I think I’ve commented on this in the past, but the last few years my strategy for photographing the fall colors in the Smokies has been to start photographing at the highest elevations at the end of September, and then essentially work my way down the mountain, following the color.  Inevitably I’ll find myself around the Chimneys, as the color migrates to lower elevations.  This year I decided to check out some different overlooks, as well as spend some time in the Chimneys picnic area, so I thought it might make sense to share all these images as a collection.

The first image above, my favorite of the set, is from one of the classic overlooks along Newfound Gap Rd.  I really like these pull offs in the fall because of the way the light hits the mountain – it seems to wrap around the peak of the iconic mountain.  Adding further beauty to the scene, of course, was the gorgeous fall foliage on that particular morning. 

Below in the Alternative Perspectives section, I’ve shared a few more images from the morning.  The first in the series is another view point I’ve been wanting to photograph from for a while.  It is just along the side of the road, so not really accessible at all, but it offered a unique view of the Chimneys I thought.  Below that are two images of the stream the flows along the side of the Chimneys picnic area.  That was actually the first time I’ve photographed a stream in a while, and it was a great reminder of why I love getting out in the mountains so much.  It inspired a lot more time in the streams, and that will be next week’s Picture of the Week!

Dan

–Dan Thompson