The Smoky Mountains in the Eastern United States
A
major mountain range in the southern part of the Appalachians, the Smoky
Mountains straddle the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. The
name comes from the natural haze that often hovers above it. As in the
neighboring Blue Ridge Mountains just to the east, hydrocarbons produced
by trees and other vegetation, together with higher humidity, give the
sky a bluish cast, even over short distances.
The most visited national park in the Eastern United States, Great Smoky
Mountains National Park is home to Clingmans Dome, the highest point on
the Appalachian Trail at an elevation of 2,030 m (6,643 ft). A paved road
leads to within 91 m (300 ft) of the summit from where visitors can walk
to the top for a view over Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and
Georgia. It also holds significant numbers of the Smokies' symbol, the
black bear, and other important wildlife.
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian
Trail or simply The AT, is the main attraction here. A 3,500-km
(2,174-mi) marked hiking trail, The AT extends between Springer Mountain
in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. Along the way, the trail passes
through North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont
and New Hampshire.
Many wildflowers grow here, including bee balm, fire pink, Solomon's
seal, Dutchman's breeches, various trilliums and even hardy orchids like
showy orchids, as well as purple-flowered Catawba rhododendron, light
pink rosebay rhododendron, orange-flowered flame azalea and mountain
laurel. In autumn, nearly-bare mountaintops covered in rime ice, or
frozen fog, are separated from green valleys by bright and varied leaf
colors.
Several rivers rise from streams in the Smokies, including the Little
Pigeon River, Oconaluftee River and the Nantahala River. The French Broad
River crosses the north-eastern end of the Smokies. Pigeon Forge and
Gatlinburg in Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina are famous for both
leisurely tubing and full whitewater rafting in summer, while the short
winter skiing season is centered on places like Cataloochee and Ober,
Gatlinburg.
