The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: November 2012

Amicalola Falls State Park · appalachian trail · Black Mountain Fire · Springer Mountain

Appalachian Trail Re-opens - Black Mountain Fire 100% Contained

Friday, November 30, 2012

The Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain and its approach from Amicalola Falls State Park reopen today after a five day closure imposed while the U.S. Forest Service and partners battled a large wildfire in the area. The Black Mountain Fire is now one hundred percent contained within a 455 acre containment area. It began Saturday near the Black Mountain and Springer Mountain area of the Chattahoochee...

blue ridge parkway · Dana Bruce · Memorial

Memorial To Dana Bruce Dedicated

Friday, November 30, 2012

At noon on November 15th, friends, family, and coworkers of maintenance worker Dana Bruce gathered in the courtyard of headquarters of the Blue Ridge Parkway to dedicate a memorial to him. Dana, a third year seasonal employee, died while mowing Haw Creek Valley Overlook on May 7th. During comments made by Shawn Benge, deputy regional director for Southeast Region, the attendees were reminded that...

Great Smoky Mountains Celebrates Christmas Past

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Great Smoky Mountains National Park announces the 37th annual Festival of Christmas Past celebration scheduled Saturday, December 8th, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The event, sponsored in cooperation with Great Smoky Mountains Association, is free to the public. Festival of Christmas Past is an annual celebration of the culture of the Smoky Mountains, with an emphasis on...

Cades Cove Loop Road To Be Closed for Adelgid Spraying

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced plans to implement a complete closure of the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road to all vehicular traffic on Monday, December 3, and to impose a partial closure on Tuesday, December 4. During that time, Park forestry technicians will treat hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA)-infested hemlock trees with a horticultural oil sprayed from large truck-mounted...

Clingmans Dome · Smoky Mountain Explorer

The Smoky Mountain Explorer: Clingmans Dome

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Next spring the Great Smoky Mountains Association will be releasing a documentary based on Clingmans Dome, and the Spruce Fir Forests that cling to the spine of the highest mountains in the Southern Appalachians. These unique rare ecosystems are very vulnerable, and are relics from the last ice age. This documentary will be the first in the new Smoky Mountain Explorer series, which will encompass...

Angels Landing · Zion National Park

Extreme Hiking: Angels Landing

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

One of Zion National Park’s most famous features is the death-defying hike up to Angels Landing. The trail climbs 1200 feet in roughly 2.4 miles. The last half-mile features sharp drop-offs along a very narrow path, and includes chains for hikers to hold onto. The chains are there for a very good reason. In the past eight years alone, six people have plunged to their deaths after losing their footing...

Black Mountain Wildfire

Forest Service Responds to Black Mountain Wildfire

Monday, November 26, 2012

The U.S. Forest Service and partners are responding to a wildfire burning approximately 215 acres near the Black Mountain and Springer Mountain area of the Chattahoochee National Forest near the Dawson, Gilmer, Fannin and Lumpkin County lines. A large response team has been mobilized, including the local U.S. Forest Service Type 3 Incident Management Team and crews from a neighboring national forest....

Help Support HikingintheSmokys.com This Season

Sunday, November 25, 2012

As you do your Christmas and Holiday shopping this season, please keep in mind that you can help support HikingintheSmokys.com by shopping from our Amazon affiliate program. By clicking on the AD below (or any Amazon AD on our website) you receive the exact same low prices and great service that you would receive if you went directly to the Amazon home page: Thanks again for all you support...

Discover the Joys of Winter Hiking

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Many hikers tend to run from the woods as soon as the first snow flakes begin to fall. However, winter is great time to hit the trail. Not only are the crowds gone, but many parks show off their true beauty after a fresh snowfall. With just a little more attention to detail beforehand, anyone can have a safe and enjoyable hike during the winter. Although it might feel quite frigid at the trailhead,...

Essentials for the Smokies Hiker

Friday, November 23, 2012

Below are a couple of stocking stuffers for anyone interested in hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. With more than 800 miles of trails in the park, detailed topographical maps and hiking trail guides are great ways for hikers to discover new trails and new destinations in the Smokies: Hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park, by local hiker and outdoor photographer Kevin Adams, covers more than...

Appalachian Trail Community · Georgia · Helen · White County

White County/Helen, Georgia Designated an Appalachian Trail Community

Thursday, November 22, 2012

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), along with the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club (GATC) and the city of Helen, invites the public to attend the official designation of White County/Helen, Georgia as the newest Appalachian Trail Community™ on November 30, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony will be held at the Bandshell Amphitheater located 100 feet north of the Chattahoochee River near Hwy 17/75...

