The Smokies Blog

Day 8 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

2014-02-01T06:17:00.000-05:00

This is it! The last day of Wilderness Wildlife Week concerts, classes and workshops in the Pigeon Forge LeConte Center and free guided hike by local experts in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is now here and the weather has warmed up just in time so that some can take advantage of those free hikes today.

Yesterday was another in a series of fun and educational days in Pigeon Forge and between leaning about snowflake photography, Blount count gunsmiths in the 1800's, the furnace from the original ironworks at the old Mill in Pigeon Forge, the history of Sparks Lane in Cades Cove, and traditional Cherokee Stories there was something for everyone as Wilderness Wildlife Week.

Today's demonstrations and classes and concerts at the Wilderness Wildlife Week will be well worth the entrance fee of FREE!

Today's must see Wilderness Wildlife Week programs include the photography workshop with Kendall Chiles, Don McGowan and Warren Bedell, Wildlife and Nature Photography by Harry Dunn, Helping the Brookie by Mike Bryant and for serous photographers the class Better Landscape Photos Using Manual Settings presented by local fine art and commercial photographer Eric Gebhart.

Plenty of park roads remain closed this morning with most expected to reopen today and tomorrow. None of today's free guided hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains national park should be affected by any of these closures other than the Cades Cove bus tour which must stick to the paved roads as Hyatt Lane and Sparks Lane are both closed due to high water.

All in all, the last day of Wilderness Wildlife Week for 2014 will be fantastic!

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 8: Saturday, February 1st 2014

9 – 10am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Creating Camera Clubs that Click. Presented by Pat Gordy. Taking place at room North 3.
9 – 10am: Fall Creek Falls and the Mid Cumberland Recreation Area Video Presentation. Presented by Stuart Carroll. Taking place at room South 3.
9 – 1 pm: The Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Photography Workshop. Presented by Kendall Chiles, Don McGowan and Warren Bedell. Taking place at room North 2.
9:30 – 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about Smokies Fly Fishing! Aquatic Insects 101. Presented by Matt Green. Taking place at room South 2.
9:30 – 11 am: Take a Liken’ to Lichens. Presented by Kris Light who will lead an outdoor expedition to locate lichens in their natural habitat after covering the different types of lichens in Tennessee. Taking place at room South 1.
9:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Painting the Smokies. Limited to 10, ages 18 and older so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants must bring own brush #6 or #8 flat. Presented by Dick Ensing of Dutchman’s Loft. Taking place at room South 4B.
10 – 11 am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Public Accessible Waterfalls of East and Middle Tennessee. Presented by Keith Garnes. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
10:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Intro to Digital Photography from Camera to Printing. Presented by Douglas Hubbard. Taking place at room North 3.
10:30 – 11:30am: The Spirits of Cades Cove Video Presentation. Presented by Mike Meldrum. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
10:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Wilderness Wildlife Week Tall Tales for Young and Old. Limited to 40 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Observers welcome. Presented by Mary Phillips. Taking place at room South 3.
11 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about Smokies Fly Fishing! Old Fly Patterns of the Smokies. Presented by Don Kirk. Taking place at room South 2.
11:30 – 12:30pm: Wildflowers of the Southern Highlands Video Presentation. Presented by Jack Carman of Wildflowers of Tennessee. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
Noon – 1 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Wildlife and Nature Photography: Tricks and Techniques. Presented by Harry Dunn. Taking place at room North 3.
12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about Smokies Fly Fishing! Backcountry Cooking. Presented by Craig Haney. Taking place at room South 2.
12:30 – 1:30pm: Pilgrimage: A Pathway to Discovery. Presented by J. Greg Johnson. Taking place at room South 3.
12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Pioneer Toy Making. Presented by Roy Henson. Taking place at room South 4A.
1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Old Time Radio Days. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Black and White: Give Your Photographs a Timeless Appeal. Presented by Karen Jones. Taking place at room North 2.
2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Wildlife Hot spots in the Southeast Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
2 – 3pm: Learn to Play Washboard and Washtub Bass. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at room South 1.
2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about Smokies Fly Fishing! Tenkara Comes to Tennessee. Presented by Jason Sparks. Taking place at room South 2.
2 – 3pm: A Year in the Life of a Bear. Presented by David Whitehead. Taking place at room South 3.
2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Mystery Hour: Kids Create Your Own Mystery. Limited to 25 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Jean Leigh Claudette. Taking place at room South 4B.
2:30 – 3:30pm: The Bear Facts Video Presentation. Presented by Mike Meldrum. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
3 – 4pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Better Landscape Photos Using Manual Settings. Presented by Eric Gebhart. Taking place at room North 2.
3 – 6pm: Photography Contest Pickup Taking place at room North 1.
3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Backyard Bird Habitat: Never Too Young, Never Too Old. Presented by Glenna and WC Julian and Tammy and Olivia Browning. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about Smokies Fly Fishing! Indicators for Better Nymph Fishing. Presented by Steve Vorkapich. Taking place at room South 2.
3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Nature Writing for Love and Money, Part 2. Presented by Rob Simbeck. Taking place at room South 3.
4 – 5pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Capturing Wildlife with a Remote Infrared Camera. Presented by Joel and Kathy Zachry of Great Outdoors! Adventure Travel. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
4 – 5pm: Special Kids Track. Blue and the Grey: Civil War Soldier’s Life. Limited to 25 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Mike Meldrum. Learn about the life of a soldier when the Civil War needed young folks to enlist for the Union or Confederacy. Taking place at room South 4B.
4 – 6pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! What Separates a Snapshot from a Fine Photograph and How They are Judged. Presented by Douglas Hubbard. Taking place at room North 3.
4:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Nature in Photoshop. Presented by Larry Perry. Taking place at room North 2.
5 – 6pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about Smokies Fly Fishing! High Navigation of the Trout Streams. Presented by Fred Turner. Taking place at room South 2.
5 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! A Tribute to the States. Presented by Hills-N-Hollows. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Songs and Stories from the Cabin Porch. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
6:30 – 7:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about Smokies Fly Fishing! Helping the Brookie. Presented by Mike Bryant. Taking place at room South 2.
7pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! To Be Announced. Presented by Ken Jenkins. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 8

Day 7 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

2014-01-31T07:00:00.001-05:00

As we wind down to the final 2 days of Wilderness Wildlife Week taking place in the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge were are finally going to start to see seasonally acceptable weather as well.

While weather in the Smokies was a big topic of discussions, so was the great time everyone has been having the past week here at the event. As a matter of fact I found some people coming here for more than a decade that said this was the best Wilderness Wildlife Week event ever.

Some of the Roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park had reopened yesterday as the weather just started to poke above freezing and the park is expecting most to be reopened by late today.

That's great news for those taking guided hikes in the park Saturday as we expect all the guided outdoor programs to be able to take place and fortunately it looks as though all the Wilderness Wildlife Week guided hikes can take place today as well!

Today's must see of Wilderness Wildlife Week programs include the exciting Famous Searches and Rescues in the Great Smoky Mountains by Joe Kelley, Bob Swabe, Judy Wasak and Joey Holt, live Eagles. Presented by American Eagle Foundation and In the Spirit of Adventure which will be presented by Charles Maynard.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 7: Friday, January 31st 2014

8 – 11am: Famous Searches and Rescues in the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by Joe Kelley, Bob Swabe, Judy Wasak and Joey Holt. Taking place at room South 2.
9 – 10am: Discovering the Cumberlands Video Presentation. Presented by Stuart Carroll. Taking place at room South 3.
9 – 10:30am: Nature Recording in the Smokies. Presented by Mark Dunaway. Taking place at room South 1.
10 – 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Folk Songs of Cades Cove. Presented by Maddie Carpenter. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
10 – 11am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! More People Who Shaped Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by Bill Deitzer. Taking place at room North 2.
10 – 11am: Our Smokies Heritage! Load a Wagon. Presented by Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. Taking place at room South 4B.
10:30 – 11:30am: Jewels from the Sky: Snowflake Photography. Presented by Kris Light. Taking place at room South 3.
10:30 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Blount County Gunsmiths, 1800-1900. Presented by Randal Pierce. Taking place at room North 3.
11 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! History of the Pigeon Forge Iron Works.On a recent excavation at the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge the unearthed evidence of the original iron furnace which was used in the Pigeon Forge Iron Works in the early 1800s. Learn how this bloomary furnace system worked. Presented by Alan Longmire and Dr. Elizabeth Kellar. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
11 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Wildlife Diversity in Tennessee. Presented by Chris Ogle. Taking place at room South 1.
11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! What Are We Saying with Our Photography? Chasing That Special Look. Presented by Dale Knight. Taking place at room North 2.
11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Make a traditional or modern Native American Dreamcatcher. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Sue Todd. Taking place at room South 4A.
11:30 – 1pm: Bird Songs of the Smokies. Presented by Mark Dunaway. Taking place at room South 2.
12:30 – 1:30pm: Identifying Local Birds of Prey. Presented by Stephen Lyn Bales at the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
12:30 – 2 pm: Intermediate Mountain Dulcimer. Participants must bring own mountain dulcimer. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Tim Simek. Taking place at room South 4B.
1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Sparks Lane: Then and Now Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at room North 3.
1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Jasper and Banff Natural Parks Video Presentation: Canadian Wonderlands. Presented by Harry Dunn. Taking place at room North 2.
1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Tennessee River: A Journey Video Presentation. Presented by Randy Hedgepath. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
1 – 2pm: Saving Tennessee’s Hemlock Trees Video Presentation. Presented by Stuart Carroll. Taking place at room South 3.
1:30 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Blindfold Surprise Blindfolded participants will identify objects given to them to determine if they are recyclable or not. Limited to 30 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Keep Sevier Beautiful. Taking place at room South 4A.
1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Cherokee Stories. Presented by Lloyd Arneach. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
1:30 – 2:30pm: Intro to Autoharp. Presented by Tony Thomas and Judy Carson. Taking place at room South 1.
2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Colorful Birds of Spring and Summer Video Presentation. Presented by Regina Garr of Birds-I-View. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! A Moth-er’s Night Out: Learn about Moths and Other Nocturnal Insects. Presented by Kris Light. Taking place at room South 2.
2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! The Photos of William Derris of Townsend, TN, 1930-1956. Presented by Missy Tipton Green and Paulette Ledbetter. Taking place at room North 3.
2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Logging Railroads in the Smokies. Presented by Rick Turner. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Nature Writing for Love and Money, Part 1. Presented by Rob Simbeck. Taking place at room South 3.
2:30 – 3:30pm: Special Kids Track. How to Make a Quill Pen. Limited to 10, ages 12-17 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants must bring sharp penknife or x-acto blade. Presented by Pat K. Thomas. Taking place at room South 4B.
3 – 4pm: Lakes, Lighthouses and Landscapes of the North Woods Video Presentation. Presented by Kendall Chiles. Taking place at room North 2.
3:15 – 4:15pm: America’s Best Idea: Our National Parks Video Presentation. Presented by Chuck Summers. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
3:30 – 4:30pm: Bald Eagle Recovery: Keys to Success. Presented by Bob Hatcher. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
4 – 5pm: Walking Through the Beauty of the Natural World Video Presentation. Presented by Don McGowan. Taking place at room North 2.
4 – 5pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Appalachian Music Concert by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
4 – 5pm: Finding Birds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Video Presentation. Presented by Dr. Fred Alsop III. Taking place at room South 3.
4 – 5pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Pioneer Toy Making. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Roy Henson. Taking place at room South 4B.
4:30 – 5pm: Birds of Prey: Live Eagles. Presented by American Eagle Foundation. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
4:45 – 5:45 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Outhouse is In! The Privy Goes Public. Presented by Kathy Gwinn. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Lighting Essentials. Presented by Douglas Hubbard. Taking place at room North 2.
5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Music of Coal: Mining Stories from the Coal fields of Appalachia. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
6:15 – 7:15 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! In the Spirit of Adventure. Presented by Charles Maynard. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
7:45 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! It’s OK to Get Older as Long as You Refuse to Grow Up! Humor About the "Joys of Maturity". Presented by Sam Venable. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

Day 6 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

2014-01-30T07:13:00.000-05:00

As Wilderness Wildlife Week in the Pigeon Forge Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains rolls into day 6, snow flurries are still falling and in scattered places in the Smokies and the thermometer are reading 5 degrees at the Le Conte center right now.

Sure we expected an inch of snow and were questioning whether some of the guided hikes could take place yesterday in the Great Smoky Mountains national park, what we didn't expect is up to 4 inches in some areas!

It is beautiful here in Pigeon Forge right however we all doubt that the guided Wilderness Wildlife Week hikes will take place today since most of the park roads are still closed and even areas that have access are still very icy and not necessary safe to hike around in.

The great news is the major roads are clear to get you to the LeConte Center off Teaster Lane when the indoor programs for Wilderness Wildlife Week take place and there are some great free programs that you can enjoy in the comfort of this great location.

So what programs are today's must see events? Ranger Bill Stiver the parks head of Wildlife Managements program on black bear will be incredible and you can ask him any wildlife question as well.

You also won't want to miss the Easy and Quick Guitar for the Absolute Adult Beginner works, and works well you will be able to play, and The Story of Pittman Center which will be presented by a former park resident, park ranger and Mayor Glenn Cardwell who is one of my favorite hiking buddies. Enjoy his humor and great knowledge of the Smokies.

