The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: July 2012

Chimney Tops Trail · Trails Forever

Major Progress being made on Chimney Tops Trail

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Christine Hoyer from the Trails Forever program recently posted a couple of photos highlighting some of the progress being made on the Chimney Tops Trail. It looks like they are making some major improvements, and I'm really looking forward to hiking up there once the project is completed.The combination of heavy use, abundant rainfall, and steep terrain had turned the trail into a badly eroded obstacle...

bears · Daniel Boone National Forest · mandatory food storage order

Summer Drought Puts Bears on the Move in Kentucky

Monday, July 30, 2012

This summer's early drought has prompted the London Ranger District in the Daniel Boone National Forest, including all campgrounds around Laurel River Lake, to implement a mandatory food storage order in an effort to prevent possible interactions between bears and visitors.The drought has impacted the availability of black bears' natural foods, and as those foods have diminished, bear sighting reports...

bears · dumpster

How to Rescue Three Bear Cubs Trapped in a Dumpster

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Hey, if mountaineers can use them to cross a crevasse....JeffHiking in the Smok...

Colorado Parks and Wildlife · hydration · outdoor survival · video

Outdoor Survival - Hydration

Friday, July 27, 2012

In this episode of the Colorado Parks & Wildlife outdoor survival video series, outdoor expert Peter Kummerfeldt discusses hydration in the field:JeffHiking in the Smok...

Flat Creek Trail · great smoky mountains association

Hike the Flat Creek Trail with the GSMA

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Join avid hiker and Great Smoky Mountains Association employee Robyn Whitted on Saturday, August 18th, for a high elevation hike along the Flat Creek Trail on the North Carolina side of the Smokies. You'll meander through "elfin" forests and take in some wonderful scenic views. Let your senses drink in the sights, sounds, and fragrance of a spruce and hemlock forest.This section of the park was heavily...

Derecho Storm · Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Video: July 5th Derecho Storm in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Below is a pretty good video of the storm that pummled the Smokies on July 5th. The video was produced by the Great Smoky Mountains Association, and shows footage of the storm itself, including images from the Foothills Parkway Lookout Tower, damage from the storm, as well as radar images of the storm as it progressed across the region.For a full accounting of all the damage from the storm, please...

Cataloochee Ranch · Nature Valley · Preserve The Parks · Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy · Tom’s Stand Trail

Volunteer Opportunity at Cataloochee Ranch This Weekend

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and Nature Valley (Preserve the Parks) are partnering with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to improve song bird habitat and protect water quality on the scenic and historic Cataloochee Ranch in Haywood County, North Carolina this Saturday. Cataloochee Ranch is a three-generation, family-run operation that has protected more than 300...

Old Rag Mountain · Saddle Trail · Search and Rescue · shenandoah national park

Heat Stroke Victim Rescued on Old Rag Mountain

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

NPS Digest is reporting this morning that a hiker had to be rescued from the backcountry of Shenandoah National Park a couple of weeks ago.On July 7th, park PSAR (preventive search and rescue) staff received a report of a 24-year-old hiker in distress on the Saddle Trail portion of the popular Old Rag Mountain circuit. Arriving EMS personnel found that she was unconscious and showing signs of the...

Clingmans Dome · Contact Station · great smoky mountains association

Park Service Seeking Volunteers to Staff Contact Station at Clingmans Dome

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is currently recruiting volunteers to help staff the visitor contact station at Clingmans Dome through November 30th.The visitor station at Clingmans Dome sits at an elevation of 6,300 feet and is a point source of information for the national park and the high elevation spruce fir ecosystem, in particular. Volunteers are needed to assist in educating visitors about...

Backcountry Horsemen of Big Creek · Horsemen · Leave No Trace · Smokies

Leave No Trace Course for Horsemen held in Smokies

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Backcountry Horsemen of Big Creek recently sponsored a stock-oriented Leave No Trace master educator course and Leave No Trace backcountry packing clinic in the park. Leave No Trace (LNT) is an outdoor ethics program that trains all users to minimize impacts in the backcountry. The stock-oriented LNT courses specifically provide training in common practices...

elk poacher · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Mount Sterling

Reward increased for info on elk poacher

Sunday, July 22, 2012

The North Carolina Wildlife Federation has raised the stakes in the recent killing of three elk near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Mount Sterling area of Haywood County. Last month the group offered a $5,000 reward. That amount has been bumped significantly to $20,000. The conservation organization has pledged up to the new amount to a person(s) who provides information about the...

