March is a transition month, wedged between the chill of February and the greening of April Whatever weather you like, you’ll find it in March.
The cloud cover was solid when I drove downtown on March 1. The next day it was sunny at my house. That’s the way March is. Consider what guidershub.com has to say:
“The weather of the Smoky Mountains is both exciting and attractive in March … If you enjoy sunny weather in the morning, the Smoky Mountains surprises you with snowfall in the afternoon … In March, you can enjoy the fascinating beauty of the Smoky Mountains in two different climates.”
Visitors have the benefit of avoiding the crowds of summer and October. However, they are best advised to check weather conditions before traveling, so they are sure they have the right clothes and equipment. You don’t want to arrive with shorts and sneakers when the weather calls for winter clothes and boots.
I don’t recall ever visiting Western North Carolina during the 30 years I vacationed here before retiring in 1999. It never occurred to me that March would be an interesting month. Given my lack of understanding then of the mountain climate, I probably would not have recognized the significance in any case.
Since retirement I have seen both snowfalls and warm days in March. This month truly can be characterized by the saying, “If you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes. It’ll change.”
March weather is especially good for fishing, according to flyfishingthesmokies.net: “March fly fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains region is the hottest ticket in the country! The weather in March is very pleasant with daytime highs getting into the upper 60’s, plenty of sunshine and great fishing.
“Water levels are perfectly suited for wading and drift boat fishing both. The Smoky Mountain region has miles of great trout streams that come alive this time of year!”
I’ll take their word for it. My trout fishing has been limited to trout ponds, and I haven‘t been able to catch anything even there.
There are some restrictions on where you can go in March. While major roads in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including U.S. 441 through Newfound Gap and the Cades Cove Loop Road, are open – weather permitting – most other roads are closed until April or May.
If you want to use a park campground, you’re limited to Cades Cove in Tennessee or Smokemont in North Carolina. All other campgrounds are closed until April or May. Outside the park, most campgrounds are open.
While March is considered a winter month, wildflowers do not recognize that distinction. Species blooming in March, according to greatsmokies.com, include blood root, buttercups, columbine, dutchman’s breeches, hepatica, jack-in-the-pulpit, mayapple, pepper root, red maple, spice bush, spring beauty, squirrel corn, trout lily, violets, wild plum, wind flower, yellow-root.
For best views, the website recommends the Deep Creek trails outside Bryson City and the River Trail at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee. I have walked both and honestly do not remember the flowers, though I’m sure I saw them. I would not, however, have had a clue as to what they were called.
Nevertheless, beauty is beauty is beauty. There is no such thing as an ugly season in the Smokies. Each has its own majesty, whether it be the profusion of spring, the lushness of summer, the brilliant colors of fall or the austere beauty of winter. I am now in my 22nd year living full-time in Swain County and I never tire of the scenery, whatever the season.
I don’t plan on trout fishing, and my failing lungs preclude any more hiking. I can, however, see the wildflowers even if I don’t know their species, and I can look forward to watching the fruit trees in my front yard begin to bud.
March was unlucky for Julius Caesar but it’s just fine for me.
This is the opinion of Bill McGoun, a contributing editor on the Citizen Times Editorial Board. He lives in Bryson City.
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