| Part of the Appalachian Highlands, the Great | | | | the trail up to Laurel Falls which, with a drop of |
| Smokey Mountains National Park in Tennessee | | | | some 80 feet, is on a par with the falls to be |
| covers more than a half a million acres and its | | | | found in Yosemite National Park. |
| lush forests are home to thousands of species of | | | | But some great hiking is just one of the reasons |
| wildlife. | | | | for visiting this lovely national park and many |
| The park includes several mountains which top | | | | visitors also enjoy cycling, especially in the area of |
| 6,000 feet including Mount Le Conte which comes | | | | Cades Cove, and also horseback riding from the |
| up just short of 6,600 feet and is the tallest | | | | park's four rental stables. And do not forget the |
| mountain east of the Mississippi and a favorite | | | | fishing either, with some wonderful rainbow and |
| with visitors to the park. However elevations | | | | brook trout fishing along more than 700 miles of |
| throughout the park vary from a mere 900 feet | | | | streams. |
| to 6,600 feet which provides a mixture of both | | | | The park enjoys a fairly good annual rainfall |
| easy hiking trails and some quite difficult trails for | | | | varying from about 50 to 60 inches a year in the |
| the more experienced climbers. Indeed, the very | | | | valleys and 80 to 90 inches a year on the peaks |
| hardy can enjoy a super hike along the Alum | | | | so that no matter where you travel in the park |
| Cave trail up to the highest peak in the park at | | | | you will always find lush vegetation and, with it, a |
| Clingman's Dome. From this vantage point, which | | | | wide variety of birds and other wildlife. Indeed, |
| includes a 50 foot high observation tower, you | | | | there are reported to be over 200 species of bird |
| can have a truly breathtaking and unobstructed | | | | to be seen in the park as well as dozens of |
| view across thousands of acres of forest. | | | | mammals including black bears, white tailed deer |
| With a total of more than 850 miles of unpaved | | | | and raccoons. |
| roads and trails the park provides some excellent | | | | For those who like getting out for a hike all year |
| hiking, including no fewer than 70 miles of hiking | | | | around, hot or cold, wet or dry, then the Great |
| along the famous Appalachian Trail. One of my | | | | Smoky Mountains National Park is the perfect |
| favorite trails takes you up to Chimney Tops | | | | hiking venue with temperatures averaging in the |
| where, atop these twin peaks, you get a fabulous | | | | mid 60s during the summer and dropping down to |
| view over the land below. Another firm favorite is | | | | around 20 degrees in the winter. |