Tennessee State Parks · Traveling 75th Anniversary Exhibit

Tennessee State Parks’ Traveling 75th Anniversary Exhibit Hits Road

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau and Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill today announced the premiere of Tennessee State Parks’ new traveling anniversary exhibit that will take state parks’ unique history on the road.Beginning this week, the traveling exhibit will tour state parks and various communities in honor of Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary....

Colorado Parks and Wildlife · controlling panic · outdoor survival · video

Outdoor Survival - Controlling Panic

Friday, July 20, 2012

In this episode of the Colorado Parks & Wildlife outdoor survival video series, outdoor expert Peter Kummerfeldt discusses controlling panic, including the elements of S.T.O.P.:JeffHiking in the Smok...

Appalachian Trail Conservancy · Video Contest · Why Do You Love the Appalachian Trail

"Why Do You Love the Appalachian Trail?" Video Contest

Friday, July 20, 2012

To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the completion of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is hosting a video contest to find out what people love most about the A.T. The contest entitled “Why Do You Love the Appalachian Trail?” is currently accepting submissions until September 2, 2012. The grand prized winner will receive several prizes including the opportunity to have their video screened in theaters during the ATC’s membership drive this fall.

With over 2-3 million people hiking the A.T. each year, the ATC is providing the opportunity for the public to share what they enjoy most about the A.T. with the rest of the world.

Videos must be no longer than three minutes and must answer the question, “why do you love the Appalachian Trail?” Each participant can only submit one video and must adhere to the ATC’s Leave No Trace™ principles.

The ATC’s Facebook fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite videos. The top three videos receiving the largest number of votes will be awarded prizes. The grand prized winner will have their video screened in theaters at this year’s “Discover the Appalachian Trail” fall membership drive.

Videos will be accepted until September 2, 2012. Voting period begins on September 4 and will run until October 5. The top 3 videos will be announced on Monday, October 8.

PRIZES

Prizes will be awarded for the three videos receiving the highest number of votes.

First Place:
* Custom ATC hammock, courtesy of ENO™
* Video screened in front of audiences at this year’s Discover the Appalachian Trail: 2012 fall membership drive
* Featured in A.T. Journeys (Official magazine of the A.T.)
* Video featured on the ATC’s YouTube Page
* One-year membership to the ATC

Second Place:
* ATC themed tote bag
* Glow-in-the-dark water bottle
* Featured in A.T. Journeys (Official magazine of the A.T.)
* One-year membership to the ATC

Third Place:
* ATC themed hat
* Featured in A.T. Journeys (Official magazine of the A.T.)
* One-year membership to the ATC

For more information or to submit a video, visit www.appalachiantrail.org/videocontest.

Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies

Great Smoky Mountains National Park · windstorm

Storm Damaged Trail Status Update

Thursday, July 19, 2012

It appears the Great Smoky Mountains has made a full assessment of all trail damage due to the July 5th windstorm. The latest update has a few changes compared to previous updates. Gone is the long list of trails that the park had no, or little information on. What's left is only the list of trail and backcountry campground closures. Here's the latest:The following trails have been closed to all use:...

backcountry campfires · Tennessee State Parks

Tennessee State Parks Lift Temporary Ban on Backcountry Campfires

Thursday, July 19, 2012

The Tennessee State Parks system has lifted a temporary ban on backcountry campfires in state parks, which was put into place June 29, 2012, due to dry weather conditions and the potential for wildfire hazards. Today’s announcement is consistent with the Department of Agriculture’s recent action to lift some of the county burn bans throughout the state. For an up-to-date list of the Department of...

