Thomas Ridge in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

   Newfound Gap Road (US 441) bisects  Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee North Carolina; the road climbs to its high point at over 5000' elevation at Newfound Gap before dropping down into North Carolina. Newfound Gap Road  follows a prominent ridge known as Thomas Ridge for a few miles passing several overlooks and trailheads. Some of the most spectacular views in the park are along this stretch of road, particularly to the southwest looking over the Deep Creek drainage.  Here are several images from the area:

Smoky mountain sunset from Thomas Ridge  along US 441 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.   (next)

sunset from Newfound Gap Road overlook on Thomas Ridge in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.    (next)

evening light from Thomas Ridge  (next)

Carlos Campbell Overlook in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

this is the view from Carlos Campbell overlook in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  next

Carlos Campbell Overlook in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 This overlook is named after Carlos C. Campbell, a noted conservationist who worked tirelessly to help establish Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a National Park back when many local businessmen and politicians were against the formation of a park; the overlook was named in his honor posthumously.  The overlook is located on Newfound Gap Road just a few miles south of Sugarlands Visitor Center, the pulloff is right on the east side of the road. The dramatic view takes in a large section of the valley all the way to Mt. LeConte at just under 6600'elevation.  next

sunset in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

this sunset view was taken from Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. This view looks out over the Deep Creek drainage.here are some nearby spots: Image 1

Newfound Gap Road in mist

Newfound Gap Road

Newfound Gap Road runs from Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, North Carolina; aka US 441. Numerous trailheads and scenic overlooks abound on this scenic stretch of highway; including, but not limited to
Chimney Rocks, Alum Cave Bluffs, Cove Hardwoods, and Appalachian Trails; some nice overlooks include Carlos Campbell, Chimney Rocks, Morton's Overlook, and of course Clingman's Dome, accessible after a 7 mile drive off of Newfound Gap Road. This particular view was taken fairly close to Chimney Rocks Overlook; mist had risen into the valleys all the way to the top of the mountain.I will be posting several more images and alot more details of this area in the future.

Newfound Gap Road (US 441) runs from Gatlinburg, Tennessee up and over the crest of the Smoky Mountains and then down to Cherokee, North Carolina. From Gatlinburg to the highest point, the road gains around 3500' of elevation; watch how the trees change from lowland hardwoods to high altitude firs and back again as you descend to Cherokee. You actually leave Great Smoky Mountain National Park just before reaching Cherokee; Cherokee, North Carolina is actually on a large Indian reservation and is a great area to explore. The view shown above is from the Oconaluftee Valley Overlook just below Newfound Gap; I arrived early hoping for a nice sunrise view; instead, the mountain was locked in thick mist with 30' visibility. After almost an hour, I was about to leave when the mist began to thin out a bit; I got several views down the valley. There are numerous scenic stops along Newfound Gap Road, I will be posting several more about these   areas in the future. One other view from below Newfound Gap is below.http://paulmartinimage.blogspot.com/2011/12/sunset-in-great-smoky-mountains.html