There will also be more musical performances at Wilderness Wildlife Week by Boogertown Gap as well as Old Harp Singer and more.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 6: Thursday, January 30th 2014

8 – 11am: Introduction to Tracking People in the Outdoors. Presented by Joe Kelley. Taking place at room South 2.
8:45 – 9:45am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Somethin’s Fishy: Fish and Water In and Around Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by Matt Kulp. Taking place at room North 2.
9 – Noon: Basket Making. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Theresa Tyler. Taking place at room South 4B.
10 – 11am: Arches Along the Way: A Presentation of Arches and Natural Bridges Along Tennessee’s Trails. Presented by Keith Garnes. Taking place at room North 3.
10 – 11am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Ancient Rhythms: Native American Flute. Presented by Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
10 – 11am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Making a Gemstone Bracelet. Limited to 12 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by LaDonna Twyman of the Jim Gray Gallery. Taking place at room South 4A.
10 – 11:30am: The Wolves of Bays Mountain. Presented by Rick and Rhonda Goins of the Bays Mountain Park. Taking place at room South 3.
10:15 – 11:15am: The Garden Unseen Slide Presentation. Presented by Dr. Alan S. Heilman. Taking place at room North 2.
11:30 – 12:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! The Story of Pittman Center. Presented by Glenn Cardwell. Taking place at room North 3.
11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The State Parks of East Tennessee Video Presentation. Presented by Robin Peeler Wooten. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
11:30 – 12:30pm: Special Kids Track. Garbage Pizza: Keep Sevier Beautiful. Limited to 30 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Taking place at room South 4A.
11:30 – 1pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Journey on the Camino de Santiago, Part 2 (2013). Presented by Olga Pader. Taking place at room South 2.
Noon – 1pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Outdoor Recreation: Alternatives to Hiking. Presented by Mark Kilgore of Bays Mountain Park. Taking place at room South 3.
12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count Video Presentation. Presented by Regina Garr of Birds-I-View. Taking place at room North 2.
12:30 – 1:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Smoky Mountain Ballads, Part 2. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Bear Tales: True, False and Partially True Stories About Bears. Presented by Kathy Sherrard of Appalachian Bear Rescue. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Rev. Dr. John Burnett, Founder of Pittman Community Church Monologue. Rev. Burnett the founder of Pittman Community and school was an active pastor and bishop of many Methodist and Episcopal churches in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Presented by Will Rabert. Taking place at room South 1.
1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Pioneer Toy Making. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Roy Henson. Taking place at room South 4B.
1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Make a Native American Dreamcatcher. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants may choose to make a traditional or modern dream-catcher. Presented by Sue Todd. Taking place at room South 4A.
1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Bats of the Great Smoky Mountains: Where We Stand with White Nose Syndrome. Presented by Jay Carr. Taking place at room North 3.
1:30 – 3pm: Do It Yourself: Building a Backyard Bird Habitat. Presented by Mark Dunaway. Taking place at room South 3.
2 – 3pm: Southern Appalachian Wildflowers Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at room North 2.
2 – 3pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Old Time Hymns. Presented by Don Huskey, Marcia Huskey Nelson and Roger Helton. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
2:45 – 3:45 pm: Black Bear Management in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by Bill Stiver. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
3 – 4pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! "Express Yourself" and "Go Hogwild" On All New Expressions and Sayings. Presented by Kathy Gwinn. Taking place at room North 3.
3 – 4pm: Ghost Birds!: Jim Tanner and the Ivory Billed Woodpecker. Presented by Stephen Lyn Bales of the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at room South 2.
3 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Workshop for Beginning Old Time Banjo. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at room South 4B.
3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Forest Insects and Disease in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by Jesse Webster. Taking place at room South 3.
3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Be a Junior Bear Biologist. Presented by Marci Spencer of the Appalachian Bear Rescue. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Taking place at room South 4A.
3:30 – 5 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Civil War in the West, 1864-1865. Presented by Jack Carman of Wildflowers of Tennessee. Taking place at room North 2.
3:30 – 5:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Old Harp Singing School. Presented by David Sarten. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
4:30 – 5:30pm: Coexisting with Black Bears. Presented by Joel and Kathy Zachry of Great Outdoors! Adventure Travel. Taking place at room North 3.
4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! The History of Pigeon Forge’s Old Mill Square. Presented by representatives of Old Mill Square. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
4:30 – 6 pm: My Experience Through-Hiking the Appalachian Trail Video Presentation for mature adults. Presented by Bert Kunze. Taking place at room South 2.
5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Trekking to the Top of Kilimanjaro. Presented by Allyson and Chris Virden. Taking place at room North 2.
5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Easy and Quick Guitar for the Absolute Adult Beginner. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Some guitars available, but participants are urged to bring their own. Presented by Anna Uptain. Taking place at room South 4B.
5:45 – 6:45 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Native American Stories. Presented by Lloyd Arneach. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
6pm: Saturday Hike Signups Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
6 – 7pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Hymns and Songs of Faith. Presented by Whaley Family Singers. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
7:15pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Spiritual Lessons from Nature. Presented by Chuck Summers and Ken Jenkins. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

Day 5 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

2014-01-29T06:49:00.000-05:00

Thank goodness Wilderness Wildlife Week takes place indoors at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge as another arctic blast hit the south and we here in the Smoky Mountains have not been spared.

Presently virtually all roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park are closed due to snow and ice and even the visitor centers and park headquarters are not expected to be able to open on time even though there is a large event that was supposed to taking place today: the release of a new quarter honoring the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Our bold prediction is that none of the guided hikes will take place today in the GSMNP for Wilderness Wildlife Week and that is a real shame given that the Finley Cane and Alum Bluff hikes are some of my favorites and I many who were looking forward to the Cades Cove Photo trek as well. The guided bus tour of the History of Pigeon Forge should go on as planned.

Luckily Wilderness Wildlife Week mostly takes place in the warmth and comfort indoors and you do not need to leave the LeConte Center during the day for anything as it is all here.

I know it has been said before, but this is going to be another great day of lectures, musical performance and classed - all free of course - that make Wilderness Wildlife Week the amazing event that it is.

The must see and do events today include Learn About Bears Through Hands-On Activities presented by Kathy Sheppard of the Appalachian Bear Rescue organization, 15 Years of the Smokies' All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory by Todd Witcher which will amaze you and inspire you and Humorous Native American Stories presented by Lloyd Arneach.

There is another chance to learn how to play the Mountain Dulcimer and jam with others and the Boogertown Gap band will play again.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 5: Wednesday, January 29th 2014

9 – 10am: The Art of Dowsing. Limited to 30 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Charles Monday. Taking place at room South 1.
9 – 10am: Returning the Whooping Crane to the Eastern Flyway Slide Presentation. Presented by Ken Dubke. Taking place at room South 2.
9:30 – 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Reelfoot Lake: Tennessee’s Earthquake Lake. Presented by David Haggard. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
9:30 – 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Conservation Efforts at Pogue Creek State Natural Area. Presented by Travis Bow. Taking place at room South 3.
9:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Make Your Own Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Bandana. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Louise Bales. Taking place at room South 4B.
9:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Painting the Smokies. Limited to 18, ages 18 and older and you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants must bring own #6 or #8 flat brush. Presented by Dick Ensing of Dutchman’s Loft. Taking place at room South 4A.
10 – 11 am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! To Niagara and Back by Waterfall Slide Presentation. Presented by Bill Carter. Taking place at room North 2.
10:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! 60 Years of Supporting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by the Great Smoky Mountains Association. Taking place at room North 3.
10:30 – 11:30am: Energy, Effort and Passion: Volunteering in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by Christine Hoyer who runs the GSMNP Volunteers in the Parks. Taking place at room South 2.
11 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Amazing Trees of Tennessee. Presented by Flo Moore. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
11 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Rev. Robert Hall, Bishop of the Cumberlands Monologue. Presented by Will Rabert as he takes on the role of Robert Hall, the Bishop of the Cumberlands and founder of the Cumberland Mountain School for plateau children. Taking place at room South 1.
11 – 12:30pm: Journey on the Camino de Santiago, Part 1 (2011). Presented by Olga Pader. Taking place at room South 3.
11:30 – 12:30pm: Concert by the Carolina Bluegrass Boys Featuring the Appalachian Cloggers. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
Noon – 1pm: 15 Years of the Smokies’ All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. Presented by Todd Witcher. Taking place at room North 3.
Noon – 1pm: Better Flower Pictures. Presented by Bob Stephenson. Taking place at room South 2.
12:30 – 1:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! The Story of Greenbrier Cove. Presented by Glenn Cardwell. Taking place at room North 2.
12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Camera Basics 101: Understanding Your Camera’s Adjustments Used in the Manual. Presented by Douglas Hubbard Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
1 – 2pm: Alligators, Bears and Wolves. Presented by Jim W. Wigginton. Taking place at room South 3.
1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Get Growing! Keep Sevier Beautiful. Participants which are limited to 30 and must pre-register at Information Desk, will make a planter from common recyclable's to take home along with seeds and soil. Taking place at room South 4B.
1:15 – 2:15 pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Smoky Mountain Ballads, Part 1. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Black Bear Cubs Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at room North 3.
1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Miracle of the Monarch. Presented by Lois English and Glenna Julian. Taking place at room South 2.
1:30 – 3:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Playing Mountain Dulcimer by Ear and Playing in Jam Sessions. Participants must bring own mountain dulcimers and there is a Limited to of 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Tim Simek. Taking place at room South 4A.
2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Cherokee History: Both Sides of the Smokies. Presented by Jon Elder. Taking place at room North 2.
2 – 3pm: The Art of Dowsing. Limited to 30 so you must pre-register at the Information Desk. Presented by Charles Monday. Taking place at room South 1.
2 – 3:30pm: Civil War in the West, 1863. Presented by Jack Carman of Wildflowers of Tennessee. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Plants and Animals Important to the Native Americans. Presented by Stephen Lyn Bales of the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at room South 3.
3 – 4pm: A Ranger Family’s Recollections. Presented by Joe Kelley and Sons. Taking place at room North 3.
3 – 4pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! America’s First Ladies. Presented by Kathy Gwinn. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
3 – 4pm: Wild Ones among Us. Presented by Lynne McCoy. Taking place at room South 2.
3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Murder and Baseball in Sevier County, 1949-1953. Presented by Robert S. Allen. Taking place at room North 2.
4 – 5pm: Special Kids Track. Learn About Bears Through Hands-On Activities. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Kathy Sherrard of the Appalachian Bear Rescue. Taking place at room South 4A.
4:30 – 5:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Margaret Steverson: The Walkingest Woman in the Smokies. Presented by Bill Deitzer. Taking place at room North 3.
4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! New Joints for Old Hikers! Presented by Joel and Kathy Zachry of Great Outdoors! Adventure Travel. Taking place at room South 2.
4:30 – 6pm: My Experience Through-Hiking the John Muir Trail Video Presentation. Presented by Bert Kunze. Taking place at room South 3.
5 – 6pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Vintage Views Video Presentation. Presented by Kevin Tierney Taking place at room North 2.
5 – 6pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Humorous Native American Stories. Presented by Lloyd Arneach. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
5:30 – 6:30pm: Concert by Carolina Bluegrass Boys Featuring the Appalachian Cloggers. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
6 pm: Friday Hike Signups Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
6:30 – 7:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Meanderings of a Silly Man: The Extremes. Presented by Doug Mills. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
7:45pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! From the Heart of Appalachia: Even More Heartland Stories and Adventures. Presented by Bill Landry. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

Day 4 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

2014-01-28T06:55:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge was a lot of fun and today the 4th day of the show should be as well. The only disappointment was the cancelled outdoor activities specially the guided hikes in the Great Smoky Mountain national park.

Those that did get out took some spectacular pictures which I was shown last night and many will have to opportunity to go out again today as more roads have reopened, though up to an inch more of snow may fall today as well.

One of the programs I missed which was a bog hit yesterday was teaching you how to make a better habitat in your garden for wildlife. I also got to see people wearing the Wilderness Wildlife Week bandanas they made earlier in the morning.

The hot Wilderness Wildlife Week programs taking place today are the Art of Dowsing which has been fun every year and it seems to work! Also Basic Photography with Jim Eastin, How to Interview a Tree by Flo Moore and Tennessee's Birds of Prey presented by David Haggard.

Boogertown Gap will have another program this afternoon you won't want to miss and I beg all of you to be sure to catch former park range Kim Delozier present Bears, Boars and Bulls: A Wild Life in the Smokies.

Let's hope the weather cooperates for you hikers and though more cold weather will follow this week, the next 3 days there should be no more snow.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 4: Tuesday, January 28th 2014

8:30 – 9:30am: Green Power Switch. Presented by Lucas Harkleroad. Taking place at room North 2.
9 – 10am: Freed Osprey Restoration Slide Presentation. Presented by Ken Dubke. Taking place at room South 2.
9:30 – 10:30am: Civil War in the West, 1861. Presented by Jack Carman of Wildflowers of Tennessee. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
9:30 – 10:30am: The Art of Dowsing. Limited to 30 so you just pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Charles Monday. Taking place at room South 1.
9:30 – 12:30pm: Basket Making. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Theresa Tyler. Taking place at room South 4B.
10 – 11am: Our Smokies Heritage! Meet Mr. Herbert Clabo. Presented by Herbert Clabo with Veta King. Taking place at room North 2.
10 – 11am: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen. Presented by Rosemary Deitzer. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
10 – 11am: To Be Announced. Presented by Rick and Rhonda Goins of the Bays Mountain Park. Taking place at room South 3. 10:30 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Carving a Bear Pin. Limited to 12 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Must bring own sharpened wood carving tools. Presented by Don Taylor. Taking place at room South 4A.
11 – Noon: Waterfalls of Tennessee Slide Presentation. Presented by Bill Carter. Taking place at room North 3.
11 – Noon: Special Kids Track. Wild World of Animals. Presented by Knoxville Zoo’s Zoomobile. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
11 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Outdoor Recreation: Alternatives to Hiking. Presented by Mark Kilgore from the Bays Mountain Park. Taking place at room South 2.
11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Basic Photography. Presented by Jim Eastin. Taking place at room South 2.
12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Totally Tennessee, Part 2: A Sampler of Tennessee Trivia That’s Anything But Trivial. Presented by Kathy Gwinn. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
12:30 – 1:30pm: Where’s Mommy? Rehabilitating Orphaned Wildlife. Presented by Phylis Rollins. Taking place at room South 2.
12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Wire Wrapping a River Stone Pendent. Participants will wire wrap a local river stone to make a pendant to keep as a Wilderness Wildlife Week souvenir. Limited to 12 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by LaDonna Twyman of the Jim Gray Gallery. Taking place at room South 4A.
1 – 2pm: Mountain Marvels: Waterfalls of the Southern Appalachians Slide Presentation. Presented by Bill Carter. Taking place at room North 3.
1 – 2pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Old Time Dessert Tasting. Limited to 100 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Veta King. Taking place at room North 2.
1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Storytelling: Stories and Songs of Growing Up in Appalachia. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
1 – 2pm: The Art of Dowsing. Limited to 30 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Charles Monday Taking place at room South 1.
1 – 2:30pm: Civil War in the West, 1862. Presented by Jack Carman of Wildflowers of Tennessee. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
1:30 – 2:30pm: Air Quality Update for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by Jim Renfro. Taking place at room South 3.
1:30 – 2:30pm: How to Make a Quill Pen. Limited to 14 to adults only and you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants must bring sharp penknife or x-acto blade. Presented by Pat K Thomas. Taking place at room South 4B.
2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Who Are You? How to Interview a Tree. Presented by Flo Moore. Join Flo as she teaches ways to recognize common Tennessee trees in the summer or winter forest. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Lilies of the Appalachians, Past and Present Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at room South 2.
2 – 3pm: Special Kids Track. Whoo Did That: Fascinating Owls. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Lynne McCoy. Taking place room South 4A.
2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Keeping Your Forest Healthy. Presented by Glenn Taylor. Taking place at room North 3.
2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Music of Our American Roots. Presented by Lost Mill String Band. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
3 – 4pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Uncle Isaac (Ike) Bradley. Presented by Bill Bradley. Taking place at room North 2.
3 – 4pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Tennessee’s Birds of Prey. Presented by David Haggard. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
3 – 4pm: Tennessee Butterflies and How to Raise Them. Presented by Lois English. Taking place at room South 3.
3:30 – 4:00pm: Beginning Clogging. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Jack and Doris Patton. Taking place at room South 4B.
3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Wilderness Helped the War Effort of World War II: The Building of Fontana Dam. Presented by Bob Keim. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
3:30 – 4:30pm: Creating and Telling Family Stories. Presented by Jim Eastin Taking place at room South 2.
4 – 5 pm: Special Kids Track. Animal Olympics. Limited to 25 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Mike Meldrum. Taking place at room South 4A.
4 – 5:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Smoky Mountain Inhabitants and Their Music. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
4:15 – 4:45 pm: Beginning Clogging. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Jack and Doris Patton. Taking place at room South 4B.
4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Ranger Work in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1960s. Presented by Joe Kelley Taking place at room North 3.
4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! ABR: Giving Bears a Second Chance. Presented by Joel and Kathy Zachry of Great Outdoors! Adventure Travel. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
5 – 6 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! The Blue Mountains Sing. Presented by Ron Rader. Taking place at room North 2.
5:30 – 6:30pm: Bears, Boars and Bulls: A Wild Life in the Smokies. Presented by E. Kim Delozier. Taking place at room South 3.
5:45 – 6:45pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Appalachia: Can You Hear It? Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
6 pm: Thursday Hike Signups Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
7 – 8pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Concert by Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
8:15pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Concert by Dave Adkins and Republik Steele. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

Day 3 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

2014-01-27T06:17:00.002-05:00

Attendance was high for the first weekend of Wilderness Wildlife Week though the weather has not been cooperative most guided hikes could not take place in the Great Smoky Mountains national park on the first day of hikes which was yesterday.

