The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: March 2014

Andy Drinnon · mt. leconte · The Allure of Mt. Le Conte

The Allure of Mt. Le Conte: A “Past and Present” Perspective

Monday, March 31, 2014

The following is a guest blog by Andy Drinnon from Twisted Ridge Photography. This is part one of a three-part series that will run on this blog through the end of this week. You can read an introduction on this series by clicking here. Part One - Trailblazers Mt. Le Conte in winter, as seen from Brushy Mountain. ©Twisted Ridge Photography At an elevation of 6,593ft, Mt. Le Conte is the third...

Andy Drinnon · mt. leconte · The Allure of Mt. Le Conte

The Allure of Mt. Le Conte: A “Past and Present” Perspective

Friday, March 28, 2014

The following is a guest blog by Andy Drinnon from Twisted Ridge Photography. This posting is the introduction to a three-part series that will run on this blog over the course of the next week. As a photographer and an historian, Andy will be providing a historical perspective on hiking to one of the most iconic spots in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Mt. Le Conte. In addition to his own photography,...

Cades Cove

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Over the years I've had several opportunities to feature videos by Matt Brass on this blog. In this short film, Matt highlights the sights and sounds of Cades Cove for HuffPost Travel. I think you'll enjoy this one: Cades Cove: Great Smoky Mountain National Park from Matt Brass on Vimeo. If planning to visit Cades Cove this summer, you may want to consider staying in Townsend. If you've never...

Recipients Announced for 2014 North Carolina Appalachian Trail Specialty License Plate Grants

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) announced yesterday this year’s recipients of Appalachian Trail (A.T.) Specialty License Plate grants for projects that enhance the Trail in North Carolina. This spring, $35,000 was granted to 11 partner organizations, including A.T. maintaining clubs, schools, botanists, ecologists and environmental and conservation groups. This year’s recipients include the...

Keyhole Route · Longs Peak · Rocky Mountain National Park

Summiting Longs Peak via the Keyhole Route

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Below is a pretty good video of what it's like to climb Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. The video takes viewers through the Boulder Field, the Keyhole, the Ledges, the Trough, the Narrows and the Homestretch. Although many hikers and backpackers reach the summit each year, this really isn't a hike: As you can see, to reach the summit of Longs Peak is more than just a tough day...

Combat Veterans to 'Walk Off The War' on the Appalachian Trail

Sunday, March 23, 2014

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has again partnered with Warrior Hike to provide a group of military veterans the opportunity to “Walk Off The War” along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). This year’s group of veterans began the six-month-long physical challenge on March 17th at Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Trail in Georgia. The "Walk Off The War" Program provides participating...

Taking care of your hiking feet

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Spring has finally arrived, and with it comes hiking season. As we prepare for our first hikes of the year, now's a good time to take some proactive steps to help prevent unwanted blisters. The following are a few tips, suggestions and strategies for taking care of your feet before and during a hike to help ensure that it isn’t ruined as a result of blisters: Toenails: Make sure you take the time...

Section of Trillium Gap Trail Closed

Monday, March 17, 2014

The Great Smoky Mountains announced today that a 2.3 mile section of the Trillium Gap Trail, between the Rainbow Falls parking lot and the Grotto Falls parking lot, is closed due to hazardous tree removal. The section of trail will be closed through Thursday. To get updated information on this and all temporary closures, please click here Jeff HikingintheSmokys....

Photographs from the Great Smoky Mountains

Sunday, March 16, 2014

The following short film is a compilation of some excellent photos that showcase the grand beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The photos were taken by M&D Hills Photography. For some reason the video defaults to the lowest quality, so you may want to change the setting to HD. Enjoy: ) Jeff HikingintheSmokys....

appalachian trail · karl meltzer

Karl Meltzer Announces Appalachian Trail Speed Record Attempt

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Ultrarunner Karl Meltzer announced on his website this week that he will be making another attempt at the Appalachian Trail speed record this season. He made a very strong attempt at the record in 2008. Although he was hampered by injuries, he still completed the 2176 miles, and roughly 500,000 feet of vertical climbing, in just 54 days, 21 hours, and 12 minutes. That time now ranks as the fifth-fastest...

Appalachian Trail Conservancy Seeks Trail Crew Volunteers

Thursday, March 13, 2014

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is inviting volunteers, ages 18 and older, to join Trail Crews that will help repair and construct new sections of the famous Appalachian Trail. No previous experience is necessary – just a desire to work hard, live in the backcountry and have a great time among new friends. The ATC’s all-volunteer Trail Crews are led by paid trail crew professionals who...

Tent Rocks

Thursday, March 13, 2014

If you’re ever in the Santa Fe or Albuquerque area, be sure to take the one-hour drive to visit Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. This is truly a remarkable place. The best way to see this unique landscape is to hike the Cave Loop / Slot Canyon Trail. This short video will give you an idea of what this magical place is all about. For more detailed information on the hike, please click here....

