Schedule for Day 3 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2015 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee Smokies

The sun is just now breaking on Day 3 of Wilderness WIldlife Week in Pigeon Forge and the clouds above us are laden with moisture that will dump as much as 5 inches of snow in the upper elevations an d 2 down in the Pigeon Forge valley. Newfound Gap Road US441 is closed due to snow and ice and could remain so for the rest of the day.

Expect many if not all of the Wilderness Wildlife Week guided hikes to be canceled today as it may be easy to get to trailheads to start the hikes, but far more difficult to return as the weather is expected to deteriorate through the day.

Of course the great news there are tons of great programs, lectures and performances taking place indoors today for Wilderness Wildlife Week starting with such great programs as Ranger Bill Stiver’s bear management in the Great Smoky Mountains program, to Joe Kelley’s Rangers Recollections, to the beautiful Old Time Hymns presented by Don Huskey

Mon, Jan 26th 2015 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule

• 9 to 10am: Black Bear Management in GSMNP. Presented by Bill Stiver. A Your Smokes Favorite! Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 1.
   
• 9 to 11am: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Our Journey on the Appalachian Trail. Presented by Bill and Sharon Van Horn. Join Bill and Sharon as they share photos, stories and experiences of their eight year section hike of the Appalachian Trail. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 2.
   
• 9:30 to 10:30am: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Attracting Birds Without Bird Seed. Presented by Regina Garr. Taking place in the Greenbrier Hall B.
   
• 9:30 to 10:30am: LIMITED SPACE! Making a Gemstone Bracelet. Presented by LaDonna Twyman. Limited to 8 people ages 18+ will join LaDonna as she instructs them on how to make a gemstone toggle bracelet to take home with them using semi-precious stones, silver toggles and spacer beads. Taking place in the Bob Kolb Memorial Room.
   
• 9:30 to 10:30am: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! LIMITED SPACE! Introduction to Needlepoint. Presented by Mary Warner and limited to 15 ages 12+. Taking place in the Bob Hatcher Memorial Room.
   
• 10 to 11am: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Mystery of the Trees. Presented by Donald Wells. Join Donald as he explores the Native Americans use of trees to mark trails, water sources, ceremonial sites and more. Tribal elders have shared their knowledge about these ancient customs. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 3.
   
• 10 to 11am: HERITAGE! Logging Railroads in the Smokies. Presented by Rick Turner. Join Rick as he provides an in-depth look at how railroads forever changed the Great Smoky Mountains, specifically the Elkmont area in the way people lived and worked there prior to the establishment of the Park. Taking place in the Greenbrier Hall A.
   
• 10 – Noon: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! LIMITED SPACE! Learn How to Scan and Digitalize Old Photographs or Negatives/Slides. Presented by Bob Keim. Limited to 8 people. Bring some pictures/slides if you can. Participants should have computer knowledge. Taking place in the South Multi-Purpose Room 1.
   
• 10:30 – Noon: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Hiking and Backpacking: Getting Started Safely and Correctly. Presented by Mike Braun, Bill Deitzer and Pamela Rodgers. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 1.
   
• 10:30 to 11:30am: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Spirit of John Muir. Presented by Lee Stetson. Join Lee as he takes attendees back in time on a fun romp through some of the very best of Muir’s grand, thrilling adventures in his beloved western wilderness. Stories include Muir’s encounters with a mighty Yosemite earthquake, dangerous Alaskan ice crevasses, snow blindness, and much more - all liberally salted with Muir's wilderness philosophy. The theme of this session revolves around the health and invigoration one acquires when one fully and joyfully engages wildness. Taking place in the Greenbrier Hall C.
   
• 11 – Noon: National Wildlife Refuges in Tennessee. Presented by Jim Wigginton. Join Jim as he discusses management and overview of national wildlife refuges in Tennessee, with an emphasis on Tennessee National and Reelfoot. Taking place in the Greenbrier Hall B.
   
• 11 – Noon: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! LIMITED SPACE! Paint Your Own Watercolor Note Cards. Presented by Melanie Fetterolf. Limited to 15 people ages 12+. Taking place in the Bob Kolb Memorial Room.
   
