The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: February 2017

Out For a Drive Along the Going-to-the-Sun Road

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Last summer Glacier National Park published this short video, showing what it's like to drive across the historic Going-to-the-Sun Road. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is the only road to cross Glacier from east to west. It carries travelers through some of the most spectacular scenery the park has to offer. This engineering marvel spans more than 50 miles across the park's interior, and takes passengers...

Smokies Seeks Volunteers at Clingmans Dome

Monday, February 27, 2017

Great Smoky Mountain National Park is recruiting volunteers to staff the Information Center at Clingmans Dome, from April 1 through November 30, 2017. Volunteers will work at the seasonal information center that includes a bookstore/sales area managed by Great Smoky Mountains Association (GSMA). Volunteers will assist in educating visitors about the park and provide recreational and trip planning...

Smokies Announces Solar Eclipse Event

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced event plans for the Great American Total Eclipse occurring on Monday, August 21, 2017. The park is offering an opportunity to experience the total eclipse through a special, ticketed event at Clingmans Dome as well as informal eclipse viewing sites at Cades Cove and Oconaluftee. The park is partnering with NASA, Southwestern Community College,...

Elkmont Historic District Work Will Temporarily Close Trails

Friday, February 24, 2017

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that work is underway in the Elkmont Historic District to preserve four structures and to remove 29 others as specified in the 2009 Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) among the National Park Service, Tennessee State Historic Office, and Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. In 2017, park crews will preserve the Levi Trentham Cabin, Mayo Cabin,...

"Chimney Tops could be closed for years following fire"

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Smoky Mountain News is reporting that the Chimney Tops Trail could be closed for years as a result of the November wildfires.

Last week Holly Kays from Smoky Mountain News took part in a guided hike, led by Great Smoky Mountains National Park spokesperson, Dana Soehn, in which members of the local media climbed to the summit of Chimney Tops to witness firsthand the devastation brought on by the fire. Soehn told the media representatives that "it could be years before the full trail is open again". Moreover, it could take 80 years before the burned area returns to its pre-fire condition.

Additionally, "the Bull Head Trail, Sugarland Mountain Trail and Rough Creek Trail are all expected to see long-term closures as park staff watch how the slopes and soils stabilize over time."

You can read the full story by clicking here.

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Encompassing more than 265,000 acres, and with more than sixty peaks topping out above 12,000 feet, Rocky Mountain National Park is home to some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. From wooded forests to alpine tundra, these majestic mountains provide habitat to more than 60 species of mammals, while more than 280 species of birds visit or reside within the park. With more than 350 miles of...

Cold Mountain Fire Closes Trails in Pisgah Ranger District

Monday, February 20, 2017

The Cold Mountain Fire is located in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area of the Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest, approximately 20 miles south of Waynesville, North Carolina, in the headwaters of Crawford Creek. It was reported on Friday afternoon, February 17, 2017. The human-caused fire is under investigation. An emergency closure order is in effect on national forest system lands...

Controlled Burns Across all Four NC National Forests in Coming Months

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Over the next several months as weather allows, the U.S. Forest Service is conducting several controlled burns across the four National Forests in North Carolina -- Croatan, Uwharrie, Nantahala, and Pisgah. The agency will notify the public when the decision is made to conduct controlled burns in their area. Burning days are changeable because the proper weather conditions are needed. Controlled...

Smokies Plans Prescribed Burn in Cades Cove

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Appalachian Piedmont Zone fire management staff plan to burn approximately 800 acres of fields near Hyatt Lane and the western end of Cades Cove. Weather permitting, burn operations will occur Thursday, February 16th through Sunday, February 19th. Over the last 20 years, park managers have conducted these burns during the spring and fall under specific...

Fire: A Useful Land Management Tool on the Cherokee National Forest

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

USDA Forest Service officials say prescribed (controlled) fire is a useful tool for managing national forest land. Approximately 20,000 acres are scheduled for burning throughout the 650,000 acre Cherokee National Forest during 2017. A significant portion of the prescribed burning is planned for early spring. To many people the word fire creates visions of great devastation and waste. While this...

Smokies Announces Paving Operations on the Spur

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has announced temporary, single-lane closures on the Spur, between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, beginning in late February, and lasting through mid June for paving operations. Estes Brothers Construction, Inc. of Jonesville, VA was awarded the contract for $6,388,630 to make paving repairs on both directions of the roadway, as well as the crossover bridges at...

Appalachian Trail Conservancy Challenges Baxter State Park 2017 A.T. Hiker Cap Due to Lack of Research and Analysis

Sunday, February 12, 2017

The following is a statement from Ron Tipton, Executive Director/CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy: The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) does not agree with Baxter State Park’s (BSP) new Appalachian Trail Long Distance Hiker Permit System, which limits the number of long distance Appalachian Trail (A.T.) hikers that can access the northern terminus of the Trail on Katahdin each year. This...

Free Camping at Big South Fork during President’s Day Weekend

Friday, February 10, 2017

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will be observing President's Day Saturday, February 20 2017, by authorizing free backcountry permits and one night of free camping at Alum Ford Campground. Take this opportunity to experience the unique serenity of camping during the winter as well as behold the magnificent landscapes of our parks while the foliage is absent. Other fee free days...

The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Grand Teton National Park

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Rising more than 7000 feet above Jackson Hole, the high peaks of Grand Teton National Park provide one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. Although many people seem to treat it as an afterthought, only visiting the park as a side trip while visiting its more famous neighbor to the north, more time and focus should be given to this stunning landscape. Within its 310,000 acres the majestic...

Annual Great Backyard Bird Count Marks Its 20th Year

Sunday, February 5, 2017

A lot has changed since the first Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was held in 1998. Each year brings unwavering enthusiasm from the growing number of participants in this now-global event. The 20th annual GBBC is taking place February 17-20 in backyards, parks, nature centers, on hiking trails, school grounds, balconies, and beaches—anywhere you find birds. Bird watchers count the birds they...

Team to Begin Chimney Tops 2 Fire Review at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Friday, February 3, 2017

A team of fire experts is assembling at Great Smoky Mountains National Park to conduct a review of the 2016 Chimney Tops 2 fire that started in the park on November 23rd. The purpose of the review team is to identify the facts leading up to and during the Chimney Tops 2 fire within the boundaries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as well as make recommendations on any planning, operational,...

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