Clingmans Dome · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · video

Morning on the Dome

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Check out this beautiful video from the Great Smoky Mountains Association. This footage was taken from Clingmans Dome on the moring of July 15th just as the mountains began to reveal themselves beneath a sea of clouds.:JeffHikingintheSmokys....

shenandoah national park · The Shenandoah Scramble

The Shenandoah Scramble

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Usher in the first day of autumn with the Shenandoah National Park Trust at The Shenandoah Scramble on Saturday, September 22.Hikers of all ability levels are invited to chose one of six guided hikes of varying length and difficulty in the national park. Participants will gather for a light breakfast and then head out to hike with their group and hike leader (each hike can accommodate up to 20 hikers)....

Abrams Creek Campground · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Hiking in the Smokies

Abrams Creek Campground Reopens / Trail Status Update

Monday, July 16, 2012

After being closed for more than a week the Abrams Creek Campground reopened over the weekend. The campground, along with several roads and trails, were closed as a result of a devastating windstorm that blew through the western portion of the park on July 5th. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park also published a trail status update yesterday morning. Here are the latest closings and warnings:The...

appalachian trail · Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest · Repaving · Woody Gap Trailhead Chestatee Overlook

Woody Gap Trailhead in Chattahoochee NF to Temporarily Close for Repaving

Sunday, July 15, 2012

The Woody Gap Trailhead, located in Union County at the intersection of Hwy 60 and the Appalachian Trail in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, will close on Monday, Aug 13, and will reopen on Saturday, Aug 18 to allow crews to repave the parking area. This closure includes both parking areas located on each side of Hwy 60. The Chestatee Overlook, located in Lumpkin County south of Woody Gap...

A Hiker's Guide to the Hickory Nut Gorge · Chimney Rock · Hickory Nut Gorge

New Hiking Guidebook for the Hickory Nut Gorge & Chimney Rock Area

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Local outdoor enthusiasts Nate Ballinger and Ryan Lubbers have written a comprehensive hiking guidebook for the Hickory Nut Gorge, one of the Southeast's most spectacular natural areas. A Hiker's Guide to the Hickory Nut Gorge includes some of Western North Carolina's greatest hikes at Rumbling Bald, Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, Bearwallow Mountain, Bat Cave, and the Florence Preserve, among other areas....

cataloochee valley · Hattie Caldwell Davis

Exploring the Cataloochee Valley

Friday, July 13, 2012

Cataloochee is a beautiful, fairly remote valley nestled on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Known today for the elk reintroduction program, Cataloochee was once a farming community complete with a school, church, post office, and store. Of the nearly 200 structures that once stood in Cataloochee, only a handful remain. This is the park's best remaining example of historic...

The Deadliest Animals In the United States

The Deadliest Animals in the United States

Thursday, July 12, 2012

What are the deadliest animals in the United States? Dr. Joseph Forrester and some of his colleagues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently answered that question in a paper titled "Fatalities From Venomous and Nonvenomous Animals in the United States (1999–2007)."If wondering which animals and critters to avoid, here's a list of the top 10 most deadliest animals:1) Mammals,...

2012 Share the Experience Photo Contest · National Park Foundation

2012 Share the Experience Photo Contest

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The National Park Foundation and their partners are once again promoting the Share the Experience photo contest. The annual contest is the largest national park and public land photo contest for amateur photographers, and runs now through December 31, 2012.The annual contest, now in its 12th year, provides an opportunity for amateur photographers to submit pictures taken at any federal lands site...

Adopt-a-Cabin · Smokies

Volunteers Needed for Adopt-a-Cabin in Smokies

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is recruiting for volunteers to participate in the Adopt-a-Cabin (AAC) program, which will provide light maintenance on selected cabins among the Park s over 90 historic structures. The AAC program joins a number of Volunteers in Park (VIP) programs which utilize volunteers for such park operations as trail maintenance and campsite clean-up.Great Smoky Mountains...

Elk Springs Resort · Wade in the Water

Wade in the Water

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

The following is a guest posting by Elk Springs Resort:Wade in the Water is an early 1900s spiritual song with melodic lyrics and a soulful tune. Two popular theories have been attributed to its meaning. Some say this song contained route information for escaping slaves while others say it talks about the biblical tale of the Israelite’s frantic escape from Egypt through the Red Sea. Whatever you...

closures · Smokies · trails · windstorm

Smokies Publishes List of Trails Damaged By Severe Storm

Monday, July 9, 2012

The Great Smoky Mountains just published the following press release, which includes a list of trails impacted by the Thursday's storm:On Thursday July 5th, a line of severe and fast moving thunderstorm cells struck the western half of the park generating wind gusts in excess of 70 mph. Within minutes thousands (perhaps tens of thousands) of trees fell on the roads and trails in the park. Preliminary...