North Carolina State Parks actively seeking volunteers for 2014

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

North Carolina’s state parks are actively seeking volunteers to help protect the state’s rich natural resources and serve an expected 14 million visitors this year, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. At all 40 state parks and state recreation areas, volunteers serve in many capacities including campground hosts, visitor center aids, trail workers and special events coordinators,...

America the Beautiful Quarters® Program · quarter · United States Mint · United States Mint to Launch Great Smoky Mountains National Park Quarter National Park

U.S. Mint to Launch Shenandoah National Park Quarter

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Back in January the U.S. Mint launched a new quarter honoring Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Next month will be Shenandoah National Park's turn to be honored by a quarter in a series known as the America the Beautiful Quarters™ Program. The Shenandoah coin will be the second of five new United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters for 2014. It will also be the twenty-second for the...

Smokies Announces Spring Opening Schedule

Friday, March 7, 2014

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced the spring opening schedule for park facilities for the 2014 season. Campgrounds and secondary roads began opening yesterday. You can find the full schedule by clicking here. Jeff HikingintheSmokys....

Rocks Mountain Fire · shenandoah national park

Illegal Campfire is cause of Rocks Mountain Fire in Shenandoah National Park

Friday, March 7, 2014

Shenandoah National Park personnel have determined that the cause of the Rocks Mountain Fire was an illegal campfire. The fire, which was reported to the park at approximately 3:10 p.m. on Friday, February 28th, had burned approximately 450 acres inside Shenandoah National Park before a winter storm brought rain, sleet and snow to the area. Fire managers visited the fire location just northeast...

Spring Hikes · Tennessee State Parks

Tennessee State Parks to Host Spring Hikes

Friday, March 7, 2014

Tennessee State Parks announced yesterday that they will be offering free, guided hikes on March 22nd. The second in the quarterly hikes program, the Spring Hikes will be offered at each of the 54 state parks. “We are excited to welcome the spring season with hikes at each of our great parks,” Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill said. “These hikes...

Ramsey Cascades Trail Closed Until Late April

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced earlier today that the Ramsey Cascades Trail has been temporarily closed due to a damaged footbridge. According to a park press release a 60-foot footbridge was damaged when high winds toppled a large hemlock tree, which destroyed the handrail. The trail is expected to reopen by late April. Jeff HikingintheSmokys....

Elkmont Historic district · window

Smokies Offers Reward for Information on Historic Window Theft

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials are offering a reward for information regarding the recent theft of an antique window from a historic cabin in the Elkmont Historic District. The window was discovered missing in late January resulting in a significant loss to the unique features that characterize the cabin. “This is a very sad case of vandalism and theft,” said Chief Ranger Clay Jordan....

Nevada Fall · Vernal Fall · Yosemite National Park

A Yosemite Classic: The Vernal Fall / Nevada Fall Loop

Thursday, March 6, 2014

The spectacular Mist Trail at the eastern end of the Yosemite Valley leads to some of the most popular destinations in Yosemite National Park. Although the mileage is relatively moderate, this is still a fairly tough hike. It’s all worth it though; you’ll visit star attractions such as Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall and the Emerald Pool. For more information on this “bucket list” hike, please click her...

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

Get on the Trail with Friends & Missy

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Join Friends of the Smokies and fitness expert Missy Kane once again for another series of hikes this upcoming spring. Each Wednesday throughout the month of April, Missy and Friends will hike 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...

Collections Preservation Center · Townsend

Collections Preservation Center Construction Timeline Announced

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials were joined by Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Senator Lamar Alexander on Monday, March 3, to celebrate the contributions that public-private partnerships have made to the national park to help honor and preserve America’s cultural heritage. Secretary Jewell announced a timeline for the construction of a 13,000 square-foot Collections Preservation...

Smokies Tourism Creates $741 Million in Economic Benefit

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 9,685,829 visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2012 spent $741 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 10,959 jobs in the local area. “Great Smoky Mountains National Park is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Acting Superintendent Pedro Ramos. “We are delighted to...

Tourism to the Blue Ridge Parkway creates $902 Million Dollars in Economic Benefit

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 15.2 million visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway in 2012 spent $902 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 12,168 jobs in the local area. "The Blue Ridge Parkway is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world," said superintendent Mark Woods. "We are delighted to share the story of this place...

Work on Chimney Tops Trail to Resume in May - Volunteers Needed

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Trails Forever program has announced on their website that trail rehabilitation work will once again resume on the Chimney Tops Trail this summer. The project will stabilize and improve conditions on the popular trail in order to protect resources and enhance the visitor's experience. As a result, the Chimney Tops Trail will once again be closed on Mondays...

Clingmans Dome · Information Center · volunteers

Volunteers Needed to Staff Information Center at Clingmans Dome

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Great Smoky Mountain National Park is recruiting volunteers to staff the Information Center at Clingmans Dome, from April 1 through November 30, 2014. The center sits at an elevation of 6,300 feet and is a source of information for the national park. Volunteers are needed to provide educational, recreational and trip planning information. Until recent years, visitors to this popular destination...

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