by William Britten | May 10, 2011 | History of the Smokies
During the greater span of history in the Smoky Mountains, Indian Gap has been the main route across the mountains. Long a Cherokee trail, Indian Gap Road actually charged a toll in the 1830s. In exchange for the payment, farmers and merchants and travelling families...
by William Britten | May 9, 2011 | Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Miles Away on Monday
It’s a moody Smoky Mtn Monday in early May. The valley is lush with spring green, while the upper elevations are still shrugging off winter. The vantage point for this view is the Oconaluftee Valley Overlook, gazing into North Carolina from the parking area off...
by William Britten | May 8, 2011 | Wildflowers
Umbrella Leaf (Diphylleia cymosa) is a rarely seen Smoky Mountains wildflower and a relative of the more familiar May-apple. It can grow to three feet tall with large leaves spanning 24 inches. It favors damp conditions and deep shade, and so can be found in steep...
by William Britten | May 7, 2011 | Wildflowers
Vasey’s Trillium (Trillium vaseyi) is the largest and the last blooming of the Smoky Mountains trilliums. It is found only in the Southern Appalachians and is infrequently found in the Smokies. The photos on this page were taken on the Kanati Fork Trail in late...
by William Britten | May 6, 2011 | Family
My son Justin and his friend Lili are visiting this week from Bogotá, Colombia. You may remember Justin’s birthday photos last December. We’ve been giving them a big dose of Smoky Mountains hiking this week, and so far we have 9 bear sightings! One on the...