The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: June 2009

canopy tour · Falling Waters Adventure Resort · Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours · Nantahala River Gorge · zip line

A Zip Through the Trees

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

No need to travel to Costa Rica to fly through a forest canopy. Next month adventure seekers will be able to do just that in the North Carolina Smokies. Beginning July 10, the first canopy tour in the Nantahala Gorge area in Western North Carolina will be offered to visitors at the Falling Waters Adventure Resort in the Nantahala River Gorge.The three-hour glide-and-slide adventure along cables known...

Antarctica · blogging contest · Quark Blogger · Quark Expeditions

Blog your way to Antarctica

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Quark Expeditions, one of the top adventure travel companies offering access to the Arctic and Antarctic, is currently holding a contest in which the grand prize is a trip for two to Antarctica next year. The excursion is valued at more than $20,000!All you have to do is tell the world – in 300 words or less – why you should be the official blogger for the February 2010 Antarctic cruise. Quark Expeditions...

4th of July · National Park Service · website

National Park Service launches 4th of July website

Friday, June 26, 2009

What better way to celebrate Independence Day this year than by visiting a National Park?The National Park Service has the honor of preserving numerous areas that commemorate the birth of the United States and American Independence. The ideals and freedoms that were won during the American Revolution and guaranteed in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are celebrated throughout the...

Citizen Science for the 75th · Citizen Science Opportunities · fire ants · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Smokies

Citizen Science Opportunities in the Smokies

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Great Smoky Mountains National Park just announced a new program where people can volunteer to become a Citizen Scientist.On June 29 and July 2 volunteer can join park researchers and educators in collecting scientific data in the park. The two events will kick off a summer of Citizen Science opportunities in the Park which will provide hands on learning experiences by engaging the public in real...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park · trail volunteers · Trails Forever Program

Trails Forever Program looking for volunteers

Thursday, June 25, 2009

The Trails Forever Program in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is looking for volunteers to help with maintenance and improvements of several trails in the Smokies.The volunteer program lasts throughout the summer. The park service will provide all tools and safety equipment.Some of the projects you can get involved with include:May 19 – Sept 30: Forney Ridge Trail / Clingmans Dome Bypass TrailJuly...

Abrams Falls Trail

Abrams Falls Trail reopens again

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

According to the national park website, the Abrams Falls Trail has reopened; however, it’s now on the list of trails with posted warnings.Park rangers closed the trail for the second time last Thursday. The odd thing is that park officials didn't plan to reopen it until the bear that was prowling around it was tracked down or caught. Since there’s still a warning posted on the trail, you have to think...

75 Hikes on the 75th · 75th anniversary · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · hiking · July

75 Hikes on the 75th: July Schedule

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

As part of the year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Jerry Span from the Fontana Hiking Club has organized a program called “75 Hikes on the 75th”. As the name would imply, there will be 75 organized hikes in the Smoky Mountains throughout 2009.Hikers are invited to hike one, some, or all the hikes on the calendar.Below are the six hikes scheduled for...

2009 Telluride MountainFilm Tour · Cashiers · film festival · Friends of the Western North Carolina Nature Center · movies · Pickin' and Trimmin'

Telluride MountainFilm Tour to visit Cashiers, NC

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

The 2009 Telluride MountainFilm Tour will be making a two-day stop in Cashiers, NC next month, marking the first time the film festival has ever traveled to Western North Carolina.The MountainFilm Tour will be in Cashiers, about 20 miles south of Cherokee, on July 10 and 11. This will be the last stop in the region for the tour. The festival made its way to Knoxville back in February. Both shows will...

bear warning · gatlinburg · Great Smoky Mountain National Park · Laurel Falls Trail

New bear warning for Laurel Falls Trail near Gatlinburg

Monday, June 22, 2009

You can add the popular Laurel Falls Trails to the list of trails and campsites that currently have bear warning posted as a result of recent bear activity.Laurel Falls is the fourth trail to be added to the list which includes, the Little River, Trillium Gap (near Grotto Falls) and Crooked Arm Ridge trails.The Abrams Falls Trail remains closed and won’t reopen until the black bear prowling around...

gatlinburg · North Carolina · pigeon forge · Smokies · Smoky Mountain Cabin listings · Townsend

New Smoky Mountain Cabin listings

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Need a cabin during your next visit to the Smokies? Check out the cabin and chalet listings on HikingintheSmokys.com. The number of listings on our site continues to grow.Our newest partners include Cramer’s Creekside Cabins, Boyd Mountain Log Cabins and Black Bear Hollow Cabin Rentals.Each of these rental properties provide a variety of overnight options and offer a variety of amenities to help you...

