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Winter Waterfall Watching
 Photo by Gary Wilson
The Great Smoky Mountains have experienced above average rainfall over the last couple of months, which is good news for waterfall watchers. All of the park waterfalls currently have substantial flows and are even more picturesque than usual.
Seasonal park road closures do not affect access to most of the park's waterfalls, with the exception of Grotto Falls. In winter, the hike to Grotto Falls on Trillium Gap Trail starts from the Rainbow Falls/Bull Head parking area. It is a 7.0 mile round trip hike to Grotto Falls in winter, compared to 2.6 miles round trip in summer, when Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is open. But in winter there's a good chance you'll have the waterfall to yourself when you get there.
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Great Gifts
Made in USA
To Benefit GSMNP
FREE Shipping On Orders Over $25!!
Storied Stitches: Quilts & Coverlets
 FREE Shipping On Orders Over $25!! |
| Chef Heather's
Local Foods Recipes
Chef Heather O'Donnell shares a couple of great recipes using local foods, including a traditional one for good luck in the New Year (Blackeyed Peas).
Lucky Blackeyed Peas with Ham and Pepper Relish
1 cup dried blackeyed peas
� cup diced ham or 1 hock
3 tablespoons pepper relish (hot or mild)
1 small onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
� teaspoon pepper
� teaspoon fresh, minced garlic
1 cube vegetable or beef bullion
3 cups cooked rice
Cover peas with water and soak overnight.
Drain peas and place in a medium saucepan with ham, relish, onion, garlic, bullion, salt, and pepper.
Cover with water and simmer until peas are tender (about 45 minutes on med/low), adding water as needed.
Serve with or over rice.
Serves 4-6
Spiced Cherry Ham Glaze
1 (12oz) jar cherry preserves
3 tablespoons water
� teaspoon cinnamon
� cup cider vinegar
� teaspoon cloves
2 tablespoons honey
� teaspoon nutmeg
Stir all ingredients together in a medium saucepan and bring to boil over med-high heat.
Reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes.
Brush 1/3 cup of glaze over ham 30 minutes before removing from oven.
Blend remaining glaze with ham drippings and serve along side ham.
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Business Members
Smoky Mountain Farms
458 Brookside Village Way
Gatlinburg TN 37738
865.436.4049
[email protected]
Rediscover that Pure "Homemade Taste" of our Jams, Jellies and Preserves.
You can see all of GSMA's Business Members by clicking here.
To see the discounts offered to GSMA members, click here.
If you own a business and would like to be included in this newsletter and our website, contact Westy Fletcher at 423.487.3131 or
[email protected]
Gatlinburg Dept of Tourism
303 Reagan Drive
Gatlinburg TN 37738
865.436.0502
www.gatlinburg-tn.com
Terri Waters Gallery
438 Bebb Road
Gatlinburg TN 37738
865.436.5647
[email protected]
www.terriwatersgallery.com
Ole Smoky Distillery
903 Parkway
Gatlinburg TN 37738
865.436.6995
[email protected]
www.olesmokymoonshine.com
Russell Printing Options
1800 Grand Avenue
Knoxville TN 37916
865.524.9881
[email protected]
www.rpo4u.com
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Early Snow
Clingmans Dome Road was closed for the season early this year. This shows why. Photo by Valerie Miller. Valerie said it was like trying to walk on an "ice arena."
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Where to Play in the Snow
Getting There Can be Difficult!
Cold snowy ridge in the park by Terry Barnes
"Getting to the snow" in the Smokies can be challenging because significant snowfalls cause the Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) to be temporarily closed. That leaves two choices: hike to the high country on trails such as Deep Creek, Russell Field, Sugarland Mountain, Newton Bald, Low Gap, or Rainbow Falls, or wait for Newfound Gap Road to reopen. Once the snow stops, Newfound Gap Road usually reopens within a day or so.
When Newfound Gap Road reopens, Clingmans Dome Road is a favorite destination for snow seekers. Cross-country skiers, snow-shoers, and people wishing to romp and build snowmen head to the road in droves. Clingmans Dome Road is closed to vehicles in winter, but open to everyone else. It follows the ridges for 7 scenic miles to the Clingmans Dome parking area, one-half mile from the "top of old Smoky."
High elevation trails accessible when Newfound Gap Road is open include Alum Cave, The Appalachian Trail, and Thomas Divide.
When there is significant snowfall in the lower elevations, areas like Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (closed to vehicles in winter), Smokemont, Greenbrier, and Deep Creek may be good places to play in the snow.