The good news is that the Wilderness Wildlife Week programs taking place in the Pigeon Forge LeConte center were packed and when the day ended, people were already discussing in the halls the programs they were coming to today.

The programs that were big hits yesterday were 2 of the photo programs Working with Wildflowers and Nighttime and Low light Photography, were master photographers shared their secrets and I for one can't wait to try some of them out. Always bring a pen and pad to Wilderness Wildlife Week!

The Wilderness Wildlife Week demonstrations you need to be sure to see today will be the history of Moonshine in Tennessee which has seen a huge increase in interest in the past few years and aspiring musicians will like Beginning Hammer Dulcimer which is limited to 20 participants.

Everyone will enjoy Ranger Recollections given by Joe Kelley and one of our favorite local musical duos Boogertown Gap will teach you how to Play Spoons and a Washtub Bass.

If the weather cooperates the only guided hike that looks like it will be cancelled is the one to Mount Cammerer. While most roads on the Tennessee side of the park have reopened, the Great Smoky Mountains Twitter reports many trails are very slick and icy and more cold weather and snow is on the way.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 3: Monday, January 27th 2014

9:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Make Your Own Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Bandannas. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Louise Bales. Taking place at room South 4B.
10 – 11am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Songs of the Civil War. Presented by Tony Thomas Taking place at room North 3.
10 – 11am: Transforming the Blue Ridge Mountains into Shenandoah National Park. Presented by Bill Deitzer Taking place at room North 2.
10 – 11am: Leave No Trace: The Principles of Outdoor Ethics. Presented by Mike Braun Taking place at room South 2.
10 – 11:30am: 10 Hints for Creating a Successful Backyard Habitat: Advice from a Lifetime Master Gardener.Limt 50 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Dr. Leo and Linda Lubke. Taking place at room South 3.
10:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! A Cub’s Life. Presented by Kathy Sherrard of Appalachian Bear Rescue. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
10:30 – 11:30am: Hosting Hummingbirds Video Presentation. Presented by Steve Garr of Birds-I-View. Taking place at room South 1.
10:30 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Carving a Bear Pin. Limited to 12 so you must pre-register at Information Desk and bring your own sharpened wood carving tools. Presented by Don Taylor. Taking place at room South 4A. 11 – Noon: Wildflowers of Tennessee Video Presentation. Presented by Jack Carman of Wildflowers of Tennessee. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Meet President and Mrs. Lincoln and Civil War Ladies where Attendees may have photos taken with historical guests. Taking place at room North 3.
11:30 – 12:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Putting the Pigeon Back in Pigeon Forge. Presented by Paul James of the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at room North 2.
11:30 – 12:30pm: Learn to Play Spoons and Washtub Bass. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at room South 2. Noon – 1pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Forsaken by God and Man: The Fort Loudon Story. Presented by Eric Hughey. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
Noon – 1pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Beautiful Winter Garden: Plants with Winter Interest. Presented by Sue Hamilton. Taking place at room South 1.
Noon – 1pm: Meditations on Nature. Presented by Phylis Rollins. Taking place at room South 3.
12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Totally Tennessee, Part 1: A Sampler of Tennessee Trivia That’s Anything But Trivial. Presented by Kathy Gwinn. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Make a Native American Dreamcatcher. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants may choose to make a traditional or modern dreamcatcher. Presented by Sue Todd. Taking place at room South 4A.
1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Civil War Guns and Surgical Display. Presented by David Clinton and 63rd Tennessee Infantry. Taking place at room North 3.
1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Plants and People of the Southern Appalachians. Presented by Leon Bates. Taking place at room South 2.
1 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Outsmart Your Smartphone. Presented by Richard Iceland. Taking place at room North 2.
1 – 2:30pm: Beginning Hammer Dulcimer. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk and participants must bring own hammer dulcimer. Presented by Tim Simek Taking place at room South 4B.
1:30 – 2:30pm: Everybody’s Fishin’: A Cross-Cultural Fishing Extravaganza. Presented by Doug Elliott Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
1:30 – 2:30pm: Audubon’s Birds. Presented by Stephen Lyn Bales of the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at room South 1.
2 – 3pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Meet Some of Tennessee’s Most Famous Residents. Presented by Maranda and Elisa Vandergriff. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Water birds of the Southern States Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at room South 3.
2:30 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Limited to 20 Must pre-register at Information Desk. Fred and Ted the Fish: Keep Sevier Beautiful. Taking place at room South 4A.
2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! The Battle of Fairgarden. Presented by Carroll McMahan. Taking place at room North 3.
2:30 – 3:30pm: Wild Hog Management: Are We Too Late? Presented by David Whitehead. Taking place at room South 2.
3 – 4pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Moonshine in Tennessee: Stories and Songs about the Moonshine History of East Tennessee and the Moonshine Trail. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
3:30 – 4:30pm: Woodpeckers: Nature’s Homebuilders Video Presentation. Presented by Steve Garr of Birds-I-View. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Wildflower Identification. Presented by Tom Harrington. Taking place at room South 3.
4 – 5pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Divided Loyalties: The Civil War in Sevier County and the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by Dr. Aaron Astor. Taking place at room North 3.
4 – 5pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Mock Trial from the Past. Join a reenactment a local trial from Sevier County’s past to see how different the dockets looked in earlier times. Presented by Sevier County High School Students. Taking place at room North 2.
4 – 5pm: Ranger Recollections. Presented by Joe Kelley. Taking place at room South 2.
4 – 5pm: Special Kids Track. Batteries Not Included: Old Time Toys and Games. Presented by Mike Meldrum. Limited to 25 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Taking place at room South 4A.
4:30 – 5:30pm: Wildwoods Wisdom: Our Spiritual Connection to Nature. Presented by Doug Elliott. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
5 – 6pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! More Trials and Tribulations of Two Professional Naturalists. Presented by David Taylor and Joe Taft. Taking place at room South 3.
5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Moonshining in Cocke County, TN: A Fascinating Focus of Fact vs. Fiction. Presented by J. Duay O’Neil. Taking place at room North 2.
5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Ukulele for the Adult Beginner. Limited to 20, ages 13 and older so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Some instruments available though participants are encouraged to bring own. Presented by Anna Uptain. Taking place at room South 4A.
6 pm: Wednesday Hike Signups Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
6 – 7pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Old Time Hymns and Songs of Faith. Presented by Don Huskey, Marcia Huskey Nelson and Roger Helton. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
7 – 8pm: Tales from Lost. Presented by Dwight McCarter. Taking place at room North 2.
8pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! And Heaven and Nature Sing. Presented by Ken Jenkins, Judy Felts and Friends. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

Day 2 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

2014-01-26T06:11:00.000-05:00

Mother Nature may have made the Smokies even more magical with a little more snow, however for those wanting to take one of the guided hikes today the outlook is fairly grim as most roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park are closed right now including Newfound Gap Road, Little River Road and Laurel Creek Road cutting off all access to Cades Cove.

So far the only guided hikes in and around the GSMNP that could take place would be the 6 mile hike in the Sugarlands to the Rock House, the 8 mile hike to Ramsey Cascades, the tour of the Railroad Museum in Townsend and maybe the Owl Prowl.

Luckily it toast warm inside with no chance of snow and ice so Wilderness Wildlife Week will go on as placed in the Le Conte Center in Pigeon Forge.

Some of yesterdays favorite Wilderness Wildlife Week programs included the talk by Dr Don Linzey on panthers in the Smokies, the working with wildflowers photography workshop, and the exciting story of Doc Henderson Versus the White Caps in the Smokies.

Today's must see Wilderness Wildlife Week demonstrations include a program on a landmark anyone who comes to the Smokies knows: A History of the Towers in Clingmans Dome by Marci Spencer.

Today there is also a great program on the Walker Sisters of Little Greenbrier presented by award winning local park volunteer Robin Goddard who grew up with the women, Nighttime and Low light Photography presented by renowned local photographer Eric Gebhart and don't miss the final special program of the day by presented by Ken Jenkins.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 2: Sunday, January 26th 2014

8:30 – 9:30am: Sunday Morning Sing-Along. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
9 – 10am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Travel Photography: Beyond the Postcard. Educational and entertaining program featuring a theme-based travel photography with diverse locations such as Tennessee, Scotland, Costa Rica, Switzerland and more. Presented by Tom and Pat Cory. Taking place at room North 2.
9:30 – 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Lewis and Clark in US History, Part 1. Presented by Peter Seifert. Taking place at room South 2.
9:30 – 10:30am: Marking Time: A Guide to the Historical Markers in East Tennessee. Presented by Fred Brown. Taking place at room South 3.
9:30 – 11:30am: World Class Stream Small Mouth Bass. Presented by Greg Ward. Taking place at room South 1.
10 – 11 am: Wildflowers of the Smokies Video Presentation. Presented by Jack Carman of Wildflowers of Tennessee. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
10:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Creating a Wildlife Habitat for Every Season Video Presentation. Presented by Regina Garr of Birds-I-View. Taking place at room North 3.
10:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Wildlife and Nature Photo Trips: What to Take? Presented by Harry Dunn. Taking place at room North 2.
10:30 – 11:30am: Weather Signs. Presented by Ila Hatter of Wildcrafting with Ila. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
11 – Noon: Smoky Mountain Llama Treks. Learn about llamas and their cousins and see pictures of llamas along hikes by Smoky Mountain Llama Treks. Presented by Steve Garrett. Taking place at room South 2.
11 – Noon: Discovering the Gray Fossil Site. Learn how the Gray Fossil Site was discovered and a see some of the fossils found from there in upper East Tennessee. Presented by Harry Moore. Taking place at room South 3.
11:30 – 12:30pm: Birds the Word. Presented by Doug Elliott. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! To Be Announced Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
Noon – 1 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! 2013 Scenic City International Photography Exhibition Video Presentation. Presented by Pat Gordy. Taking place at room North 3.
Noon – 1 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Where and When to Photograph in the Smokies. Presented by Roger Trentham. Taking place at room North 2.
Noon – 1 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Out of the Dark, Part 2. The history of how one amazingly heroic deputy sheriff rescued his community from committed by nightriders in the shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by Tom Davis and the Graveyard Hosts: Don Williams. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
12:30 – 2 pm: Learn Clawhammer Banjo, Part 2. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants must bring own five string banjo tuned in the key of G. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at room South 4B.
12:45 – 1:45 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Lewis and Clark in US History, Part 2. Presented by Peter Seifert. Taking place at room South 2.
1 – 2 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Smoky Mountain Old Time Gospel Singing. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
1 – 2 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! History of the Towers in Clingmans Dome. Presented by Marci Spencer of the Appalachian Bear Rescue. Taking place at room South 3.
1 – 3:30pm: Casting a Fly Rod: Bring own rod if possible. Presented by Greg Ward. Taking place at room South 1.
1:30 – 2 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Old Harp Singing School. Presented by David Sarten. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Natural Wonders of the Southern Appalachians Video Presentation. Presented by Harry Dunn. Taking place at room North 3.
1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Range of Light: Capturing the Mood of the Smokies. Presented by Jerry Whaley. Taking place at room North 2.
1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Southern Bears of Tennessee, Arkansas and Florida Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
2 – 3 pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Old Harp Singing. Presented by David Sarten. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! A Sunday Morning in the Smokies. Presented by Hills-N-Hollows. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Bodacious Cartooning for Kids. Limited to 100 so you must pre-register at Information Desk and please remember to bring paper and pencils! Presented by John Rose, Snuffy Smith Cartoonist. Taking place at room South 2.
2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Bugs and Blooms. Learn about the diverse native flora and associated insects of the Southern Appalachians, as well as their functional importance. Presented by Leon Bates. Taking place at room South 3.
3 – 4 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! A House Divided: The Civil War in Knoxville and East Tennessee. Presented by Fred Brown. Taking place at room North 3.
3 – 4 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Improving Your Photographic Vision. Presented by Bill Fortney. Taking place at room North 2.
3 – 4 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Goodness of Gander. hear about the story of good people helping Americans on our nation’s worst day, September 11, 2001, and hear how the people of Gander, Newfoundland hosted 6,500 people for 4 days on 1 hour’s notice. Presented by Rosemary Deitzer. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
4 – 5 pm: Advanced Possumology: Possum Lore, Stories, Natural History and More. Presented by Doug Elliott. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
4 – 5 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Elkmont’s Lem Ownby: Sage of the Smokies. Presented by Carroll McMahan. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
4 – 5 pm: The Beauty and History of Switzerland Video Presentation. Presented by Shannon Harris of Alpine Adventure Trails and Tours. Taking place at room South 3.
4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Digital Photo Editing. Presented by Richard Iceland. Taking place at room North 3.
4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Seasons and Weather: Watching the Smokies Change. Presented by Jerry Whaley. Taking place at room North 2.
4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Woods Are Lovely, Dark and Deep, Where Do All Our Bears Sleep? Presented by Joel and Kathy Zachry of Great Outdoors! Adventure Travel. Taking place at room South 2.
6 pm: Tuesday Hike Signups Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
6 – 7 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Nighttime and Low light Photography. Presented by Eric Gebhart. Taking place at room North 2.
6 – 7 pm: Our Smokies Heritage! The Walker Sisters of Little Greenbrier. Presented by Robin Goddard Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
7:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! To Be Announced. Presented by Ken Jenkins. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

Day 1 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

2014-01-25T05:55:00.000-05:00

As the first day of Wilderness Wildlife Week for 2014 is about to kick off, you can feel the excitement. An new location with lots more room and luxury than before, a staggering amount of new programs, and the return of some of our favorite presenters and their programs.

We are also very thankful that Wilderness Wildlife Week is taking place later than usual as the weather is going to be far better for hiking and outdoor activities that it was originally scheduled for.

It is however winter in the Great Smoky Mountains and though it will be about 50 tomorrow for some of the hikes, my thermometer reads 17 degrees right now in Pigeon Forge!

Signups for Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided hiking trips for tomorrow will take place today at 6 pm in the Greenbrier Hall Section C.

Some of the favorite Wilderness Wildlife Week presentations for today will be introduction to Beginning Mountain Dulcimer (bring your own if you can, how to take Great Photos with Cell Phones or Point and Shoot Cameras which is sure to be a packed class and Civil War in the Mountains presented by our own Chris Tipton.

