Newfound Gap (5,046') is the highest point along U.S. Highway 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From the parking area at Newfound Gap, you can stand on the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee or take a stroll on the Appalachian Trial, a 2,200 mile footpath. Enjoy scenic views from the large parking area or atop the Rockefeller Memorial that straddles the state line.
A trip over the Newfound Gap Road has often been compared to a drive from Georgia to Maine in terms of the variety of forest ecosystems one experiences. Starting from Cherokee, you climb approximately 3,000 feet in 18 miles, ascending through cove hardwood, pine-oak, and northern hardwood forest to attain the evergreen spruce-fir forest at Newfound Gap. This fragrant evergreen woodland is similar to the boreal forests of New England and eastern Canada.
In southern Appalachian vernacular, a gap is a low point in a mountain ridge. New Englanders call such places “notches” while westerners refer to them as mountain “passes.” Newfound Gap is the lowest drivable pass through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
At nearly a mile high, Newfound Gap is significantly cooler than the surrounding lowlands and receives much more snow. Temperatures at the gap may be 10° F. or more cooler than in the lowlands and precipitation falling as rain in Cherokee or Asheville may be snow at Newfound Gap. On average, 69 inches of snow falls at the gap.
Rockefeller Memorial honors a $5 million donation from the Rockefeller Foundation to help complete land acquisitions to bring about the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Appalachian Trail (AT) crosses over Newfound Gap Road and straddles the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee for most of its length through the park. Visitors can enjoy a short stroll to stretch their legs or a multi-day backpacking excursion on the AT as it runs through the park.
Just south of Newfound Gap, the seven-mile Clingmans Dome Road climbs to within 0.5 mile of Clingmans Dome the highest peak in the Smokies. A paved hiking trail takes you to the top. Also, the hiking trail to Andrews Bald begins there.
When there is snow on the ground, and the Newfound Gap Road has not been closed because of it, opportunities do exist for snow sports in the area. Many people use nearby Clingmans Dome Road (closed to vehicles December 1 - March 31) for walking and cross-country skiing.
Directions: About 68 miles from downtown Asheville, allow 2 hours to travel. Take I-40 West to Exit 27. Follow Highway 19/23/74 for about 4 miles and exit onto Highway 19 toward Maggie Valley. About 3 miles past Maggie Valley, watch for the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance, and go south. The Parkway ends at Highway 441. Turn right to enter the Smokies. The Parkway is closed much of the winter. If the Parkway is closed, continue on Highway 19 to Cherokee and follow Highway 441 North.
|
