This week I’m transitioning back to my National Parks topic. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a really cool park that doesn’t require a trip out West like many of the parks I have touched on do. Located in Tennessee, it would require about a nine hour drive to get there from State College, but you could also fly into a closer city if that’s an option for you. It could also be a great option for a visit if you are ever in the area for another reason!
The National Park is one of the most visited in the country. It boasts great hiking trails and views. There are many different hikes available for visitors of all abilities and with all interests. You can pick which trail to take based on what you want to experience on your hike. The Rainbow Falls Hike is one of the most popular during all seasons. It is a 2.7 mile hike out to the waterfall making for a 5.4 mile round trip. The hike is a bit strenuous but when you get to the waterfall, I think it would be well worth it. The waterfall is 80 feet tall, and surrounded by nature, it makes for a great scene. If you go to the park in the winter, it is even possible that the waterfall will freeze into an hourglass shape. This would be super cool to see! If you are feeling adventurous, you can continue on the hike up to the summit of Mt. Le Conte. This is a long hike up a mountain so be prepared for a long day with strenuous conditions if you choose to take the longer route!
Another hike that seems super cool is the Charlies Bunion Hike. This is on the Appalachian Trail, and is a four mile hike one way to the rock formation known as Charlies Bunion. While the name may make it seem unappealing, it is actually a very interesting thing to see. This hike includes some exposed cliffs and navigating rocky terrain, so be ready for some involved hiking on this trail.
One of the most popular hikes in the park is the Chimney Tops Trail. You have to climb a steep incline, but then you get to hike along a ridge on the top where you get amazing views of Mount Le Conte and some rock structures that represent the “chimneys.” This hike seems like a lot of fun, and is yet another one that requires some hiking skills due to the steep, rocky terrain. It is important to wear shoes with good traction and to bring a lot of water if you choose to take on this hike. If I ever go Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this will definitely be on the top of my list.
The forests in the park are made up of very large, old trees that provide some of the country’s the best colors in the fall. People often visit the park during the peak color months. This makes the already amazing views on any of these hikes even more beautiful. I hope you enjoyed learning about some of the different hiking options at Great Smoky Mountain National Park!
Sources:
“Chimney Tops.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/chimney-tops.htm.
“Great Smoky Mountains National Park.” National Park Foundation, https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/explore-parks/great-smoky-mountains-national-park.
That waterfall looks super cool! These trails look like they are for a more experienced hiker, but it seems like there are plenty of options for novice hikers. Visiting the park in the fall is definitely the way to go–those pictures are so pretty!
Wow, these hikes definitely seem intense! I love all the beautiful photos and it really makes me miss fall. I visited some national parks in Arizona with my family and I remember me and my sister going on one of the potentially dangerous climbs with no equipment or preparation and I was terrified! In retrospect, I am not sure I would have done that again considering people had fallen off many times. Regardless, I love all the photos and I would love to visit this park.