If you have the time and the energy it is well worth sticking it out to the end and catch this years keynote program which is always a winner.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 1: Saturday, January 25th 2014

8 – 11am: Learn to Use a Map and Compass. Limited to 50 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Terry and LaValla Edgington. Taking place at room South 4A.
9 – 10am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Ways to Improve Your Photography and Develop Your Craft. Presented by Dale Knight. Taking place at room North 3.
9 – 10am: The Serpent Handlers. Presented by Fred Brown. Taking place at room South 3.
9 – 1pm: The Smokies Through a Camera Lens! A Nature Photography Workshop. Presented by Kendall Chiles, Tom and Pat Cory and Daniel Dempster. Taking place at room North 2.
9:30 – 10:30am: The Appalachian Trail: An Entertaining Adventure Video Presentation. Presented by Jeff Alt. Taking place at room South 2.
9:30 – 11:30am: Fly Fishing the Smokies: Presented by Greg Ward Taking place at room South 1.
10 – 11 am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Wildflower Folklore: Ila Hatter (Wildcrafting with Ila). Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
10 – Noon: Introduction to Beginning Mountain Dulcimer. Presented by TNT Dulcimers (Deby Libby, Ginny Cliett and Linda Smith). Taking place at room South 4B. There is a Limited to 25 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Limited number of loaner dulcimers available so bring a dulcimer and music stand, if possible. Observers are welcome.
10:30 – 11:30am: Rock Formations of the Smokies. Presented by Harry Moore. Taking place at room South 3.
10:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: The Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Great Photos with Cell Phones or Point and Shoot Cameras. Presented by Richard Iceland. Taking place at room North 3.
10:45 – 11:45am: Special Kids Track. Get Your Kids Hiking: How to Start Them Young and Keep It Fun. Presented by Jeff Alt. Taking place at room South 2.
11:30am: Sunday Hike Signups. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Our Smokies Heritage! Out of the Dark, Part 1: Doc Henderson Versus the White Caps. How a courageous doctor rallied his community by riding out to oppose a secret order of nightriders engaged in terror, torture, midnight whippings and murders in the shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by Don Williams. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
11:30 – 1pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program and Special Kids Track: Wilderness Wildlife Week Tall Tales for Young and Old. Watch or join in as we spin a tale about a boy named Booger and his faithful cat Stinker and a firefly. Limited to 40 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Mary Phillips. Taking place at room South 4A.
Noon – 1pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Cougar Recovery in the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by Dr. John Laundre of the Cougar Rewilding Foundation. Taking place at room South 3.
12:30 – 2pm: Learn the Clawhammer Banjo, Part 1. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants must bring own five string banjo tuned in the key of G. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at room South 4B.
1 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program for Our Smokies Heritage! I Come to Borry Coals a presentation of the oral history of Smoky Mountain speech. Presented by Tyler King. Taking place at room South 2.
1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Creative Nature Enhanced Photography. Presented by Larry Perry. Taking place at room North 3.
1 – 2pm: Discovering October Roads Video Presentation. Presented by Fred Brown and Harry Moore. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
1 – 2pm: Songs of the Carter Family. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
1 – 2:30pm: Hiking and Backpacking Program: Getting Started with the Right Gear. Presented by Mike Braun, Bill Deitzer and Pamela Rodgers. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
1 – 3pm: Stream-Stocked Trout Fishing. Presented by Greg Ward. Taking place at room South 1.
1:30 – 2:30pm: Special Kids Track. Family Fun in the Smokies. Presented by Katy Koontz. Taking place at room South 3.
1:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! How to Look at and Critiquing Images. Presented by Colby McLemore and Eddie Foley. Taking place at room North 2.
2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Four Seasons of Whitetail Deer Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at room South 2.
2 – 3pm: Special Kids Track. The Blue and the Grey: Learn about Life as a Civil War Soldier. The Civil War needs Young folks to enlist for the Union or Confederacy and as a recruit, learn about the life of a soldier. Limited to of 25 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Mike Meldrum. Taking place at room South 4A.
2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Working with Wildflowers: A Photographer’s Delight. Presented by Jerry Whaley. Taking place at room North 3.
2:30 – 3:30pm: Confessions of Snake Boy: Snake Tales, Songs and Lore. Presented by Doug Elliott. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Owls and Woodpeckers of Tennessee. Presented by Stephen Lyn Bales from the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
3 – 4pm: Sanctuary: Meditations from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by J. Greg Johnson. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
3 – 4pm: You, Me and the Bears. Learn what happens when bears come into campsites or near our homes. Presented by Joey Holt. Taking place at room South 3.
3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Everything You Wanted to Know about Mountain Lions in the Smokies. Presented by Dr. Don Linzey. Taking place at room South 2.
3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program Special Kids Track! Compost Stew: Keep Sevier County Beautiful. Limited to 30 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Taking place at room South 4A.
4 – 5pm: The Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Turn Your Photography Into Art. Presented by Karen Jones. Taking place at room North 2.
4 – 5pm: Civil War in the Mountains. Presented by Chris Tipton. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
4 – 5pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! A Bodacious Snuffy Smith Chalk Talk. Presented by John Rose the Snuffy Smith Cartoonist. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
4 – 5pm: Bluebirds Year-Round Video Presentation. Presented by Steve Garr (Birds-I-View). Taking place at room South 1.
4 – 5pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Alpine Hiking for Seniors. Presented by Peter and Gudrun Seifert. Taking place at room South 2.
4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Bringing Sustainable Development to Environmentally Degraded Kenya. Presented by Dan and Nancy Richards. Taking place at room South 3.
4:30 – 6pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! LightRoom 5 Photo Editing Software. Presented by Colby McLemore. Taking place at room North 3.
5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! 7 Steps to Becoming a Better Photographer. Presented by Bill Fortney. Taking place at room North 2.
5:30 – 6:30pm: Of Ginseng, Golden Apples and the Rainbow Fish. Presented by Doug Elliott. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Our Summer in Alaska. Presented by Carroll and Michelle McMahan. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
6 pm: Monday Hike Signups Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
7 pm: Bagpipe Performance. Presented by Piper Charles A. Smith, Retired Commander of the TVA Police. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
7:15 – 7:30pm: Wilderness Wildlife Week Opening Ceremony and Welcome. Presented by Butch Helton the Pigeon Forge Office of Special Events Manager along with special guests. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
7:30pm: Opening Remarks. Presented by Ken Jenkins. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
7:45pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Keynote Program To Be Announced and taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

Let us know which one of these programs were your favorite today!

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 8

The 24th Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge and Guided Hikes for January 2014

2014-01-21T19:15:00.000-05:00

There have been some big changes to this year's Wilderness Wildlife Week in the Great Smoky Mountains which takes place each year in Pigeon Forge during January. Not only are there many new and exciting programs and guided hikes that will take place during Wilderness Wildlife Week, the schedule has been moved later by 2 weeks and will be taking place in a brand new location.

The past few years', seasonally rough weather has interrupted guided hikes and closed roads during Wilderness Wildlife Week to the great disappointment to many that have attended and if Wilderness Wildlife Week took place when it has historically, attendees would have dealt with roads closed by snow and biter cold making guided hikes far less fun.

Today kicked off another winter storm with snow causing roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to close shutting off access to some of the best areas to take a guided hike or bus tour such as in Cades Cove.

The good news is that by the time Wilderness Wildlife Week kicks off this year from January 25th through February 1st, 2014 the long term forecast right now show far more temperate weather and the potential for just a dusting of snow here and there mostly in the upper elevations.

Besides the new dates for 2014 when Wilderness Wildlife Week runs, it was time to change the location that this extremely popular yearly event takes place. The show will be taking place practically walking distance where it has in the past at the brand new LeConte Center on Teaster Lane in Pigeon Forge.

Clearly the best place to host the Wilderness Wildlife Week event had to be in Pigeon Forge based upon all of the great lodging and dining choices as well as the extremely close proximity of the Great Smoky Mountains national park where the majority of the guided hikes will take place.

The previous location where the event was held just did not have enough room for all the attendees who flock to the Smokies for the great family friendly demonstrations and classes, musical performances and storytelling. After all, everything other than food at Wilderness Wildlife Week is free and who can beat that?

The new LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge is not just beautiful and spacious; this state of the art convention facility will be comfortable if you come for just a few presentations, or stay from opening to close all week long.

You don't have to be a huge wildlife, history, musical or photography expert to have a good time at Wilderness Wildlife Week and I can assure you that by the time Wilderness Wildlife Week is over, you will not only know far more than you did a week ago, you will be inspired to learn more, have more great memories, you will be chomping at the bit to come back in 2015!

One of the most popular parts of Wilderness Wildlife Week is the guided hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains national park. It doesn't matter if you are a hard core long distance extreme hiker or just a beginner, there are hike for everyone but because they are so popular you have to register early in order to have a spot.

Any of the guided hikes listed below are subject to change or cancellation based upon weather or other unforeseen circumstances:

Hikes and Field Trips on Sunday, January 26, 2014
Sign-up for these hikes and field trips at 11:30am
on January 25, 2014, in Greenbrier Hall Section A

7am – 2 pm, Cades Cove Photo Trek, Guided by Iceland, Rated Easy
8am– 2:30pm, Rock House, Guided by Holt, 6 miles, Rated Easy Moderate
8am – 3:00pm, Hiking Tour of Wear Cove, Guided by Owen, 7.6 miles, Rated Easy Strenuous
8:30am – 4:30pm, Laurel Falls / Little Greenbrier, Guided by Domingue, 7.4 miles, Rated Easy Moderate
10am – 4:30pm, Ramsey Cascades, Guided by Hedgepath, 8 miles, Rated Moderate/Strenuous
10:30am – 2pm, Townsend Railroad Museum, Guided by Eastin, Rated Easy
6pm – 9pm, Owl Prowl, Guided by Garr, Rated Easy

Hikes and Field Trips on Monday, January 27, 2014
Sign-up for these hikes and field trips at 6 pm
on January 25, 2014, in Greenbrier Hall Section A

8am – 2pm, Cades Cove Bus Tour, Guided by Snyder, Rated Easy
8am – 3:30pm, Walker Sisters via Laurel Falls, Guided by Zachry, 7.5 miles, Rated Moderate/Strenuous
8am – 3:30pm, White Oak Sinks, Guided by Domingue, 5 miles, Rated Moderate
8am – 5pm, Mount Cammerer, Guided by Maynard, 11 miles, Rated Moderate/Strenuous
8am – 4pm, Rhododendron / Injun Creek, Guided by Duncan, 7, Rated Moderate/Strenuous
11am – 4pm, Cucumber Gap / Little River, Guided by Luckett, 5.5 miles, Rated Easy/Moderate
11am – 5pm, Abrams Falls, Guided by Owen, 5 miles, Rated Easy/Moderate

Hikes and Field Trips on Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Sign-up for these hikes and field trips at 6 pm
on January 26, 2014, in Greenbrier Hall Section A

7am – 5pm, Rocky Top, Guided by Silver, 14 miles, Rated Strenuous
7:30 am – 3:30pm Meigs Mountain / Lumber Ridge, Guided by Owen, 10.6 miles, Rated Moderate/Strenuous
8 am – 2:30pm, Mystery Hike, 6 miles, Rated Moderate/Strenuous
8 am – 2:30pm, Off-Trail to Walker Sisters, Guided by Snyder, 5 miles, Rated Moderate
9 am – 5 pm, Old Sugarlands / Skyuka, Guided by McCarter, 6 miles, Rated Easy/Moderate
11 am – Noon, Pigeon Forge Greenway Litter Pickup, Guided by Howard, 1 mile, Rated Easy
1 pm – 3pm, Sevier County Compost Facility Tour, Guided by Howard, 1 mile, Rated Easy/Moderate
6 pm – 9pm, Owl Prowl by Bus, Guided by Garr, Rated Easy

Hikes and Field Trips on Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Sign-up for these hikes and field trips at 6 pm on
January 27, 2014, in Greenbrier Hall Section A

7am – Noon, Cades Cove Photo Trek by Bus, McLemore, Rated Easy
8am – 2pm, Finley Cane / Bote Mtn. / Lead Cove, Guided by Owen, 7.1 miles, Rated Strenuous
8am – 3:30pm, A.T. / Road Prong / The Chimneys, Guided by Lloyd, 7.2 miles, Rated Moderate/Strenuous
10am – 3:30pm, Moore Cemetery, Guided by Snyder, 4.5 miles, Rated Moderate/Strenuous
10:30am – 4:30pm, Alum Cave Bluffs, Guided by Virden, 5 miles, Rated Moderate/Strenuous
10:30am – 5pm, Mystery Hike, 6 miles, Rated Moderate
1pm – 3pm, History of Pigeon Forge Tour by Bus, Guided by Scott, Rated Easy

Hikes and Field Trips on Thursday, January 30, 2014
Sign-up for these hikes and field trips at 6 pm
on January 28, 2014, in Greenbrier Hall Section A

7am – 2pm, Finley Cane / West Prong, Guided by Luckett, 6 miles, Rated Easy/Moderate
7:30am – 3:30pm, Ramsey Cascades, Guided by Virden, 8 miles, Rated Moderate/Strenuous
8am – 4pm, Meigs Mountain: Off-Trail, Guided by Snyder, 7.5 miles, Rated Moderate/Strenuous
8:30am – 4:30pm, Llama Trek, Guided by Garrett, 4 miles, Rated Easy/Moderate
11am – 5pm, Old Sugarlands, Guided by Deitzer, 3.5 miles, Rated Easy/Moderate
6pm – 9pm, Owl Prowl by Bus, Guided by Garr, Rated Easy

Hikes and Field Trips on Friday, January 31, 2014
Sign-up for these hikes and field trips at 6 pm
on January 29, 2014, in Greenbrier Hall Section A

7am – 3:30pm, Mystery Hike, 6.5 miles, Rated Moderate/Strenuous
8am – 4pm, Little River / Huskey Gap, Guided by Zachry, 6.8 miles, Rated Moderate/Strenuous
9am – 4pm, Barnes Sisters, Guided by Duncan, 5 miles, Rated Moderate/Strenuous
11:30am – 5:30pm, Cades Cove Bus Tour, Guided by Harrington, Rated Easy
6pm – 9pm, Owl Prowl by Bus, Guided by Garr, Rated Easy

Hikes and Field Trips on Saturday, February 1, 2014
Sign-up for these hikes and field trips at 6 pm
on January 30, 2014 in Greenbrier Hall Section A

7:30am – 4:30pm Birding Cades Cove, Guided by Alsop, 2, Rated Easy/Moderate
8am – 2pm, Baskins Creek, Guided by Maynard, 6 miles, Rated Moderate
9:30 am – 2pm, Cosby Bus Tour, Guided by Cardwell, Rated Easy
10am – 4pm, Jakes Creek / Avent Cabin, Guided by Jenkins, 3 miles, Rated Easy/Moderate
10am – 4pm, Old Elkmont Town, Guided by McMahan, 3 miles, Rated Easy
1pm – 3pm, History of Pigeon Forge Tour by Bus, Guided by Scott, Rated Easy

Wilderness wildlife week takes place from Saturday, January 25th until Saturday, February 1st, 2014 at the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge, 2986 Teaster Lane Pigeon Forge, TN 37868. You can call (800) 251-9100 or (865)453-8574.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

Peak Fall Leaf Season in Cades Cove Part of the Great Smoky Mountains

2013-10-31T08:24:00.001-04:00

There is no questioning that this weekend will be the peak leaf season for Cades Cove Tennessee, which is the most visited part of the most visited park in the United States: The Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Yesterday when driving around and hiking in Cades Cove you can clearly see that there are a few days to go before all the leaves colors into brilliant shades from the mountain peak to the valleys and even before getting to the valley, brilliant fall color can be seen on any road or trail in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Cades Cove Fall Peak Color

As you can see by the picture I just took in Cades Cove above, there is still plenty of green but also some very brilliant fall color!

We have not had any real precipitation for quite a while in the Smokies and the next 2 days we are guaranteed to get some. This should make what leaves are very green last longer on the trees and as long as the winds stay low, only blow of the poorer colored brown leaves so we can see the brighter fall colors in the trees even better.

Little River Road has some must see spots as soon as you leave the Gatlinburg Area on the way to see the fall color in Cades Cove. The fall color is at peak along the Laurel Falls Trail which is a very easy paved walkway up to a very pretty waterfall about 3 miles from the visitor center in the Sugarlands.

Just before the Laurel Falls parking area are 2 pull out parking areas with spectacular long range and short range views of the fall color. Be sure to get some pictures here!

