October 22, 2012 Photos

Many areas in the park reached peak this past weekend and the mountains were a riot of fall colors. Enjoy these photos taken in the park over the past few days.

 

An early morning fog covers the valley in Cades Cove.

Photo courtesy of Rob Wilson, Artist In Residence

 

Fall colors from an overlook leading into Cataloochee Valley.

Photo courtesy of Rob Wilson, Artist In Residence

 

Trails in the park are covered with brightly colored leaves this week.

Photo courtesy of Rob Wilson, Artist In Residence

 

Many trees along the Little River have reached peak in the past few days.

Kent Cave Photo

 

The fall colors brought crowds of visitors to the park this past weekend. Traffic was especially heavy in Cades Cove, where it took anywhere from 3-5 hours to drive the 11-mile-long loop road!

Warren Bielenberg Photo

 

The view from the upper portion of the Sugarland Mountain Trail, looking west across the Rough Creek watershed.

Ron Shrieves Photo

 

Golden leaves litter the rocks of a small cascade in Laurel Creek.

Warren Bielenberg Photo

 

A sign of the season--woolly bear caterpillars are often found along park roads and trails in fall as they search for a site, such as under rocks or logs, to spend the winter.

Warren Bielenberg Photo