SOCIAL MEDIA

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Man indicted on attempted murder, sexual assualt charges in Smokies incident

Friday, February 28, 2014

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U.S. Attorney William C. Killian announced yesterday that a federal grand jury in Knoxville returned a three count indictment on December 3, 2013, against William E. Seevers, 48, for one count of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated sexual abuse by force. Seevers appeared in court on February 27, 2014, before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Bruce Guyton and pleaded not guilty to the charges in the...
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Great Smokies Seeks Volunteers Interested in Citizen Science

Friday, February 28, 2014

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking volunteers to help with an important research project, in an effort to better track nature’s calendar or phenology. Park rangers are recruiting volunteers willing to adopt a tree monitoring plot on the North Carolina side of the park. A tree phenology monitoring training will be held on Saturday March 8, 2014 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the old...
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Prescribed Burns Planned for Nantahala National Forest

Friday, February 28, 2014

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The U.S. Forest Service plans to conduct a series of prescribed burns over the next 3 – 6 weeks on a total of about 3,500 acres of the Nantahala Ranger District in the Nantahala National Forest. The prescribed burn will take place in the following areas: * Slip Off area, 190 acres, Swain County * Rattlesnake Knob area, 248 acres, Macon County * Alarka Laurel area, 697 acres, Swain County *...
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The Ghost Ranch

Thursday, February 27, 2014

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The Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu, New Mexico is truly an enchanting landscape. It was once the summer home of Georgia O'Keeffe, an artist best known for her paintings of Northern New Mexico and the Ghost Ranch. One of the best ways to explore this magnificent 21,000-acre ranch, now run by the Presbyterian Church, is to take the three-mile round-trip hike to Chimney Rock. Jeff HikingintheSmo...
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Friends of the Smokies Announces 2014 Classic Hikes of the Smokies Series

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

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Explore America’s most visited national park on guided hiking tours with Friends of the Smokies. See stunning vistas, tumbling waterfalls, and discover the hidden gems of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the 2014 Classic Hikes of the Smokies series. Classic Hikes of the Smokies feature interpretation and leadership by celebrated outdoor author, blogger, and hiking expert, Danny Bernstein. Unique...
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Major Reroute of Benton MacKaye Trail Entering Smokies

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

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Earlier this week the Benton MacKaye Trail Association announced that an agreement has been made for a major reroute of the Benton MacKaye Trail just outside and inside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The announcement on their website states: The BMTA has reached an agreement with the US Forest Service, National Park Service, Brookfield Renewables, Tennessee Valley Authority, Nature Conservancy,...
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Temporary Road Closures on Blue Ridge Parkway for Routine Maintenance

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

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Beginning Monday morning, March 17, 2014,and continuing for one week, Blue Ridge Parkway maintenance personnel will be conducting cutting operations along the roadside fromMilepost 16 to Milepost 27 (between ViriginaSR 814 at Love Gap and SR 56). During this period, both lanes of the Parkway in the work zone will be closed to all activity (cars, bicycles, and hikers) to ensure the safety of the maintenance...
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GSMA Announces Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Dates

Monday, February 24, 2014

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Registration is now open for the 64th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, which will be held April 15th thru the 19th. This year's five-day event will offer 146 professionally guided walks and indoor presentations which will explore the region’s rich wildflowers, fauna, ecology, cultural and natural history. There will be a variety of wildflower, fauna and natural history walks, motorcades, photographic...
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"As We Ran" by "The National Parks"

Monday, February 24, 2014

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A band by the name of "The National Parks" has just released a new single and video (below) called "As We Ran." The single is an original song written for the first installment of the National Park Experience: A Film Series, a series of "10 short films about the amazing and diverse people forging incredible relationships with the national parks."

You may want to note that all proceeds received from downloads of "As We Ran", between January 28th and February 28th, 2014, will be donated by the band to the National Parks Conservation Association. You can download the song from iTunes by clicking here.





Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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Rocky Mountain National Park

Sunday, February 23, 2014

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58NationalParks produced this excellent overview of Rocky Mountain National Park. If this video inspires you to visit Rocky Mountain this year, the best way to explore this wonderful park is to hike along one of the many trails that meander throughout the park. If you do plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park this year, please note that our website offers a variety of accommodation listings...
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Multiple downed trees on trails in Red River Gorge

Friday, February 21, 2014

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After two weeks of road closures due to ice, snow and downed trees, some Forest Service roads remain closed in the Red River Gorge. High winds from Thursday night’s storm brought down additional trees along some roadways. The gravel roads to Indian Creek, Chimney Top and Rock Bridge will remain closed until fallen trees are cleared and road surfaces are dry enough to withstand rutting from vehicle...
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Ecosystem Project Temporarily Closes Areas on Pisgah Ranger District

Thursday, February 20, 2014

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The U.S. Forest Service has closed trails and roads in the Trace Ridge Area and Wash Creek areas of Henderson County in the Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest, to ensure public safety. The closures are necessary to implement the Brushy Ridge project, an ecosystem improve project that will provide a number of environmental benefits. The following trails and roads are closed: * Seniard...
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Cape Final

Thursday, February 20, 2014

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The Cape Final Trail on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is an easy 4-mile round trip hike to a limestone outcropping that provides stunning views into the eastern portions of the canyon. If you’re seeking a little bit of solitude, and an easy hike in the Grand Canyon, this is a great opportunity to get away from the crowds. For more detailed information on this hike, please click here. ...
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Appalachian Trail Conservancy Reports Record Number of Volunteer Hours in 2013