When you leave Laurel Falls you go by Elkmont. While not quite yet peak in many areas of Elkmont, spots of the early fall color are already bare so while taking a few boulder shots here in the river would be nice, you do better to push on to Cades Cove where the color is much better.

Past the Metcalf Bottom Picnic area which will be on your right will be a parking area on the left for the waterfall area known as the Sinks. Unless there is no parking left, be sure to spot here and take a few pictures of the leaves and the waterfalls and boulders.

Watch for a rock wall on the left with parking about a 1/2 mile past the Sinks and you will be able to see Meigs Falls which I just took a video of yesterday. As you can see the yellows are getting brighter and so are the reds and oranges around it so by the weekend it will be stunning!

You may want to park along the Townsend Wye on the way to Cades Cove. This very photogenic spot will let you have some great pictures of fall color reflecting in the water along with rocks in the river and the rock wall.

As you continue toward Cades Cove you start to climb up to a Gap which has a pullout. The leaves are around here are just starting to hit peak fall color yesterday and should be great for the weekend.

Once you are in Cades Cove I would suggest taking the Loop Road around all 11 miles. Many of the cabins and churches are past peak, but just look up around the mountains and you will be able to see breathtaking fall color at its finest.

I would also suggest if your car can handle it to take Rich Mountain Road out of Cades Cove as you are then right in the best fall peak color of Cades Cove and can see great views when looking down into the valley.

Last Weeks of Peak Color for 2013 in the Great Smoky Mountains and Where It is.

2013-10-29T11:00:00.000-04:00

The word unusual is what best describes the peak autumn leaf color of 2013. Well pretty, late and long lasting work too. With all that said, I will even throw in unpredictable too.

I have been chasing fall color in the Smokies for 15 years now and so far the pattern has been very clear and predictable. This year's fall starting and peak color has lasted longer than usual in most locations, and most spots are later than usual and surprisingly much is out of synch making it more of a challenge.

The great news for everyone coming to the Great Smoky Mountains to appreciate the fall leaf colors is that the weather has been wonderful with virtually no rainy days and most of the time seasonably warm except when we got a light dusting of snow on the higher elevations along Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

All those sunny warm and dry days, has pushed the leaves to start changing color just a little latter than normal. It has also created more of an islands of color effect where spots of color appear caused by just a few trees close together change color more than large bands of color moving down the mountain at the same time.

Chimneys Overlook Fall Color

We have also seen where the fall color start and just stop as seen in the picture above taken at the Chimneys overlook 2 days ago where you can clearly see the tops of the ridge lost their leaves and was in peak last week, yet the lower part of the mountain that should be in peak right now is still in dark greens and yellows.

Normally when the top of this range is red, at least 300-400 feet below, the trees and bushes that change in the fall are very bright yellow and light green too. Clearly this is not the case.

Though peak color is at around 3,000 feet, a few spots such as along the Foothills Parkway Spur which more than 1,000 feet lower have dropped many leaves and have yet to peak color. The same can be seen in Cades Cove, Tremont, Greenbrier and Cataloochee.

Fall Color Middle Prong River Tremont

The picture above was taken yesterday at the Middle Prong River in Tremont where many trees have just turned yellow in the past 3 days. The bright reds and oranges are just around the corner.

The hiking trails in Tremont such as the West Prong Ridge Trail and the Lumber Ridge Trail are both very quiet and there is some fantastic color in spots that is only getting better by the day. Highly suggest both of these trails to see fall color and enjoy some tranquility.

The Middle Prong Trail in Tremont is much busier and has better color is spots. The 2 major waterfalls along the trail Lynn Camp Prong Falls and Indian Flat Falls have unusually light water flow, but are still very pretty.

Lynn Camp Prong Falls will be at peak color sometime late this week which may not last long. Indian Flats has mostly evergreens around it so anytime of the year is pretty.

Fall Sunrise in Cades Cove

Early mornings are beautiful in Cades Cove as pictured in sunrise this Sunday above. While peak color is working down the surrounding mountains ranges and should be still very bright and pretty into next week in parts, some of the color in the lower elevations never peaked and is surprisingly gone.

Don't get me wrong, with the help of some gentle moisture we could have an absolute riot of color still in Cades Cove as the trees with later colors to come out are still more than 80% green. At this rate we will have color into the second week in November.

Remember, Cades Cove does not open until sunrise to cars, but you are welcome to park At the orientation shelter by the entrance and walk in to watch the sunrise. Sunrise in Cades Cove is magical and before 9 am THIS LAST Sunday I saw bear, coyote, tons of deer and turkey.

The Cataloochee Valley about and 1-1/2 hours from Gatlinburg and its peak fall color is usually about 2 weeks ahead of Cades Cove due to the fact it is so much higher and generally colder as well.

Cataloochee Valley Fall Color

As you can see by the picture above taken 3 days ago, its fall leaf color is far from over along the peaks and down the mountainside.

Although the lower elevations along the valley floor are not very bright this year, just look in the distance and up the mountains and hill surrounding the valley and there is still plenty of great fall color to see.

Right now the best hiking trail to get the best fall leaf picture and enjoy stunning long range fall leaf season views is along the Cataloochee Divide Trail right at the park entrance.

Since the Cataloochee Divide Trail is not a loop, you can walk in a few minutes or hike in 10 miles or mile on this very easy trail. Take a break at the overlook with the large rock.

Down in the valley, Cataloochee is one of the best spots to see wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains other than Cades Cove. Of the more than 150 plus elk that live in the Smokies, more than 90 call Cataloochee home.

Elk Rut Cataloochee Valley

The elk rut, which is their mating season, is just about over. Some of the elk such as the one pictured above who obviously lost a battle with another elk over a potential mate must be glad their days of fighting will be over next week.

Unlike the peak fall color in Cataloochee the elks mating timetable seems to be right where it should be. You should be able to still get some great elk photos with fall color in the background for at least another week or so. Far later than normal!

So where is the best fall color right now in the Great Smoky Mountains that should also be very bright, colorful and beautiful this coming weekend? the Foothills Parkway West in the photo below from yesterday is the place to go!

Foothills Parkway West Fall Color

Not only will the 18 mile long scenic drive thrill you will great colors surrounding you on both side of the road, make use of the pullouts on both sides of the road. The northern pull outs look out past Walland, Maryville, Townsend, Alcoa and all the way out to Knoxville. Best night view in the Smokies.

On the Southern facing pull outs you are looking out at the Great Smoky Mountains national park and in some cases down into Happy Valley as well. In my opinion, some of the best views in the Great Smoky Mountains are right off this roadway and they are never more beautiful than during fall.

Sunrises and sunsets off of the Foothills Parkway West are fantastic. If I could choose just one time, it would be sunrise when the fog can fill the valleys below. Indescribable.

So what is the best part of the fall peak leaf season for 2013? The fact that since it is running so late and lasting so long, that so many more people can enjoy it than usually can.

Where it is usually impossible to take advantage of any special deals on good cabin rentals, because the season should be over, there are still some cabin rentals left at the lower November rates and you can use the coupon below for an additional 10% discount!

Last Minute Cabin Rental Discount

Fall in the Smokies: Peak Color and First Snow for 2013

2013-10-24T08:15:00.001-04:00

As we first predicted 10 days ago, not only are we right in peak leaf season or the Smoky Mountains with the best color at about 3,000 feet and up, we have had our first taste of snow for the fall of 2013.

The 2 places that first recorded snow as to be expected took place in the very high elevations of Mount Mitchell in North Carolina off the Blue Ridge Parkway and Mount LeConte to triple peaked mountain visible all around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville Tennessee.

Whereas Mount LeConte received just a few furies, Rangers had to close the access road 128 due to some snow but mostly being frozen sleet. Mount LeConte reported no accumulation this morning, but temperatures that dipped down into the teens with a high yesterday in the mid 50's.

The valleys in Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley and Gatlinburg stayed much warmer in the 40's last night with some of the foothills dripping down into the 30's and we are still under a frost warning and expecting a as much as few inches tonight at Clingmans Dome and Mount LeConte.

The combination of this cold weather that the jet stream drip brought into us here during peak autumn leaf color and the high probability of snow accumulations high in the mountains will mean brighter leaf colors, better long range visibility all with snow capped peaks? What could make for a better fall picture that that?

In the meantime, the fall color in the Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains has already been getting brighter at 4,000 feet and above with most of the fall color presently concentrated at 3,000 feet and up which of course will rapidly change given the cold weather that just moved into the Smokies.

I did an extensive fall color survey yesterday in the Smokies and I was not disappointed with what I saw. Starting up top at Clingmans Dome I had to break out both a winter coat and hat as it was windy and foggy and along the highest parts of Clingmans Dome Road we are already past peak which hot a week ago.

You don't go up to Clingmans Dome to see fall color in the leaves up close, but to get long range views looking down into North Carolina and going up and over to look down the valley into Tennessee. While it was in the lower 40's and windy, the fog would break every now and then so that you can see the color below.

See the video above from Clingmans Dome yesterday to see the fall color looking down into Deep Creek, Bryson City and you can see a glimpse of Lake Fontana. As you can see, yellows and some reds are out, in another 73 hours the reds will be far more prevalent.

Going down to Cherokee, some of areas around the Kephart area have turned and a few of the beech trees are already past peak. Cherokee has another week before hitting peak and there is far more green left than I can ever remember along the way.

Light Greens and yellows are creeping into Little River Road and Laurel Creek Road, and Cades Cove Will be really great starting this weekend and should have color lasting more than another week.

One of the best spots to see the fall colors right now in the Great Smoky Mountains national park is in the Cherokee Orchard Road area of the park behind Gatlinburg and along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trails.

Don't rush when you come here. One of the best places to spot bear early in the day and late in the afternoon is along this road - even before you hit the Ogle Cabin pictured above from yesterday.

If you want to have a gentle walk in the woods and an opportunity to see the color up close, park here and take the small guided loop trail around to a mill in the woods and along the way enjoy great photo opportunities and an opportunity to see the Smokies up close, all without steep climbs!

Further on up the road is the Rainbow Falls Hiking Trailhead. This trail goes along a large stream at the beginning and the fall color higher up on this trial is great!

Go past the second Rainbow Falls parking lot and on the right is the entrance to the Roaring Fork Motor nature trail. The further up you go, the better the fall color is right now and with 2 large overlooks, you have the opportunity to take some great pictures with a stunning long range view.

The first hiking trail parking area is for Grotto Falls a very easy 2-1/2 mile round trip with some nice fall color and if you hike about another 2 miles past the falls, you come to the best view of peak fall color in the Smokies on Brushy Mountain.

Further along on the motor nature trail are 3 more spots with historic buildings that look fantastic with the fall colors as well as many small cascades and waterfalls is the streams near the road.

This has been a very good year so far and it still looks as though we have more than another good week of peak fall color left in the Smoky Mountains!

Fall Color for October 21st 2013 in the Great Smoky Mountains

2013-10-21T19:09:00.002-04:00

Last night was another cool night and tonight it will dip into the 40s again and the cool weathers timing is perfect as the leaves are just starting to change in the lower elevations and is in peak higher up.

In an around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg it was bright and sunny and in the mid 60s today with no real traffic what so ever compared to the weekends in fall. Many restaurants did even have lines.

Cades Cove remained busy today with a moderate flow of well moving traffic except for the 3 black bear jams. You can tell the bear are desperate to fatten up as one was working the trees in the first field near the horse stables and another by the exit of Cades Cove Loop Road in the middle of the day. It isn't often you get to see black bear so easily in the middle of the day in Cades Cove when it is not raining.

Bears need to fatten up now in the fall before they slow down for the winter and these bear were working the cherry, oak trees as well as the Persimmon trees whose fruit will be much sweeter after the first frost.

Little River Road and Laurel Creek Road all still all leafed in boasting various shades of green and some yellows with an occasional red.

Even the waterfall by the Sinks has yet to color in, but with near or at freezing temps for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night, you can be assured that the bright color is right around the corner.

Fall color has crept further down on Rich Mountain, Cove Mountain, and Mount LeConte with the brightest color up high still a few days away. The view from Clingmans Dome was wonderful.

The hiking trails were fabulous from Greenbrier to Tremont and even the very busiest trails such as the Little River Trail pictured above today were still quiet and peaceful.

As you walked along the trails, you hear the rustling leaves underfoot and the bright blue sky set off the color in the leaves in the trees above or on vines growing on the trees like the flame red Virginia creepers.

Deer were out on 3 trails which is fairly unusual that they are so brave in the Smokies. They now have their darker grayish winter coats and like the bears are looking to take advantage of the few easy acorns left to find.

The squirrels are sill chattering at one another as they do in the fall and they are in a mad rush to make the most of what's left of the red oak and white oak acorns littering the forest floor.

It doesn't just look, feel and sound like fall, it smells like fall too. In the daytime you can smell the fresh leaves and in the evening, those lucky enough to have a wood burning fireplace are making themselves cozy in front of it while that wonderful smell of seasoned wood burning is in the air.

The exciting part is, we know it is just going to keep getting nicer and nicer day by day as the fall peak runs from the mountain peaks into the valleys.

If you haven't booked a cabin to come and enjoy the fall peak season, don't even bother trying to this weekend as any good unit is already booked.

If you are smart, take advantage of a last minute deal during the week when the traffic is light, trails are emptier, restaurants have no wait and you can still get a great deal and see what could be the best peak fall leaf season in years!

2013 Fall Peak Color In The Great Smoky Mountains Has Started!

2013-10-20T19:10:00.000-04:00

After losing more than 2 weeks of being able to have full access to everything in the Great Smoky Mountains due to the government shutdown, everything turned around just in a nick of time to be able to catch to beginning of the 2013 fall peak color in the Smokies.

Even with the prospect of a government closure that kept people out of our beloved national park, it did not stop the leaf peepers from coming to the Smoky Mountains and who could blame them?

As a matter of fact it appears that what few regulars who come every autumn to the Smokies to see the leaves change each year that didn't show up were replaced by many new fist time leaf peepers. You just needed to drive through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Tennessee to see how busy we were.

With the very wet spring, summer and early fall in North Carolina and now the mild temperatures with mostly sunny days, the fall peak leaf season is generally running a few days late in most areas and the same for Tennessee.

Normally you would expect to see a lot of bright reds at the highest elevations along with some deep maroons of early hardwoods starting to show for days now. Instead, yellows and oranges are still the dominant changing colors and the cooler weather that started last night is just starting to bring out the flame reds.

The Blue Ridge Parkways no has some areas of full peak and the light greens and yellows are as low as the Chimneys Overlook on Newfound Gap Road with full color stating on the Alum Cave Hiking Trail parking.

The vista at both Newfound Gap and the Oconaluftee Overlook just a little south of the Gap on the North Carolina Side is really starting to look beautiful. Further south at the swinging bridges overlooks you can see we have another week to be in real peak.

Fall Color at the Swinging Bridges

By the time you work just another 1,000 feet down in elevation along Newfound Gap Road, you are still predominantly dark and light green.

Little River Road, Lakeshore Road, the Foothills Parkway East and west all still mostly green and when you look up at the peaks in the distance the oranges and reds are getting more prevalent on the ridges every day.

For the most part, Cades Cove does not really have great color yet and the best way to enjoy it is long range looking from Rich Mountain across the valley. The hike to Gregory Bald is fantastic right now and will be for another week up top.

Looking Down at Cades Cove from Rich Mountain

Cherokee Orchard Road behind downtown Gatlinburg and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail have some nice color, but again this is really getting better by the day and will start peaking by the weekend. Be sure to past Grotto Falls and up to Brushy Mountain and the visibility has been good and the vista fantastic.

