In early October of 2012, Chris Gallaway spent two weeks hiking a circuitous route through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Part of his motivation for this hike was to test his backpacking and camera setup in preparation for a thru hike on the Appalachian Trail that he was planning for during the following spring. Here are some of the sights, sounds and people he encountered during his hike:
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Articles and information on hiking, outdoor adventures and the Great Smoky Mountains. For hiking trail information in the Smokies, please visit HikingintheSmokys.com
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Caney Loop Trail ·
Cave Run Lake ·
Daniel Boone National Forest ·
mountain biking ·
Murder Branch ·
trails
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Forest Service decides on management for Cave Run trails
Sunday, September 29, 2013
U.S. Forest Service officials have announced new management direction for trails in the Cave Run Lake area of the Daniel Boone National Forest.
Under the new direction, horse and mountain bike users will each have their own designated trail system. All of these trails will be open to hikers. The separated use is intended to enhance the quality of experience for all users. Equestrian use will be...
climber ·
Endless Wall ·
fall ·
New River Gorge National River
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Injured Climber Medevaced To Area Hospital
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Earlier this week NPS Digest reported that rangers at New River Gorge National River responded to a call reporting that a climber had fallen at the popular Endless Wall climbing area on Monday afternoon.
The accident occurred on a wall known as Star Trek, located along Fern Buttress near Fern Creek. The area is popular with novice climbers and has several established routes rated between 5.6 and...
Fall color season launched in NC State Parks & Blue Ridge Parkway
Friday, September 27, 2013
Abundant summer rainfall and cool September nights have already launched the fall foliage season in high elevations of western North Carolina state parks. For the first time, travelers can keep track of peak color as it makes its way across the state through park ranger reports available online at www.visitnc.com, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
Regular updates will keep...
Friends of the Smokies ·
Get on the Trail ·
Missy Kane ·
Old Sugarlands Trail
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Get on the Trail with Friends of the Smokies and Missy
Friday, September 27, 2013
Join Friends of the Smokies and fitness expert Missy Kane for another series of hikes next month. Each Wednesday throughout the month of October, Missy and Friends will be hiking a different trail in the Great Smoky Mountains.
"Get on the Trail" is a great opportunity for people who are new to the area, new to hiking, or for those who just want to know more about the Park.
The dates for the hikes...
Courthouse Creek Area ·
Pisgah National Forest
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Project to Help Restore Courthouse Creek Area of Pisgah National Forest
Thursday, September 26, 2013
The U.S. Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina yesterday unveiled the final decision for the Courthouse Creek project in the Pisgah National Forest.
“The Forest Service designed the Courthouse Creek project to fulfill management objectives in the current Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest management plan,” said Derek Ibarguen, Pisgah District ranger. “During the 4-5-year project,...
The following is a guest blog by e-outdoor:
A late summer or fall trip to Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a great way to end your summer or ease into fall at a less hectic pace. Soon enough the cold temperatures will have everyone spending more time inside than out, and the winter holidays will have you running in all directions and busy with family. Taking a few days for some quiet time...
Calhoun House ·
North Carolina ·
Open House ·
Patricia Wissinger ·
Smokies Deputy Superintendent
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Open House in North Carolina for New Smokies Deputy Superintendent
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
On Thursday, October 3, Great Smoky Mountains National Park invites the public to an open house to welcome new Deputy Superintendent, Patricia Wissinger, to the Smokies. The event will be held at the Calhoun House in Bryson City, NC from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wissinger most recently served as Superintendent of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Atlanta where she developed many partnerships...
Throughout the month of October the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) will be showcasing the film Appalachian Impressions in 15 cities nationwide, as part of their 2013 membership drive, called A Journey of 2,000 Miles: the Appalachian Trail. The organization has set a goal to gain the support of 2,180 new members, one new member for each mile of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.).
Appalachian Impressions...