Smoky Mountains Confirms Emerald Ash Borer Infestation in Backcountry

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Park Resource Managers recently confirmed the Smokies first backcountry emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation. According to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Biologist, Glenn Taylor, "The emerald ash borer is a 1/2 inch-long metallic green beetle that lays eggs on the bark on all species of ash trees. After hatching, the EAB larvae burrow under the bark, and create feeding tunnels that cut off nutrient...

Land and Resource Management Plan · Nantahala National Forest · Pisgah National Forest

Forest Service Kicks Off Revision of Nantahala-Pisgah Management Plan

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Kristin Bail, forest supervisor of the USDA Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina, has announced that the agency is beginning the formal process of revising the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan (the Plan). The Plan will guide management of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests for approximately 15 years. “I am pleased to announce that the Nantahala...

The Top 10 Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park

The Top 10 Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Last week we announced the launch of our brand new hiking website for Rocky Mountain National Park. Today I wanted to offer you my top 10 hikes in case you're considering a visit to this beautiful national park in Colorado. If you're unfamiliar with the park, I think you'll find this list to be a helpful guide as you make your plans. Hallett Peak - For those that feel that Longs Peak is just a...

budget cuts · Congress · National Parks

Are Threats of Budget Cuts Closing National Parks Overblown?

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

A lot is being made recently on how Congressional budget cuts could possibly close several national parks around the country. Earlier in the month, Craig Obey, Senior Vice President for the National Parks Conservation Association, published this statement on the NPCA website: “With looming closures throughout the national park system if scheduled cuts occur in January through the budgetary sequester,...

Chimney Rock State Park · Hickory Nut Falls Trail · landslide

Landslide closes popular trail at Chimney Rock State Park

Monday, November 19, 2012

A small landslide has closed the Hickory Nut Falls Trail at Chimney Rock State Park for an indefinite period, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation An overnight rainstorm on November 14th brought down several trees and boulders onto the trail, blocking access and damaging a footbridge. The popular trail leads to the bottom of the 404-foot-high waterfall. Damage assessments...

Hiking Schedule · Wilderness Wildlife Week

Wilderness Wildlife Week Announces Hiking Schedule

Monday, November 19, 2012

The folks at Wilderness Wildlife Week have announced the hiking schedule for the upcoming annual event, which will take place during the week of January 12-19, 2013. Considered to be the ultimate Smoky Mountain experience, Wilderness Wildlife Week is a series of activities designed to connect visitors with the great outdoors. Participants will learn from more than 100 experts who will share their...

Cumberland Plateau · Tennessee State Parks · Virgin Falls State Natural Area

State of Tennessee Acquires Virgin Falls State Natural Area

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau and Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill announced this week that Virgin Falls State Natural Area in White County has been acquired by the state of Tennessee through the support of a number of private/public partnerships. Virgin Falls has been under private ownership, but managed by the state as a natural area for nearly...

Verizon Funding Helps Turn Science Teachers into Rangers

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced yesterday that they are the recipient of a $12,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to empower teachers with science and technology. The program, based in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, delivers an array of education enrichment opportunities to teachers from East Tennessee and Western North Carolina who will use their knowledge to benefit...

Craggy Gardens · Mount Mitchell State Park

Stabilization Project Between Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell

Friday, November 16, 2012

The Blue Ridge Parkway has announced that it has implemented a full, two-lane closure to all visitor use between Milepost 355.3 and Milepost 359.8. The closure begins just south of Highway 128, at the entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park, and ends at Walker Knob Overlook. Access to Mount Mitchell State Park remains open to southbound Parkway traffic via State Road 80. Parkway thru traffic is detoured...

Adderall · ADHD · hiking · nature · restorative benefits · Ritalin

Time in Nature is the real “Smart Drug” Children Need

Thursday, November 15, 2012

The following is a guest blog by Dr. Mark Ellison: Many children and their parents are looking for ways to increase academic performance to prepare for college admission and a future career. This pursuit often ends in seeking “smart drugs” such as Ritalin or Adderall to improve concentration. Even adults without symptoms of ADHD are now taking these drugs to work longer hours. The current trend...