Cosby, Big Creek, Deep Creek and Elkmont all have spectacular color in spots as you hike up higher and best yet, the weather is amazing for hiking and though it is fairly crowed in the park, many trails are not overrun especially during the week.

The river in Greenbrier is just beautiful and has about 2 weeks of color left in spots. Do not miss out on Ramsey Cascades or the Pinnacles. Though the cascades water flow is light right now, the changing color in the forest is worth and the view from the Pinnacles today was breathtaking.

Greenbrier Tennessee - Pigeon River

Bluff Mountain, Ski Mountain and chalet Village all have some color coming in with a ways to go and Brothers Cove which is all decorated for fall looks like it will have some real vibrant color this year.

Be sure to take some pictures on the overlooks on the Gatlinburg Bypass which is a week to peak. The Spur leaves may drop before they hit peak as some have done in other places. If the leaves start falling here, be sure to check out Tremont which should be in peak at that time.

Fall Color in Cataloochee

The fall color will be peaking this week in Cataloochee and the elk are still putting on a show and rutting. Color will last into next weekend.

All said we will have good color this year and so far with real staying power. We may be a few days later than expected due to so many sunny days but then again, those were fabulous days to be outside enjoying the beautiful fall weather in the Smokies.

Related Fall Color Reports for 2013

Fall Color Report for 2013 Leaf Season in the Great Smoky Mountains

2013-10-13T17:59:00.000-04:00

Right on time in the Smokies we have seen fall color in some random trees and bushes such as sourwood and dogwood for the past 2 weeks, and yellows in hardwoods such as oaks above 5,000 feet for more than a week.

Late summer and early fall have been a mixed bag between dryer than normal on the Tennessee side and wetter than normal on the North Carolina side. This very strange combination has mean for a bumper crop of apples, but lousy acorns due to the stress.

The fact that we have good apples has us very excited as that is usually a good indication of a great autumn for color. The fact that the acorn crop is light means that the bears will be moving around looking more for food to fatten up for the winter.

The great news for leaf peepers looking to enjoy a both long colorful fall leaf season in the Smokies is that stressed trees and bushes often produce the best fall color. The trick is not to have too much stress which can cause a tree to go from green to brown and dropping its leaves within a day or 2.

Fall Leaf Season along Newfound Gap Road

To get the best fall leaf color possible, just as the leaf is turning off sugar production, you want a cold snap to convert the sugars in leaves such as maples into bright reds and hot oranges. Not enough cold and when the green goes, all what remains are yellows - still a very pretty sight.

Some places have many of the same species of tree or bush at the same elevation with the same exposure. When this is the case, you get a mass of basically the same color all at once. The peak leaf season in that case may only be a few days, but it can be quite spectacular.

The Smokies on the other hand vary greatly in both diversity and environment. Just go to Gatlinburg and look up at Mount LeConte and you are looking at more than mile in elevation gain - the most dramatic elevation change east of the Mississippi.

You also do not have 10, or 20 different species of trees growing in the Great Smoky Mountains, you have more than 100. There are more local native tree species growing in the Smokies - most of which produce color in the fall - than there are in the entire European continent!

The timing on all the trees as to when they shut off their leaves and produce the bright colors that remain in the leaves are all different. Even for the same species of tree, since elevations, canopy cover, soil types and conditions vary so much, so does the peak leaf season for each species of tree in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Since we have hundreds of different trees with different leaf colors in the fall peaking at different times, you can see that coming to the Smokies in autumn to see the leaves change; you have a window of 2 to 3 weeks minimum when the leaf color is great.

Bad weather conditions such as an extreme drought, or a huge wind storm or rainstorm that blows down leaves can reduce this window by a week, great conditions such as light moisture when needed, light winds and real cool nights to process the sugars can extend a peak leaf season to 4 or more weeks of color.

To time peak fall color in the Smokies it depends on where you want to see it peak. Even then it is part science and park art. We all know for example that folk legends such as the position and width of the bands on our wooly caterpillars is not an accurate predictor of how cold it will be during the winter. A coin toss works even better on average!

The biggest variable is weather conditions as to when the peak begins. Leaves turn off their green color which is chlorophyll and become colorful as both light and the temperature changes. When the days become shorter, less light means less sugar is produced triggering a fall shutdown of the Chlorophyll producing parts of the leaves. Continuous bright sunny days mean that the fall season will start later and thus peak later.

Darker, cloudy and rainy day's make plants start turning into fall colors faster, thus moving the peak season start and end sooner. With all this going on, temperature has an effect too so you can see since weather patterns can change real fast in the mountains, what can look like a late peak season can turn into a normal fall peak season in days.

Right now we are just starting to peak at the highest elevations which are generally only producing yellows at around 5,000 feet. Higher points such as along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the 6,000 foot range are seeing bright reds in some bushes and trees. If you are high up and looking down along the higher ridge lines, the fall colors including reds and oranges will really start to pop by next weekend.

Most people do not have the ability to be along higher ridge lines so the fall color when it moves to the middle and lower ridges will offer both better fall color long range views as the ability to be closer at the mid line where you will find many cabins and scenic pullouts so you can see the leaves with their fall colors up close in person.

The best time to enjoy peak season fall color in Cades Cove is right about when the mid range comes into color. For some reason the valley does not hold color long and f you wait too long for it to creep down the mountain, the tops of the mountains around Cades Cove are already done.

Cataloochee and the bald at Max Patch are at least a week earlier to fall peak leaf season than the lower parts of Tennessee such as Cades Cove.

Of course the best you can ask for is when the tops are at the tail end of peak, the mid and low elevations are at peak and there is a dusting of snow up top. If you are lucky enough to catch this, the contrast is thrilling and makes for postcards perfect pictures.

Long range forecasts today show the possibility of a dusting of snow in high altitudes on the 20th, 24th, 25th and the 31st. For most of this week we are expecting highs in 70's, and for the rest of the month in the 60's.

If you are coming here for a visit to see fall colors during October, pack warm clothes if you plan on going to the upper parts of Newfound Gap Road or on the Blue Ridge Parkway which is open all the way through to Virginia as we already have had lows up there in the 40's for days.

As long as the rain predicted for the 16th and the 17th is a gentle, long, soaking rain, some of the tail end of the fall color in hardwoods such as red oaks will still be visible in the Great Smoky Mountains and valleys such as in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg into November. In 2005, reds were still nice the second week in November.

The best bet to be sure to see the best fall colors in the Smokies is the 3rd week in October, you might not have full great color in the hardwoods and valleys, but you will be sure to have the mid elevations very bright and colorful. Even if a huge storm blows through, there will still be fresh fall color peaking everyday further on down below every few days.

Government Closure Status in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

2013-10-11T12:05:00.001-04:00

It is hard to believe that we are already in the 11th day of the Government Shutdown that among other hardships has closed the Great Smoky Mountains national park and the Blue Ridge Parkway facilities just as peak tourist season and leaf season begin in the Smokies.

Of course great news would be that everyone is working again and all national parks and forests are open. So far this is not the case; however, the federal government decided that if a state government can pay the expenses, federal parks can be reopened as long as the expenses are being covered.

The Great Smoky Mountains national park (GSMNP) encompasses more than 800 square miles straddling the states of North Carolina and Tennessee with the state border slicing the park lengthwise. While the GSMNP is has more land in North Carolina, the most accessible and heavily visited parts of the park are in Tennessee such as Cades Cove.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam is presently working with Tennessee congressmen to see if it is feasible to use state government resources to reopen part or all of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along with 3 other areas that the federal government shutdown has closed.

No official word yet if North Carolina will be willing to help pay to reopen the Great Smoky Mountains national park and with Tennessees help alone, it may not be enough for the park to open until the Federal Shutdown is lifted.

Presently the national park is legally closed to all use other than traversing the 3 roads which remain open, along with utilizing unblocked pullouts and overlooks which include the Newfound Gap parking and the Newfound Gap bathrooms.

The only roads in the park right now open are Newfound Gap Road US441 all the way from the entrance at Cherokee North Carolina, to where it ends 30 miles away at the city of Gatlinburg Tennessee and the Gatlinburg Bypass which connects Newfound Gap Road by the city limits to the Spur.

The Spur is also open and it is part of the Foothill Parkway outside the park and it connects Gatlinburg with Pigeon Forge Tennessee.

Current Road Conditions and Closure Status in the GSMNP

The entire hiking trail system in the Great Smoky Mountains national park is officially closed due to severe manpower shortages from the Government Shutdown as they are now considered unsafe.

Hikers right now are tolerated along the Appalachian Trail, Husky Gap Hiking Trail, Gatlinburg Hiking Trail, and the Oconaluftee River Trail.

If a trailhead is blocked off with cones or barricades do not hike there as you are subject to fine or arrest and you're putting others in danger.

As for facilities in the park such as Visitor Centers, Stores, Stables, Picnic Areas, Bathrooms, Historic Buildings, Campgrounds and Campsites, they are all closed. Do not trespass in these closed areas.

Looking to go horseback ridding? We suggest Walden Creek Stables.

Even though campgrounds are closed, the campground hosts are still there and looking to report any trespassers which is their duty, so please stay away from areas you are not allowed!

As for all the closed roads in the park, cars, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, skateboards, and roller skates are forbidden.

Even though these closed roads are off limits to all use. Walking is tolerated. If you wish to walk along any park roads, keep in mind that you want to be walking in a way emergency or maintenance vehicles may use the road and not expect you so stay away from blind curves.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park may be the most visited national park in the United States, but the Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited park unit in the country with almost twice the users that the GSMNP has.

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles from the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains national park in North Carolina all the way up to Virginia where it reaches the edge of the Shenandoah National Park.

Originally the Blue Ridge Parkway might have been closed during the shutdown, now all of its 469 miles are open to vehicles even there was a partial closure which required some emergency road repair work that was just finished yesterday.

All facilities such as picnic areas and visitor centers along the entire parkway remain closed. The Pisgah Inn in North Carolina which serves food along with the Peaks of Otter Lodge and Restaurant in Virginia, have been allowed to reopen.

Another great attraction along the Blue Ridge Parkway and only about an hour away from the Great Smoky Mountains national park just east of Asheville is the Folk Center which just reopened.

At the Folk Center you can see museum quality exhibits of local craftsmanship from furniture to clothes as well as a craft store.

There are picnic tables at some of the pull offs along the Blue Ridge Parkway, but cooking is forbidden. There is also a picnic area at the Folk Center which I would suggest as a stop.

Presently none of the pullouts for scenic outlooks or parking areas for hiking trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway are blocked off or closed. At this point the hiking trails have not been listed as off limits. Use of camping and campgrounds are prohibited.

Graveyard Fields: Blue Ridge Parkway October 10th 2013

One of the most popular hiking areas on the Blue Ridge parkway is Graveyard Fields about an hour away from the Great Smoky Mountains national park. As of yesterday it has the most advanced fall color of any of the areas I have seen in more than 300 miles with a ways to go.

Once you are past the first 20 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkways entrance at the Smokies you will see small markers showing hiking trails every few miles. From short scenic walks to 20 mile or longer hikes, there is something or everyone.

Hiking Trails on Blue Ridge Parkway

If you love scenery such as what you see at Clingmans Dome and Newfound Gap, I can assure you that you will be blown away by the stunning beauty you will see along the Blue Ridge Parkway. You will also see numerous wildlife especially off the road and on the trails such as black bear, elk, and deer is also quite numerous.

Ranger presence is light along the Blue Ridge Parkway, so it is best you do not hike alone, past your capability and be prepared as a fast rescue may not happen.

Be advised, though their presence is lighter than usual, rangers are taking enforcement seriously, especially speeding and passing on double yellow lines in both the Great Smoky Mountains national park and the Blue Ridge Parkway because of the seriousness and number of fatal accidents such behavior cost.

Besides the hundreds of miles of great hiking trails still apparently open along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Pisgah National Forest is also close by and accessible right off the Blue Ridge Parkway or I-40.

The Pisgah National Forest is enormous covering 512,758 acres with about 10% of which is old growth forest and like the GSM national park there are no facilities open, but people are using all of the hiking trail without any issues so far.

Other great places to go hiking not extremely far away are the 3 TVA trails: Tellico East Lakeshore Trail, the River Bluff Trail and the Hemlock Bluff Trail.

There is also Haw Ridge Park between Knoxville and Oak Ridge and the very nice moderate hike on the Pinnacle Trail in Sylva, North Carolina about 30 minutes tops from the GSMNP.

Not enough hiking for you? Add on the Panther Creek State Park in Tennessee, North Carolina's Dupont State Forest and the Nantahala Forest, the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, and an awesome drive along the Cherohala Skyway in the Lenoir area of Tennessee.

Wait a minute! I never mentioned the weeks of attractions you will find in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Tennessee, not including our beloved Dollywood Theme Park and the Ripley's Attractions Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Sure the park being closed hurts, but no one is expecting it to remain closed by next weekend, and even so, so at what else there is do around the Smoky Mountains. Now you see why we all call them the GREAT Smoky Mountains!

Twitter Account for Great Smoky Mountains National Park Info
Twitter Account for Newfound Gap Road US441 Info

Last updated 10/11/13 4:05pm

Fall Peak Color and Great Smoky Mountains National Park Government Shutdown 2013

2013-10-05T17:58:00.000-04:00

More than a million people a year come to the Great Smoky Mountains to enjoy the fall color in the Mountains of East Tennessee and North Western North Carolina.

This year will be no different even though a government shutdown has closed many federal buildings and facilities.

The timing could not have been worse for a government shutdown that then start of fall color which is starting to show all along the high elevations and sporadically down to the valleys.

Clearly the fall leaf color is starting in the Smokies and the peak looks to be right on schedule between the 14th to the 29th with hopefully some nice colors in the valleys on up to the weekend of November 3rd.

The biggest problem we have will not be the lack of fall beauty nor the access to beautiful scenery or places to hike, picnic or fish, but the misunderstanding as to where to go to see the stunning fall beauty in God's country even if most of the Great Smoky Mountains national park is closed because of the government shuts down.

No one is expecting at even the worst case scenario that the government shutdown will extend all the way through the Smokies fall leaf season and if it does rest assured that there and hundreds and hundreds of miles of hiking trails open, streams to fish, rivers to white water raft on and spectacular roads to motor tour on with breathtaking longs range vistas, streams and waterfalls.

Let's first get the bad news out of the way. The Great Smoky Mountains national park is closed right now due to the government shutdown. No it does not mean you cannot enter the park anywhere, but is does mean that you are limited as to what you can in the park when you get here.

All of the Great Smoky Mountains national parks visitor and information centers are closed. The campgrounds, picnic areas and all other buildings and park facilities are closed.

Other than US441 also known as Newfound Gap Road that stretches from Cherokee North Carolina all the way over the mountain for 30 miles to Gatlinburg Tennessee and the small offshoot road the Gatlinburg Bypass, all roads in the park are closed to vehicles.

All sections of the park such as Cosby, Abrams Falls, Cades Cove, the Roaring Fork Motor nature trail are all behind locked gates. Officially, everything behind a closed gate in the park as long as Washington DC has closed all national parks is off limits to any use.

Originally even the scenic pull-outs and trail heads were blocked off with cones on US 441 and no one was allowed to park anywhere in the park. At one point the Newfound Gap parking area was closed along with the restrooms there. These restrictions have been lifted.

