Great Smoky Mountains National Park Officials announced the completion of the recovery efforts for the victims associated with the Cessna 182 that went down in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Monday, December 26th. At approximately 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday the park’s technical rescue team along with a Tennessee Army National Guard helicopter extricated the three victims from the wreckage.
The...
Articles and information on hiking, outdoor adventures and the Great Smoky Mountains. For hiking trail information in the Smokies, please visit HikingintheSmokys.com
Read More
NC National Forests Cautions Visitors on Additional Hazards This Winter
Friday, December 30, 2016
The U.S. Forest Service encourages visitors to the National Forests of North Carolina to use caution when recreating this winter because of additional hazards in the woods.
Natural settings have inherent risks and winter weather can increase the danger. Falling trees and branches are an ever-present hazard; the addition of snow and ice makes tree failure more likely. Visitors should be especially...
Even though Old Man Winter is already tightening his icy grip on the mountains, it doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Winter is an excellent time to visit the Smokies, especially for those seeking solitude. Although the Great Smoky Mountains National Park sees more visitors year-round than any other park, winter is by far the slowest tourist season.
While it might...
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have lifted the fire ban effective today, December 23rd. Campfires and open grills have been banned in the backcountry since November 1 and throughout the park and frontcountry areas since November 15. Beginning Friday, visitors can have campfires in designated backcountry campsite firerings and resume use of grills and campfires at established frontcountry...
As Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains continue to recover from last month's devastating wildfires, it's important to note that the vast majority of the park was untouched by the fires, and all of downtown Gatlinburg is open and ready for you to visit. In order to encourage visitors to return to the area and help the region recover, I wanted to highlight some of the specials that Heartland Rentals,...
According to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website several more trails that were closed due to the Chimney Tops 2 Fire have reopened. Hikers are reminded to stay on established trails and to be cautious of overhead limbs and trail hazards throughout the area.
As of December 21st, the following trails are now open: Baskin Creek Falls, Old Sugarlands Trail, Twin Creeks Trail, Rainbow Falls...
U.S. Senate Unanimously Passes the National Park Service Centennial Act
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Championed by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), the U.S. Senate passed the National Park Service Centennial Act, which will expand the Centennial Challenge, a public-private funding partnership, establish and fund a national parks endowment, and provide additional opportunities for young people and volunteers to serve in and learn from our...
The following is a guest blog by Cabins USA:
On the evening of November 28th, 2016, a wildfire that originated inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park swept through its neighboring communities of Gatlinburg, Wears Valley, and Pigeon Forge.
Hundreds of buildings were damaged or destroyed in this tragedy. Thankfully, in the wake of the fire, the outpouring of concern and support for the Smoky...
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced today that they have reopened several trails that were closed due to the Chimney Tops 2 Fire. Hikers are reminded to stay on established trails and to be cautious of overhead limbs and trail hazards throughout the area.
The following areas are now open: The Gatlinburg Trail, Sugarland Valley Nature Trail, Huskey Gap Trail, Backcountry Campsite...
I am happy to report that one of the very first sponsors to advertise on our website, Cabins for YOU cabin rentals, is currently open and ready to welcome you this Christmas and holiday season.
Although they did experience the pain of losing some of their cabins, they are very happy to report that they're open for business and have many cabin rentals available in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
While...
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hosts Holiday Homecoming at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center This Saturday
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host a Holiday Homecoming at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on Saturday, December 17, 2016. Park staff and volunteers will provide hands-on traditional crafts and activities from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Children and adults will have the opportunity to learn about and experience some of the traditions surrounding an Appalachian Christmas.
From 1:00 p.m....
Programming Note: Dolly Parton Telethon Tommorow Night Will Benefit Wildfire Victims
Monday, December 12, 2016
Last week Dolly Parton announced that she will be holding a benefit telethon tomorrow night to help the victims of the recent wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains. The benefit telethon, called Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund, will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, December 13th at 8 p.m. (EST).
Dolly Parton, along with a number of her friends, including Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers,...
Get Wilderness First Aid Certification – Support Shenandoah National Park Trust
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Want to be confident you’ll be able to handle an injury or emergency on the trail? Wilderness First Aid Certification is an excellent way to gain the skills you’ll need.
MEDIC SOLO Disaster + Wilderness Medical School certifies hundreds of hikers every year. If you register for their Saturday, January 7 class in Charlottesville, Virginia, MEDIC will donate 10% of your registration fee to the Shenandoah...
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will officially reopen to the public on Friday, December 9 in conjunction with the reopening of the city of Gatlinburg. Newfound Gap Road, Little River Road, and several visitor areas have been closed since the evening of Monday, November 28 due to the Chimney Tops 2 wildfire.
“The past eleven days have been the most challenging and emotional days our community...
TBI Arrests, Charges 2 Juveniles in Ongoing Investigation of Gatlinburg Wildfires
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, National Park Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in charges being placed against two people in connection with the deadly wildfires in Sevier County.
