The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: October 2014

New Strategic Plan To Ensure Bright Future for the Appalachian Trail

Friday, October 31, 2014

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has announced a five-year Strategic Plan that will advance the health and long-term management of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). The plan, which was the culmination of a two-year collaborative process between the ATC and the ATC’s board of directors, is a vision and strategy that will build on the organization’s stewardship of the Trail while also aligning with...

Blue Ridge Parkway Announces Full Road Closure at Milepost 242 for Final Phase of Ice Rock Reconstruction

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Blue Ridge Parkway officials announce the final phase of roadwork in a one-mile section of Parkway, commonly known as Ice Rock near Alligator Back Parking Area. Both lanes of the motor road will be closed to all visitors from Milepost 241 to Milepost 243.5 beginning November 3, 2014 through mid-April 2015. The final phase of the Historic Stone Guardwall Reconstruction Project began this spring...

Getting Around in the Smokys

Thursday, October 30, 2014

The following is by a guest author: When you visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the first things to hit you, apart from the incredible beauty, is how immense it is. Over 800 square miles, it’s home to over 17,000 species of flora and fauna. So what are the best ways to experience what the park has to offer? Hiking With over 800 miles of trails, hiking is an excellent way to...

Blue Ridge Parkway Announces Full Road Closure at Milepost 422 for Tunnel Rehabilitation

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Blue Ridge Parkway officials announce the closure of a small section of motor road between existing gates at Milepost 420.3 near US Forest Service Road 816 (Black Balsam Road) and Milepost 423.3 at NC Highway 215. Both lanes of the motor road in that section will be closed to all visitors beginning November 3, 2014 through May 2015. During this closure, Devil's Courthouse Overlook at Milepost...

Why Clean Fishing Gear Is Essential For River Health

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

The following is by a guest author: If you’re a lazy angler, you may be the type of person who throws all their fishing gear into the garage or shed without cleaning it. Not only are you shortening the life of your equipment, you could be doing untold damage to river ecosystems, such as those in the Smokies. Didymo A single-celled species of algae called Didymo (Didymosphenia geminate) is extremely...

Smokies Offers Reward for Information on Cataloochee Artifact Theft

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Great Smoky Mountains NationalPark officials are offering a reward for information regarding the recent theft of artifacts from the Palmer House in Cataloochee, NC. The missing artifacts, including a trowel, mill pick, and a coffee mill, were taken from locked display cases in the Palmer House where historical information and exhibits are provided for park visitors. "While these items have some...

Vandalism Reported in 10 National Parks

Thursday, October 23, 2014

The National Park Service is currently investigating reports of vandalism in at least 10 national parks in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Utah. While the NPS can’t discuss details of a case under investigation, officials emphasize that they take the issue of vandalism seriously. National parks exist to preserve and protect our nation’s natural, cultural and historic heritage for both...

Appalachian Trail Conservancy · Isis Restaurant & Music Hall · Kick Your Boots Off

'Kick Your Boots Off' with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy During Trail Celebration

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Celebrate the iconic Appalachian Trail (A.T.) with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) on Thursday, Nov. 6 and show your support for the hikers and the thousands of volunteers that the organization serves regionally in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. The fundraising event “Kick Your Boots Off,” hosted at the Isis Restaurant and Music Hall in Asheville, begins at 6 p.m., with music starting...

Shenandoah National Park to Implement Night Closures of Skyline Drive During Hunting Season

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

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-fourth 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...

Announcing Launch of New Hiking Website

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Today we’re proud to announce the official launch of our brand new hiking website for Grand Teton National Park. The new site provides details on more than 40 hikes in the Grand Tetons, and is organized similarly to our HikingintheSmokys.com, HikinginGlacier.com and RockyMountainHikingTrails.com websites. The URL for our new site is: TetonHikingTrails.com In addition to being a great resource...

Temporary Parkway Closure at Milepost 95-106

Monday, October 20, 2014

Over a two week period in November, Blue Ridge Parkway maintenance personnel will be conducting large –scale trimming operations along the roadside from Milepost 95 to Milepost 106 (between Highways 43 at Bearwallow Gap and U.S. 460). During the periods of Wednesday to Friday, November 12-14, 2014, and Monday to Friday, November 17 - 21, 2014, both lanes of the Parkway in the work zone, during the...

