Cades Cove Loop Road may reopen with delayed opening on Sunday, Clingmans Dome Road likely to remain closed

SMOKIES WEATHER UPDATE - 8:30 P.M SATURDAY, NOV. 1

Cades Cove Road will most likely reopen sometime tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 2, according to a Twitter post from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, the expected opening will be a delayed one, so visitors should call first before making the trip. You can get updates on all of the road closings and weather conditions by calling the Park Service. Clingmans Dome Road will likely remain closed Sunday due to snow and ice.

For updated road and weather information please call (865) 436-1200. Once you hear a voice, dial extension 631 for road information or extension 630 for a weather forecast.

Walker Camp Prong at Alum Cave Trail
at 3:00 p.m. Saturday. (NPS)

The National Weather Service is discouraging travel in the mountains due to significant snowfall that has already occurred and is expected to occur this evening. According to the National Weather Service in Morristown, snow will continue to fall through this evening with significant snowfall expected above 2,500 feet. Brisk northwest winds will enhance snow accumulation this evening, but snow showers will eventually diminish throughout the evening. They predict a high near 46 in Gatlinburg on Sunday with mostly sunny skies, so conditions should improve throughout the day on Sunday.

Accumulated snow on foliage-laden branches is causing trees to fall throughout the park.

The crew at LeConte Lodge reported 22 inches of accumulation at 3:00 today. They're currently closed to new hikers and will reassess the situation on Sunday, according to their website. There were guests at the lodge when the snowstorm hit, but about half of them hiked out earlier today and the rest reportedly have made it out safe as well.

WBIR reported that Rangers rescued 51-year-old Roger Fender of Franklin, TN, who was hiking with friends in the Greenbrier area when a tree fell on him Saturday morning. Park dispatchers got the call around 11:30 a.m. Fender was hit by a tree limb about a foot wide that fell on him from about 60 feet. He suffered several broken bones. Friends lifted the limb up and helped pull him out while a litter team hiked to the site.

Rangers reached the scene around 1 p.m. and were able to carry him out in about an hour and a half to a waiting ambulance.

While the early winter weather is beautiful and we all want to see the snow, it's best to avoid the Smokies until conditions are safe, especially hiking in the backcountry if unprepared.

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UPDATE: Most Park roads are closed due to snowfall, ice and downed trees. According to the National Park Service, Little River Road is closed from the Sugarlands Visitors Center to the Townsend Wye due to snow, ice and downed trees and there is no access to Elkmont.

Laurel Creek Road is closed at Tremont Road and there is no access to Cades Cove and the Gatlinburg Bypass is closed. US 441/Newfound Gap Road was closed yesterday due to the storm, as was Clingmans Dome Road. Foothills Parkway East and West, Balsam Mountain/Heintooga - Greenbrier, Cataloochee Entrance Road, Weir Cove Road ... all closed due to ice, snow or downed trees.

Mount LeConte has gotten 16" of snow so far.

Purchase Knob webcam 11:00 am Nov. 1, 2014. (NPS)
 

Any roads that aren't currently closed will probably be closing. Conditions are hazardous and the National Park Service is recommending that visitors heed warnings about the hazards that exist, such as fallen or falling trees, ice and snow.

GSMNationalParkInfo is reporting on its Twitter account that there are many downed trees and power lines, power is out at Elkmont and campers at Elkmont and LeConte Lodge are having to stay where they're at until it's safe to leave. Rangers are asking people not to enter the Park on foot due to unsafe and deteriorating conditions such as trees falling, ice and snow.

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It's hard to believe it was 80 degrees on Monday and tonight snow is falling in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Our first big winter storm of the season could dump up to a foot of snow or more in higher elevations this weekend. It's supposed to get down to 33 degrees tonight and 27 degrees tomorrow night in Gatlinburg. The National Park Service has closed U.S. Highway 441/Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC due to ice and snow. Clingmans Dome Road closed at 11:00 today due to the impending storm.