Cades Cove Full Moon Hikes · Full Moon · Full Moon on Top of the Smokies · Great Smoky Mountain National Park · hikes · Smokies

Full Moon Hikes in the Smokies

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Once again, Great Smoky Mountain National Park is offering guided Full Moon Hikes. This year, there will be hikes in Cades Cove and on Clingmans Dome (“Full Moon on Top of the Smokies”). All four hikes are considered to be easy. Here’s the schedule:July 6: Clingmans DomeJuly 7: Cades CoveAugust 3: Clingmans DomeAugust 6: Cades CoveFor the Full Moon on Top of the Smokies Hikes, meet at 8:00 p.m. at...

easy hikes · great smoky mountains association · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Guided summer walks in the Smokies

Guided summer walks in the Smokies

Friday, June 19, 2009

Beginning this weekend, Great Smoky Mountains National Park launches its summer guided walks program.Each day, beginning tomorrow, June 20, and running through August 15, the park service will offer several programs and activities throughout the park, including guided walks.Some of the guided walks offered include:Monday and Friday nights: Cades Cove Night HikeTuesdays: Smokemont History WalkWednesdays:...

cades cove · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Parson Branch Road

Parson Branch Road remains closed

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Although the Parson Branch Road in Cades Cove was scheduled to reopen yesterday, the Great Smoky Mountains website is reporting that the road is now tentatively scheduled to reopen later on this afternoon.The road was closed on Tuesday as a result of mud.With more heavy rain and thunderstorms on the way this afternoon, it's very likely that the road could remain closed even longer than expected.Closure...

Entrance fees · fee-free weekends · free-admission weekends · National Park Service

First of three fee-free weekends at national parks

Thursday, June 18, 2009

A couple of weeks ago the National Park Service announced that they will be offering three fee-free weekends this summer to encourage Americans seeking affordable vacations to visit our National Parks.“During these tough economic times, our national parks provide opportunities for affordable vacations for families,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said at a recent press conference. “I encourage...

poll · What's the number one reason why you hike

The votes are in

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The votes are in for the poll question: What's the number one reason why you hike?Although the poll didn’t generate as many votes as I had hoped for (there were 82 votes), there were two answers to this question that clearly stood out.The top answer, represented by 46% of the respondents, including me, said that the most important reason why they like to hike is for the views and the scenery. This...

Flame Azaleas · gregory bald · gregory ridge trail

Flame Azaleas on Gregory Bald near peak bloom

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Tom Harrington, a volunteer for the Great Smoky Mountains, made the trek up to Gregory Bald yesterday to observe the status of the Flame Azalea blooms at the summit.Here’s his report as posted on the Great Smoky Mountains Association website:“Blooms very close to peak if not at peak. About 65% of the shrubs are covered with blooms with a few buds. There are a number of shrubs on the side facing Cades...

Little River Trail · Parson Branch Road

Little River Trail / Parson Branch Road

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park website is reporting that park officials have posted a warning for active bear(s) on the Little River Trail.The Little River Trail is a popular hiking destination in the Elkmont area.The website is also reporting that the Parson Branch Road has been temporarily closed as a result of mud. This will impact anyone wishing to hike the Gregory Bald Trail. Until the...

75th anniversary · film · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Remember Me video · Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound

Happy Birthday Great Smoky Mountains N.P.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.On this day in 1934, Congress passed legislation providing that the then 400,000-acre holding “be established as a completed park for administration, protection and maintenance,” thus establishing June 15, 1934, as the official birth date of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.To help celebrate this day, I’d...

cougars · Dr. Don Linzey · Folk Art Center · Friends of the Western North Carolina Nature Center

Presentation on cougars by WNC Nature Center

Friday, June 12, 2009

Do cougars still live in the southern Appalachians?The Friends of the Western North Carolina Nature Center will present a natural history program on this topic at 2 p.m. Saturday in the auditorium at the Folk Art Center, near Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.The program is part of the Friends 2009 annual meeting.Dr. Don Linzey, a renowned large mammal expert and professor of biology at Wytheville...

Abrams Falls Trail · cades cove

Abrams Falls Trail is now reopen

Thursday, June 11, 2009

I just spoke to a ranger at the Smoky Mountains Visitor Center and confirmed that the Abrams Falls Trail in Cades Cove has reopened this morning. The trail was closed yesterday due to bear activity. The ranger stated that hikers should still use caution while hiking.What Do I Do If I See A Bear?----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Just a reminder, there...

