FALL COLORS|FALL LEAVES IN United States 2022|WHAT IS FALL ? WHEN DOES IT START?

As you all know  Autumn is a season between summer and winter and is often called Fall  in the United states. The leaves start dropping after changing its color so called fall. It is  recommended to visit the United States in this season because it is a picturesque view at that time. 

I can magnify this by adding a quote of Albert Camus,” Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower”. Fall is not the same for each state in the United states. Usually it starts from September 22nd  and lasts till November in some states.

REASON BEHIND FALL FOLIAGE :

Photosynthesis is the mechanism by which trees survive. This process’s primary purpose is to convert solar energy into chemical energy. The process involves green plants absorbing carbon dioxide, water, and solar energy to produce oxygen as a byproduct.Plants contain a chemical called chlorophyll, which gives them their green color. Autumn’s lack of sunlight causes a slowdown in the process, which causes the leaves to first turn orange, yellow, and red and finally they fall off.

FALL COLORS IN SMOKY MOUNTAINS:

Do you know how many people visit the Smoky Mountains every year?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country with over 14.1 million visitors in 2021.

Every state welcomes fall in its unique way.Mountain ranges and waterfalls offer the best geographical locations for witnessing fall colors.One of the best places to see fall foliage is The Great Smoky Mountains. The Great smoky mountains are situated between North Carolina and Tennessee at an altitude of 4000 feet. Smokies contain a great biodiversity of trees of 150 species. Trees like Beech, Mountain maple, Red Maple, Sassafras, Oak, Scarlet Oak, Sourwood, Sugar Maple are some of those. Turning the leaves from Green to  Yellow, Orange, Red is a Breathtaking view. The peak time to see fall here is from mid October to early November. 

Driving through Clingsman dome road, Blue ridge parkway, foothills parkway are very wonderful ways  to see fall foliage.

Before planning to visit this place don’t forget to see the  fall forecast 2022. 

HIKING :

The Appalachian trail of smokies holds 71 miles of various scenic points  for fall colors. The Gatlinburg trail is very wonderful to see.You can go hiking if you’re interested, which is an added bonus to this trip. Even if you are a beginner, you can begin hiking at this place. 

Here are the list of some trails in Smoky Mountains:

• THE GATLINBURG TRAIL
• THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL
• ROARING FORK MOTOR NATURE TRAIL 
• MIDDLE PRONG TRAIL
• ALUM CAVE TRAIL
• SUGARLANDS VALLEY NATURE TRAIL
• COVE HARDWOOD NATURE TRAIL
• METCALF BOTTOMS TRAIL
• RAINBOW FALLS TRAIL

Hikers checklist:

• Hiking backpack
• Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
• Hiking boots or shoes
• Plenty of food
• Plenty of water
• Navigation tools such as a map and compass
• First-aid kit
• Knife or multi-tool
• A whistle 

This checklist is a reference for beginners who start hiking.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Photographers particularly admire this destination for the spectacular landscapes. This location is most interesting for people who love nature. There are numerous places to photograph the picture skew view. Avoid missing the photographic Golden Hour by making advance plans. Visiting the Smoky Mountains during the fall is a blessing for life.

WATERFALLS:

The Great Smoky Mountains hides many waterfalls in its heart. You can enjoy the natural beauty of these falls only if you go hiking.  Don’t miss the chance to capture them with your camera  for  memories. Here is the list of some of the waterfalls you come across the journey:

• LAUREL FALLS
• GROTTO FALLS
• RAINBOW FALLS
• ABRAMS FALLS
• MINGO FALLS

WILDLIFE  AT THE GREAT SMOKY NATIONAL PARK:

As the majority of this national park is covered in lush forest, the Great Smokies is home to a diverse range of animals. Black Bears are the main draw. They are also recognized as a smokey sign. 

In this national park, about 200 kinds of birds have been spotted. White-tailed deer, American black bears, raccoons, wild turkeys, woodchucks, and other wildlife can also be seen. Each year, reports of mountain lion sightings also known as cougars or pumas are made in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR SMOKIES:

Stay for a day in order to fully experience the Smokies. You can straight away book the rentals to reach there. The only accommodation option inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Le Conte Lodge. For any budget opportunities,  Arrange a stay in Gatlinburg or Pigeon forge which is only a 20 minutes drive to the Smokies. Pack all the  important things needed if traveling with kids. 

So, Are you ready to travel to the Smokies this fall ? I think this might be helpful.

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