• 11 – Noon: Songs of the Carter Family. Presented by Tony Thomas Taking place in the LeConte Hall South.
   
• 11 – Noon: Reverend Robert Hall, Bishop of the Cumberlands Monologue. Presented by Will Rabert. William will portray the Reverend Robert Hall, founder of the Cumberland Mountain School. Taking place in the South Multi-Purpose Room 2.
   
• 11:30 to 12:30pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Heart of a Wildlife Rehabilitator. Presented by Olivia and Tammie Browning. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 2.
   
• 11:30 to 12:30pm: HERITAGE! The Story of Pittman Center. Presented by Mayor Glenn Cardwell. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 3.
   
• 12:30 to 1:30pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Year-Round Landscaping for Birds and Other Wildlife. Presented by Dana Ripper. Taking place in the Greenbrier Hall A.
   
• 12:30 to 1:30pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Tenting on the Old Campground: Music of the Civil War Period. Presented by Timothy Seaman. Join Timothy for a concert featuring tunes from the rich heritage of the Civil War era, with lots of stories and meanings. Taking place in the LeConte Hall South.
   
• 12:30 to 2pm: LIMITED SPACE! 10 Hints for a Successful Backyard Wildlife Habitat: Advice from a Lifetime Master Gardener. Presented by Dr. Leo and Linda Lubke. Limited to 30 people. Taking place in the South Multi-Purpose Room 1.
   
• 12:45 to 2:15pm: LIMITED SPACE! Beginning Hammer Dulcimer. Presented by Tim Simek. Limited to 20 participants that will bring their own instrument. Taking place in the South Multi-Purpose Room 2.
   
• 1 to 2pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Landscaping Attributes of Native Trees, Shrubs and Vines. Presented by Leon Bates. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 3.
   
• 1 to 2pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! LIMITED SPACE! Snakes Alive! Presented by Rhonda Goins and Whitney Calhoun. Limited to 30 people. Taking place in the Bob Kolb Memorial Room.
   
• 1:15 to 2:15pm: Leave No Trace: The Principles of Outdoor Ethics. Presented by Mike Braun and Pamela Rodgers. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 1.
   
• 1:30 to 2:30pm: Outsmart Your Smartphone. Presented by Rich Iceland. Learn from Rich tips on how to use all the features of any cell phone. Fun and informative, Rich reveals how to save a wet phone, how to download different apps and more. Taking place in the Greenbrier Hall B.
   
• 1:30 to 2:30pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! John Muir’s Story of Stickeen. Presented by Lee Stetson. Join Lee as he shares John Muir’s true story of what happened in 1880 on an Alaskan glacier with a dog named Stickeen. One of Muir's best-known writings, it is now considered a classic dog story. Taking place in the Greenbrier Hall C.
   
• 2 to 3pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Birds of Prey Program and Live Bird Show. Presented by American Eagle Foundation. Taking place in the Greenbrier Hall A.
   
• 2 to 3pm: KIDS’ TRACK! LIMITED SPACE! Fred and Ted the Fish: Keep Sevier Beautiful. Participants will follow two fish on journeys through the local waters. One finds out how pollution and storm water ruins his travels. Limited to 25 people ages 8+. Taking place in the Bob Hatcher Memorial Room.
   
• 2 to 3pm: Songs and Stories from the Cabin Porch. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place in the LeConte Hall South.
   
• 2:30 to 3:30pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Forced Removal of the Cherokee in 1838. Presented by Chris Tipton. Join Chris as she discusses the finding of a journal that started a personal rediscovery of one of our nation’s saddest events, The Trail of Tears. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 2.
   
• 2:30 to 3:30pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! HERITAGE! History of Pigeon River Pottery with a Demo. Presented by Tommy Bullen. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 3.
   
• 2:30 to 4pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! LIMITED SPACE! Recycle Scraps Into Rag Rugs and Trivets. Presented by Maria Holloway. Limited to 15 people ages 15+. Taking place in the Bob Kolb Memorial Room.
   