If you're planning a trip to the Smokies or Cades Cove, I would strongly suggest checking road and weather conditions on the National Park Service Website or following them on Twitter. Or, you can call for road and weather updates.

For updated road and weather information please call (865) 436-1200. Once you hear a voice, dial extension 631 for road information or extension 630 for a weather forecast.

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

The National Weather has issued the following advisory:

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR EAST TENNESSEE

According to the National Weather Service:

• Cades Cove: There is a chance of about 1-3 inches of snow accumulation in Cades Cove tonight with another 1-2 inches of new snow forecasted for Saturday.
• Newfound Gap/Clingmans Dome: The higher elevations might get around 3-7 inches tonight with another 3-7 inches on Saturday and another 2-4 inches Saturday night with new snow accumulation of less than a half inch predicted Sunday, when it's predicted that the snow will be turning to rain.
• Cherokee, NC is forecasted to get 1-2 inches tonight, 1-3 inches Saturday, less than an inch Saturday night and less than a half inch on Sunday.

Hiking in the Smokies can be very dangerous if you don't take the proper precautions. Many hikers have been surprised and unprepared for the drastic temperature changes in the Smokies.

Rafting in the Smokies offers the following tips for winter weather hiking in the Smokies.

What to bring on your winter hike.
The Boy Scout’s Motto is always be prepared.  Rafting in the Smokies wants you to be prepared for your wintertime hikes in the park.  Here’s a few tips on what to bring.

A hiking map and compass are essential pieces of equipment to bring along.  They come in really handy for getting you back to the trail-head.  Know where your at on the trail, and stay on the marked trail at all times.

Although most of the park does not have cell phone coverage, you still want to take along your cell phone just in case. Carry your cell phone in an inside pocket where the batteries can stay warm.
Hiking in the winter causes your body to burn additional calories and requires more nourishment. Make sure to bring enough food and high-energy snacks.

Make sure to carry at least two quarts or more of drinking water.  The stream your standing beside may look clear and inviting, but there are bacteria present that will affect your health for months to come.  Only drink the water you brought with you or boil creek water before use.

Wear layers of clothes to help regulate your temperature and keep you warm and dry.  Layers should be matched to the weather, your activity level and personal preference.  Check out this great sports medicine link on how to properly layer your clothes.

Be prepared and stay safe on your next trip to the Smokies.

Cades Cove, Clingman's Dome Rd open

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK - Updated 8:45 a.m. 10/15/15 ... Cades Cove Loop Road is open this morning, according to officials on-site at Cades Cove Campground, but Sparks Lane is temporarily closed due to high water brought on by heavy rainfall yesterday.  Clingman's Dome Road, closed yesterday due to rainfall, is now open.

As of  8:38 a.m. Wednesday morning, Hwy. 441/Newfound Gap Road between Cherokee and Gatlinburg was open to all traffic. Parsons Branch Road, Rich Mountain Road and Balsam Mountain/Heintooga Ridge Road were closed due to downed trees and Sparks Lane was closed due to areas of high water. Construction delays can be expected on Hwy. 441/Newfound Gap Road from the Chimneys to Alum Cave.

Campers at Elkmont Campground were temporarily evacuated by Park Rangers yesterday evening due to rising water, but were allowed to return to the campground around 9:15 p.m. last night.

As a reminder, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail will close for the season on the evening of October 31, 2014 and will remain closed until April 30, 2015 to replace eight bridges along the roadway. The road will be closed to all public use including hiking and biking.

Campers Allowed to Return to Elkmont Campground

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK - Updated 10:05 p.m. 10/14/14 ... Campers were temporarily evacuated from 149 sites at Elkmont Campground Tuesday evening due to rising waters brought on by heavy rainfall, according to National Park spokesperson Dana Soehn. WBIR reported that Elkmont reopened at 9:15 p.m. tonight and campers were allowed to return to their sites.

Heavy rains and wind that came through the area have downed trees and created a mess in the Smokies. Soehn said Clingman's Dome saw four inches of rain on Tuesday and winds reached 89 miles per hour at one point. According to GSMNP Info., Cades Cove Loop Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail will open late tomorrow for storm cleanup.

As of  9:23 p.m. Tuesday evening, Hwy. 441/Newfound Gap Road between Cherokee and Gatlinburg was open to all traffic. Parsons Branch Road, Rich Mountain Road and Balsam Mountain/Heintooga Ridge Road were closed due to downed trees and Clingman's Dome Road and Sparks Lane were closed due to areas of high water. Construction delays can be expected on Hwy. 441/Newfound Gap Road from the Chimneys to Alum Cave.

Even with the rain and wind slowing down, Park visitors should be on the lookout for falling branches or trees throughout the night and exercise caution near streams and rivers.

Higher Elevations Showing Colors in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Foliage

Hints of orange, red and yellow are starting to sneak into the foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and many are wondering when to expect big changes to occur from lower elevations to the highest elevations.

The folks at Visit My Smokies have a nice Fall Color Map that shows when these changes can be expected. Just click on this link:   Great Smoky Mountains Fall Color Map 2014

The National Park Service website posted this Fall Color Update on Oct. 10, 2014:

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FALL COLOR REPORT

Fall Color Report - October 10

Fall color continues to progress in the high elevations of the park. The yellows of birch, and the reds of maple, sourwood, and witch hobble are dominant now. Last weekend's cold snap led to a good burst of color around Newfound Gap. However, high winds earlier this week caused leaves along the last three to four miles of Clingmans Dome Road to fall. There is still a significant amount of green at the higher elevations though, which means color will continue to develop over the next few days. Views along the first half of Clingmans Dome Road and in the higher reaches of Newfound Gap Road should be good though early next week.

Middle and low elevations are still predominantly green with a scattering of fall color here and there. But signs of change are becoming more noticeable. Some vibrant reds have developed on dogwoods, sourwoods, and a few maples. The vivid red leaves of Virginia creeper vine are very noticeable climbing tree trunks now. We're also starting to see a bit of yellow developing. Keep in mind though, that the main leaf season in the lower elevations is still two or three weeks away.

Fall Color Report - October 1, 2014
High elevations in the park are getting colorful with the yellows of birch and reds of sourwood and witch hobble. Although fall color in the high elevations is not usually as vibrant as the colors of the middle to lower elevations, the dark, evergreen needles of spruce trees are a nice backdrop for the yellows that predominate on the Smokies highest crests. Views along Clingmans Dome Road and in the higher reaches of Newfound Gap Road should be good though next week.
Middle and low elevations are still green, but some nice reds are developing on a few trees, especially dogwood, sourwood, and sumac. At middle elevations, look for the vivid red leaves of Virginia creeper vine climbing tree trunks. Overall however, there's not a lot of fall color in the lower elevations yet -- the season here is still a few weeks away.
Fall wildflower displays are especially colorful now. Flowers such as purple asters, white asters, black-eyed Susans, pale jewelweed, ironweed, great blue lobelia, closed gentian, and golden rod are blooming profusely along roadsides in the park. Look for the vibrant pink, purple, and red fruits of hearts-a-bustin' bushes and the brilliant reds of dogwood berries.

Fall Color Report - September 22, 2014
The main fall leaf season is still about a month away (mid to late October), but some early color is starting to develop on a few trees. Some dogwood trees have a reddish cast that will develop into more brilliant shades in a few weeks. Other species such as red maple, sourwood, witch hobble, and sumac are also beginning to sport a few red leaves, especially on trees at higher elevations. At mid and upper elevations, the vivid red leaves of Virgina creeper vine stand out against tree trunks. Overall however, there's not much fall color to see yet -- just scattered trees here and there, and their colors are still just a hint of what they'll become in a few more weeks.
Fall wildflower displays are especially colorful now. Flowers such as purple asters, white asters, black-eyed Susans, pale jewelweed, ironweed, great blue lobelia, closed gentian, and golden rod are blooming profusely along roadsides in the park. Look for the vibrant pink, purple, and red fruits of hearts-a-bustin' bushes along the edges of the forest.

