Dates Apr 19–25, 2008
Leader Len Rue, Jr.
Fee $2,495 from Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Deposit $300
Limit 8
Terms and Conditions

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. Lying between the Little Tennessee River on the west and the Big Pigeon River on the east, Great Smoky Mountains National Park comprises some 800 square miles of mountainous terrain—the highest in the eastern part of our country, with altitudes ranging from 857 feet to the summit of Clingman’s Dome at 6,643 feet. The landscape is almost totally forested even at the highest elevations.

The diversity of these mountains is incredible. Along with more than 100 species of trees (more species than the entire continent of Europe), there are more flowering plants than any comparable area in North America.

We’ll make numerous digital images of the spectacular wildflower bloom of late April and the landscapes of a remarkable number of habitats, including forests of spruce and fir, oak, mixed northern hardwoods, pine and hemlock, as well as expanses of roadside meadows.

Explore with us among the mile-high mountains, capturing the many moods of this rolling landscape with your camera and marvel at the explosion of wildflowers underfoot. In this enchanted land we will feel the expectancy of the new spring season echoed in the melodious calls of wood thrush from dark forest tangles.



Day 1 (Apr 19)
Participants fly to Knoxville, Tennessee, and transfer independently by shuttle to our hotel in Gatlinburg. We meet for dinner this evening. (D)

Days 2–6
From our hotel base we make daily excursions into the national park’s interior to photograph landscapes, wildflowers, birds and other creatures in a wide variety of habitats. We’ll visit the park’s most photogenic areas. They may include: Chimney Tops, a twin-topped rhododendron-covered formation rising from its base in the Big Pigeon River, where wildflowers explode with diversity and numbers; Newfound Gap with tumbling waterfalls, spectacular vistas and towering hemlocks plus trout lilies, spring beauties, red and white trilliums, hobble bush and serviceberry underfoot; and Cades Cove, where we photograph flora and fauna which include Catesby trillium, spring larkspurs and elusive birds like wild turkey and a variety of warblers. (BLD)

Day 7 (Apr 25)
Depart at any time today; return transportation to Knoxville airport is arranged independently. (B)


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