Fall in the Smokies

86Scotty · 11-23-2014, 10:01 PM

I've taken a few pics on our local trips this Fall that I thought I would share. 3 or so trips I total I guess. It's been a spectacular Fall here in Eastern Tennessee. Enjoy!

Recent overnight trip to Mt. Cammerer Fire Tower, a great day hike along the Appalachian Trail from Cosby Campground in the GSMNP.

Along the hike

Firetower in sight

My cohort Josh. I wish I had his pics to share. He's an amazing photographer.

A couple more views from the top. We were lucky to have such a clear day. I've been up here before (about 5k ft. elevation gain from camp) and it's usually cloudy. This is pretty high up for us in these parts.

**daveb** · 11-23-2014, 10:15 PM

You're makin me hate being stuck on call right now.

86Scotty · 11-23-2014, 10:26 PM

Next is a family trip we took after our first (and very early) snow on Nov 1. It actually started raining, sleeting, then snowing hard on Halloween night making for a disaster for most folks out trick or treating with kids. The next day promised to be a pretty one a few thousand feet up where there was anywhere from 6 to 22" of snow reported. No way I could miss it paired with the late Fall colors.

We got nothing at home, but this is 10 minutes from home up the first ridge.

The snow melted fast on us, but we still got some good Fall shots. Most of this is just south/southeast of The GSMNP in relatively unknown Joyce Kilmer National Forest.

We stopped at a favorite overlook I like to call the treehouse. It's always deserted and a great overlook with a neat vibe. The snow here was in shards. I've never seen snow like this. It was also really wet so it was hanging on everything. It was a bit nipply outside so we had a nice picnic in the van.

We sure love where the van takes us!

86Scotty · 11-23-2014, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveb

You're makin me hate being stuck on call right now.

I love the Sierras Dave but you gotta take a looonnng trip over here to the Appalachians in the Fall sometime. It's my favorite time of year here!

86Scotty · 11-23-2014, 10:42 PM

Our most recent trip was a bit shorter and sweeter. My wife and I got away one night for our Anniversary and believe it or not she opted for camping!

We headed up to Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the GSMNP at 6643. For you big mountain dwellers, we live at 900 ft, so it's 5500 up for us. I guess if you live in Denver it's about the same view as an 11k peak.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clingmans_Dome

We were lucky enough to get another perfectly clear day and some good pics. We also had a nice picnic out of the van on the sidewalk here

and boy, does an SMB draw a crowd in a place like this! They just practically don't exist here, not pop-tops, not 4wd vans, and not really expedition vehicles of any kind. It's a good problem to have, but not easy to have a peaceful and quiet anniversary picnic. Our fault for picking that spot I guess.

My favorite shot of the trip was the next morning

And this big guy we saw in a field on the way down. There were several females (cows) and little ones around but this guy was without a doubt the most graceful.

It was a short, but great getaway. Probably our last for this year.