of its north and northwestern exposure. Even when valley roads are clear and there is little snow in Gatlinburg (and almost none in Cherokee), Newfound Gap may have far deeper snow, and will be closed for several hours after significant snowfall ends. Additionally, being in a national park, Newfound Gap Road is only treated by snowplows and a gravel-sand mix, as no chemicals can be used for snow removal due to their harm to the environment. The road was closed for days after the Great Blizzard of 1993, when of snow fell, and snowdrifts piled up to twice that. References External links Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park Mountain passes of North Carolina Mountain passes of Tennessee Landforms of Sevier County, Tennessee Landforms of Swain County, North Carolina Transportation in Sevier County, Tennessee Transportation in Swain County, North Carolina U.S. Route 441