Located between the states of Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains are among the highest and rugged mountains in the Appalachian range of mountains. As being one of the oldest mountain groups in the world, the Great Smoky Mountain is named for it's bluish haze that cling to the mountains slopes and valleys. This blue haze is result of the humidity produced by the traspiration of water and hydrocarbons from the underlying dense forest.
The Smoky Mountains were called as Shaconage('place of blue smoke') by the region's first inhabitants, the Cherokee people for it's blue-gray haze. Often called by a nick name Smokies, the Great Smoky Mountains draw more than 9 million visitors each year established in 1934 as a National Park to protect and preserve this natural wonder.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park covers a vast area of 800 square miles of forested peaks and secluded valleys. Because the altitude ranges from 900 feet to 6600 feet, over 4000 species of plants and five distinct forest types characterizes these mountain ranges. Smokies encompasses 16 rugged peaks of more than 6000 feet with Clingman's Dome of 6,643 feet is the highest point in the smokies.
Secluded valleys in the mountains give rise to many streams, water falls and cascades that helps several flora and fauna to grow abundantly. Smokies is renowned for it's extensive virgin hardwood red spruce forests in the United States. Other trees include red maple, dogwood, hemlocks, sugar maple, beech etc., and the park is also home to many mammal species including black bear, red wolf and white-tailed deer.
Activities within the park include scenic drives, hiking, camping, cycling, horseback riding, bird-watching, fishing, wildlife viewing, mountain biking etc. Temperatures are of around 20s during January and around 80s during summer. Rain is expected on most summer days and mist is very common. Due to snowfalls in winter, many roads, campgrounds and visitor centers remained closed during winter.
When to visit:Summer and Fall are best seasons to view the Great Smoky Mountains since the forest foliage is at its best during these seasons. Between mid-to-late October, the maple trees present a brilliant display of orange and red colored leaves. Though the park is open year-around, most people visit during May until late August.
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