• 2:30 to 4:30pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! LIMITED SPACE! Ball Point Pen Drawing. Presented by William Hurst and Maurice Edwards. Limit to 12 people ages 18+ who will join Maurice and William as they teach a convenient way to practice drawing skills with a common ballpoint pen. Bring your favorite pen or use one of the instructors and learn to create a pen and ink landscape. Taking place in the South Multi-Purpose Room 1.
   
• 2:45 to 4:45pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! LIMITED SPACE! Make an Appalachian Corn Shuck Doll. Presented by Anne Freels. Limited to 8 participants. Taking place in the South Multi-Purpose Room 2.
   
• 3 to 4pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Zion and Other Southwest National Parks. Presented by Peter and Gudrun Seifert. Join Peter and Gudrun as they share their hiking adventures in Zion, Bryce, Arches and other National Parks. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 1.
   
• 3:15 to 4:15pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Vanishing America. Presented by Kathy Gwinn. From chimney sweeps to "borning rooms," rag paper to "sabbady houses," this session examines the passing of various trades and tools, sights and sounds, vocabulary and virtues that once were common to our country. Taking place in the Greenbrier Hall C.
   
• 3:30 to 5pm: Civil War in the West, 1863. Presented by Jack Carman. Taking place in the Greenbrier Hall A.
   
• 4 to 5pm: Ranger Recollections. Presented by retired NPS Ranger Joe Kelley. Join Joe as he shares stories and adventures regarding his experiences in the National Park Service. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 2.
   
• 4 to 5pm: HERITAGE! Mock Trial: Let History Judge. Presented by Sevier County High School drama and government classes. Join SCHS students and teachers as they present a mock trial straight from the pages of old Sevier County court dockets. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 3.
   
• 5 to 6pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Attracting and Photographing Birds. Presented by Daniel and Denise Dempster. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 1.
   
• 5 to 6pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! LIMITED SPACE! Build a Little Bird Nest Box. Presented by Steve Garr. Limit to 15 people, one nest box per family. Please bring screwdriver for assembly. Taking place in the South Multi-Purpose Room 1.
   
• 5:30 to 6:30pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! HERITAGE! Medicine Women of the Smokies Video Presentation. Presented by Dr. Gail Palmer. Join Dr. Palmer as she discusses women who resided in the Smokies in the late 1800s to early 1900s and how they served as herbalists or midwives. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 2.
   
• 5:30 to 6:30pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Advanced Raptor Biology. Presented by Natalie Mong. Taking place in the North Multi-Purpose Room 3.
  
• 5:30 to 6:30pm: HERITAGE! Old Time Hymns. Presented by Don Huskey, Marcia Huskey Nelson, Roger Helton and Andy Stinnett. Listen to melodies that carried from the open windows of little mountain churches of the past. Taking place in the Greenbrier Hall C.
   
• 6pm: Wednesday Hikes and Field Trips Sign-ups. Taking place in the Greenbrier Hall A.
   
• 7 to 8pm: Tales from Lost: Tales of Search and Rescue in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by Dwight McCarter. A YourSmokies Favorite. Taking place in the Greenbrier Hall B.
   
• 8:15pm: NEW Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Heaven and Nature Sing. Presented by Ken Jenkins, Judy Felts and Friends. Taking place in the Greenbrier Hall C.
   

Virtually Every Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Closed

First it was flooding that closed many key roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, now a winter storm dumped enough snow to create another headache, virtually every road is closed due to snow and ice including the Foothills Parkway West and East and the Gatlinburg Bypass connecting the Sugarlands to the Spur.

Crews are working on plowing and sanding roads right now. They will also be cleaning up any of the additional trees, branches and roads that may have fallen into the roadways. When the melting starts, even more debris could fall into the roadway making driving treacherous.

With so much water, there have been landslides, one of which washed out a 200 foot section of roadway, and rock slides and trees that may still be in danger of falling so when the park access opens up, use extreme caution when hiking as some of these dangers may not be immediately apparent.

Links: Great Smoky Mountain national park road conditions

Newfound Gap Road US441 between Gatlinburg and Cherokee is Closed due to Snow and Ice

Hurricane Sandy may have missed the Great Smoky Mountains, but the light rain and dense fog has turned to snow a few hours ago starting at Clingmans Dome and all around Newfound Gap down to the Webb Overlook promoting national park officials to first close Clingmans Dome Road and then Newfound Gap Road.

