Trip Report: Spring in the Great Smoky Mountains - April 2025

Spring is a time of rebirth, and few places capture its magic quite like the Great Smoky Mountains. With over 19,000 documented species of flora and fauna, the park stirs with life—petals unfurl, birdsong drifts through misty hollows, and the earth, washed by gentle rains, awakens beneath the golden kiss of the spring sun. Cradled in the misty folds of the Southern Appalachians, the Great Smoky Mountains stand as the crown jewel of biodiversity within the National Park System. Spanning more than 800 square miles, this ancient landscape teems with life—no other temperate region of its size holds such extraordinary variety. And still, the mystery deepens—scientists believe as many as 80,000 to 100,000 more species may call this enchanted wilderness home!

I felt deeply fortunate to lead my first solo trip as a guide with BCJ in this beautiful park. My three days of scouting had blessed me with 75-85 degree weather and sunshine, yet as the trip approached, a thread of worry tugged at me—rain lingered in the forecast, a reminder of nature’s untamed rhythm. I decided that there was no point stressing over elements out of my control, and by the time I met my kind-hearted guests in Knoxville, Tennessee, my worries had faded to a distant memory.

As we traveled the winding beauty of Foothills Parkway beneath a radiant sunrise, spirits were high. A brief stop at 'The Skinks'—where a lively cascade tumbles beneath an iconic bridge—offered our first chance to frame the magic of the Smokies through our lenses, a glimpse of the wonder yet to come. That afternoon, we made our way through Gatlinburg and on to Cherokee, North Carolina. The road took us deeper into the mountains, where the air felt quieter, and the pace of life slowed. We spent the rest of the day chasing waterfalls and searching for wildflowers, each stop more beautiful than the last. Water tumbled over mossy rocks, and bright blossoms peeked out from the forest floor. We wandered at an easy pace, pausing often to take photos, admire the views, and soak in the peaceful rhythm of the Smokies.

We ended the day at the legendary Clingmans Dome, arriving just in time to watch the sun dip below the horizon. The air was cool and still, and as the light softened, the Smokies revealed their layers—ridge after ridge fading into dusky blues and purples. It was one of those sunsets that doesn’t shout, but instead whispers, inviting you to slow down and simply take it all in.

The rain I had worried over in the days leading up to our trip only truly settled in on one afternoon. That day, a few brave guests and I set out toward Mingo Falls, hoping to catch its beauty despite the weather—but the rain had other plans, and we were eventually turned back. Still, the storm brought its own kind of magic. At Ben Morton’s Lookout, mist curled through the valleys and clouds drifted between the ridges, creating some of the most dramatic Smoky Mountain photos of the trip. Rain is part of spring here—it shapes the land, feeds the forest, and adds to the mystery. So, we embraced it, letting it become another piece of the story.

In our final days, we arrived in Townsend, Tennessee, and settled into the beautiful Dancing Bear Lodge, where guests enjoyed the privacy and charm of their own cozy cabins. We a spent sunrise and a sunset exploring Cades Cove, where the park’s wildlife showed itself in full abundance—black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys performing their mating dance, we even watched the horses used for trail rides run across the lush green meadows just before we lost the light of day.

Our last adventure together took us along Upper Tremont Road to the Middle Prong Trailhead, where we soaked in our final afternoon surrounded by more cascading waterfalls and vibrant wildflowers. The beauty of the moment felt like a perfect bookend to our journey, and we said our goodbyes the following afternoon with full hearts. Looking back, I couldn’t have asked for a better first trip. While I know I have much to learn as a new guide, I’m deeply grateful for the patience, kindness, and shared curiosity my first group of guests showed me. Their trust and enthusiasm made this experience unforgettable, and I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my Backcountry Journeys career.