The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: November 2013

Never Stop Exploring · North Face

Never Stop Exploring

Saturday, November 30, 2013

"Humans have always been driven by curiosity and fed by an innate need to explore. There is an allure in the pursuit of the unknown." Here's a pretty inspiring video from the North Face that I think you'll probably enjoy: I don't know about you, but I think it's time to get out and explore: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Glacier National Park Rocky Mountain National Park Jeff Hiking...

Adirondack Mountain Club · Lake Placid · Winter Mountaineering School

Winter Mountaineering School

Friday, November 29, 2013

If you're looking to expand your winter hiking, backpacking and mountaineering skills, or possibly looking for an alternative vacation this coming winter, you may want to check out the Adirondack Mountain Club's Winter Mountaineering School this year. Each year, the Adirondack Mountain Club hosts its annual Winter Mountaineering School near Lake Placid, New York. They typically cover the following...

Cataloochee · elk · euthanize

In Defense of the Smokies Decision to Euthanize the Cataloochee Elk

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

I'm always amazed by the vitriol that some express after a national park has to put an animal down. I'm even more amazed/chagrined by those who place more value on the lives of animals over human beings. The recent incident involving a photographer and an elk in Cataloochee, now made famous by a viral video, is no different. For a flavor of some of the comments and thought processes of some people,...

blue ridge parkway · temporary road closures

Blue Ridge Parkway Announces Temporary Road Closures for December

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Beginning Monday morning, December 2, 2013,and continuing for a three to four week period, Blue Ridge Parkway maintenance personnel will be conducting cutting operations along the roadside between Petites Gap (near U.S. 501) and the interchange of U.S. 460 and the Parkway. During the period, both lanes in this section of the Parkway will be closed to all activity (cars, bicycles, and hikers) to ensure...

The Top of Texas

Sunday, November 24, 2013

The highest point in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, is one of only four state highpoints to be located within a national park. Denali, Mount Rainier and Clingmans Dome are the other three. However, since Clingmans Dome is an easy walk of about a hundred yards, and Denali and Mount Rainier are probably out of the league of at least 99% of all park visitors, Guadalupe Peak is really the only state high point...

Planning a visit to the Smokies this Holiday Season?

Friday, November 22, 2013

Planning a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains this Holiday Season? Please help support HikingintheSmokys.com by supporting the sponsors on our Accommodations page. Our hiking website provides links to a wide variety of overnight options - from cozy cabins to luxurious resorts. Thank you very much! Jeff Hiking in the Smok...

Table Rock Fire

Person Sought in Connection with Linville Gorge Wildfire

Thursday, November 21, 2013

U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officials have released a photo of a man who may have information concerning the wildfire in the Linville Gorge. The agency asks for the public's help in identifying the individual. Investigators would like to speak with this person who was in the Table Rock picnic area on Veterans Day. It is believed that he camped in the Table Rock picnic area over Veterans...

Linville Gorge Wilderness · Table Rock Fire

Slight Increase in Table Rock Fire; Community Meeting Scheduled for Tonight

Thursday, November 21, 2013

The Table Rock Fire in the Linville Gorge Wilderness showed some increased activity this morning in the area just north of Chimney Branch. A decision was made to burn the 100-acre block of unburned fuels between the active fire, Chimney Branch to the south, and Linville River to the west to strengthen the natural barriers and aid in slowing the fire’s southern progress. Today, weather conditions...

Big Meadows Campground · shenandoah national park

Husband, Wife Seriously Injured In Separate Accidents

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The NPS Morning Report is reporting that rangers responded to two separate medical incidents involving a married couple at the Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park on Friday, September 27th. Both the husband and wife required air evacuations. The original call was for the wife, who’d broken her femur in a fall while getting out of their car at a Big Meadows campsite, but the first...

The tallest trees on the planet

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

The tallest trees on the planet are found along the coast of northern California and southern Oregon. Fortunately for today’s visitors, and generations to come, nearly half of all Coast Redwoods are under the protection of the combined Redwood National and State Parks. Walking through one of the old-growth groves in any of these parks is like walking into a cathedral. The tallest redwood in the...

Great Smoky Mountains Responds to Elk Concerns

Monday, November 18, 2013

Last Friday park wildlife biologists made the difficult decision to euthanize an elk. The decision to euthanize an animal of any kind in the park is never made lightly. Elk are iconic symbols in the Smokies, but they are also dangerous wild animals. The park provides education about elk behavior and safe wildlife viewing in a variety of ways including signage, brochures, park website, ranger-led programs,...