Monday, February 17, 2014

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) announced last week that volunteers devoted a record number of hours last year to maintaining and protecting the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) for hikers to use. For the federal fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2013, close to 6,000 volunteers reported approximately 245,500 hours, donating time equivalent to what is completed by 118 full-time workers. Since the...
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National Park's as Prescriptions

Saturday, February 15, 2014

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The National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program is currently working with doctors, healthcare providers, and NPS managers as part of the Healthy Parks Healthy People program. Doctors are prescribing park or nature prescriptions to patients so they can improve their health, connect with the outdoors, and become park stewards. Here's an interesting video from the NPS...
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The Cerro Grande Route

Thursday, February 13, 2014

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Many people who visit Bandelier National Monument don’t take the time to familiarize themselves with the areas outside the main portions of the park. This is a mistake. Much of the monument is located in a desert environment; however, just a few miles to the north is an area that most people wouldn’t recognize as being part of Bandelier. The star attraction in this part of the park is Cerro Grande...
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Smokies Invites Public Comment on Proposed Construction of Smokemont Riding Stables Facilities

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate alternatives for the construction of new concession facilities at Smokemont Riding Stables approximately six miles north of Cherokee, NC. The public is invited to comment on the topics analyzed in the EA as part of the planning process. The National Park Service proposes to construct a barn...
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Free Mammoth Passage tours February 15-17

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

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In honor of Presidents Weekend, Mammoth Cave National Park will offer free Mammoth Passage tours on February 15-17, 2014. “We all need a break from this winter weather, and a place to relax and refresh,” said Superintendent Sarah Craighead. “Mammoth Cave is the perfect place to do just that. Take a hike, ride a bike, bring your horse, or tour the Mammoth Passage for free. Enjoy your national...
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The Annual Hiwassee River Cleanup Day

Monday, February 10, 2014

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The annual Hiwassee River Cleanup Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 22, 2014. The event helps keep the Hiwassee River Corridor and East Tennessee clean and beautiful. The event is sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service, Tennessee State Parks, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and Trout Unlimited, in conjunction with the Springtown Community Support...
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Glacier National Park

Sunday, February 9, 2014

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58NationalParks produced this excellent overview of Glacier National Park. If this video inspires you to visit Glacier this year, the best way to explore this wonderful park is to hike along one of the many trails that meander throughout the park. If you do plan to visit Glacier this year, please note that our website offers a wide variety of accommodation listings to help with your vacation...
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Seasonal requirement for bear-resistant canisters on the AT in the Blood Mountain Wilderness

Friday, February 7, 2014

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The USDA Forest Service and Appalachian Trail hikers are experiencing fewer black bear conflicts along a 5-mile section of trail from Jarrard Gap to Neels Gap in the Chattahoochee National Forest after implementation of a seasonal requirement for all overnight campers to carry bear-resistant canisters to contain personal garbage, toiletries and foods. The requirement goes into effect again this year...
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Temporary Road Closure on Blue Ridge Parkway North of Roanoke

Friday, February 7, 2014

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Beginning Tuesday morning, February 18, 2014, and continuing for a two week period, Blue Ridge Parkway maintenance personnel will be conducting cutting operations along the roadside between Bearwallow Gap (at Virginia State Route 43 ) 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)...
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The Last Wilderness

Thursday, February 6, 2014

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As far back as I can remember I’ve had this fantasy about chucking civilization, building myself a cabin, and living off the land in some far-off wilderness - just like Dick Proenneke, or even Skip Robinson from The Adventures of the Wilderness Family. Well, I never actually had the courage to make such a drastic move, but fortunately for us dreamers, we can still read about the people who do have...
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New Trails Volunteer Program Unveiled at the Big South Fork

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

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The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area has started a new volunteer activity called the Trail Keepers program for people who love the park's trails and want to help take care of them. The goal of the program is to provide an extended presence in the backcountry and at the same time provide the Big South Fork's staff with information on trail conditions and issues. People who adopt...
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Mariposa Grove

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

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Ever since the first Euro-American laid eyes on them in 1849, people from all over the world have been in awe of the giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove. To Frederick Law Olmsted, the famous landscape architect, the trees seemed like “distinguished strangers,” which had “come down to us from another world”. After visiting the grove in 1871, Ralph Waldo Emerson stated, “The greatest wonder is that we...
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Chimney Rock State Park primary visitor area to close for road repair project

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

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The Chimney Rock Access at Chimney Rock State Park will be closed beginning today for up to three weeks as repairs are made to the main entrance road, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. This closure affects the Chimney Rock spire and its elevator access, the Outcroppings Trail and all other visitor facilities in the vicinity. In May, a 75-foot section in one lane of the...
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Ecosystem Improvement Project to Begin in Pisgah Ranger District; Some Trails Closed

Monday, February 3, 2014

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The U.S. Forest Service will soon begin the first phase of an ecosystem improvement project in the Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest, that includes 64 acres of timber harvesting. The effort, called the Brushy Ridge Project, will provide a number of environmental benefits such as controlling non-native species, improving fish habitat and promoting wildlife habitat. To help ensure public...
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Big South Fork Announces Wildflower Discovery Weekend in May

Saturday, February 1, 2014

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Is it too early to talk about spring on this first day of February? Apparently not for the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Earlier this week they announced a partnership with the McCreary County, Kentucky, Tourism Commission and the U.S. Forest Service in the area's first Wildflower Discovery Weekend, scheduled for Friday, May 2nd, and Saturday, May 3rd. The event will include...
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