As fall approaches, magical things happen from the Cataloochee Valley to the Oconaluftee  Visitor’s Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park of North Carolina. While the warm summer days begin to have a gentle coolness and the greens of the forest change to a stunning lush red, yellow and orange, the most incredible wildlife ritual begins. If you have never experienced the Elk mating season, called rut, it is worth every effort to get up in the dark, drive a remote gravel road and venture into the Cataloochee Valley of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and then by dusk make your way through Maggie Valley to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee to continue viewing this amazing spectacle.

Among the incredible beauty of the 6000-foot peaks that surround the Cataloochee Valley bull elk fight for dominance and leadership of the herd. While a hazy mist settles in the early dawn light, you hear a rustling, a snort and a shadow emerges followed by a hauntingly beautiful, eerie bugle. You notice more shadows on the valley floor and become captivated by the delicate dance between the cows and the bull elk as he tries to attract a female.

He sends a mesmerizing call as he follows a cow through the deep grass, but becomes distracted as another bull enters the meadow and slowly approaches to see if he can make the heard his own. The two eye each other from a distance and then the young male charges toward the older bull to chase him off. Determined to seek dominance, the older bull stands his ground while the other snorts and charges toward him again, after a brief moment, he decides to walk away and leave fighting for the herd to another day. This pattern occurs many times during the fall months and at times can become quite intense as the elk fight antler to antler for dominance. The elk courtship continues and when the bull has eventually mated with his harem they retreat to the woods for the winter. 

The elk herd was reintroduced to the park in 2001 and live mainly in a valley that was once home to 1200 people in the 19th century. Taking the time to explore the valley floor is like stepping back in time as you walk through their homes, farms, churches and schools. There are also trails that lead through the lush forest, past creeks and to even more remote properties. Amazing history lies in the Cataloochee Valley and is worth a day of exploration.

If you haven’t spent the whole day in the valley or have stayed overnight, head out of the valley toward Maggie Valley and then continue for a stunning drive to the Oconaluftee Visitor’s Center, near Cherokee, NC, to arrive just before dusk to experience another herd of elk as the love affair continues. The visitors center offers a much different experience for viewing as a gateway entrance into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many people here will stop roadside for viewing as they block off one lane for vehicles, while others will park at the visitors center to view the field nearby. The most incredible moment of my day occurred as I walked the River Trail and watched the elk as they drank and lounged on the opposite river banks.

These majestic animals appeared so serene as they stayed just out of distance of the visitors and enjoyed their National Park. Elk viewing can be a once in a lifetime experience that shouldn’t be missed and will be remembered forever.

For more information on the Cataloochee Valley visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cataloochee.htm

For more information on the Oconaluftee Visitor’s Center area head to https://www.greatsmokies.com/oconaluftee/

For more information on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park head to https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm