GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS
Great Smoky Mountains National Park holds a very special place in our hearts. It is the one National Park that the both of us have been to twice, in the summer of 2017 and the fall of 2018. Part of the reason for this is its close-ish proximity to Asheville, NC but most of the reason is because it is so incredibly beautiful and expansive that it is worth a return visit every damn time. Both times we have hiked in the same area, near Alum Cave, but have managed to see new and incredibly different things. Speaking of Alum Cave, on our first visit we hiked up and past it on our way to the top of Mount Le Conte, an all day adventure. When we returned in the Fall of 2018, we were fortunate enough to hike for two days. On the first day we hiked to the top of Mt. Cammerer for a view that neither of us will forget. On the second day, our plans were interrupted due to some closures on the Blue Ridge Parkway (a major thoroughfare of the park) and we ended up hiking near the Smokemont Campground. Despite this change of plans, the Smoky’s delivered an incredible experience and we can’t wait till the next time we are able to visit.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is on the traditional and stolen land of the Cherokee people.
Listen while you look! These buttons will link you to the podcast episode(s) for this park and gallery.