Snow is predicted through Wednesday with minor accumulation and there is now a wind advisory in effect until 8 pm Tuesday.

Live weather feeds from our own weather station in the Smokies are at http://www.yoursmokies.com/smokiesweather.html.

Newfound Gap Road (US441) is closed from Cherokee to Gatlinburg and more snow on the way

First Clingmans Dome Road closed yesterday due to snow and ice, and then as the snowfall increased and the ice built, Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg Tennessee and Cherokee North Carolina was then closed by rangers in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Crews working on the roadway right now are plowing and resending some areas in hope that Newfound Gap Road can be reopened again to at least 4 wheel drive vehicles.

Since there is a Winter storm warning above 3,500 feet and under 3,500 there is a Winter weather advisory in effect until noon edt Saturday, chances are high that of Newfound Gap us 441 will be closed again for at least some of the weekend.

Update 11-05-2010 12:53 pm. It does not look as if Newfound Gap Road will reopen today.

Weather and rockslides deliver knockout punch to drivers in the NC and TN Great Smoky Mountains.

Drivers trying to back and forth from Tennessee and North Carolina had to contented with I-40 being closed by the NC-TN border by a huge rockslide for months, Old 284 between Big Creek and Cataloochee being closed for most of the winter due to snow, ice and downed trees, Newfound Gap Road closing often due to snow, ice and storm damage and now 129 - "the Dragon" is partially blocked due to rockslide.

Snowfall last night closed Newfound Gap Road though lower elevation roads in the park that are not closed due to construction or Old 284 which has been closed for weeks due to so many trees down, snow, ice and washout areas remain open.

Yesterday morning even though the weather was warm in lower elevations, dangerous icy conditions between Newfound Gap Parking area and Clingmans Dome Road caused a Tennessee driver of a truck along with a passenger to slide off the road and down the bank.

Park rangers arriving at the scene determine that the truck was very precarious and had to wait for rescue crews and tow trucks to arrive to stabilize the vehicle in order to keep it from falling down the mountainside before they could free the passengers who remarkably did not suffer serous injuries from such a crash.

Drivers need to use extreme caution when driving this time of the year as lower elevations can be in the 60's and dangerous ice can be on the roadways in higher elevations or in shaded areas.

Today and tomorrow calls from more snowfall and freezing temperatures and even it Newfound Gap Reopens expect that it may close again especially as melting snow and ice refreezes in the latter parts of the day.

High Winds, Rain, Fog and Light Snow Blanket The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains national park has seen days of rain and melting snow saturating the ground toppling trees. With today's wind event gaining in strength, especially on the Tennessee side, it is best that visitors stay out of the park while crews work on making the roads in the park safe again.

Road closures include Newfound Gap Road and now Cades Cove Loop Road and even after the storm is over it may take a while to cleaned up the downed trees and dangerous snags before the roads will be safe to open again.

The Foothills Parkway West has so many downed trees Great Smoky Mountains national park road crews were only able to open the roadway into a single lane alternating on each side for administrative purposes and not for public access until the numerous trees blocking the roadway can be cleared.

Today's high wind advisory calls for gusts up to 45 mph and the winter warning in effect from 9 pm tonight to 4 pm Sunday calls for high winds, snow, sleet and freezing rain. Accumulations of less than 5 inches are expected in lower elevations.

This appears to be another weekend in the Smokies that if you do not have to be out on the road, it's best to stay home and stay safe.

Road Conditions in the Great Smoky Mountains national park

Newfound Gap Road US 441 Closes as winter storm hit Great Smoky Mountains national park.

First, it was Old State Road 284 from Big Creek to Cataloochee that closed due to winter storm conditions and now it is Newfound Gap Road US 441 between Cherokee North Carolina and Gatlinburg Tennessee. Snow is falling hard and sticking to the road surface below the Chimneys already.

As much as a foot or more is expected to fall in the higher elevation tonight with a little more snow on the way tomorrow, so expect roadways in the Great Smoky Mountains national park for what could be days.

Heavy snow and previously weakened limbs from our last few storms have prompted power and phone companies in the area are expecting the worst with widespread scattered power and phone outages predicted all throughout the North Carolina and Tennessee Smokies.