As it stands right now, you can pull over and park in any pull out or parking area along the entire length of Newfound Gap Road except for the barricaded areas which include: the Oconaluftee Visitor Center by the Cherokee entrance, the Chimneys hiking trail trailhead, the Alum Cave hiking trail trailhead and the Sugarlands Visitor Center and Park Headquarters near Gatlinburg Tennessee.

The national park get so many visitors so rescues on park trails and accidents on roadways are fairly common as there are just so many people using them.

With the government furlough and the fact that even all unpaid volunteers have been sent home and the park is operating with a skeleton crew which does not have enough manpower for a backcountry rescue let alone mutable rescues which can happen in a park that covers more than 1/2 million acres.

Presently, officially all trails and quiet walkways and streams are closed and are considered to be facilities such as a visitor center, however, other than the Chimneys, where ongoing trail repairs have stopped due to the closure and the Alum Cave Trail to Mt LeConte, hiking along the Appalachian Trail and the trails along Newfound Gap Road is being tolerated yet discouraged by park staff.

Hiking in the park right buts not only you, but the limited personnel that can rescue you in danger so we implore you to only make use of the park in a way that is safe and where it is being tolerated as long as the park is closed.

Besides the Great Smoky Mountains national park, the Smokies boast some other fantastic wilderness and scenic experiences such as the Blue Ridge Parkway, The Nantahala National Forest, The Fires Creek Wildlife Management Area, the Pisgah National Forest, Cherokee State Forest, Mount Mitchell State Park, Fort Loudon State Historic park and about a dozen more an additional hour or so away!

Lake Fontana and the surrounding area in the picture below taken today is also a fantastic area to motor, hike, bike and just explore.

Last but certainly not least is the great driving hiking and picnicking you can still do along all 469 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is run by the National park service so it is technically closed just as the Great Smoky Mountains national park is.

The entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway remains open however all facilities are closed. Don't count on grilling for your picnic but there are plenty of picnic tables that you can still use. In the Balsam Mountain area you should be able to catch a glimpse or 2 of the reintroduced elk that are in rut right now like the picture I took below yesterday.

Other than the federal government opening the Great Smoky Mountains national park back up on their own, the mayor of Blount County Tennessee is now offering his assistance to Washington to have his police and public safety personnel patrol and conduct rescues in part of the park so that they may be able to reopen that section or to provide funds to do so. The ball is in Washington’s court on this.

No matter what happens with Washington, the views will still be stunning and there will be lots to do both outdoors and indoors in the Great Smoky Mountains and what looks like will be a great fall with spectacular color that should last.

Pigeon Forge Chalet Rentals Website Has Major Update and More Cabin Rentals!

2013-09-30T16:36:00.000-04:00

For more than 15 years PigeonForgeChalets.com has been renting chalets and cabins for overnight and weekly rentals in the Pigeon Forge Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Most of these cabins were within 5 miles of the Dollywood Theme Park and all are just a few minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

American Mountain Rentals took over all the operation of Pigeon Forge Chalets and removed any cabins up to their higher standards and added in a few new units to the rental program which has 2 dozen cabins and chalets. They also improved cleaning and maintenance with brand new crews of their own and it showed!

The web site for Pigeon Forge Chalets was also completely updated with newer up to date information, higher privacy and improved security. Better quality pictures were also added so you can better see the individual cabins for rent as well as their amazing views and privacy.

In the past 4 months some additional major updates have just been completed with another one about to be rolled out.

The first improvement was to more than double the cabin and chalet for rent on PigeonForgeChalets. There are now more than 60 handpicked cabins and chalets for rent spread throughout the Tennessee Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Wears Valley, Walden Creek and Sevierville.

There are now more vacation rentals on the web site than ever before that have seasonal swimming pool access as well as Free WIFI high Speed Internet Access. A few more pet friendly units that take dogs or cats that are 30 pounds are less have also been added.

The second improvement is the new availability calendar that is on each cabin page so that you do not have to "click over" to our vacation rental booking engine. This new feature allows anyone looking to rent a cabin or chalet to immediately see what is available and shortly when phase 2 of the update is rolled out, you will be able book direly from the calendar.

The third roll-out is the 2 new featured cabins or chalets that we have on the home page each and every day. There are now daily large featured cabins that are anywhere from 3 to 9 bedrooms, and our small cabins have 1 and 2 bedrooms.

Don't be fooled by the name small cabins and chalets as many of these 1 and 2 bedroom vacation rentals can accommodate from 6 to 8 people very comfortably!

The last update is under the hood and something you won't see but feel, a faster loading web site so you spend less time looking for the perfect cabin to rent in the Great Smoky Mountains and more time planning how much fun you will have when you get here!

See the new and improved Pigeon Forge Chalets web site.

Latest 2013 Great Smoky Mountains Fall Leaf Color Peak and the Start and End of Fall Color

2013-09-25T18:28:00.000-04:00

If you look carefully you will see it. It's happening all around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and in a few places in Sevierville too. They won't be ready to be turned on for a while, but when they do, boy will they shine!

What am I talking about? The Christmas Winterfest in the Smokies lights of course and you know what it means when they start putting up the Christmas lights in the Smoky Mountains? Fall color is right around the corner!

So far we are having what many feel is one of the nicest later summers and early falls in decades and they few days of rain we have gotten are just what the trees and bushes need to show off the most brilliant fall colors possible.

Temperature highs are still in the mid to low 70's during the days and the upper 50's to 60's which are ideal with the bright sunny days. This current trend will allow leaves to produce the most sugar and staying power for the brightest reds and oranges.

Early predictions for fall color in 2013 are very good and seem to be getting better by the day. The temperature drops have been consistent and steady and huge swings upward which would stress the leaves more have just not happened yet.

This year's Smoky Mountain acorn mast crop is also fairly sub-par, especially in white oaks. Combine this with a very good apple crop and all indications are for a long and brilliant fall peak leaf season for 2013.

So what will be peak fall color for the Great Smoky Mountains this year? Going by the spring wild flowers, bird and insect movement and the elk rut which was about a week late, it looks as though depending on elevation peak will fall from the early part of the last week in October for the valleys and as early as the 2nd week of October from 3,000 to 4,500 feet, sooner for up to 6,000 feet. Above that there is not really any color as you are in more fir environment which stays green year round.

While with a very damp Spring and Summer is behind us, current long term predictions are for an average fall precipitation and potentially cooler than normal temperatures. My opinion is it is just too soon to call it.

Some minor leaf color changes can already be observed at 1,500 feet and higher, dogwoods and sourwoods getting a burgundy to flame red color in a few branches above 3,000 feet today and lighting of the deep greens can be observed on Cove Mountain in Wears Valley, Some spots on Bluff Mountain, Shields Mountain near Dollywood, Mount LeConte and just below the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

I just returned from the Blue Ridge Parkway all the way to Mount Mitchell and so far a few bushes in the highest elevations are showing of color but we are a week or more away from brilliant color covering large swathes on Grape Yard Ridge, Looking Glass and the Balsam Mountain area which looks even further away.

Cades Cove and Roaring Fork are also showing no lighting and real fall color yet however there are a few spots high up on Rich Mountain Road the unimproved road between Cades Cove Loop Road and Townsend Tennessee.

You are sure to find nice color from the 1st week in October, great colors the second week and breathtaking the 3 and 4th week. Expect some color to still be good through the first week in November in areas such as Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. If conditions continue, it is possible there can be great fall color in some place for 2013 as late as the second week in November. It has happened before and so far the conditions are good for long staying color.

Shades of the Past and Fall Grand Rod Run in the Pigeon Forge Great Smoky Mountains.

2013-09-10T18:54:00.000-04:00

Though the Shapes of the Past Rod Run XXXI in the Pigeon Forge Smokies is now over, there are still hundreds and hundreds of museum quality cars from the 1930's to classic muscle cars of the 1970's parked along the Pigeon Forge Parkway and cruising all around the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Why are these classic car owners sticking around the Great Smoky Mountains still and what are the Pigeon Forge Rod Runs?

Could they be sticking around the enjoy the great weather we have here in the Smokies during September where it's warm enough to be wearing short sleeves and enjoying outdoor activities, but much cooler than the dog days of summer.

It's also a great time to take in the sights in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or a long breathtaking cruse with your classic car or hot rod along the Blue Ridge Parkway which is right next to the national park.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is bathed in the color green everywhere you look, except for the occasional burst of color from wildflowers still blooming. Look carefully and you will see a few leaves here and there just starting to lighten and are a prelude to the fall colors soon to come.

The waterfalls and streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are running higher than they will in a few months when the dry winter season begins and the sky still fills with the sights and sounds of birds now ready to migrate to warmer places for the winter.

The bear and deer are very active in the park now as a few green acorns have started to fall and make for an easy snack and in the North Carolina parks eastern parts, the bugling of rutting elk can be heard as these massive animals chase one another trying to collect as many females into their harems as they can.

All of this beauty and excitement means that it is a perfect time to cruise through the park and see the sights in a gleaming classic vehicle. There are not 1 but 5 great auto tours to take in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The Cades Cove Loop, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail of Cherokee Orchard Road, Cataloochee Tour, Newfound Gap Road and finally the Tremont Auto Tour.

The longest of these scenic drives is Newfound Gap Road which is 35 miles of climbing, twisting, and turning roadway with spectacular views from Sunrise to Sunset off its many overlooks. Some of the views are beautiful at night where you can see the city lights twinkling below.

Just as the Newfound Gap Road ends, or begins, depending which way you come is the 469 mile long Blue Ridge Parkway which is beyond compare. You can keep the top down on your sports car right now when riding along the Blue Ridge Parkway, but in another few weeks you will need a jacket and you may need to put the top down.

Thousands of visitors with their beautiful cars came for the Shades of the Part Rod Run which took place along the parkways and events were held at the Dollywood's Splash Country, but in 2 more days from September 12th to the 16th the Grand Fall Rod Run will take place!

We here in the Smoky Mountains look forward to both the Spring Road Run and the Fall Rod Run as we not only enjoy seeing miles and miles of cherry car, trucks and motorcycles, the Rod Runs are always taking place during moderate temperatures with the beautiful backdrop of the Smokies, along with the most fun roads to cruise along.

Whatever American made car floats your boat, you will be sure to find it here and more than likely, a bunch of them together. This year for example I say more 1930s Ford's and Packard's than I have in years, many in showroom or better condition.

There were also more classic pickups, tow trucks, delivery trucks from the 40's and 50's than I have ever seen here as well. Already trailer loads of motorcycles have been making their way into Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg as well as more muscle cars from the 60's and 70's than were here last week.

So you now see what so many who were showing their cars for the Shades of the Past are sticking around for the Fall Rod Run in Pigeon Forge right around the corner!

First 2013 Fall Leaf Season Predication for the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee

2013-08-30T20:09:00.000-04:00

First it was a random a leaf changing color in our dense Smoky Mountain forests, then it was the blackberries and blueberries no longer on the bushes in my favorite picking spots.

Now just as the days are just starting to get shorter the sounds of fall could be heard with the first bugling sounds of our elk. Fall in the Great Smoky Mountains is right around the corner!

Predicting how long a leaf season will be, when the fall color will start, when the peak of the 2013 leaf season in the Great Smoky Mountains is, how brilliant the colors will be and how long it will last is far from an exact science. What our leaf season predictions must be based upon is previous historical norms as a start.

Last year spring in the Smoky Mountains came more than 3 weeks earlier than normal for wildflowers and some of our insects in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area. Unfortunately for our migratory birds and some of our plants, the birds came when they normally do so some of the food sources they were expecting were not here.

This spring in the Smokies was another story as it was about 1 to 2 weeks later than normal throughout much of the Tennessee Mountains. Besides a late spring, we had one of the wettest summers on record.

This summer with all that rain the streams were full and the waterfalls were astonishing with huge flows of water cascading over the moss covered rocks. The forests and fields that are normally lush seemed impossibly green with the some of the best flower displays in years.

All of that rain and more moderate temperatures than most years started huge growth bursts, awesome for the forests, not much so for crops like our locally grown tomatoes and watermelons which split because they were growing too fast.

Though most of our vegetables suffered from too much water, the reports coming in this week from the local apple farmers look like we will have one of the best crops in years! Though we will lose some our apple trees from too much water, those that survived are producing a bumper crop of great fruit.

So why and I telling you about apple crops and not the 2013 fall leaf season and when the leaves will change color? Very simply, more often than not, the quality of apples most often is an indication of the quality of the leaf season in terms of how long the leaves can last and how bright the colors will be.

Since everything is on target for great leaf season with great fall color in the Smokies, what we just need now is for the weather to continue favorable conditions. If the conditions cooperate, this could be one of the best falls seasons in many years.

As fall starts and the days become shorter we can uses what the weatherman is predicting for the next week to continue. Altering bright sunny skies with moderate temperatures and a little moisture each day is what it will take to make the leaves bright and stay on the trees as long as possible.

Since the Smokies vary by more than 5,000 feet from the lowest valley to the top of Clingmans Dome - the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Between the elevation variations which can mean a change in temperature of 10 degrees or more and the various exposures between open fields and dense forests, fall peak should stretch out this year by more than 3 weeks if you know where to go.

If were continue to be blessed with the right temperatures and moisture as we have been the past few months, we are looking at a stellar 2013 leaf season in the Smoky Mountains starting in late September and the last of the fall leaves will be falling in November.

Let's just hope this fall leaf peeping season for 2013 continues to be as good as we expect it to be. Keep your eyes open for further updates!

Dolly Parton and Her Huge News about the Dollywood Theme Park in the Smokies!

2013-08-21T18:36:00.000-04:00

When you think about the Great Smoky Mountains, of course you think about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After all more than 9,000,000 people a year come to the park, but did you know that more than 2,000,000 people each and every year now come to the Dollywood Theme Park too?

Since 1986, close to 30 years, Dolly Parton's Theme Park Dollywood in the Tennessee Smokies set the standards for clean, safe, family friendly fun, just like the Disney theme parks in California and Florida.

When you add in Dolly's Splash Country Water Park next to Dollywood and the fabulous unique dinner show Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, you have entertained more than additional 1,000,000 people, many of which keep coming back every year.

As staggering as those figures are, what Dolly Parton just announced today makes all of those numbers seem quite small in comparison. How does a $300,000,000.00 investment in the Dollywood Theme Park and new 300 room resort sound? Intriguing? Exciting? Truly amazing!

Since opening day, the Dollywood theme Park wins award after award. This is no backwoods carnival, but a true world class amusement park and destination for young and old from around the world. Just last year Dollywood was awarded the distinction of having the friendliest hosts of any theme park in the world.

Get ready to be able to enjoy the first major improvement made this with 300 million dollar investment this spring when the exciting new FireChaser Express dual-launch "family-style" roller coaster. This amazing new roller coaster launches both forward and backward as it winds along the 2,427-foot track.

What makes this coaster also very unique is that takes riders 39 inches and taller from zero to 20 miles-per-hour in 1.1 seconds and when it reaches the end of the track, goes backward from 0 to 20 mph in 1.1 seconds back to the coasters starting point! The FireChaser Express Roller Coaster is slated to open in March of 2014.

Of course the Dollywood Theme Park has so much more to do already for young and old alike. Great Roller Coasters, adventure rides of all shapes and sizes, zip lining, live shows indoors and out, traditional artisans blowing glass, blacksmithing, and so much more.

Wait! Don't forget all the great water rides, splash zone, street performances, museums, eagle aviary, delectable mouth watering food and drinks and that all before you even get to the Splash Country Water Park!

