SOCIAL MEDIA

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6 Must-See Birds of the Smoky Mountains

Saturday, June 29, 2013

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The following is a guest blog by Ernie Allison: As a lifelong bird watcher, there are many places I would recommend to a novice who wants to see more spectacular and exotic breeds. But if I were to point out a place that every American bird watcher should pilgrimage to, I’d point them to a place just in their backyards (figuratively speaking, of course): it would be the Smokies. The incredible range...
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Harbinger of Summer in the Smokies: Mountain Laurel

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

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The Great Smoky Mountains Association recently published this short video highlighting the beautiful blooms of mountain laurel. There are many locations throughout the park to see them, but one of the best places is at Spence Field above Cades Cove. Enjoy! Jeff Hiking in the Smok...
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A Step Closer to Completing the “Missing Link”

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrated the completion of Bridge 2 on the Foothills Parkway near Wears Valley, TN with a ribbon cutting event on Monday, June 24. The completion of Bridge 2 marks a significant milestone bringing the park one step closer towards finishing the “missing link,” a 1.65-mile section of the Parkway between Walland and Wears Valley which has been under construction...
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Beyond Hiking and Backpacking: The Best Activities Around the Smoky Mountains

Saturday, June 22, 2013

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The following is a guest blog by Angie Picardo: There are lots fun things to do in the Smokies beyond hiking and backpacking, but you might not have heard about them. Did you know, for instance, that there are over ninety historic structures, such as houses, churches, barns and grist mills that you can visit? Cades Cove, Oconaluftee, Cataloochee and the Roaring Fork Nature Trail are among the best...
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Smoky Mountain Rangers Deal With Multiple Serious Incidents

Friday, June 21, 2013

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NPS Digest is reporting this morning that rangers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park had to respond to a string of serious incidents over a three-day period last week. Included in the report are more details on the man who was injured as a result of the tornado while hiking on the Low Gap Trail. Other incidents and rescues took place in the park as a result of that storm: • Thursday June 13th...
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Man Injured by Falling Tree on Low Gap Trail Airlifted

Monday, June 17, 2013

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Rangers were involved in the rescue of a 53-year-old male who had been struck by a falling tree during the storm event of Thursday, June 13th. Nathan Lipsom, from Cambridge, MA, was hiking along Low Gap Trail when the storm hit around 4:00 pm and sustained multiple injuries. A Park Backcountry Ranger was patrolling the trails around Cosby and Big Creek on Friday...
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July Classic Hikes of the Smokies: Newfound Gap-Kephart Prong Excursion

Monday, June 17, 2013

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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 will...
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Storm Damage Causes Trail Closures in Cosby and Big Creek Areas

Friday, June 14, 2013

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park managers report that several trails in Cosby and Big Creek are closed due to extensive damage from the wind and rain during a late afternoon storm on Thursday, June 13th. Other trails in the area may be closed as the park is continuing to assess the damage. The park website states that "a major thunderstorm produced heavy rains, high winds and a possible tornado...
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Your Guide to the “Smokies” Challenge

Thursday, June 13, 2013

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The following is a guest blog by FNO Founder Chris DeVore: Update: After speaking with park officials I have learned that this program has been undergoing some revamping. Although popular amongst frequent visitors, it's a goal of the park to make this well known to new visitors as well. In addition, GSMNP has recently created a “Hike the Smokies for Families” Challenge which targets younger populations...
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Road Striping Operations on Newfound Gap Road

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

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A contractor for Great Smoky Mountains National Park will perform striping operations in NC beginning Wednesday, June 12th, through Tuesday, June 18th, along Newfound Gap Road from Newfound Gap south to Cherokee, along with various secondary roads throughout the NC section of the Park. Operations will be completed between 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. for seven consecutive nights. Weather delays due...
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Smokies To Host Event Showcasing Traditional Women’s Work

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

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On Saturday, June 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Mountain Farm Museum in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will come to life as national park staff and volunteers pay tribute to rural women of the past through demonstrations of traditional women's work. This day recognizes the many contributions of the region's rural women by providing an opportunity to experience the past and to actively...
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Participation in Outdoor Recreation Activities Reaches Highest Level in Six Years

Monday, June 10, 2013

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Participation in outdoor recreation reached a six-year high in 2012 with nearly 50% of Americans ages six and older taking part in at least one of the 43 outdoor activities included in the latest Outdoor Recreation Participation Report. This percentage equates to 141.9 million American outdoor participants, reflecting an increase of nearly a million people compared to 2011. In addition, outdoor participants...
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Guided Hike to a Big South Fork Rock Shelter on Saturday, June 22

Saturday, June 8, 2013

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A ranger guided hike to a rock shelter along the Oscar Blevins Trail will take place on Saturday, June 22nd, near the Bandy Creek Visitor Center in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. On this moderate two mile hike, visitors will learn about plants and animals in the park, hear about park history, and will be able to view rock shelters along the trail. The hike will begin at 10:00...
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Evening Black Bear Program at Bandy Creek Campground Next Saturday

Friday, June 7, 2013

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There will be a program on "How to Keep Yourself Safe and the Bears Out of Trouble" at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area's Bandy Creek Campground on Saturday, June 15, at 7:00 p.m. (EDT). The evening program will be held at the Bandy Creek campfire circle. People of all ages can learn how to keep safe in bear habitat of Big South Fork and the surrounding area and gain an understanding...
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Win more than $2,500 in gear in the #SuuntoAmbitions Contest

Thursday, June 6, 2013

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Suunto USA is announcing its #SuuntoAmbitions contest to encourage adventurers of all levels to inspire each other through various outdoor ambitions. “With the #SuuntoAmbitions contest, we’ve created a program that truly inspires people to get out and test their limits and set higher goals in the outdoors,” says Amer Sports Americas digital marketing manager, Evin Catlett. “Whether that be running...
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6th Annual Herding of the Goats on Roan Mountain

Monday, June 3, 2013

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As has been the case over the last several years, goats will once again be used as an experimental management tool to help restore the grassy bald corridors on Roan Mountain's western balds. The Grassy Balds on Roan Mountain are important habitats for many rare and endemic species such as Gray's Lily, as well as species at or near the southern ends of their ranges. The western balds are thought...
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S.W.E.A.T. Crews Need Volunteers for Smokies AT work

Saturday, June 1, 2013

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Hey everyone - I wanted to let you know that I received an email yesterday from someone involved with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. She told me the organization is in much need of volunteers for the first two sessions of the Smokies Wilderness Elite Appalachian Trail Crew (S.W.E.A.T.), which will be working on the AT in the Smokies this month.  Session 1 crews will work from 6/8 - 6/13,...
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Secretary Jewell Announces Designation of 28 National Recreation Trails in 18 States

Saturday, June 1, 2013

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In recognition of National Trails Day, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Director of the National Park Service Jonathan B. Jarvis, announced yesterday the designation of 28 trails as national recreation trails, adding almost 650 miles of trails to the National Trails System. "From coast to coast, the National Trails System helps connect American families with the wonders of the great outdoors,"...
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