Ice on the Appalachian Trail vs. Spring flowers in Cades Cove = Smokies Surprises

by Holly Scott, Marketing Director

When last week’s blog post debuted on Wednesday at 6 a.m., it was 60+ degrees at my house, and I had the windows and screen doors open. Sam McGroom’s excellent advice about Winter Hiking seemed untimely, but winter was on its way.

The temperature dropped 40 degrees that same day, and I woke up Thursday morning with a sheen of snow covering my driveway. Things can change quickly in the foothills of the Smokies this time of year.

As a study in contrast, I wanted to share with you some high elevation views that the Smokies’ long-season Ridgerunner Billy Jones captured from the Appalachian Trail in the first week of February along with Genia Stadler’s latest Smoky Mountain wildflowers from the floor of Cades Cove and other lower evaluation places.

These photos within days of each other at different elevations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The photo at the top of this post was taken by Billy one mile south of Dry Sluice Gap Trail.

This photo of daffodils was taken by Genia in Cades Cove in the first week of March.

Daffodils close up in Cades Cove, Smoky Mountains - Photo by Genia Stadler — Photo by Genia Stadler

Appalachian Trail Ice Flow in Smoky Mountains - photo by Billy Jones — Ice Flow .2 miles north of Clingman’s Dome- Hikers need instep crampons or microspikes to stay safe on the Appalachian Trail near Clingman’s Dome. Photo by Billy Jones

Spring Beauty, Smoky Mountains - Photo by Genia Stadler — Genia found this spring beauty on the Chestnut Top Trail near the Townsend Wye.

Icy Trail just north of Icewater Springs Shelter, Smoky Mountains - Photo by Billy Jones — Shady spots along the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies, like this bit near the very popular Icewater Springs Shelter north of Newfound Gap, can remain treacherous and nearly impassable without proper equipment like instep crampons and microspikes. Even with spring-like temperatures in the valleys outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, high elevation microclimates exist that hikers must prepare for. Photo by Billy Jones

Yellow Trillium Bud - Photo by Genia Stadler — A yellow trillium showing some promise. Photo by Genia Stadler

Tree blowdown near Hughes Ridge, Smoky Mountains - by Billy Jones — Before the Ridgerunners went to work on removing the stickups on this massive blowdown. Photo by Billy Jones

Trail passable at .5 miles south of Hughes Ridge Trail - Photo by Billy Jones — The trail was passable after Billy and Fletcher removed the limbs and stickups from the blowdown near Hughes Ridge Trail. Photo by Billy Jones

Some blowdowns are just more than two men can handle with handsaws. This big tree was down .7 miles north of Mt. Cammerer Trail. Photo by Billy Jones.

Trailing Arbutus Close Up - Photo by Genia Stadler — Trailing Arbutus close up. Photo by Genia Stadler

For more information about winter hiking, you also can read Lori Garufi’s “What’s in your backpack is key to successful winter hiking in the Smokies.”

Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization has been helping to preserve and protect Great Smoky Mountains National Park by raising funds and awareness and recruiting volunteers for needed projects. Over the last 21 years, support from Friends of the Smokies members, sponsors, donors, and Tennessee and North Carolina specialty license plate owners has totaled more than $44 million. To see this year’s list of Park Support Projects visit our website at FriendsOfTheSmokies.org