Great Smoky Mountains National Park ·
Khao Yai National Park ·
Sister Park Arrangement ·
Thailand
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Great Smoky Mountains Signs Sister Agreement with Khao Yai
Monday, September 23, 2013
Great Smoky Mountains National Park established its first Sister Park Arrangement with Khao Yai National Park in Thailand. Smokies Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson and Khao Yai National Park Superintendent Krissada Homsud signed the Arrangement today at a ceremony at Park Headquarters.
Although not exactly twins, the two parks share a number of similar resources and protected area management...
Ellen DeGeneres ·
Mt. LeConte Lodge
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The Crew from the Mt. LeConte Lodge Says Hello to Ellen DeGeneres
Monday, September 23, 2013
A couple weeks ago two crew members from the Mt. LeConte Lodge decided it would be fun to make a short video and send it to Ellen DeGeneres - in order to share what their day looks like 5000 feet above and several miles from civilization. This humorous video gives Ellen (and you) a glimpse of this beautiful mountain top.
Thanks to Allyson Virden, the Resident Manager at the LeConte Lodge, for sending...
The following is a guest blog by Regatta Ltd:
A vacation at Great Smoky Mountain National Park is not only a great place for memories and photos, it's a very affordable vacation and recreation spot as well. There are many reasons for this that are self-evident such as the nature of the activities - fresh air and beautiful scenery are free. In addition, GSMNP is one of the very few national parks...
Big South Fork ·
National Public Lands Day
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Volunteers Needed for Big South Fork National Public Lands Day
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will be celebrating National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 28, 2013. National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest, single-day volunteer event in which eight federal agencies as well as other groups partner together to maintain and protect the environment.
Anyone wishing to volunteer should be at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center by...
Helping Hands for America’s Land ·
National Public Lands Day ·
Tennessee State Natural Areas ·
Tennessee State Parks
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Tennessee State Parks Celebrate National Public Lands Day Sept. 28
Friday, September 20, 2013
In recognition of National Public Lands Day, Tennessee State Parks and State Natural Areas invite the public to take part in hikes and volunteer activities across the state on Saturday, Sept. 28.
This year’s theme is Helping Hands for America’s Land. Each of the 54 Tennessee State Parks will have scheduled hikes and volunteer opportunities. For each park’s schedule, please click here.
A Tennessee...
Deputy Superintendent ·
Open House ·
Patricia Wissinger
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Open House Planned for New Deputy Superintendent Wissinger
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Next Tuesday, September 24, Great Smoky Mountains National Park invites the public to an open house to welcome new Deputy Superintendent, Patricia Wissinger to East Tennessee. The event will be held at the Calhoun’s Banquet Room in Gatlinburg, TN from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wissinger most recently served as Superintendent of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Atlanta where she developed...
Fall colors ·
Fall Colors 2013 ·
Map ·
U.S. Forest Service
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Forest Service Offers Planning Tools for Fall Colors Viewing
Thursday, September 19, 2013
The U.S. Forest Service is urging people to get outdoors, spend time in rural communities and urban forests, and enjoy one of nature's most spectacular seasons with its Fall Colors 2013 campaign.
"America's public lands, particularly our national forests, are among the most spectacular venues to view the changes in fall colors," said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. "The Forest Service...
The following is a guest blog by RVOPS:
So much planning goes into even a day trip to Great Smoky Mountain National Park that it's easy to forget a very important piece of the planning and preparation. Hiking means walking, and the most important piece of equipment a hiker has are the boots that are on their feet. Boots that fit well, are broken in, and in a good state of repair will go a long...
NPS Digest is reporting this morning that the Blue Ridge Parkway dispatch center and the Humpback Rocks visitor center received multiple reports of a young woman who had fallen approximately 50 feet down a cliff onto the parkway this past Sunday evening, September 15th.
There was a rapid response from park rangers and interpretive staff, Wanynesboro and Wintergreen rescue squads, and medically...
Red River Gorge
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Living Archaeology Weekend at Red River Gorge
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
The 25th anniversary of the Living Archaeology Weekend is set to celebrate Kentucky’s historic and prehistoric past. Since 1989, this annual event has illustrated the cultural practices of Native Americans and early pioneers.
