A beautiful park with an impressive ecosystem under a blue haze cover - Great Smoky Mountains National Park 259
What and Why
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is surprisingly the most popular national parks in America, way more visited than the more well-known Yellowstone National Park (as blogged in Yellowstone - North loop and Yellowstone - South loop). Edging the Appalachian Mountains, it protects some of the oldest and highest mountains on Earth. More than 1,500 species of flora and fauna and 60 species of native animals live within the hazy mountains.
The name 'smoky' arrives from the natural bluish haze that often hangs over the mountain range and can be visible even from a distance. The smog is caused by the vegetation, in particular the local oak and aspen, emitting biogenic volatile organic compounds like isoprene and terpenes. These are ozone precursors and after undergoing photochemical reactions, they eventually lead to ozone pollution.
In addition, the area is the historical settlement of the indigenous Cherokee (Cherokee: ᏣᎳᎩ, Tsalagi) people and a major reservation area is now located at the southern part of the park. In addition, the park preserves multiple historical structures that were part of communities occupied by early European-American settlers of the area from the early American exploration times.
Toponymy
The name 'smoky' is coined by the Cherokee people. They called it 'ᏍᎭᎪᏃᎨ (Shaconage)' meaning 'place of the blue smoke'. Origin as afore-mentioned.
See
The park is more than 2,100 km2 and is one of the largest national park in America. The main park entrance is located in Gatlinburg, where we entered to reach the main Sugarlands Visitor Centre.
Cades Cove
The one-way-driving loop in the southwest side of the park offers a glimpse of pre-park life. The loop is a bit like an open-air museum of life during the late 1800s CE with farmhouses, barns, churches along the route. As a matter of fact one of the trail called Cooper Road Trail was the main wagon route connecting the area to the cities outside.
The area is also famous for the abundance of wildlife because it is comparatively less explored. There are plenty of deers and the loop does experience 'deer-jam'.
Technically this is the area where most of the animals could be seen. There are deers, foxes, coyotes and occasional bears to be seen. Apparently the park is home to a diverse salamander population as well but I could not encounter one during my visit.
Newfound Gap
The main trunk of the park is the Newfound Gap Road that starts from the Sugarlands Visitor Center and passes through the Newfound Gap, where the Rockefeller Memorial is located.
The road is also the main starting point of the Appalachian Trail. The area is dominated by the local cove hardwood forest.
As mentioned above the park is often hazy, so while there are plenty of overlooks along the road, they are not as scenic and photogenic as expected.
Clingmans Dome
At 2 km height, Clingmans Dome is the highest mountain in the park and the third highest point along the Appalachians. At this height, the main trees are firs and spruce.
The landmark of the peak, and probably for most people the park, is the iconic spiral observation tower, as picture above. Similar to the other overlooks, and as the picture shows, the view is usually hazy and when I was there, I could not see anything afar.
The Cherokee name for Clingmans Dome is ᎫᏩᎯ (Kuwahi), meaning 'mulberry place'. According to a Cherokee myth, the mountain was the home of the White Bear, the great chief of all bears, and the location of one of the bears' council houses. There is belief that an enchanted lake exists in a nearby area, where the waters of which could cure the wounded bears, but also human beings.
Since 2022 CE, there is a campaign by the local community of changing the name of Clingmans Dome to Kuwahi to reflect its Cherokee origin. The campaign is gathering momentum and apparently the first layer of legislation had been passed recently.
Cherokee Indian Reservation
At the southern exit of the park lies a small territory known as the Cherokee Indian Reservation (Cherokee: ᏣᎳᎩ ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏇᏍᏈ ᎯᏉᏙᎸ ᎢᏵ*Ꮙ, Tsalagi Aniyvwiquesqui Hiquodo Imvquo) where approximately 8,000 indigenous Cherokee people currently live together. They are descendants of approximately 800 Cherokee people who were forced to relinquish their Indian citizenship and assimilated into Americans under the Indian Removal Act of 1830 CE.
The area is now a protected territory and the residents mainly earn their living through tourism and gambling.
Eat and Drink
Food and restaurants are scarce inside the park precinct. One thing special about this park, no alcohol is allowed inside the park premise.
Stay
I stayed in Tennessee Mountain Lodge, a very basic American-style inn at the nearby town Pigeon Forge. Nothing to shout about, but that is where most of the restaurants and shops are based and is the main gateway into the park.
Getting There and Around
Pigeon Forge is around 15-minute drive to the Sugarlands Visitor Centre. The park is a good for a day-trip. This park does not charge an entrance fee, except that it charges parking fee.
UNESCO Inscription
Stretching over more than 200,000 ha, this exceptionally beautiful park is home to more than 3,500 plant species, including almost as many trees (130 natural species) as in all of Europe. Many endangered animal species are also found there, including what is probably the greatest variety of salamanders in the world. Since the park is relatively untouched, it gives an idea of temperate flora before the influence of humankind.
References
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