Springtime in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
April 13 – 19, 2008
Prepare to embark on your adventure into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an area renown for its exceptional natural diversity and treasured for its awesome natural beauty. Designated as an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site, Great Smoky Mountains National Park includes some of the most rugged and highest terrain in the southeastern United States, with more than 20 summits over 6000’. Encompassing over 500,000 acres in both Tennessee and North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has more than 800 miles of trails enabling us to explore the vast interior of this peaceful sanctuary. No other area of equal size in a temperate climate can match this park's amazing diversity of plants and animals. With elevations ranging from 875' to 6643', in the space of a few hours one can travel through low elevation habitats typical of the mountains of Georgia to the higher elevation spruce-fir forests, more typical of parts of southern Canada. The Park supports more than 200 species of trees, 1500 species of flowering plants, 200 bird species, and a greater diversity of salamanders than in any other place in the world! Rich in human history, the Park provides ample opportunity to discover the cultural history of the Smokies as well.

We will walk through a variety of ecosystems, allowing us to intimately experience the beauty and intrigue of breathtaking mountain vistas, spectacular waterfalls, majestic old growth forests, and the still-unexplained, high elevation “balds” of the Southern Appalachians (found nowhere else on Earth). As we travel park trails and off the beaten track, we will investigate whatever crosses our path and catches our interest. This will include anything from birds and other wildlife to plant life, as well as animal tracks and traces. During our 8-day Smokies adventure, you will be captivated by this place the Cherokee call “Land of Blue Smoke”.

Spring in the Smokies
The Smokies offers the most spectacular spring wildflower display in the Appalachian Mountains and we will be in the park during peak spring wildflower bloom.  The mountains and hollows are springing to life as wildflowers grace the forest floor with their incredible displays of whites, purples, blues, yellows and reds. This is enhanced by the many hues of spring green from a great variety of plants sprouting their new leaves.  Birds are very visible as they flood the forests and fields, filling the air with their vibrant songs.  These are some of the sights and sounds to be experienced and soaked in during a Smoky Mountain spring.  Biting insects are not much of a concern.  We’ve got it made!

Weather:
The weather in the Smokies can be, and usually is, quite changeable and variable. Weather in April is typically less changeable and experiences milder temperatures than March.  However, it is important to be well prepared for a range of temperatures. Rainfall is moderate and temperatures (in April) range from the low 30s to the low 70s. Mornings and evenings will be quite a bit cooler than the days, so this is where dressing in layers is important. Temperatures at higher elevations can be 10-20 degrees cooler than at lower elevations.

The Smokies is considered a temperate rainforest. Therefore, be aware that there is always a chance of rain. We will hike rain or shine, so please come prepared with rain gear. A waterproof (not water resistant) rain jacket and rain pants, along with your layers, will keep you dry and warm. For more detailed weather information visit www.weather.com. For more information on Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including climate, visit www.nps.gov/grsm.
For your information, here are some monthly average temperatures and precipitation amounts:

Gatlinburg, TN, elev. 1462’ ........................................Clingman’s Dome, elev. 6643’

	Ave High*	Low*	Precip.	Ave High*	Low*	Precip.
March	61	34	5.3"	39	24	8.2"
April	71	42	4.5"	49	34	6.5"

*Temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit