The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: March 2013

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area · trash

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area to stop picking up trash to save money

Saturday, March 30, 2013

The trash cans are going away. At many of the boat ramps, picnic areas, and parking lots in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), the brown receptacles have already been picked up by maintenance workers and packed off to a storage facility. Of 17 locations along the park's 48-mile stretch of river, only four will keep their cans: Abbotts Bridge, Powers Island, Paces Mill, and the fitness...

Tennessee State Natural Areas Week

Governor Proclaims April 7-13 Tennessee State Natural Areas Week

Friday, March 29, 2013

Earlier in the week Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau announced that April 7–13 will commemorate Tennessee State Natural Areas Week. The annual celebration will officially kick off on Saturday, April 6, with activities planned throughout the week such as wildflower hikes, canoe trips, guided tours and volunteer efforts. The Tennessee Natural...

New Trails Added to HikingintheSmokys.com

Thursday, March 28, 2013

A couple weeks ago my wife and I spent a few days hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. As a result, we have added four new trails to our website, HikingintheSmokys.com. On a couple of hikes, such as the Sugarland Mountain Trail, and the Meigs Creek Trail, we were able to find almost total solitude in the heart of the Smokies. The Grapeyard Ridge Trail also offered quite a bit of solitude as...

Rocky Mountain National Park

Go west, young man

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Take my advice, "go west, young man". That famous quote is attributed to Horace Greeley, the influential 19th century author. Greeley, who was also the founder and editor of the New York Tribune, saw westward expansion as the ideal place for hard working people to find opportunities to succeed. Today, the west symbolizes the place for adventurers and enthusiasts to enjoy and play in the great...

backcountry camping fee · Knox County Commissioners

Opposition to Smokies Backcountry Fees Gaining Momentum

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Knox County Commissioners voted yesterday to express support for a recent Blount County Commission resolution that opposes the backcountry camping fee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Knox resolution also demands for the immediate repeal of the backcountry camping fee, and opposes the imposition of any fee for the use of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that is not directly associated...

A-100 · Allegheny 100 Backpacking Challenge · Allegheny National Forest · North Country National Scenic Trail · North Country Trail

The Allegheny 100 Backpacking Challenge

Monday, March 25, 2013

Alright, this is your official forewarning. You better start training right now! This June the North Country Trail Association will be holding its 4th annual Allegheny 100 Backpacking Challenge: to hike 100 miles in 50 hours! The NCTA makes clear that the "A-100" is not a race; but an individual challenge of one’s stamina, determination and resilience. The adventure takes place on a 100-mile stretch...

Campground Reservation System · camping · Tennessee State Parks

Tennessee State Parks Announce New Campground Reservation System

Friday, March 22, 2013

Tennessee State Parks has unveiled a new customer-friendly campground reservation system, which will offer visitors the ability to reserve campsites at 35 state parks up to one year in advance of their planned stay. Reservations can be made online, by visiting the park's office, or by calling an individual park during regular business hours. “Traditionally, campers have had to rely on obtaining...

National Park Week

Did You Know…National Park Week is April 20-28

Thursday, March 21, 2013

The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation invite everyone to get to know their national parks during National Park Week. This year’s dates are April 20 – 28, with free admission to all national parks April 22 – 26. “This year’s theme, ‘Did you know…’ provides a fun way to discover the wonders of America’s national parks,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis....

Nantahala National Forest · road closures

Roads in Nantahala National Forest could be closed for up to 2 years

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The U.S. Forest Service today announced temporary road closures for segments of Forest Service Road (FSR) 423 (Tatham Gap), FSR 440 (Tuni Gap), FSR 340 (Fires Creek) and FSR 81C (Whigg Branch) because of damage caused by a storm that occurred earlier this winter. These temporary closures extend emergency closures put in place after approximately 11 inches of rain fell during the week of Jan. 14, 2013. ...

Beech Gap · Classic Hikes of the Smokies · Hyatt Ridge Discovery · Hyatt Ridge Trail

April Classic Hikes of the Smokies: Hyatt Ridge Discovery

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

On the third Tuesday of each month this year, Friends of the Smokies will be offering guided hikes as part of their Classic Hikes of the Smokies series. To celebrate the Friends’ 20th anniversary this year, each hike will honor an achievement or cause that the Friends organization has supported in Great Smoky Mountains National Park since its establishment in 1993. The hike for next month, called...

blue ridge parkway · Phil Francis · Superintendent

Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis To Retire

Monday, March 18, 2013

NPS Digest announced today that Phil Francis, superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, is retiring. Since joining the National Park Service in 1972 at Kings Mountain National Military Park, Phil has tirelessly served in a variety of parks that have taken him from coast to coast, including such special places as Shenandoah National Park, Yosemite National Park, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National...

appalachian trail · Scholarship · Veterans · Walk Off the War

Veterans Offered Full Scholarship and Support to Hike the Appalachian Trail

Monday, March 18, 2013

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), in partnership with Warrior Hike, Operation Military Embrace, the Military Family Lifestyle Charitable Foundation, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, has launched a new initiative called the “Walk Off the War” program. This program will provide 13 military veterans the opportunity to reconnect with the United...

Seriously Injured Hiker Rescued on Alum Cave Trail

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

NPS Digest is reporting that a seriously injured hiker was rescued in the Great Smoky Mountains over the weekend. On the afternoon of Saturday, March 9th, park dispatch received a call from Jackson County 911 reporting an injured hiker on the Alum Cave Trail approximately a mile above Alum Cave Bluffs. A 55-year-old man had fallen about ten vertical feet and then taken a tumbling fall of another...

canoe · the Sinks

Visitor Dies Following Canoeing Accident Near The Sinks

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

NPS Digest is reporting that a 65-year-old man from Ontario, Canada was seriously injured in a canoe accident above The Sinks early on Monday afternoon. He was visiting the area to attend the Ain’t Louie Fest, which includes a series of river trips loosely organized by a group of whitewater enthusiasts, and became trapped after his canoe capsized and he was swept downstream. Many of the participants...

Smokies Alters Spring Opening Schedule

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has altered the facility opening dates for many park facilities for the 2013 season. The delayed openings are a direct result of staffing and hiring limitations which impacted the Park's ability to conduct preseason preparation work on its facilities. Because of the five percent budget reduction that is in place, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closing three...

missing hiker · Purchase Knob

Missing Hiker Found By Searchers

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

NPS Digest is reporting that a man was rescued last week in the Great Smoky Mountains after reporting himself as being lost. During the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 6th, a 37-year-old North Carolina hiker made several 911 calls reporting that he was lost, cold, and out of food and water. He was not equipped for winter weather, and had only a light jacket with him. The three calls he made...

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area · Daniel Boone National Forest · Wildflower Hike · Yahoo Falls

Yahoo Falls Wildflower Hike Set For Saturday, March 30th

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Daniel Boone National Forest are pleased to announce a cooperative wildflower hike at Yahoo Falls on Saturday, March 30, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending at approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern time. The Yahoo Falls area provides a stunning variety of spring flowers on a short, moderate hiking trail. In addition to wildflowers, spectacular...

Friends of the Smokies · Gabes Mountain Trail · Get on the Trail · Missy Kane

Get on the Trail with Friends & Missy

Monday, March 11, 2013

Join Friends of the Smokies and fitness expert Missy Kane again for another series of hikes this spring. Each Wednesday throughout the month of April, Missy and Friends will be hiking a different trail in the Great Smoky Mountains. Ms. Kane was an Olympic runner and a Pan American Games medalist. "Get on the Trail" is a great opportunity for people who are new to the area, or are new to hiking,...

