Great Smokey Mountains


Great Smokey Mountains National Park Weather: Weather varies from elevation to elevation, the park has a wide range of climates that variey from Alpine climate to temperate climate. The temparature will variey. Location: Between the Tennessee state line and the North Carolina state line. Directions: From interstate highway I-40, take Exit 27 to US-74 West towards Waynesville. Turn onto US-19 and proceed through Maggie Valley to Cherokee. Turn onto US-441 North at Cherokee and follow the road into the park. Birds will variey from their preferance of eco-systems. Note: US 441 climbs up above 6000 ft to Newfound Gap where there is snow and ice on the roads for most of the Winter. It is not sugestive to drive US 441 when posted at the bottom of road. Please check with rangers at Sugarland near Gatlinburg and Oconlolfee Vistor's Center near Cherokee NC. Trails like Mt Leconte are strenoloss and demand expertise when going into certain parts of the park. Use good judgement when considering certain trails in the park.

Great Smokey Mountains National Park

Weather: Weather varies from elevation to elevation, the park has a wide range of climates that variey from Alpine climate to temperate climate. The temparature will variey.

Location: Between the Tennessee state line and the North Carolina state line.

Directions: From interstate highway I-40, take Exit 27 to US-74 West towards Waynesville. Turn onto US-19 and proceed through Maggie Valley to Cherokee. Turn onto US-441 North at Cherokee and follow the road into the park.

Birds will variey from their preferance of eco-systems.

Note: US 441 climbs up above 6000 ft to Newfound Gap where there is snow and ice on the roads for most of the Winter. It is not sugestive to drive US 441 when posted at the bottom of road. Please check with rangers at Sugarland near Gatlinburg and Oconlolfee Vistor's Center near Cherokee NC. Trails like Mt Leconte are strenoloss and demand expertise when going into certain parts of the park. Use good judgement when considering certain trails in the park.

"The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a premier place for birds. The crest of the Smokies towers nearly a mile above the foothills, creating a range in elevations and a variety of topographies that provide a diversity of habitats and microclimates for birds. From the high, exposed peaks, to the warmer, sheltered lowlands, some 240 species of birds have been found in the park. Sixty species are year-round residents. Nearly 120 species breed in the park, including 52 species from the neo-tropics. Many other species use the park as an important stopover and foraging area during their semiannual migration."

June 14, 2005

There were a family of Cerulean Warblers that had built a nest at the enterance of the women's bathroom at the Chimney Tops Picknic Area. They kept flying back and forth as people came in and out. But to my surprize, they had baby chicks. People kept looking at me strange until they saw the nest. Then they got their glasses at looked at the family too. Two adults, four chicklings

Great Smokey Mountains website

Birds found in the Great Smokey Mtns.

Cerulean Warbler
Carolina Chickadee
Black Cap Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White Breasted Nuthatch
Red Breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Eastern Blue Bird
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Golden Eagle
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker (Common Flicker)
Pileated Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Blue-winged Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler
Brewster's Warbler
Lawrence's Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Prothonotary Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Kentucky Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Connecticut Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
Yellow-breasted
Northern Cardinal
Purple Finch
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Rufous-sided Towhee
Bachman's Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco

Trails to Hike and Bird Watch in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park:

Alum Cave Trail
Cades Cove Loop Drive and trails
Mt. Leconte Trail
Chimney Tops Trail
Sugarland Nature Trail
Rainbow Falls Trail
Andrews Bald Trail
Appalachian Trail
Indio Nob Trail

There are many other things to do in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, which is the most visited national park in the country. There is horseback riding, Fly Fishing (That requires a TN or NC fishing liecens), and backpacking/hiking. This is one of my favorite places to go. Make sure to make reservations for loging, and camping because the campgrounds and motels do fill up in Gatlinburg and Cherokee. You can get cheeper rates if you stay in Sevirville, TN. Also, Gatlinburg, Piegion Forge, and Cherokee has many activities to do. One of my favorite spots is Dollywood that is reasonable and serves breakfast in the morning at Aunt Granny's inside the park. Enjoy the Great Smokey Mountains, but plan ahead.

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