For fall photos and updates from the park, visit our official facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/GreatSmokyMountainsNPS
You can also check out the park's webcams to see how fall colors are progressing:
Purchase Knob (high elevation)
Look Rock (middle elevation)



These colors are typical for early fall along Newfound Gap Road (NPS).

The park usually experiences an autumn leaf season of several weeks as fall colors travel down the mountain sides from high elevation to low. However, the timing of fall color change depends upon so many variables that the exact dates of "peak" season are impossible to predict in advance.

Elevation profoundly affects when fall colors change in the park. At higher elevations, where the climate is similar to New England's, color displays start as early as mid-September with the turning of yellow birch, American beech, mountain maple, hobblebush, and pin cherry.
From early to mid-October, fall colors develop above 4,000 feet. To enjoy them, drive the Clingmans Dome Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or the Foothills Parkway.
The fall color display usually reaches peak at mid and lower elevations between mid-October and early November. This is the park's most spectacular display as it includes such colorful trees as sugar maple, scarlet oak, sweetgum, red maple, and the hickories.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS ASSOCIATION FALL COLOR UPDATE

The Great Smoky Mountains Association posted this update on Sept. 26:

September 26 - Ploddingly, grudgingly, fall colors are starting to change in the Great Smoky Mountains. Though the pace of change has quickened, the advance of leaf colors is later than average. This means we likely have four to five more weeks to enjoy the transition before leaf colors peak and trees begin dropping leaves.
At the very highest elevations, leaves are progressing more rapidly after a light frost earlier this week. Still, only about 20%-30% of deciduous leaves have changed thus far.
Lower down, several species of trees have started to brighten. Sycamore, sassafras, witch hazel, walnut, tuliptree, black gum, sourwood, Virginia creeper, sumacs, and buckeye are all showing color. Migrating birds are flocking to the dogwoods’ red berries. Fall wildflowers are also conspicuous, including jewelweed, asters, goldenrod, and white snakeroot.
Good places for a drive include Clingmans Dome Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s a great time to hike Mt. Le Conte! Upper Deep Creek Trail is also gorgeous this time of year.
The peak of fall colors at the higher elevations is likely a week or so away. At the lower and mid elevations, colors are trending toward a very late October or early November peak.

ASHEVILLE, NC FALL COLOR UPDATE

RomanticAsheville.com posted this update Sept. 30: Asheville NC Mountain Fall Leaf Color Forecast and Events 2014 - Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky reports.

FRIENDS OF THE SMOKIES FALL COLOR HIKES and EVENTS

The Friends of the Smokies' website features their Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains Event Calendar that highlights a few upcoming Fall Color Hikes you can sign up for.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK FALL COLOR FACTS

From the National Park's website, here are some interesting tidbits about our amazing Smoky Mountains and the brilliant show of fall colors:

Fall Color Facts

 

Why are fall colors so remarkable in the Smokies? One reason is the park's amazing diversity of trees. Some 100 species of native trees live in the Smokies and the vast majority of these are deciduous.

How do colors change? As summer ends, the green pigments in leaves deteriorate, giving other colors a chance to shine. Carotenoids, the pigment that makes carrots orange and leaves yellow, are exposed as the green fades. Reds and purples come from anthocyanins, a pigment that is formed when sugars in leaves break down in bright autumn sunlight.

GREAT SMOKIES AUTUMN DRIVES AND HIKES

And finally, here is a link to Autumn Drives and Hikes in the Great Smokies from the Park's website.

Fall Color season doesn't last long, so don't wait too long to get out and explore the Smokies.