Linville Gorge Wilderness · Table Rock Fire

Rain helps... But Table Rock Fire is not out

Monday, November 18, 2013

The Linville Gorge area received about a half inch of rain yesterday, which included the area of the Table Rock wildfire. The fire that started about a week ago is still burning in the gorge on the Grandfather Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest. The fire started in the Table Rock Picnic Area and quickly moved south and east into surrounding terrain. The rain received yesterday was much needed...

elk · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · wildlife safety

Smokies Urges Visitors to View Wildlife Safely

Monday, November 18, 2013

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials remind park visitors to exercise caution as they view and photograph wildlife to best protect both the animals and themselves. Park Rangers have recently received numerous reports of increased interactions between visitors and wildlife such as bears, white-tailed deer, and elk. No doubt, this reminder comes on the heels of the video below, and the subsequent...

Linville Gorge · Shortoff Mountain · Table Rock Fire · Table Rock Mountain

Despite growth, fire fighters make progress on Table Rock Wildfire

Friday, November 15, 2013

Fire fighters are making progress on suppressing the Table Rock Wildfire in the Linville Gorge Wilderness on the Grandfather Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest. A change in weather conditions today should bring some much needed rain to the area. However, the rain is expected to be sparse across the Linville Gorge and will not be enough to fully suppress the fire. Total size of the fire grew to...

Special Winter Rates · Tennessee State Parks

Tennessee State Parks Announce Special Winter Rates

Friday, November 15, 2013

Tennessee State Parks will offer special winter rates for 360 cabins in 21 parks across the state, along with individual rooms at six state park inns, from Nov. 15, 2013, through March 15, 2014. With a state park within an hour’s drive of just about anywhere in Tennessee, families and groups seeking unique recreation opportunities and high-quality accommodations can find the perfect getaway – all...

Linville Gorge · Shortoff Mountain · Table Rock Fire · Table Rock Mountain

Table Rock Fire in Linville Gorge Grows to 300 Acres

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Fire crews made considerable progress on line construction for the Table Rock Fire yesterday, even though fire activity did increase. The fire is located within the Linville Gorge Wilderness on the Grandfather Ranger District in the Pisgah National Forest, within the perimeter of the Table Rock and Chimney area. This fire was first detected on Tuesday, November 12th in the Table Rock Picnic Area....

Affordable Footwear Act · Hiking Boots

The Affordable Footwear Act?

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Cheaper hiking boots could be coming to an outdoor retailer near you in the future! Members of Congress are apparently working on a piece of legislation, known as the Affordable Footwear Act, that could significantly lower the cost of hiking boots and other outdoor footwear. Bi-partisan legislation from Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) would suspend import duties on outdoor footwear...

Cataloochee · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · photographer · sparrs · young bull elk

Caught on Film: Young Bull Elk Spars with a Photographer in Cataloochee

Thursday, November 14, 2013

A couple days ago some photos of a young bull elk sparring with a photographer in Cataloochee began making the rounds on the internet. Turns out this unbelievable event was also caught on film: It's pretty amazing how calm and cool the photographer appears to be. It's even more amazing that he wasn't hurt! In an email exchange, the videographer asked the photographer what was going through...

Linville Gorge Wilderness · Table Rock Fire

Wildfire in Linville Gorge expands to 100 acres - under investigation

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Approximately 40 U.S. Forest Service firefighters and others are working to contain the wildfire in the Linville Gorge Wilderness area of the Grandfather Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest. The wildfire grew from 40 acres to 100 acres overnight. The fire, known as the “Table Rock Fire,” is about one-quarter mile southwest of Table Rock Mountain in the east-central part of the Gorge. Firefighters...

Multnomah Falls

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

You’ve probably seen Multnomah Falls before. It’s been featured in many television and print ads over the years. In fact, Multnomah Falls is likely one of the most famous and most photographed waterfalls in the entire world. In addition to dropping more than 600 feet, the view of the falls is enhanced by the iconic footbridge that spans just above its lower tier. It’s an easy hike to reach the...

Forest Service Fighting Wildfire in Linville Gorge

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

U.S. Forest Service firefighters are working to contain a 40-acre wildfire in the Linville Gorge Wilderness area of the Grandfather Ranger District in the Pisgah National Forest. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The wildfire, located in the west-central part of the Gorge, is threatening one campsite area. More information about the wildfire will be provided as it becomes...

car clouting · shenandoah national park

Major Car Clout Case Develops From Investigation Into Break-Ins

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

The NPS Morning Report is reporting that Shenandoah National Park Rangers in the park's North District received two separate reports of car clouts (auto break-ins) within 20 minutes of each other at separate overlooks on Monday, October 21st. One of the victims was able to provide a partial description of the suspect vehicle, and a ranger in the Central District soon found it at the Little Stony...

cades cove · Smoky Mountains Astronomical Society · Stargazing Program

Stargazing Program in Cades Cove Tomorrow Night

Friday, November 8, 2013

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in cooperation with the Smoky Mountains Astronomical Society, will hold a 2 ½-hour stargazing program in Cades Cove on Saturday, November 9 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Experienced astronomers and numerous telescopes will be on hand to provide a discovery of the autumn sky’s position of stars, galaxies, and constellations, including the Milky Way. In case of rain...

