SOCIAL MEDIA

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Video: Balsam Mountain Road

Sunday, August 30, 2009

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For anyone who hasn't driven on Balsam Mountain Road in the southeastern area of the Great Smoky Mountains, this is your chance to see what your missing.The Great Smoky Mountains Association has a new video posted to their website providing an excellent overview of this spectacular scenic drive. Please click here to view it.JeffHikingintheSmokys....
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Reminder: Road, Trail and Shelter closings for event

Saturday, August 29, 2009

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As a result of next week's 75th Anniversary Park Rededication Event at the Newfound Gap Parking Area, the Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) between Cherokee, NC and Gatlinburg, TN will be closed from sunset on Tuesday September 1 until late afternoon on Wednesday September 2.This closing will impact several trails, shelters, campsites and other facilities. This includes a section of the Appalachian Trail.Here...
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The Top 10 Outdoor Websites

Friday, August 28, 2009

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The other day I decided to put together a list of my top 10 outdoor related websites. The list includes outdoor news, hiking, trails and blogs that I find useful and/or entertaining. Maybe you’ll discover a new site from this list for yourself.Of course, to remain completely unbiased, I left HikingintheSmokys.com out of this analysis - just to be fair…So, in no particular order, here is my list:Although...
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Cades Cove Tour

Thursday, August 27, 2009

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Below is another fine video from the Great Smoky Mountains Association. The five-minute video is a highlight tour of Cades Cove.JeffHikingintheSmokys.comSmoky Mountain Day Hikers St...
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Broad-Winged Hawk Migration

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

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Here's a little tidbit I thought I would pass on from the Great Smoky Mountains Association newsletter:"This is the time of year to have your binoculars at the ready as these neotropical migrants gather in flocks, or kettles, to head for their winter grounds in Southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, with some immature birds over-wintering in southern Florida.The first cold front...
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75 Hikes on the 75th: September Schedule

Monday, August 24, 2009

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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...
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Help keep Roan Mountain bald

Saturday, August 22, 2009

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is looking for a few volunteers to help cut back the large woody shrubs growing on Roan Mountain in order to maintain the mountain as a bald.The ATC is asking volunteers to use those certified chainsaw skills or lopping skills to cut back woody growth and protect the rare grassy balds habitat in the Roan Highlands of NC and TN. All skill levels are welcome.Volunteers...
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Fabric Softener Sheets helps with Yellow Jackets

Friday, August 21, 2009

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Everyone knows that using fabric softener sheets is a great way to keep your yellow jacket soft while it's being washed. But did you know that fabric softener sheets can be used to keep Yellow Jackets away from you while hiking?According to an authoritative source, the U.S. Postal Service, apparently it's true!Thanks to the Carolina Mountain Club for that tip!JeffHikingintheSmokys....
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Video: Family of wild boars in the Smokies

Friday, August 21, 2009

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Check out this video of a family of wild boars in the Smokies. The video was posted to Youtube a couple of days ago by Kevin Umberger from WBIR in Knoxville.I, for one, have never seen a wild boar in the wild.Be sure to check out Amazon's new Outdoor Recreation Store Right now they're offering a year's subscription to Backpacker Magazine for just $5.00! This offer expires August 22.JeffHikinginth...
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Samantha Brown's Next Great Weekend: Smokies

Thursday, August 20, 2009

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For all you Samantha Brown fans out there, make sure to pull-up a couch in front of your TV this Saturday. The star of Great Weekends on the Travel Channel will be on location in the Great Smoky Mountains on this weeks episode.According to the website:"Samantha's tapping into her rugged side and trailblazing her way through the Smoky Mountains, exploring underground taverns and taking a night hike...
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Bighorn sheep versus Toyota 4-Runner

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

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Check out this footage of a young male bighorn sheep attempting to challenge an SUV. The unusual video was shot in Sinks Canyon State Park near Lander, Wy.JeffHikingintheSmokys....
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The Smoky Mountain Day Hikers Store is Open

Sunday, August 16, 2009

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We're open for business! From books related to hiking and the Smoky Mountains, to hiking gear and apparel from some of the best outdoor brands, including; Columbia Sportswear, Kelty, Garmin, Leki, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear and North Face.Please click here to visit our store.You can also support this blog and our HikingintheSmokys.com website by shopping directly from Amazon’s new Outdoor Recreation...
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In View of the Smokies/Celebrating 75 Years exhibition

Saturday, August 15, 2009

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Next Friday, August 21, the In View of the Smokies/Celebrating 75 Years exhibition opens at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg.As part of the 75th anniversary celebration of the Smokies, the Arrowmont School will be exhibiting spectacular images of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.The exhibit will run from 8/21/2009 through 10/10/2009.Next Friday there will be an opening reception...
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Blue Ridge Marathon planned for next April

Saturday, August 15, 2009

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A new event for runners is set to take off next April, organizers announced this week. The inaugural Blue Ridge Marathon is planned for April 24 in Roanoke, and will be the first marathon to be run almost entirely on the Blue Ridge Parkway.The event is touted as "one of the most difficult and beautiful marathons on the east coast," according to race organizers. The run will start and end in Roanoke...
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GSMA Video: After the Rain

Thursday, August 13, 2009

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The Great Smoky Mountains Association recently posted a new video on their website showing Cataract Falls and Laurel Falls right after the heavy rains of July 31.It's a very well done video showing the heavy flows of water on both falls.Please click here to view it.JeffHikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures,...
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10th Annual Mountain Music Championship

Thursday, August 13, 2009

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The Mountain Music Championship is a fun filled day of mountain music, food and friendly competition. Individual and band competitions in both old-time and bluegrass music categories for the fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar are held. The championship will be held on September 5 at the Stecoah Valley Center's Historic Auditorium in Robbinsville, NC. The event will be from 11:00am - 10:00pm.$5,000...
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2009 Best of the Outdoors Ballot