This two-day event will take place at the Gladie Learning Center in the Red River Gorge.
Specialists at the event demonstrate how to make stone tools, tan animal hides and...
Bradley Fork Trail ·
Chasteen Creek Trail ·
Classic Hikes of the Smokies
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October Classic Hikes of the Smokies: Bradley-Chasteen Creekside Hike
Monday, September 16, 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 will...
Iceland - what a beautiful country! Watching this short timelapse video, I was amazed by how much of the terrain looked like some of the scenery you would see in the Rocky Mountain west. This video was shot by Eric Hines during a 17-day, 4000-mile adventure around the country this past June during the midnight sun.
I would absolutely love to visit this country someday:
Expedition Iceland from...
Dale Ditmanson, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent, announced his decision to retire on January 3, 2014 from 36 years with the National Park Service. He has served in the Smokies as Superintendent since May of 2004 and led the park through a variety of challenging projects along with celebrations including the Park’s 75th Anniversary in 2009.
“Working in the Smokies has been an honor...
Mountain Farm Museum ·
Mountain Life Festival
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Mountain Life Festival at the Mountain Farm Museum
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Join park staff and volunteers as they celebrate the fall harvest. The Mountain Farm Museum will be alive with history as demonstrators provide visitors with a glimpse into the past as they make soap, apple cider, sorghum molasses, hominy, music and more.
This year's Mountain Life Festival will be held on September 21st at the Mountain Farm Museum next to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee,...
autumn ·
fall ·
Great Smoky Mountains National Park ·
hikes ·
hiking ·
Smokies ·
trails
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What are the Best Fall Hikes in the Smokies?
Monday, September 9, 2013
Fall hiking season is rapidly approaching, and soon leaf peepers will be out in full force in the Great Smoky Mountains.
The beauty of the Smokies is always spectacular, but never more so than during the autumn when the mountains are ablaze with the colors of fall.
The timing of the fall color season depends upon many variables, making it virtually impossible to predict the exact date of "peak"...
National Public Lands Day
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Free Entrance to all National Parks on September 28th
Saturday, September 7, 2013
All 397 national parks will offer free entrance on Saturday, September 28th for National Public Lands Day. The 20th annual event encourages everyone to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Visit www.nps.gov for a list of parks and information to help plan your park adventure.
“National Public Lands Day reminds all of us of the vast and diverse nature of America’s open spaces, from small neighborhood...
With the annual "rut" rapidly approaching, I thought you might enjoy a little preview of what to expect over the next several weeks. The film below was produced by Aaron Morrell from Grae Skye Studio in Waynesville. The footage was taken in the Cataloochee Valley in 2010:
The Rut, GSMNP- September 2010 from Aaron Morrell on Vimeo.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smok...
autumn ·
cabin reservations ·
fall
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Making Plans for Fall Hiking in the Smokies
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
For anyone considering a trip to see the beautiful fall colors of the Great Smoky Mountains, now is the time to make plans and have your reservations in place. October in the Smokies is the second most popular month in terms of park visitation. And with the awesome beauty the autumn season provides, it's really no wonder.
If you do plan to visit the Smokies this fall - or even during the upcoming...
Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing National Championship ·
Knoxville ·
mountain biking ·
Paddling ·
Tennessee Adventure Challenge ·
trail running
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Tennessee Adventure Challenge Comes to Knoxville
Monday, September 2, 2013
Outdoor enthusiasts can experience a day of adventure and ultimately compete for a statewide title in the Tennessee Adventure Challenge that will be launching in Knoxville next month. The Challenge will make its debut on October 12, 2013 in conjunction with the Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing National Championship, which will see up to 200 of the best adventure racers in North America converge...
Beautiful time-lapse scenes from the Smoky Mountains by Veerle Lievens:
Smoky Mountain Time-lapse Scenes Silent Mist from Veerle Lievens on Vimeo.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smok...
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