Smokies · video · windstorm

Video: Smokies Windstorm from a Cabin

Monday, July 9, 2012

Here's another look at what it was like when the July 5th windstorm struck the Smoky Mountains. This video was taken from the porch of a cabin. The publisher doesn't indicate where the cabin was located, but you certainly get a feel for the power of the storm as it passed through:JeffHikingintheSmokys....

Great Smoky Mountains National Park · windstorm

Several weeks before full trail assessments can be completed in Smokies

Monday, July 9, 2012

It may be awhile before visitors can begin hiking in the western portion of the Great Smoky Mountains again. Early this morning officials posted this statement on the park website:Warning: A severe storm on July 5, 2012, resulted in downed trees on park trails. Preliminary trail assessments indicate that thousands of trees have fallen along hundreds of miles of trails throughout the western half of...

Classic Hikes of the Smokies · Friends of the Smokies · Mt. Cammerer

Classic Hikes of the Smokies: August

Monday, July 9, 2012

The Friends of the Smokies Classic Hikes of the Smokies series continues next month with a hike to Mt. Cammerer.Thursday, Aug 9: Mt. Cammerer11.4 miles, 3,000 ft. ascentFrom Davenport Gap, take the A.T. south for 5.1 miles. Take the Mt. Cammerer Trail for 0.6 mile. Preserving the Mt. Cammerer tower was the beginning of Friends of the Smokies--and who was Arno B. Cammerer anyway? Even your leader calls...

Clingman's Dome · video · windstorm

Video: Great Smoky Mountains Storm from Clingmans Dome

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Check out this pretty amazing video of the windstorm that struck the Smokies Thursday evening. This video was shot from the parking lot at Clingmans Dome as the storm approached. It was uploaded to Youtube yesterday:JeffHikingintheSmokys....

Update on Road Closures in Smokies

Sunday, July 8, 2012

As a result of the devastating windstorm that struck the Smokies Thursday evening, several roads remain closed as of this morning:• Little River Road from Metcalf Bottoms to the Townsend Wye• Abrams Creek Campground is closed• Parsons Branch Road• Rich Mountain Road• Abrams Creek Entrance Road• Tremont Road above the Institute at TremontNumerous trails have also been impacted as well. I'm not sure...

blue ridge parkway · Rock Castle Gorge Hikes

Rock Castle Gorge Hikes

Sunday, July 8, 2012

This summer join rangers from the Blue Ridge Parkway as they will again be leading guided hikes through Rock Castle Gorge. The five mile hikes will highlight the history of the Rock Castle community that existed in this area from the late 1700s through the 1930s.Participants will meet at the Rocky Knob Cabins off of Woodberry Road (near Milepost 174). Hikers are asked to wear good hiking boots, be...

Environmental Assessment · Forest Pest Management Plan

The National Park Service Seeks Public Comment on the Development of a Cumberland Parks Forest Pest Management Plan Environmental Assessment

Sunday, July 8, 2012

The National Park Service is accepting public comments pertaining to development of the Cumberland Parks Forest Pest Management Plan Environmental Assessment (EA). The scoping period will begin July 1, 2012, and extend through August 1, 2012. Comments will be used to assist the parks in developing and evaluating feasible alternatives and analyzing the environmental consequences of each alternative.The...

hiking · windstorm

What to do during a windstorm while hiking?

Saturday, July 7, 2012

In light of the devastating windstorm that struck the Great Smoky Mountains Thursday evening, I have been wondering what a hiker should do if a severe windstorm were to hit while out on the trail. I did a few Google searches but could not find any advice.So, I will pose my questions to my readers to see if anyone has any advice, recommendations, or even an authoritative source to quote:My first question...