The next major road in the GSMNP to close due to this storm will be Little River Road and hopes are that the Pigeon Forge - Gatlinburg Spur can be kept open.

Other roads expected to close shortly will be the Foothills parkway East, Foothills Parkway West and the Gatlinburg Bypass between Newfound Gap Road and The Spur section of the Foothills parkway.

Current Road conditions and closures in
the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Newfound Gap Road Now Open to Cars

Great Smoky Mountains national parks main through road Newfound Gap Road, has finally been opened back up by the park service. Drivers are cautioned that there is still ice and snow on the roadway and to drive with extreme caution.

Because the road surface is less than optimal, buses have been asked to stay off Newfound Gap Road at this time. Plunging temperatures tonight will refreeze and snow melt which may closes again if road conditions deteriorate any further.

Refreezing snow melt is particularly problem some on the Tennessee side above the Alum Cave Hiking Trail parking area in the last 1-1/2 below the gap which is more shaded and steep.

No other major roads in the park have reopened at this time but some are expected to open tomorrow.

Current Road Closures and Openings in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

All roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park other than 1 Closed on Tennessee Side

Snow is still falling and it is just too much for the snowplows and sanders in the Great Smoky Mountains national park prompting the national park service to close all but one of the roads in the GSMNP due to snow and ice.

The only road, which has so far eluded closure, is Tremont Road, which is off Laurel Creek Road between the Townsend Wye and the entrance to Cades Cove. The section of Laurel Creek Road past Tremont Road has been already been closed for much of the day limiting all access Cades Cove and Cades Cove Loop Road, Sparks Lane, Hyatt Lane and Forge Creek Road. Rich Mountain Road and Parson Branch Road are both closed for the winter season.

This weekend is the beginning of the Christmas Holiday peak tourist season and with Newfound Gap Road now closed along with both a section of I-40 by border between North Carolina and Tennessee closed and Old State Road 284 between Big Creek and Cataloochee, getting around in the Smoky Mountains is going to be very difficult. As a result, retailers will most likely see sales suffer at a time when they are needed the most.

More often, it is best to stay put in weather conditions such as this. Driving on Smoky Mountain Roads is just better left to emergency vehicles only. Hopefully if you are visiting the Smokies this weekend you have a cabin with provisions so you can hunker down and enjoy the beauty of the Smokies in winter.

Current Road Closures and Openings in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Snow blankets Smokies causing road closures in the Great Smoky Mountains national park

A huge winter storm system is dusting the Smokies with snow, which has reached as much as 4 inches of accumulation in Newfound Gap prompting road closures in the Great Smoky Mountains national park early this morning with many more expected in the next 3 days.

At least another 2 to 6 inches of snow is called for today with the heaviest snowfall predicted in elevations of 3,500 feet or more. By tomorrow, snowfall accumulations in the Smoky Mountains area expected are to be from 6 - 12 inches and Sunday calls for more snow and potential rain with plummeting temps at night n the low teens.

Expect most if not all major roads in the GSMNP to close and some such as Newfound Gap Road, may remain closed for the entire weekend or even longer.

The following roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park are closed due to snow and Ice:

• Newfound Gap Road US 441 from Cherokee to Gatlinburg.


• Old State Road 284 from Big Creek to Cataloochee.


• The Cataloochee Entrance Road.


• Laurel Creek Road at Tremont


• Cades Cove: All Roads and access


• Cherokee Orchard Road at the Twin Creeks Science center

Great Smoky Mountains national park closures last updated 3:04 pm 12/18

Additional Road Closings in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Due to Snow and Ice.

Old 284 which connect Big Creek with Cataloochee in the Great Smoky Mountains national park has just been added to the growing list of road closures from today's storm which is expect to dump snow until around 1 pm today.

The following GSMNP roads are now closed:

• Cataloochee Entrance Road by Maggie Valley NC


• Cherokee Orchard Road in the Roaring Fork Gatlinburg TN area


• Foothills Parkway East Cosby TN to I-40


• Little River Road from Gatlinburg TN to Townsend TN


• Old 284 Between Big Creek NC and Cataloochee NC


• Newfound Gap Road Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC (US 441)


• Wears Gap Road between Wears Valley TN and Metcalf Bottoms

Temperatures expected to remain at or below freezing for the remainder of the day and into the teens tonight so the snow and ice will stick around until at least tomorrow.

