Trip to smoky mountain location tips

on our way now to first time smoky mountain national park and teneessee area photo trip

Any must Not miss photography location recommendations or well hidden but must get pictures.

I have done my bit of homework but i always like to hear what others have to say

 

Thank you in advance.

<p>Cades Cove- Get there early...stop often. Do not miss one of the most beautiful places on earth.</p>

<p>The view from Clingman Dome in the morning or late afternoon is remarkable as well</p>

<p>A word about crowds - Cades Cove is sensational in the fall, and draws big crowds (think gridlock) on weekends. I strongly recommend going there on weekdays. You can expect weekend crowds in the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge area, too. The town of Gatlinburg is in the mountains and fills up on Saturdays when Tennessee is playing at home in Knoxville, but they don't have a home game again until Nov 5.</p>

<p>There is plenty to keep you busy in the national park. I concur with Louis's recommendations for locations and timing. Keep a telephoto lens handy while you are driving. You could find bears anywhere. <br>

I never cared much for Gatlinburg, TN or Cherokee, NC. They are both tourist traps. I did enjoy Asheville. The Biltmore estate is worth visiting. The mansion is impressive, but I like the landscape architecture. It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted who also designed Central Park in New York city (and some parks here in Rochester). <br>

There are many waterfalls in the area. I enjoyed Soco Falls (between Cherokee and Asheville). It does require a bit of climbing to get down to the bottom of the falls for the best view. </p>

Thank you all. How about landscape photography. Looking for river creeks with rocks and canopy foliage for the classic

shot.

 

Thanks.

<p>Most people drive through the Smokies on 441, stopping only at the pull-offs. The way to see the park up close and personal is to take on of the many hikes. Parking at the trail heads fill up by 10 am, so it's best to get an early start.</p>

<p>Cades Cove is open to bicycles and pedestrians only on Saturday until noon. You can rent bicycles inexpensively at the visitors center in the Cove, or simply walk the 8 miles or so. The Abrams Falls trailhead is about half way through the loop road.</p>

<p>My favorite trails include Alum Bluff Cave and Chimney Tops. Ramsey Cascades is another. Once on the trail, it's like you have the park to yourself. You cross many streams and pass many overlooks. On foot, all you need to do is pause to take pictures. Don't forget to look back down the trail from time to time. (I'm talking about scenery, not bear attacks, but that's something to be aware of too. A woman was killed recently on Chimney Tops trail.)</p>

<p>There are very few "grand vistas", other than from turnoffs on the way through the park. Trees, trails and creeks abound, as well as smaller "vistas" of wild flowers, ferns and moss.</p>

<p>Two of my kids near the Chimney Tops picnic area, thirty years ago.<br /> <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/18230626-lg.jpg" alt="" width="467" height="700" /></p>

<p> </p>

<p>Here's a shot of Laurel Falls from 1975. (Minolta SRT 101, 58 mm lens, probably Ektachrome 200.) "Next time I go there" I'll have a wider lens and a tripod to shoot a longer shutter speed, and a polarizer filter. </p>

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<p>I mentioned Soco Falls in a prior post. <br>

<img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-VGndkvs/0/M/i-VGndkvs-M.jpg" alt="" /><br>

October 2014.</p>

<p>Edward, <br>

"Most people drive through the Smokies on 441..." <br>

Is 441 a secret code for mushrooms, Coke, or some other substance or beverage?<br>

Jim</p>

<p>Check out Graveyard Fields on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's at mile post 418.8. Good landscape shots are possible from the side of the road.</p>