Camper Attacked by Dogs Needs Help

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Today I received an email from a reader asking for help with regards to her being attacked by a group of hunting dogs while camping in the Snowbird Wilderness area earlier this week. Her fear is that these dogs may still be loose in the area, and could pose a danger to families and pets who may be recreating in the greater Smoky Mountains area. Here's her story: On Monday, October 13, 2014 Kadie...

U.S. Forest Service releases 2015 dates for fee-free days at most of the agencies’ day-use recreation sites

Friday, October 10, 2014

The U.S. Forest Service will waive fees at most of its day-use recreation sites several times in 2015, beginning with Jan. 19, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. “These fee-free days are our way of thanking our millions of visitors but also to encourage more people to visit these great public lands,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “These lands belong to all Americans, and we encourage...

Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail

New Lick Creek Footbridge on the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail

Thursday, October 9, 2014

A partnership of the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service recently resulted in the rebuilding of Lick Creek Bridge on the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail in McCreary County, Kentucky. The bridge spans Lick Creek in the Stearns District of the Daniel Boone National Forest near the boundary of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and the creek crossing forms...

Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail · Shackleford Ridge Park

Hiketoberfest: Celebrate the Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Celebrate the Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail on Sunday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Shackleford Ridge Park in Signal Mountain. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Friends of the Cumberland Trail, which supports the Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail and Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park. The event will feature guided hikes, educational programming, heritage music...

National Park Service Announces Free Admission on Nine Days in 2015

Monday, October 6, 2014

There are nine more reasons to enjoy national parks next year! The National Park Service will be offering free admission to every visitor on nine days in 2015. The 2015 entrance fee-free days are: * January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day * February 14-16: Presidents Day weekend * April 18 & 19: National Park Week’s opening weekend * August 25: National Park Service’s 99th birthday * September...

Shenandoah National Park Completes Rock Outcrop Management Plan

Sunday, October 5, 2014

After years of planning and public input, Shenandoah National Park staff recently concluded the Rock Outcrop Management Plan (ROMP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) planning process with the signing of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The EA analyzed alternatives that will direct the future management of rock outcrop areas which helps direct recreational activity in the park. Shenandoah's...

Shenandoah National Park Prepares for Fall Travel Season

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Shorter days and cooler nights signal the arrival of fall in Shenandoah National Park. Every autumn is different, and park staff is looking forward to a wonderful fall season. Some of the trees and other plants are already putting on their autumn colors. Fall means it's also time for the weekly Fall Color Report which provides some observations from around the park. Visitors can now find these...

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail to Close for Bridge Replacement - Hikers Will Be Impacted During Closure

Friday, October 3, 2014

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail will close for the season on the evening of October 31, 2014 and will remain closed until April 30, 2015 to replace eight bridges along the 5.5-mile, one-way roadway. The road will be closed to all public use including hiking and biking. “Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail offers a unique experience for...

"Mega Deals" at REI

Thursday, October 2, 2014

With fall hiking season already in full gear, and winter just around the corner, you may be finding yourself in need of some new gear. If money's a little tight, you may want to check-out REI's current sale - which they're calling "Mega Deals at REI OUTLET".

Thru October 13th REI will be offering up to 70% off on a wide array of outdoor gear and apparel.

For more information simply click on the graphic Ad:

Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies

Prescribed Burning Season to Begin in NC National Forests

Thursday, October 2, 2014

The U.S. Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina announced plans to conduct prescribed burns in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests later this month, and into November if weather conditions are favorable. The agency will conduct burns on approximately 4,000 acres in the two national forests. Prescribed burns reduce woody debris and hazardous fuels that could contribute to high-severity...

Astronomy Program at Bandy Creek This Saturday

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Paul Lewis from the University of Tennessee will be at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area on Saturday, October 4, for one of the park's highly popular dark sky astronomy programs. Starting at 9:00 p.m. (ET) on Saturday evening, Paul Lewis will describe which objects to look for in the night sky. The program will be held in the parking lot across from the Bandy Creek Visitor Center....

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