Family Hiking Programs · Smokies

Family Hiking Programs in the Smokies

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is holding several family-friendly hiking programs to encourage families to get out and hike the park trails, learn new skills, assist in trail stewardship and record their results! The programs are a part of a National Park Foundation grant funded through The Coca-Cola Foundation which expands the current "Hike the Smokies" and "Adopt a Trail" programs.Participants...

great smoky mountains association

Update on Fatalities, Injuries and Storm Damage in Smokies

Friday, July 6, 2012

The following update was posted on the Great Smoky Mountains Association Facebook page a short while ago:A motorcycle rider was killed on Little River Road approximately 0.5-mile east of the Townsend Wye:A 50 years old man was hit on the head by a falling limb. He died at the scene. Passenger on the motorcycle was not injured in the incident. Relationship of the two is unknown.At a popular swimming...

Great Smoky Mountains · storm

Severe Storm in Smokies Leads To Two Deaths, Injuries, Other Emergencies

Friday, July 6, 2012

A severe thunderstorm swept through the west end of the Great Smoky Mountains around 6 p.m. yesterday evening, causing significant tree fall in a line stretching from Metcalf Bottoms across Cades Cove to Abrams Creek. Several emergency responses were underway late last night and the situation was continuing to evolve. Two fatalities have been confirmed – a man who died in a motorcycle accident a half...

Colorado Parks and Wildlife · outdoor survival · survival kit · video

The Survival Kit

Friday, July 6, 2012

In this episode of the Colorado Parks & Wildlife outdoor survival video series, outdoor expert Peter Kummerfeldt discusses the survival kit, including the three main components of that kit: fire, shelter and signal.JeffHikingintheSmokys....

bicycles · bikes · National Parks

Revised Bicycle Plan Allows Greater Access to National Parks

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Cyclists rejoice! The National Park Service announced today that it will expand bicycle access in parks nationwide, while preserving the Service’s responsibility to prohibit bikes in wilderness and other areas where they would have significant impact on the environment or visitor safety.The new rule, available online here, gives park superintendents the authority to allow bicycles on roads that are...

Massanutten Mountain · Neighbor Mountain Fire · Point 2 Wildland Fire · shenandoah national park · wildfire

Shenandoah Wildfire Doubles in Size

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Two major wildfires in Northern Virginia continue to grow. However, major progress is being made to bring both fires under control. Here are the latest updates as of this morning:The Neighbor Mountain Fire in Shenandoah National Park has doubled in size over the last three days, growing from 1125 acres to 2163 acres as of the latest update posted yesterday evening. The fire, however, is now 55% contained....

blue ridge parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway Encourages Visitors to Enjoy the View, But Watch the Road

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Lower gas prices, higher visitation numbers for the year, and estimates from travel industry professionals for a busy travel season are top of mind as Blue Ridge Parkway rangers prepare for the Fourth of July holiday. Visitor and traffic safety on the Parkway is always of paramount concern, and in recent years strides have been made to decrease the number of traffic incidents.In 2001, a traffic study...

Mt. LeConte Records Highest Temperature Ever

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Everyone knows that it's been extremely hot over the last several days. But to prove just how hot it's been, we don't have to look much further than the top of Mt. LeConte. Prior to this past Saturday the thermometer atop the mountain had never reached the 80 degree mark (since records have been kept). However, on June 30th, the LeConte Lodge recorded a new record when the temperature reached 81.4...

Massanutten Mountain · Neighbor Mountain Fire · Point 2 Wildland Fire · shenandoah national park · wildfire

Wildfires in Virginia Continue to Grow in Size

Monday, July 2, 2012

Two major wildfires in Northern Virginia continue to grow. Here are the latest updates as of this morning:The Neighbor Mountain Fire in Shenandoah National Park has grown to 1125 acres as of the latest update posted this morning. The fire, currently 20% contained, is burning in steep and rocky terrain north of Route 211 and west of Skyline Drive. The forest involved is a mix of hardwoods, mountain...

appalachian trail · License Plate Grants · Tennessee

ATC Announces 2012 Tennessee Appalachian Trail License Plate Grants

Monday, July 2, 2012

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is pleased to announce the current recipients of grants generated by the Tennessee Appalachian Trail (A.T.) License Plate program, which helps fund projects to enhance the Appalachian Trail in Tennessee. Recipients include the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club, and the Cherokee National Forest. More than $6,200 was awarded...

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