Most visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park limit their visit to the more well known spots near Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC--Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, Oconaluftee, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. There's nothing wrong with such a decision--those spots are all wonderful. But there is far more to the park than these heavy traffic locations. In my mind, one such place is the Big Creek section, located in the northeast section of the park just inside the North Carolina line and only a few miles off Interstate 40. The Big Creek area--named for the brawling, crashing mountain stream roaring down the valley formed by the flanks of Mt. Guyot, Mt. Cammerer, and Mt. Sterling--offers visitors quiet solitude unavailable near the more popular spots in the park. Near the small parking lot and picnic area at the end of the Big Creek Road is this footbridge crossing the creek and providing access to the Benton MacKaye Trail. Only slightly more distant is an access trail leading to the famed Appalachian Trail, bisecting the Smokies from northeast to southwest along the high ridge crests. To me, the creek, both rugged and beautiful, noisy and peaceful, is reason enough for making the trip to this section of the park. As is apparent from the fallen leaves and color of the surrounding foliage, this shot was made in early autumn. At this time of year, the water level is much lower than in spring, but Big Creek is simultaneously impressive and soothing in any season.