Little River Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Closed Due Winter Storm

Little River Road connecting the Sugarlands area just outside Gatlinburg Tennessee with the Townsend / Cades Cove area is closed along with Cherokee Orchard Road and the Foothills Parkway East due the snow and ice. Snow is still falling with another few more inches expected today.

Other roads such as the Laurel Creek Road are rapidly covering over with Crib Gap being the biggest issue and at this rate sanding and plowing may not be enough.

Newfound Gap Road connecting Cherokee with Gatlinburg has been closed now for hours and may not reopen today.

Newfound Gap US 441 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Closed Due to Ice and Snow

Newfound Gap Road (US 441) the Great Smoky Mountains national parks main road connecting Gatlinburg Tennessee with Cherokee North Carolina has just been closed due to ice and snow. Snow falling right now will probably make driving on Newfound Gap Road too treacherous for at least the balance of the day.

There has already been a report of a car sliding off the roadway that will need to be recovered. The driver of this car was able to make 2 cell phone calls to the Swain Counties Sheriff's office and is believed to be OK.

At least one other car is stranded because of snow and ice which was backing up the last of the traffic on the Tennessee side.

To make matters worse, a crucial section of I-40 near the Tennessee North Carolina border still remains closed because of a landslide and old 284 which will most likely close, cannot be plowed.

Those looking to go around the park will need to make very large detours on more treacherous roads that also may close so the best advice is to stay put.

The Spur section of the Foothills Parkway between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Tennessee is still open, is being sanded right now, and should be able to remain open.

In weather such as this, the best thing to do is remain safe at home if possible. If you do go out, you must have enough clothes in your vehicle to be able to withstand the weather so that you can leave your car if needed. You also need proper shoes for walking in snow and ice - sneakers are not adequate!

Holiday Snowfall Does Not Affect Smokies But The Weather Can Still Be Treacherous For Hikers.

Luckily most of the snowfall, what little there was, did not severely impact the Smokies other than closing Clingmans Dome Road, cause a few fender benders and create a light build up of snow and ice on Newfound Gap Road US 441 which has not hampered traffic.

Though the light dusting of snow makes for pretty pictures at the highest elevations, the high winds and plummeting temperatures for the next few days should have hikers and campers in backcountry concerned and making sure that they are properly equipped so they will not have issues with exposure.

Presently there are 30 mph sustained winds in some areas with much higher gusts. The wind-chill factor in places such as Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome and Mt Le Conte will be at -2 degrees Fahrenheit or even lower and when temperatures plunge tonight, could prove dangerous for those not prepared.

Hikers and campers should wear plenty of layers that can put on and take off easily so as to not overheat and later be chilled with sweat soaked clothing. It is best to not wear cotton which can hold moisture close to the skin.

Hikers and campers in the Smokies must also remember it starts getting dark in the park now at around 5:00 pm.

Weather in and around the Great Smoky Mountains.

Snow Closes Roads In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

A light dusting of snow in the upper elevations yesterday afternoon which fell through some of the evening first closed Clingmans Dome Road and then Newfound Gap Road US 441 which runs through the Great Smoky Mountains national park connecting Cherokee North Carolina with Gatlinburg Tennessee.

Other road such as the Blue Ridge Parkway, Old 284 and Cove Creek Road running to Cataloochee all saw accumulation and slushy icy conditions. Last evening a truck needed assistance to make it up and out of Cataloochee but not without fishtailing a few times and cosmetically damaging its tailgate.

Wet conditions made for numerous accidents in and around the Great Smoky Mountains national park. Drivers are reminded to obey speed limit and if conditions require, to drive even slower. During leaf season especially when there is the added beauty of snow in the mountains drivers may become distracted or even slow down and stop in the roadways to take pictures which is prohibited.

This is the first day of the season that snow has been sticking and ice has been forming on roadways as pictured below on Cove Creel Road yesterday at around 3 pm.