Tourism in the Great Smoky Mountains has grown up quite a bit since Dolly Parton came back home and created Dollywood in the same type of hills and hollers and just a stone throw from where she was born and raised. Entertaining millions of guests a year in a family friendly safe environment is what she wanted to provide, and that is just what she got.

There is no better way to enjoy Dollywood and explore the Great Smoky Mountains in privacy with all the peace and quiet you deserve on your vacation than from renting a secluded cabin close to Dollywood. Not only will you have lots of room, your own hot tub, fireplace, outdoor decks with breathtaking views, game rooms and so much.

The price of a cabin rental is about the same as a decent hotel and look at how much more you get! Do you really think you have enough privacy and space in a hotel room? Is there enough to do if the weather turns bad and you are stuck inside with the kids? Of course not. Renting a log cabin style vacation is no longer a luxury but a wise investment so that your vacation can be the best ever no matter what!

When you are on vacation, do you have any desire to wait in long lines in a restaurant to pay about $10 a person for some eggs, toast, bacon or sausage, juice and coffee and have a view of seeing dozens of other people eating or would you have to enjoy a home cooked breakfast for far less sitting on your own deck with a stunning view? Easy choice right? Nothing like having your own full kitchen and even a BBQ grill in the Smokies!

To make a good deal even better, when you stay in one of the American Mountain Rentals Cabins or in the luxurious Brothers Cove Resort not too far away, you not only get a great deal on a cabin rental, you even qualify to be able to buy the cheapest discounted Dollywood and Splash Country Theme Park Tickets!

If for some reason you insist in staying in a hotel to enjoy the Dollywood Theme Park we suggest you wait until the park's 30th anniversary in 2015 when Dollywood's DreamMore Resort is set to open. The resort will have 300 rooms, an indoor and outdoor resort pool, spa, and a full-service farmhouse-style restaurant.

The Dollywood DreamMore Resort may not be a cabin rental with tons of space and privacy but it will have fire pits, swings and hammocks, and story spots scattered throughout the grounds and will surely live up to the high expectations we all have.

While a 300 million dollar investment spread over 10 years sounds likes a tremendous commitment which it is, Dollywood, which is the biggest ticketed attraction in the state of Tennessee is committed to further expansion and improvements with plans already stretching out for the next 25 years!

Come to the Smokies and see what all the fuss is about. You won't be disappointed!

Cabins for rent by the Dollywood Theme Park

2 Bedroom Cabin Rentals for $115 a Night in the Great Smoky Mountains!

2013-05-05T15:51:00.000-04:00

You don't have much time left to take advantage of one of the best cabin rental deals in the Great Smoky Mountains! We have 13 cabins you can rent right now for a minimum of a 5 day stay during the month of May (except during Memorial Day Holiday block out) for only $115 a night.

These are not second rate cabins, these are top cabins and chalets in only the best locations in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley and Sevierville Tennessee. You want a hot tub? You got it! You want entertainment? There is plenty inside each of these vacation rental homes to keep you entertained.

Expect a wood burning or gas fireplace, large comfortable living areas, a fully equipped kitchen, outdoor deck space to relax along with a gas or charcoal grill - all in a clean well maintained cabin or chalet you are sure to want to come back to again and again.

If you stay in any of these cabins even at this great discount price, you are still eligible to buy discounted Cheap Dollywood Discount Tickets, Ripley's Tickets and more!

Because of the extreme discounts and the limited supply of cabin rental units that quality for this special discount in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg that qualify, this offer can be withdrawn at anytime without notice. Book now while you can and enjoy a fabulous vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains.

This special off season weekly rental rate cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts and you must use Cabin Rental Discount Promo Code TEXT115 when making your reservation online or by phone to (800) 508-6070.

Even though this the last month in 2013 that you can take advantage of this extended stay off season discount for a 2 bedroom cabin rental in the Smokies, you can book now for the 2014 off season from January through May (holidays not included).

Bear Paw Chalet

2 Bedroom Chalet in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 6
Rent This Chalet for only $115 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Suite Temptations

2 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 6
Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Whispering Pines

2 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 6
Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Lovin Life

1 Bedroom with Loft in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4
Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Finders Keepers

1 Bedroom Cabin in Sevierville TN - Sleeps 6
Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Gummy Bear

2 Bedroom Cabin in Sevierville TN - Sleeps 4
Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

A Smoky Getaway

2 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 8
Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Treetops

2 Bedroom Cabin in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 6
Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Rippling Waters

2 Bedroom Chalet in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 4
Rent This Chalet for only $115 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Nature's Retreat

1 Bedroom with Loft in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 5
Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Morning Mist

2 Bedroom Cabin in Gatlinburg TN - Sleeps 5
Rent This Cabin for only $115 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Berry Delightful

2 Bedroom Chalet in Pigeon Forge - Sleeps 6
Rent This Chalet for only $115 a Night
(Off Season with a 5 night Minimum Stay)

Great Smoky Mountains Elkmont Firefly Watchers to Invade this June!

2013-05-01T17:10:00.000-04:00

It happens every year in the Smokies and it doesn't happen anywhere else in the world like this. The invasion. It may not be the British invasion of the 60's, but beetles are involved in this one as well. The synchronous fireflies of the Smokies are coming…The synchronous fireflies of the Smokies are coming!

To say that the sight of a Smokies firefly blinking in perfect harmony with thousands of other lightning bugs all around you is a true miracle of nature is not an exaggeration. Scientists have been coming here from around the world to study our extremely rare fireflies and though they know much about these little creatures, the ability to control the synchronized flashing lights is still a mystery.

Other than a small area in Asia that has a different lightning bug that flashes in the trees synchronized, no other fireflies around the world can do this like ours in the Smoky Mountains can.

The synchronous firefly Photinus carolinus is not alone in the Great Smoky Mountains as there are actually 18 other species that we know of, but only this one flashes in unison, thousands of them at a time!

While this amazing firefly is so rare, it can be found in staggeringly huge numbers in section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee just a few minutes from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

So many people came to this small place every year for the 2 weeks that this display of flashing lights happens, that a shuttle service had to be arranged in order to fit as many people as possible safely and comfortably.

Until last year if you wanted to see the fireflies in Elkmont during the peak mating season when they flash, you would have to park at the Sugarlands Visitor Center Parking area just outside the city limits of Gatlinburg Tennessee.

You would then wait in line for hours hoping that there was space on the shuttle for you. Many people were turned away everyday as only about 1,000 people per night could be accommodated.

Last years in 2012 the system changed so that you must reserve a parking pass in advance for $1.50 a car and then up to 6 people from that car are able to buy a round trip ticket to see the fireflies in Elkmont for $1 a person.

While the new reservation system for the firefly shuttles worked far better, a problem last year was that the fireflies were just about done with their mating a full 2 weeks earlier than normal when the shuttle were running. Wildflowers were also blooming about 2 - 3 weeks earlier than normal as well due to exceptionally warm weather in the winter.

This year the wildflowers, trees, migrating birds and insects in the Great Smoky Mountains are about a week behind normal so the shuttles are scheduled to run from June 6th through June 13th a time right in line with previous peak flashing seasons.

The early reservations sold out within hours and now the only parking passes so you can ride the firefly shuttle are being sold on a first come first served bases the day before departure. With only 85 passes a day to be sold, we expect them to be sold out in minutes every day they become available.

If all this sounds like too much of a hassle, or if you missed out and the tickets are gone, all is not lost. There are a few places where the fireflies can be seen before, during and after the main display in Elkmont.

As a matter of fact, there are even cabins that you can rent where you will be able to see the synchronous fireflies right from your deck or just a short distance on private property you and other guest have access to. No crowds, no lines and no fees!

The Brothers Cove Log Cabin Resort community happens to be one of those magical places in the Smokies where you can find the synchronous fireflies because it has everything the little critters like: a very wooded natural environment with small creeks and even large open fields. Brothers Cove is also tucked in a mountain far away from the lights of Pigeon Forge which makes the firefly show that much better.

Besides Brothers Cove, there are other places in the Great Smoky Mountains national park where you can catch the fireflies away from the crowds. If you are willing to hike in for a distance, park your car at the Cades Cove orientation shelter and walk right in. Fireflies can be seen in the fields, on Sparks Lane, by the Abrams Falls Trailhead and Hyatt Lane.

Don't feel like walking far? They can be seen in Tremont which is between Townsend and Cades Cove also at around the same time of the year. Coming later? Mid to late June they can be found if you park your car at one of the pull outs along Clingmans Dome Road. Since it is up higher the season starts later.

There are other places outside the park in Wears Valley, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge that these true miracles of God's creation can be found!

Synchronized Fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains

The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Great Smoky Mountains

2013-04-24T12:05:00.001-04:00

The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is an annual five-day event in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that has attracted nature and history lovers, photographers, artists and tourists to the Smokies every spring since 1951.

This annual gathering had humble beginnings starting with 400 attendees from 20 different states which has grown to thousands who come for the formal programs or informally on their own.

The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage programs include close to 150 professionally guided walks and hikes along with indoor presentations exploring the Great Smoky Mountains region's rich abundance of wildflowers, wildlife, biodiverse environment along with the Smokies own rich cultural and natural history.

Virtually all of the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage programs held outside such as the guided hikes take place in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Indoor programs take place in the Sugarlands Visitor Center, the W. L. Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg and a host of other locations all throughout Gatlinburg Tennessee.

What started as a 2 day event has now grown to a 5 day event with most visitors attending the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage staying a week or more in the Great Smoky Mountains as there is just too much to take in such a short period and through there may be a few April showers - great for May wildflowers, the weather is generally extremely comfortable.

Timing for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage can be difficult especially given the significant weather variations in the past decade. For example, last year January and February were both more than 9 degrees above normal and everything in the Great Smoky Mountains came to life and then bloomed about 3 weeks early than normal.

The good news is that even if everything blooms real early and you miss the emergence of some plants, and animals for that matter, it's OK as there are blooming plants and trees into October! The timing of wildflowers emergence and then blooming also depends on elevation and exposure which varies greatly throughout the park so "peak bloom" of any plant in the Smokies can stretch for weeks of you know where to go.

The heavy flowering in the Great Smoky Mountains normally starts in late March and peaks from April through May with some of the best mass flowering displays such as that from the Mountain Laurels, Rhododendrons and Azaleas peaking in May and June in the best locations, and some will still flower into July.

With more than 1,700 flowing vascular plants in the Great Smoky Mountains national park, some of which are so rare they are only found in isolated tiny locations, the advantage of exploring the park with local experts is priceless. Many of the attendees of the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage are local experts as well so it is not uncommon on a hike with a dozen attendees to have more than a century of combined wildflower, photography and wildlife experience on the trail with you!

Especially if you are not from the area I would highly recommend getting at least 1 wildflower identification book from one of the visitor centers. I personally recommend 2 such books: the small pocket guide "Wildflowers of the Smokies" and the larger spiral bound "Great Smoky Mountains Wildflowers". You may want to also purchase a Wildflower Checklist for $2.95 at one of the National Park Visitor centers. All purchases help the park.

Speaking of helping the park, the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is a non-profit event made possible by individuals with local organizations who donate their time and resources and if you would like to volunteer your time or make a contribution, please contact Holly at Friends of the Smokies.

There is another way that you can help the park and that is by become a member of Friends of the Smokies. Doing so not only help fund educational programs, restorations efforts, scientific research, hiking trail maintenance and repairs and so much more, it also means that you can save 10% off of any regular rate on a cabin rental in the Great Smoky Mountains managed by American Mountain Rentals (not valid on Holidays).

What could possibly be better than hiking around the nation's most beloved national park and enjoying great weather, beautiful vistas, the sounds of creeks and streams and waterfalls and the sight of a carpet of wildflowers in the peaceful woods? Coming back home to a cabin with a great view, lots of privacy and after a home cooked meal climbing into a hot tub to watch the shooting stars and the flickering fireflies - all at a discounted price!

Can't make the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage but still want to visit the best wildflower locations in the Great Smoky Mountains? There are far too many to list all of them, but the cream of the crop are Porters Creek and Old Settlers rail in Greenbrier outside the Gatlinburg City limits in Pitman Center, the Lower Mount Cammerer Trail and Nature Trail in Cosby neat Gatlinburg, Old Sugarlands Trail near park headquarters in Gatlinburg, Cucumber Gap Trail in Elkmont, White Oak Sinks and Finley Cane hiking trail between Townsend and Cades Cove, Mingus Creek Trail and Kanati Fork Trail off Newfound Gap Road in North Carolina along with some areas in Lakeshore.

So where should you stay if you are attending the Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Smokies? Certainly on the Tennessee side as though even though there are great wildflower hikes on the North Carolina side, most of the programs are taking place in Tennessee.

The vast majority of the hikes and programs in the Smokies Wildflower Pilgrimage are taking place in Gatlinburg so that should be your first choice. The south end of Pigeon Forge and along Wears Valley is also very convenient is it will also give you the opportunity to bypass some of the traffic and go right on through to the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Of course the last thing you will want to do after a day of being surrounded by the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains national park is to be crammed into a hotel room along the parkway so you should take advantage of the Friends of the Smokies members discount on cabin rentals during this and all future Spring Wildflower Pilgrimages in the Great Smoky Mountains.

The Smokies Blog

Day 8 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Wilderness Wildlife Week ScheduleDay 8: Saturday, February 1st 2014

Day 7 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Wilderness Wildlife Week ScheduleDay 7: Friday, January 31st 2014

Day 6 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Wilderness Wildlife Week ScheduleDay 6: Thursday, January 30th 2014

Day 5 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Wilderness Wildlife Week ScheduleDay 5: Wednesday, January 29th 2014

Day 4 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Wilderness Wildlife Week ScheduleDay 4: Tuesday, January 28th 2014

Day 3 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Wilderness Wildlife Week ScheduleDay 3: Monday, January 27th 2014

Day 2 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Wilderness Wildlife Week ScheduleDay 2: Sunday, January 26th 2014

Day 1 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Wilderness Wildlife Week ScheduleDay 1: Saturday, January 25th 2014

The 24th Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge and Guided Hikes for January 2014

Peak Fall Leaf Season in Cades Cove Part of the Great Smoky Mountains

Last Weeks of Peak Color for 2013 in the Great Smoky Mountains and Where It is.

Fall in the Smokies: Peak Color and First Snow for 2013

Fall Color for October 21st 2013 in the Great Smoky Mountains

2013 Fall Peak Color In The Great Smoky Mountains Has Started!

Fall Color Report for 2013 Leaf Season in the Great Smoky Mountains

Government Closure Status in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Fall Peak Color and Great Smoky Mountains National Park Government Shutdown 2013

Pigeon Forge Chalet Rentals Website Has Major Update and More Cabin Rentals!

See the new and improved Pigeon Forge Chalets web site.

Latest 2013 Great Smoky Mountains Fall Leaf Color Peak and the Start and End of Fall Color

Shades of the Past and Fall Grand Rod Run in the Pigeon Forge Great Smoky Mountains.

First 2013 Fall Leaf Season Predication for the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee

Dolly Parton and Her Huge News about the Dollywood Theme Park in the Smokies!

2 Bedroom Cabin Rentals for $115 a Night in the Great Smoky Mountains!

Great Smoky Mountains Elkmont Firefly Watchers to Invade this June!

The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Great Smoky Mountains

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 8: Saturday, February 1st 2014

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 7: Friday, January 31st 2014

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 6: Thursday, January 30th 2014

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 5: Wednesday, January 29th 2014

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 4: Tuesday, January 28th 2014

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 3: Monday, January 27th 2014

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 2: Sunday, January 26th 2014

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 1: Saturday, January 25th 2014