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

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Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine is wanting to know what your favorites are - that is, your favorite places, faces, and races in the Blue Ridge area.What is your favorite trail? Your favorite waterfall? The best section of the Appalachian Trail? Plus many others.If you would like to give your opinion and participate in the survey, please click here.JeffHikingintheSmokys.com Smoky Mountain Day Hikers...
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The Friends Across the Mountains Telethon

Monday, August 10, 2009

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This Thursday, August 13, is the annual Friends Across the Mountains Telethon. The telethon will be broadcasted on WBIR-TV Channel 10 in Knoxville, TN and WLOS-TV Channel 13 in Asheville, NC from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM.The broadcast highlights projects and programs that Friends of the Smokies has funded. It's both educational, and important, as the telethon raises approximately $200,000 each year. It's...
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Smokey Bear turns 65 today!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

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Happy Birthday to Smokey Bear, the mascot of the U. S. Forest Service created to educate the public on the dangers of forest fires.Smokey Bear's famous message "Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires" was created in 1944 by the Ad Council. It’s the longest running PSA campaign in U.S. history.Smokey's correct full name is Smokey Bear. In 1952, the songwriters Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins had a hit with...
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'Choose-Your-Adventure' Sweepstakes

Saturday, August 8, 2009

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The Gear Junkie just launched its second 'Choose-Your-Adventure' Sweepstakes! A winner and a guest will pick between 5 adventure-vacation itineraries this fall in the Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Additionally, you’ll receive a gear package to get outfitted for the trip.Each of the five packaged adventures includes a variety of activities, such as fishing in mountain streams, kayaking on local lakes,...
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Trail closings for Cosby Camprground area

Friday, August 7, 2009

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A couple weeks ago Smokies officials announced plans for a repaving project for the Cosby Campground as part of the federal stimulus plan.Yesterday, on the Smokies website, officials announced that trailhead access from the Cosby Campground to Lower Mount Cammerer Trail, Snake Den Ridge Trail, and Low Gap Trail will also be closed due to the project.The closing begins on Labor Day, September 7, 2009.Although...
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Summer issue of American Trails Mag now online

Friday, August 7, 2009

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The summer issue of the American Trails Magazine is now online.The quarterly magazine published by American Trails, the only national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of all trail interests, covers news, legislation, action items, trainings, success stories, events, people making a difference, creative funding ideas, the latest resources, information on products and services you may need.The...
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Beware of new alarm at the Mountain Farm Museum

Thursday, August 6, 2009

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Elk are notorious nibblers of veggies and flowers. In response to elk devouring the planted garden at the Mountain Farm Museum, rangers at the Oconoluftee Visitor Center and wildlife managers agreed to set a motion-activated alarm from 7:30 at night to 7:00 each morning.Visitors should be aware of the alarm, because they could set it off if they walk in the alarmed areas at night.JeffHikingintheS...
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Smoky Mountain Officials: bear spray is legal

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

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You may recall the raging debate this past spring over whether or not bear spray is legal in the Great Smoky Mountains or not. The debate was the result of confusion from the way the law was written, and the fact that there is a legal instument called a 'Superintendent's Compendium', which allows park managers to make local adjustments to certain laws pertaining to national parks.Back in early May,...
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Section of Foothills Parkway Re-opens to Recreational Use

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

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Managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced yesterday that the section of the un-completed Foothills Parkway extending west from Wears Valley Road has been re-opened to non-motorized recreational use.Kevin FitzGerald, Deputy Superintendent at the Smokies said, "Now that construction activity has been completed for the time being, we welcome the public to hike, ride their bikes or bring...
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22 new National Recreation Trails

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

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Early last month, the secretary of the Department of the Interior, Ken Salazar, recently designated 22 trails in 13 states, as newly recognized National Recreation Trails, adding more than 525 miles of trails to the National Trails System.The National Trail System Act of 1968 authorized creation of a national trail system comprised of National Recreation Trails, National Scenic Trails and National...
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Road, Trail and Shelter closings for 75th Anniversary Event

Monday, August 3, 2009

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Managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park have announced that the Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) between Cherokee, NC and Gatlinburg, TN will be closed from sunset on Tuesday September 1 until late afternoon on Wednesday September 2. The closure will allow the Park to conduct a 75th Anniversary Park Rededication Event at the Newfound Gap Parking Area on September 2.This closing will impact several...
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Smithsonian Exhibit: Earl Shaffer and the Appalachian Trail

Monday, August 3, 2009

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The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History recently opened a new exhibit about Earl Shaffer and his first thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.Entitled, “Earl Shaffer and the Appalachian Trail,” the exhibition will be on view in the Documents Gallery until October 11, 2009.If you can’t make to Washington DC, you can still view a version of the exhibition online by clicking here.Part of the...
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MST Trail Building Day - Saturday August 22

Monday, August 3, 2009

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The Carolina Mountain Club is extending an invitation to anyone interested in helping to extend the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) on Saturday August 22.The club hopes to have a large group to help complete another piece of the MST going south to the Soco Gap Overlook, South of Balsam Gap - Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 456.Volunteers will meet at the Moose Cafe; at 9:00 AM for car pooling. The second...
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Rocky Top Trail Crew

Sunday, August 2, 2009

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Experience the Smoky Mountains from a different perspective this fall by working and camping on the Appalachian Trail. Between September 1 and November 1 of this year, volunteers can join the Rocky Top Trail Crew and work in the heart of the largest and most beautiful wilderness area in the east.The Rocky Top Trail Crew is a professionally lead volunteer trail crew on the Appalachian Trail in Great...
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