼ hours) Gatlinburg: 22 miles (¾ hour) Cherokee: 52 miles (1½ hours) Look Rock: 18 miles (½ hour) Cataloochee: 87 miles (3 hours) AVG. HIGH Cosby Pittman Center r) te To Chattanooga h F o ot CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST 32 Big PIGEON FORGE ek Tra il Walland Hartford Exit 447 441 Greenbrier 129 411 Exit 443 a il 321 th To Newport ay 416 All roads are subject to temporary closures due to dangerous driving conditions. Check twitter.com/SmokiesRoadsNPS for updates. 321 o Fo ill w ar k s P Tr 411 MARYVILLE 32 Heintooga/Round Bottom Road and Straight Fork Road close November 1 Rich Mountain Road and Parson Branch Road close November 13 Little Greenbrier Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail close November 28 Clingmans Dome Road closes November 30 Forge Creek Road closes December 31 129 Gatlinburg, TN to: Cherokee: 34 miles (1 hour) Cades Cove: 27 miles (1 hour) Newfound Gap: 16 miles (½ hour) Clingmans Dome: 23 miles (¾ hour) Cataloochee: 65 miles (2½ hours) Greenbrier Cove: 6 miles (¼ hour) Deep Creek: 48 miles (1½ hours) Gatlinburg, TN elev. 1,462' 321 SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURES All driving times may vary due to traffic conditions. Cherokee, NC to: Gatlinburg: 34 miles (1 hour) Cades Cove: 58 miles (2 hours) Newfound Gap: 18 miles (½ hour) Clingmans Dome: 25 miles (¾ hour) Cataloochee: 39 miles (1½ hours) Deep Creek: 14 miles (½ hour) SEVIERVILLE (cl Driving distances and estimated times ay Words with a Ranger RU LE O F TH U M B FO R WI LDLI F E VI E WING Continued from page 1 a bear, boating across Fontana Lake, trapping wild hogs, or fighting wildfires—sometimes all in the same week. Although I value the variety my job offers, most of my work i­nvolves the elk herd. Elk were reintroduced to the Smokies beginning in 2001, and since I’ve been working here, I’ve seen the herd grow from around 60 animals to over 200 today. One of the most exciting times of the year is during the fall when elk are in their breeding season—also known as the rut. Large bull elk become much more visible and spend their time displaying, chasing cows, and fighting with other bulls for dominance. This is also one of the most popular times for elk viewing, but because of the animals’ behavioral changes, it also presents an increased risk to visitors. For visitor safety, and the safety of the elk, we ask everyone to follow park regulations. If you see an elk while you’re driving, pull off the roadway into the next available designated area and always maintain a minimum 50-yard distance. Bring along binoculars or a telephoto lens to get an up-close look at some of the Smokies’ most awe-inspiring wildlife. Raccoon and firewood safety illustration on page 9 by Lisa Horstman. All others by Emma Oxford. When viewing wildlife, hold your arm out straight. If you can’t cover the animal in your line of sight with your thumb, you’re too close! Sources: “Hikers: Eat Bananas – but Take Your Skins Home.” theguardian.com “How Long Does Your Litter Live?” slocounty.ca.gov “‘Organic’ Litter is Not Copacetic.” hcn.org “Recycling Mysteries: Candy Wrappers.” earth911.com Even a soft, mushy apple core can linger on the landscape for as long as 2 months. That’s more than enough time to draw wildlife to places they shouldn’t be. Citrus contains a natural insecticide, which means that ants won’t touch discarded orange peels. They can take 6 months or longer to break down. Banana peels can take around 2 years to completely rot—the thick skin protects the inner fruit from the cold and resists decomposing quickly. Smokies Guide Fall 2022 • 8 Cigarette filters contain cellulose acetate, a form of plastic. These frequently littered items remain intact for 5 to 10 years on average. Most candy wrappers (and granola bar wrappers) are made of a plastic and aluminum combo that won’t break down for 10 to 20 years. LE AV E O N LY FOOT PRINT S Writing on or carving into trees, stones, or structures can cause permanent damage— it’s also a crime! Taking a PLE A S E LE AV E YO U R F I R E WO O D AT H O M E to remember your time in the Use only heat-treated or dead Smokies and helps preserve and down wood within the park. the park for others too. photo is always a better way Harmful pests can hitchhike into the park on your firewood, which could kill millions of trees. BIN IT FO R TH E B E A R S Help protect bears by packing out all trash and food waste and using bear-proof dumpsters in the park. K E E P PE T S O N D ­ ESIG N AT E D T R AI L S Remember that the Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail are the only pet-friendly trails in the park. All pets must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. Smokies Guide Fall 2022 • 9 I F YOU LOVE THE SMOK I ES Great Smoky Mountains National Park depends on four primary nonprofit partners as well as 2,800 park volunteers to help its staff meet the needs of 14+ million visitors and manage 522,000 acres of resources. Great Smoky Mountains Association Since 1953, the nonprofit Great Smoky Mountains Association has supported the educational, scientific, and historical prese