Despite the fact that a few scenic places are closed during the winter, you can still do some serious hiking in the Smoky Mountains at this time. Just because the weather isn’t warm doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy being in nature. If the conditions are good enough for your liking, we’d like to show you a few things to prepare for that you normally wouldn’t have to do in the summer.
1. Dress in Warm Clothing
This may seem like an obvious decision, but sometimes you can fall a bit short in the clothing department even if you feel you did enough to prepare for the conditions. It would be wise to purchase some base layer material that’s ideal for keeping you warm for long periods of time. Add to that some gloves, or even an extra pair of socks, and you’re on the right track. Keep in mind, comfort is best, so don’t wear a bunch of heavy clothing that will slow you down and restrict movement. Learn more about what you should bring for your hike in the Smoky Mountains.
2. Trail Conditions
Now that you have your comfortable clothing for hiking in the Smoky Mountains, you’ll want to take extra special caution of the trail conditions — especially in the winter. Before you go out on your adventure, it’s always best to do some research on the trail you’re hiking. Check for special conditions to look out for and make sure the trail you intend on hiking is open. Many times you will find rocks that can become quite slippery during portions of many trails due to frequent freezing. This presents an even greater danger along creek crossings during cold periods. As long as you don’t take this for granted, you’ll have a safe and enjoyable journey!
3. Weather Forecasts
It’s no surprise that weather can get in the way of an unforgettable time hiking in the Smoky Mountains. You can stay on top of the game by checking the forecasts for the weather on your scheduled hike day. The Weather Channel is always a pretty reliable source for expected hourly conditions, and if you use Twitter, you can check Smokies Road Info for the latest in road closures. These are valuable places for information, especially if the weather takes a turn, and this can certainly happen in the mountains.
4. Unexpected Views
This also may not come as a surprise if you’ve done some extensive research on the trail you planned to hike. We all know how beautiful the scenery gets in the summer and fall months, but winter brings some unexpected — and underrated — sights. Those colorful greens, yellows, oranges, and reds may be mostly gone, but this opens up more gaps that give us views we can’t see when the trees are full of leaves. And that means more mountain views and whitecaps that are magnificent and awe-inspiring to even the summer-lover!
We hope that you’re excited to go hiking in the Smoky Mountains in the winter! If you take the right amount of care in preparing, you’re guaranteed to have a memorable experience. In order to be in the middle of this winter paradise, reserve one of our amazing cabins for a cool vacation with us at Aunt Bug’s Cabin Rentals!