Brand New Trail Website for Rocky Mountain National Park

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Today I’m proud to announce the official launch of our brand new hiking website for Rocky Mountain National Park. The new site provides details on more than 70 hikes in RMNP, and is organized similarly to our HikingintheSmokys.com and HikinginGlacier.com websites. The URL for the new site is: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com In addition to being a great source for trail information, we designed...

rock outcrops · shenandoah national park

Shenandoah National Park Seeks Comments on Rock Outcrop Plan

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The National Park Service is soliciting public comment on an Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect for a Rock Outcrop Management Plan that incorporates hiking, camping and climbing. This Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect is being reissued since it was made available for public review in 2008. The document analyzes alternatives that direct the future management of rock outcrop...

pacific crest trail

Within Two Worlds

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Below is an absolutely stunning timelapse video from the Pacific Crest Trail by Brad Goldpaint. Brad's videos have been featured on NASA, National Geographic Magazine, Popular Science and MSNBC, among other media outlets. Here's how he describes the video on his website: "Within Two Worlds depicts an alternate perspective by giving us the illusion of times movement, signifying a beginning and...

Autumn in Cades Cove

Friday, November 9, 2012

In case you missed it this year, let the Great Smoky Mountains Association take you on an autumn trip through Cades Cove: Jeff HikingintheSmokys....

Classic Hikes of the Smokies · Mingus Creek Trail

Classic Hikes of the Smokies: December

Thursday, November 8, 2012

The Friends of the Smokies Classic Hikes of the Smokies series continues next month with a hike along the Mingus Creek Trail. Thursday, Dec 15: Mingus Creek Trail 4 miles, 700 ft. ascent Add a little outdoor-joy to the holiday season with a guided hike of the Mingus Creek Trail, followed by a trip to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center for the Holiday Homecoming event and some holiday shopping. To register...

Backpacker Magazine · Gear Tester

Become a Backpacker Magazine Gear Tester

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Here's your chance to become a professional gear tester! Backpacker Magazine is currently looking for exceptional people that share their fascination with new products, cool gear, and upcoming trends. If selected, you will will win two prizes. First, you will get to test some hot new products in 2013. Second, you will become an elite member of the Backpacker Reader Reader (BRR) team and will be...

blue ridge parkway

Two Arrested For Mining Minerals near Blue Ridge Parkway

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

NPS Digest is reporting this morning that in September of 2011, park rangers discovered an area just below the Blue Ridge Parkway, near the Mt. Mitchell area, where recent digging into an old gem mine was apparent. The area was monitored as digging continued. On October 13th and 14th (presumably of this year), two men were found in the site and were arrested for digging and removing kyanite from...

U.S. Forest Service Asks Public to Help Prevent Wildfires

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

The U.S. Forest Service today asked visitors and residents near the Pisgah, Nantahala, Uwharrie and Croatan National Forests to help prevent wildfires this fall. In the past week, debris burning and unattended campfires ignited several small wildfires that were quickly extinguished in the mountains and piedmont of North Carolina. With dry forest conditions persisting in parts of the state, Forest...

cades cove · Prescribed Burns

Park to Conduct Prescribed Burns of Cades Cove Meadows

Monday, November 5, 2012

Fire Management personnel at Great Smoky Mountains National Park plan to conduct a series of prescribed burns of fields in Cades Cove Monday through Friday, November 5th through 9th if weather conditions permit. Park managers plan to burn several tracts totaling about 570 acres. The selected fields are being burned as part of a cost-effective strategy to prevent the open fields from being reclaimed...

Big South Fork · Collier Ridge · Duncan Hollow · Epic Ride · Grand Gap Loop · IMBA · International Mountain Biking Association · John Muir Trail · mountain biking · West Bandy

Big South Fork Honored As An International Mountain Biking Destination

Monday, November 5, 2012

The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) recently announced at their annual World Summit in Santa Fe, New Mexico, that five trails in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area were named as Epic Rides. The five trails are Collier Ridge, West Bandy, Duncan Hollow, Grand Gap Loop, and the portion of the John Muir Trail from Grand Gap Loop to Station Camp. "The IMBA Epic designation,...

Hiking Across the Tundra….in Arizona

Sunday, November 4, 2012

One of our objectives during our stay in Flagstaff was to hike to the summit of Humphreys Peak, the highest point in Arizona. The peak stands prominently in the northern part of the state, and can be seen for miles in any direction, including this view from our hotel: The peak is situated next to Arizona Snowbowl, an alpine ski area….in Arizona! The trailhead is located near the upper lodge, and...

Mammoth Cave National Park · Mammoth Cave RR Bike and Hike Trail · Mentz Hotel · Park City Bicycle and Walking Path

Park City-to-Mammoth Cave trail connection complete

Saturday, November 3, 2012

On Saturday, November 17, the public is invited to celebrate the connection of two bike-hike paths - the nine-mile Mammoth Cave RR Bike & Hike Trail to the one-mile Park City Bicycle and Walking Path. Participants should gather at 10:30 a.m. at the historic Mentz Hotel in Park City. "There will be brief remarks at 10:45, and we will cut the ribbon and release the runners and riders at 11:00,"...

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