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New Winter in the Park Video
Newfound Gap in ice and snow by Terry Barnes
For Gary Wilson's lovely new film of winter in the park, click here.
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Christmas Past Celebration Saturday, Dec. 10
Free Family Fun at Sugarlands Visitor Center
Enjoy live music, storytelling, free refreshments, and talks on Smoky Mountain history. You can also observe blacksmithing and other arts and craft demonstrations such as quilting, weaving, basket making, and more.
Join us for free fun for the whole family. Highlights include:
- 9:30-11 am Old Time Harp Singing
- 11 am-12 pm Storytelling with Charles Maynard
- 11 am-12:30 pm Memories Walk;
- 12-1 pm Lost Mill String Band
- 1-1:30 pm Decorating of the Sugarlands Christmas Tree
- 1-2 pm Bill Proffitt and the South of the River Boys
- 2-3:30 pm Memories Walk
- 2-3 pm Stories from the Past, Charlotte Liebrock moderator
- 3-4 pm Boogertown Gap
And the new, beautiful Oconaluftee Visitor Center is hosting a Holiday Homecoming on Saturday, December 17. Demonstrations in the morning, music jam in the afternoon. Free for the whole family. For more information call the visitor center at (828) 497-1904.
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Winter landscape taken from Alum Cave Trail parking lot by Carol Gernand Grizzle
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Smokies Winter Forecast
NOAA is predicting average temperatures and average precipitation in the Great Smoky Mountains this winter. That means 3 or 4 light snows in the valleys and over 5 feet of total snowfall at places like Newfound Gap and Mt. Le Conte. Here are average winter temperatures in degrees Farenheit and average precipitation for the Smokies high country. Check Gatlinburg weather forecasts for lower elevations weather. December Average High: 37� Average Low: 21� Precip: 7.3"
January
Average High: 35�
Average Low: 19�
Precip: 7.0"
February
Average High: 35�
Average Low: 18�
Precip: 8.2"
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Robert Lee Goodman's photo of ice and snow at Newfound Gap
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Cherokee Orchard Loop Stays Open
It now appears that Cherokee Orchard loop will remain open during the winter, allowing access to Rainbow Falls, Bull Head, Trillium Gap, Baskins Creek, and other trails.
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More Winter Park Photos
Snow on laurel by Gary Wilson
To see more great photos of the park visit our Facebook fan page. You don't have to join to see the photos!
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Crossword
Puzzle
Answers |
1. Highest point in the Smokies (two words)
Answer: Clingmans Dome
2. High elevation deciduous shrub or tree offers white flowers in Spring, red berries in late Summer, and scarlet tinted leaves in Fall (two words)
Answer: Mountain Ash
3. Black bears depend on this crop
named after a famous Cherokee chief.
Answer: Mast
4. Mill located just north of Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Answer: Mingus
5. Saltpeter was said to be found at Alum Cave Bluffs during the Civil War and converted to this (two words)
Answer: Gun powder
6. President who dedicated GSMNP
Answer: FDR
7. Ramsey Cascades, the park's highest waterfall, is located in this area of the park
Answer: Greenbrier
8. Tree related to the magnolia, grows tall and straight, making it an excellent choice for woodworking (two words)
Answer: Tulip Poplar
9. Little River Lumber Company and Railroad were owned by this person who had a local town named after him
Answer: Townsend
10. In 1904 Horace Kephart arrived in this southwest area of the Smokies to study the Southern Appalachian Highlands (two words)
Answer: Hazel Creek
11. This Walker Sister was known as "the poet"
Answer: Louisa
12. A schoolhouse often served as this
Answer: Church
13. A horse or mule powered mill was used to help convert this cane into a popular sweetener
Answer: Sorghum
14. Overlook seen from Newfound Gap Road a short drive past Sugarlands, named after a conservationist, author, and influential person in the park's creation
Answer: Campbell
15. Largest of our woodpeckers
Answer: Pileated
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| Any Questions? | For questions about online purchases, click here and the Mail Order department will help you.
For questions about membership, click here and Judy or Marti will help you.
For questions about business membership, click here and Westy will help you. |
Join
Us! | Become a member of Great Smoky Mountains Association today. You'll receive discounts at our park stores of up to 25% and receive premiums like Smokies Life magazine and the Bearpaw newsletter. Most importantly, you'll be helping protect nature and history in the Smokies. |
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