Abrams Falls Trail · bears · cades cove

Abrams Falls Trail is closed

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

The Abrams Falls Trail in Cades Cove is closed, apparently due to bear activity. Right now there is no other information available.In addition to the trail closing, there are a couple of new bear warnings posted today as well. Just this past Friday there were 11 warnings. There are now 14. Here's the full list:• Backcountry Campsites 6, 13, 21, 24, 29, 35, 38• Cosby Knob Shelter• Icewater Spring Shelter•...

andrews bald · best hikes in the Smoky Mountains · best trails in the Smokies · charlies bunion · gregory bald · mount Cammerer · mount leconte · porters creek · rocky top · Spence field · trail

Top Hikes in the Smokies

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Every hiker has a personal list of their favorite trails. After many years of hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I decided to compile a list of what I consider to be the best hikes in the Smokies. If you’re new to the Smokies, this article might be a good starting point for trying to decide what trails to hike. If you’re a veteran hiker of the Smokies and have a different list, step up...

hiking in the heat · summer hiking · summer hiking tips · tips for hiking in summer heat

Keeping your cool while summer hiking

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Summer hiking season is already upon us. Anyone who has ever been to the Smoky Mountains during the summer knows how hot and humid it can get in the Southern Appalachians. Temperatures have already reached the upper-eighties in Gatlinburg. I’d like to offer some tips for beating the heat this summer.Before we go into anything else, the most important thing about hiking during the summer is staying...

hike · hiking · poll

Poll: Why do you hike?

Monday, June 8, 2009

What's the number one reason why you like to hike?You may notice there’s a new poll question on this blog (located in the upper right hand corner). I was just curious as to what the most popular reason is for readers of this blog to get out and go hiking. I’ll leave this up for a week or two, and then report on the final numbers.(You'll need to click on the "Vote" button to make your vote count -...

cades cove loop road · concert · Knoxville Symphony Orchestra

Trails / Cades Cove Loop Road closures on June 13

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Due to the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra performance this coming Saturday, several trails will be closed and the Cades Cove Loop Road will have a varied opening and closing schedule.The road will open to all motor vehicles at sunrise (around 6:30 a.m.) and close at noon to all vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. The normal Saturday morning road closure for bicycle and pedestrian use this Saturday...

Discover Life in America · DLIA · Firefly Festival in the Smokies · gatlinburg · Happy Hiker

DLIA 1st Annual Firefly Festival at the Happy Hiker

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Discover Life in America (DLIA) will be holding the 1st Annual Firefly Festival in the Smokies (PDF link for more info) this coming Friday, June 12, at the Happy Hiker in Gatlinburg.The Firefly Festival offers a snapshot of the wondrous biodiversity found in the GreatSmoky Mountains. The festival will include music, food & drink, an insect zoo, opportunities to ask questions of a firefly expert,...

Backpacker Magazine · Calving Grounds · DeLorme PN-40 GPS · eye in the sky

Guess and Win a DeLorme PN-40 GPS

Saturday, June 6, 2009

The Calving Grounds:If you can guess which park this satellite shot was taken of, you could win a DeLorme PN-40 GPS unit from Backpacker Magazine.This spectacular park, usually seen from sea level in a touring kayak, features giant glaciers, sheer cliffs, orcas, and bobbing icebergs. But a satellite shot taken from 423 miles high offers a different view. The magazine offers five clues to help you...

National Trails Day · Smokies · smoky mountains

National Trails Day events in the Smokies

Thursday, June 4, 2009

This Saturday is National Trails Day. National Trails Day is a celebration of trails that evolved from the report of Ronald Reagan's President's Commission on Americans Outdoors, in 1987, that recommended that all Americans be able to go out their front doors and within fifteen minutes, be on trails that wind through their cities or towns and bring them back without retracing steps. The recommendation,...

bats · disease · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · White-Nose Syndrome

Scientists to converge to solve bat disease

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Leading experts in the fields of bat physiology, fungal ecology, ecotoxicology, disease and environmental modeling, among others, will gather at a workshop at the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, June 29-July 1, at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to explore the disease and to develop solutions to manage it. Representatives from relevant state and federal agencies...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park · National Parks Second Century Commission

Nat'l Parks 2nd Century Commission Meeting Agenda Published

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Sometime early this evening the National Parks Second Century Commission finally posted the meeting agenda for the fifth and final meeting in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (see previous post from earlier today for more background on this).The agenda can be found here. (PDF)Today's meeting was held at the new Twins Creek Science & Education Center on Cherokee Orchard Road. The meetings for...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park · National Parks Conservation Association · National Parks Second Century Commission

Who's AWOL: 2nd Century Commission or the press?

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

As I mentioned in a previous post, the National Parks Second Century Commission was scheduled to conduct its fifth and final meeting in Great Smoky Mountains National Park beginning today. The three-day meeting was scheduled to run through Thursday, June 4.Oddly, there’s no mention of the meeting in the local press or on the Great Smoky Mountains website. Nor has there been any updated information...

Brushy Mountain · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · hike · hiking · Silers Bald · Smokies · Sugarland Mountain Trail

New trails added to HikingintheSmokys.com

Monday, June 1, 2009

I just wanted to let everyone know that I've added three new trails to my website. As with all the trails covered on my site, the reports for the new trails include trail descriptions, key features, pictures, maps, elevation profiles, hike statistics and difficulty ratings.Here are the links to the new reports:* Brushy Mountain - relatively easy hike to a mountain top summit with outstanding views...

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