大煙山之巔

Teresa Fang

作為北美大陸最古老的山脈中的一支，大煙山不僅四季分明，而且24小時都有不同的美景：清晨的朦朧、午間的碧空和夜晚的螢火蟲。

“On top of old Smoky, all covered with snow.” That is the first line of an American folk song associated with the Great Smoky Mountains. The breathtaking mountain range runs along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.

Established as a National Park in 1934, the Smokies draws large crowds in early fall, when the foliage turns spectacular shades of orange, yellow, and red; and in the spring, when colorful wildflowers bloom. The fireflies in America also attract tourists.

Each year, 11 million visits are recorded at the most visited park in the United States. The 500,000-acre area is home to 1,600 plant species and 100 native trees. The staff in the park also protect 65 mammal species, more than 200 bird varieties, 67 native fish species, and more than 80 species of reptiles and amphibians (兩棲動物).

The National Park's most popular attractions include the Appalachian Trail, Clingmans Dome (the highest point in Tennessee), and Cades Code Valley.

“Although the area was established as a National Park in 1934,” said park official Jessica Snow,“the mountains themselves are much older and, in some cases, the oldest in the world. Geological data suggests that the Appalachian Mountains, which include the Smokies, are around 480 million years old. This is about 200 million years before the first known dinosaurs walked on Earth.”

Chimney Rock, which overlooks Lake Lure in North Carolina, is 535 million years old and 2,280 feet above the sea level. Nearby is Hickory Nut Falls. The well-known waterfall was used as a backdrop for The Last of the Mohicans, a 1992 film.

Hikers and sightseers are not the only ones drawn to the area. Photographers are, too. “You can get so many different shots and so much diversity in such a small area,” photographer Nate Nelson said. “I just can't describe how wonderful it is to live here, so I want to share that experience with everyone.”

Many people wonder what causes the “smoky” effect in the Great Smoky Mountains. The smoke is actually a fog produced by the native plants in the mountains, which emit oxygen and natural chemical compounds, creating the effect. “When you have sun, clouds, and fog,” said photographer Jianping Yang, “you can capture the beauty of the smoke in the Smokies.”