Newfound Gap Road

This short stretch along Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains NP is without a doubt the best fall color I've seen anywhere. The deep blacks of the freshly-paved road really add some depth to the shot, in my opinion. This area near the Chimney Tops Picnic Area usually peaks much after other similar elevations (~3000 ft) - usually during the last week of October or first week of November. Last year I drove by here and noticed the color, but wasn't able to spend much time to get the shot I wanted. This year, I specifically planned a visit back here, and it paid off for me when I found the same golden canopy hanging over the road. The richness of color in the GSMNP is only unbelievable to the people who haven't visited during peak leaf season! I really hoped to get back to this spot after the snowstorm, but I couldn't really get back to Gatlinburg because of closed roads (my plan was to hike the several miles up the road to get here - should have stayed in Gatlinburg that night!).
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