Right now the snow and ices is melting quite well and crews are right now sanding the Newfound Gap Road which may open up before 11:00 am. As temperatures cool down later in the day and the melting snow and ice refreezes, it may have to close again.

Great Smoky Mountains national park road closures

More roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park closed due to last nights snow storm. Though the lower elevations received little more than a dusting and most roads stayed clear, any road with elevation has become hazardous to drivers.

The following roads are now closed in the GSMNP:

• Newfound Gap Road (US441)
• Cades Cove Loop Road
• Clingmans Dome Road
• Laurel Creek Road
• Little River Road
• Roaring Fork Motor Trail
• Wears Cove Road

Road conditions in the Great Smoky Mountains national park are subject to change today and some roads will reopen.

Winter conditions prompt National Park Service to close 2 major roads in GSMNP

The Great Smoky Mountains national parks major through road - Newfound Gap Road also known as US 441 which connects Gatlinburg Tennessee with Cherokee North Carolina has been closed due to ice and snow from the winter storm system that is right now in the Smokies.

Clingmans Dome Road which takes you from Newfound Gap Road near the Newfound Gap parking area up the Clingmans Dome Parking area is also closed due to ice and snow.

No other roads in the GSMNP are closed at this time, nor are any expected to close tonight.

Since the storm will continue to drop snow until as late as Wednesday it is possible Newfound Gap may periodically open and close for the next 2 days. We don't expect Clingmans Dome Road to reopen until Wednesday or Thursday.

Winter storm grips the Smoky Mountains

A hard freeze with up to 4 inches of snow - how could this be since it was in the high 70's yesterday with spring wildflowers blooming everywhere the Great Smoky Mountains? It's the Smokies - expect the unexpected when it comes to weather in the Smoky Mountains.

Home gardeners and farmers alike are rushing to protecting young plants, flowering bushes and trees against the deep cold expected tonight and the very hard frost expected tomorrow night.

Snow has been falling for hours in the higher elevations such as Newfound Gap and Clingmans Dome where some the snowfall is actually sticking but the biggest hazards right now are the thick fog and the slick roadways that will possibly freeze into black ice in some areas as the afternoon temps continue to fall.

Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains national park as seen in the picture above taken today is the highest point you can drive to and Clingmans Dome Road would be the first potential road to close as the weather in the Smokies continues to deteriorate.

Gatlinburg and other high elevations in the Smokies may see as much as 1 to 3 inches of snow tonight with colder weather and another inch expected tomorrow night. This weekend we should see more seasonal weather in the Smokies reaching closer to 70 degrees again.

Will Newfound Gap Road, the major road connecting Cherokee North Carolina with Gatlinburg Tennessee close due to snow and ice? It's very possible and Your Smokies will keep you informed of the road conditions in the Great Smoky Mountains national park and we have the best Smoky Mountains weather conditions page too.

Cades Cove reopend but other GSMNP roads remains closed

Cades Cove Loop Road and Laurel Creek Road in the GSMNP have reopened form being closed due to icy and snowy conditions

All other roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park remain closed.

Major roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park closed due to ice and snow.

Yesterday's picturesque snow is wreaking havoc on all of the roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park causing the national park service to close most major roads in and around the GSMNP.

The 3 major arteries running through the park: Newfound Gap Road US 441 connecting Cherokee North Carolina with Gatlinburg Tennessee, Laurel Creek Road connecting the Townsend Wye with Cades Cove and Little River Road connecting the Gatlinburg/Sugarlands area with the Townsend Wye are all closed due to dangerous ice and snow.

Entrance roads to some sections of the Great Smoky Mountains national park are also closed due to ice and snow: Wears Cove Road, Cherokee Orchard Road in Roaring Fork outside Gatlinburg, Greenbrier entrance road by Pittman center, the Cosby entrance road and the Cataloochee entrance road.

Road conditions around the Great Smoky Mountains national park are also treacherous so the following roads are also closed due to ice and snow: Old route 284 from Deep Creek to Cataloochee NC, the Foothills Parkway East from I-40 to 321 Cosby, and the Gatlinburg Bypass section of the Spur - Foothills Parkway.