Paradise Found: The Skyline Trail

Thursday, November 7, 2013

"... the most luxuriant and the most extravagantly beautiful of all the alpine gardens I ever beheld in all my mountain-top wanderings." That was John Muir’s reaction upon seeing the Paradise valley for the very first time in 1889. I dare say you might have the same reaction yourself. The best way to explore the Paradise valley below the southern slopes of Mt. Rainier is to hike the Skyline Trail...

Temporary Closure of Chimney Tops Trail

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced the temporary closure of the Chimney Tops Trail from Tuesday, November 12 through Thursday, November 14, 2013 to stabilize trail renovation areas for the winter season. Since April 2012, the Park’s Trails Forever Crew has been rebuilding the trail as part of a three phase project to renovate the popular trail. The crew constructed rock steps...

blue ridge parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway Road Closure North of Asheville

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

A section of Blue Ridge Parkway from Milepost 376 at Ox Creek Road to Milepost 355, near the entrance to Mt. Mitchell State Park, will once again close on November 12, 2013. The closure allows work to resume on the stabilization of a failed slope just north of Tanbark Ridge Tunnel, at Milepost 374. While alternate routes are available, the detour route marked with road signs directs traffic from...

Tennessee · U.S. Bicycle Route System · U.S. Bike Route 23 · USBR 23

New U.S. Bicycle Routes Approved for Maryland and Tennessee

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Adventure Cycling Association and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) today announced that AASHTO's Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering has approved U.S. Bike Route 50 in Maryland, which follows the C&O Canal Towpath, and U.S. Bike Route 23 in Tennessee. “Development of the U.S. Bicycle Route System is a product of the many partnerships being...

appalachian trail · Chipmunk · Neva Warren · Solo Thru-Hike · youngest

15 Year Old Girl Becomes Youngest Person to Solo Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Reaching her goal to be the youngest person to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, 15-year old Neva ‘Chipmunk’ Warren completed her 2,200 mile trek on October 23, 2013. On April 1, 2013 in Springer Mountain, GA, Neva took her first steps towards completing her goal to be the youngest person to ever solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. On average, Neva covered 12 – 13 miles per day, taking her...

blue ridge parkway · Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

Parts of Graveyard Fields Loop Trail Closed for Improvements

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

The U.S. Forest Service today announced that portions of the Graveyard Fields Loop trail are closed for upgrades. The agency expects to complete the work by late December. The Forest Service will construct a board walk on the east end of the trail, which will be closed. Users can access the Upper and Second Falls via the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Also, users can park in the Graveyard Fields Loop parking...

Blue Ridge Parkway: Two-month Closure Milepost 270-281

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

A section of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Milepost 270 to Milepost 281 will close on November 6, 2013, in order to make repairs to a bridge that crosses Highway 421, in Boone, North Carolina. A detour will be signed from Milepost 270, at Phillips Gap north of the bridge to Milepost 281 at the Old U.S. 421/221 access. Critical repairs are being made to granite retaining walls and bridge abutments. It...

Night Closures · Skyline Drive

Night Closures for Shenandoah's Skyline Drive

Monday, November 4, 2013

Park Superintendent Jim Northup announced today that portions of the Skyline Drive, the famed mountain road through Shenandoah National Park, will be closed at night during hunting season. He noted that this is the thirty-third year that this closure has been undertaken and stressed its importance in reducing illegal hunting activity within the park during the Commonwealth of Virginia hunting season...

Walk in the footsteps of the ancients

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Just north of Santa Fe is a relatively unknown and detached unit of Bandelier National Monument known as Tsankawi. Although this area is easy to overlook, park visitors shouldn’t pass up a chance to visit this gem. The primary attraction at Tsankawi is the short loop trail which provides access to numerous unexcavated ruins, cave dwellings carved into the soft volcanic tuff, as well as several petroglyphs...

annual park passes · Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Chattahoochee River NRA Seeks Input on Proposed Annual Fee Increase

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is seeking comments on a proposal that would raise the price of annual park passes from $25 to $35. The daily pass price would remain the same at $3. "Our mission is to provide recreational opportunities for urban residents," said Superintendent Bill Cox. "We realize that many of our visitors come here to experience a national park for the first time....

August in Cades Cove

Friday, November 1, 2013

With a bit of a chill already detected in the air, and the fall season soon coming to an end, I thought it would be a good time to take a look back at this past summer with this short video from the Great Smoky Mountains Association: Jeff Hiking in the Smok...

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