Big Tulip · Caldwell Fork Trail · Cataloochee

Visiting the Big Tulip in Cataloochee

Saturday, March 9, 2013

In this video Aaron Morrell from Grae Skye Studio in Waynesville visits the "Big Tulip" in the Cataloochee Valley of the Great Smoky Mountains. According to the video, the "Big Tulip", or "Big Poplar" on the Caldwell Fork Trail, is at least 25 feet in circumference! Visiting the BIG TULIP, Cataloochee GSMNP from Aaron Morrell on Vimeo. Jeff Hiking in the Smok...

cades cove · Lynn Hollow · Prescribed Burns · Wears Valley

Great Smoky Mountains Plans Prescribed Burns This Spring

Friday, March 8, 2013

Fire management officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park have announced plans to conduct several prescribed burns across the park this spring including areas near Wears Valley, Lynn Hollow, and Cades Cove. The burns will occur between the months of March through May as weather conditions permit. The prescribed burn near Wears Valley will occur over a 200-acre area just inside the Park south...

Abbott Lake Trail · Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation · Graveyard Fields · Mabry Mill · Mount Pisgah Campground · Price Lake Trail

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation allocates over $740,000 to the BRP for 2013 projects and programs

Friday, March 8, 2013

The Board of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has unanimously approved over $740,000 in funding to the Blue Ridge Parkway for 2013 projects and programs. These projects and programs cover a range of initiatives, including children’s education, projects to enrich the visitors’ experience, and preservation of historic, cultural and natural resources along the length of the Parkway. Parkway Superintendent...

Classic Hikes of the Smokies · Parks as Classrooms

First Classic Hike of 2013: a Deep Creek Circular

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Great things come in threes. On March 19th, the third Tuesday of the third month of the year, Friends of the Smokies will embark on the first guided hike of the 2013 monthly Classic Hikes of the Smokies at Deep Creek, near Bryson City. To celebrate Friends’ 20th anniversary each hike this year honors an achievement or cause that Friends of the Smokies has supported in Great Smoky Mountains National...

2nd · book · guide · Hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Kevin Adams

Revised and updated edition of popular Smokies hiking guide is now available

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

The newly revised and updated edition of Hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park is now available on Amazon. Although the official release date is March 19th, the popular hiking guide is already being sold online. The guide features 82 hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains, and includes up-to-date trail information, traffic ratings for each hike, photos, trail maps, quick reference trail highlights...

Experience Your Smokies

Smokies Officials Announce New Way to Explore Your Park in NC

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in conjunction with the Friends of the Smokies and the Great Smoky Mountain Association are announcing an opportunity to immerse yourself in the national park. The program, Experience Your Smokies, is a unique opportunity to get to know the park and its employees in a whole new way. "If you have ever wanted to be a park ranger or get a behind the...

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshops · Scholarships

Scholarships Available for Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshops

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is making scholarship money available to women who want to attend a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop in North Carolina. More than $2,000 is available in scholarships. The scholarship money will be distributed to eligible applicants in amounts of up to 80 percent of registration fees, which range from $10 to $225, depending on the duration and nature...

economic impact · jobs · National Parks · spending

Which park units generate the most spending and jobs?

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Earlier this week I mentioned that the National Park Service had published a report that measures the economic impact that national parks have on local communities. Today I wanted to dig a little deeper into the data to see which parks generate the most spending and the most jobs for their respective communities. Which parks generate the most spending by visitors? The chart below shows the top 10...

Cheoah Bald · Cheoah Ranger District · Nantahala National Forest · prescribed fire

Prescribed Fire Season Begins in Nantahala National Forest

Saturday, March 2, 2013

This week the U.S. Forest Service announced that the prescribed burning season for the Tusquitee and Cheoah Ranger Districts in the Nantahala National Forest, will take place between early March and late April. The agency plans to conduct prescribed burning, during the dormant season, on approximately 1,353 acres on the district to help prevent wildfires and promote a healthy forest. The Cheoah...

Campground Hosts · cherokee national forest

Cherokee National Forest Seeks Campground Hosts

Friday, March 1, 2013

The Cherokee National Forest is currently seeking Campground Hosts for several locations, including Jacob's Creek and Little Oak Campgrounds on S. Holston Lake; Backbone Rock near Damascus, VA; Cardens Bluff on Watauga Lake; Indian Boundary Campgrounds and the North River Checking Station near Tellico; and the Horse Creek Campground in the Bald Mountains. The host season starts between mid-March...

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