Last week, at the request of 4th District Attorney General James Dunn, TBI Special Agents...
This is a supplemental update to the fires in North Carolina. The National Forests in North Carolina announced this afternoon that all the fires in the state are at 100% containment, with the exception of the Camp Branch (at 85%) and Rock Mountain, which is at 95% containment. All fires are at various stages of mop up and suppression repair. A Burned Area Emergency Repair, BAER, team has arrived...
The Chimney Tops 2 Fire Facebook page just published the following update:
On Tuesday, December 6, property owners, business owners, renters, and lease holders will continue to have daily access to properties to allow appropriate time for cleaning, smoke removal, and securing their properties. Daily access will be allowed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through the East Parkway (Hwy. 321) entry point....
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Region Seeks Volunteers
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Over the last 24 hours the Chimney Tops 2 Fire Facebook page has published information on ways you can volunteer your time to help the victims of the wildfires. Here are two ways you can help:
* Want to help Great Smoky Mountains National Park recover?? Please give them a few days to get back to work, but then give them a call and offer to Volunteer? Call 865-436-1265, or send an email to Adam Monroe...
The National Park Service Investigative Branch Services (IBS) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) continue to investigate the origin of the Chimney Tops 2 fire. The cause of the fire near the summit on Chimney Tops appears to be human caused. The park is asking for assistance from the public to gather information.
The park is requesting that every person who hiked,...
Thousands Donate to Smokies’ Fire Relief Effort on #GivingTuesday
Friday, December 2, 2016
In less than 48 hours, thousands of individual donors contributed more than $100,000 to Friends of the Smokies in support of Great Smoky Mountains National Park on #GivingTuesday. One hundred percent of these donations will help meet the greatest needs of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, beginning immediately with emergency relief efforts related to the recent wildfires.
“We are truly humbled...
As of 12:00 pm on December 1st, the Chimney Tops 2 Fire has burned 17,108 acres (including roughly 10,000 acres inside the park). Arson is suspected. According to InciWeb, there is 0% containment of the fire. Although Sevier County received significant amounts of moisture yesterday, more will be needed. “We had really good rain, but not enough to make up the deficit. Don’t let this rain give you a...
Gatlinburg Fire Update: 7 Fatalities and 700 Structures Lost
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Here's the latest Chimney Tops 2 Fire Update as of this evening. This was just posted on the new Chimney Tops 2 Fire Facebook page (see additional updates below).
Incident Summary: The Chimney Tops 2 Fire was reported in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, TN on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at approximately 5:20 p.m. The wildfire began burning in a remote location (Chimney Tops)...
Inciweb, the Federal incident information system, has published a map of the Gatlinburg fire area. You can click here to see an enlarged version of the map. The fire so far has impacted 15,653 acres in the area.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails....
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced this evening that LeConte Lodge, the popular backcountry lodging facility at the base of Mount LeConte, and the Elkmont Campground and Historic Districts sustained no damage from the fire activities in the park on Monday evening. Some Elkmont buildings sustained roof damage from falling trees caused by heavy winds, and some roof repairs...
The following is an update from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency as of this evening:
CURRENT SITUATION
Local officials in Pigeon Forge have lifted the mandatory evacuation order. Gatlinburg still remains under a mandatory evacuation order.
Pigeon Forge officials estimate 500 people were evacuated on Monday night. Approximately 125 people remain displaced and in local shelters in Pigeon...
The following is an update from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency as of this morning:
State agencies and local officials evacuated likely thousands residents and visitors from Sevier County last night due to devastating wildfires in-and-around the cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. It is very likely 14,000+ residents and visitors evacuated from Gatlinburg alone.
The Chimney Top...
Fire Update - All Facilities Closed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Sevier County, City of Gatlinburg, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have reported widespread fire damage and continued fire activity throughout the Gatlinburg area and much of Sevier County including Wears Valley, Pigeon Forge, and Jones Cove. Gatlinburg City officials have reported numerous structures completely lost to fire including businesses in the downtown area and private homes...
Smokies Closes Roads and Trails due to Chimney 2 Fire - May Be Human Caused
Monday, November 28, 2016
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have closed Newfound Gap Road, Cherokee Orchard Road, Elkmont Road, and several trails due to the Chimney 2 Fire. The fire has grown to approximately 500 acres in size overnight due to extreme, sustained winds over 20 mph. National Park Service fire crews are focusing on suppression efforts to ensure public safety and protect park facilities at locations...
Combine great scenery and history with great savings and visit a national park for free on one of 10 fee free days in 2017. The ten entrance fee-free days for 2017 will be:
• January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• February 20: Presidents Day
• April 15-16 & April 22-23: National Park Week Weekends
• August 25: National Park Service Birthday
• September 30: National Public Lands Day
• November...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)