The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: September 2018

Smokies Mobilizes Additional Resources in Search for Missing Woman

Saturday, September 29, 2018

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials continue to search for Mitzie Sue “Susan” Clements, 53, who was last seen in the Clingmans Dome area of the park on Tuesday, September 25. Trained personnel from cooperating agencies in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia have responded to assist park staff in a large-scale search effort for the missing woman in steep, rugged terrain. As of Saturday,...

Clingmans Dome Road Closed Due to Search For Missing Hiker

Friday, September 28, 2018

Due to the on-going search for a missing woman, Clingmans Dome Road is CLOSED to vehicles to better facilitate search-related traffic and to ensure the safety of search crews. The road will remain closed until further notice and we can not estimate its opening at this time. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during this search and rescue operation. Follow us on Twitter at @SmokiesRoadsNPS...

Smokies Hosts Stargazing Event at Purchase Knob

Friday, September 28, 2018

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host a stargazing event at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center beginning at 7:00 pm on Friday, October 5, 2018. Located on Purchase Knob, the learning center provides one of the clearest views of the sky in the park and in Haywood County, NC. The Astronomy Club of Asheville will lead an exploration of the night sky at this high elevation site...

Smokies Searching for Missing Hiker Near Clingmans Dome

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Great Smoky Mountains National park rangers are searching for a 53-year-old woman from Cleves, Ohio who was last seen in the Clingmans Dome area of the park on Tuesday, September 25. Mitzie Sue “Susan” Clements was hiking with her daughter on the Forney Ridge Trail, near Andrews Bald when the two separated. She was last seen around 5:00 pm approximately ¼ mile from Andrews Bald. Park officials were...

Volunteer Opportunities Available During Smokies Service Days

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announce upcoming Fall “Smokies Service Days” volunteer projects. These unique opportunities allow community members and park visitors to get involved and become stewards of Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Individuals and groups are invited to sign up for any of the scheduled service projects that interest them including unique opportunities to help...

Appalachian Trail Conservancy Reclaiming Iconic A.T. Vistas and Improving Wildlife Habitats Through Partnership with Global Heavy Equipment Company Kubota

Monday, September 24, 2018

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), an organization working to preserve and enhance the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) for more than 92 years, recently announced a new partnership with Kubota, a leading global provider of lawn mowers, utility vehicles, construction equipment, agriculture tractors and hay equipment. The partnership involves Kubota graciously providing the ATC with the usage...

Southern Region of the USDA Forest Service Waives Campground Fees on National Forests

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

The Southern Region of the USDA Forest Service is immediately waiving fees and making all campgrounds available for individuals displaced by the recent flooding and evacuation. Like several areas along the Gulf Coast, many National Forests were impacted by the recent storm. Some of the region’s campgrounds are closed due to the inclement weather. Please call ahead or check websites to determine...

Smokies Hosts Volunteer Trail Opportunity for National Public Lands Day

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hosting a volunteer trail maintenance workday on Saturday, September 22, 2018, in celebration of the 25th annual National Public Lands Day. Participants are invited to work on a trail rehabilitation project along the Oconaluftee River Trail in Cherokee, North Carolina from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. Volunteers will assist park staff in resurfacing a large section...

Great Smoky Mountains Reopens!

Monday, September 17, 2018

Great Smoky Mountains NP posted this announcement on their Facebook page at 8:45 this morning: Roads and facilities are opening quickly this morning! Our maintenance crews and other folks have been out since 6 am, sweeping light debris and removing a few large trees from the roadways. All primary roads are now OPEN. Campgrounds and other facilities are starting to open up now as employees make...

Great Smoky Mountains Announces Closures in Preparation of Hurricane Florence

Friday, September 14, 2018

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials continue preparations for Hurricane Florence and have announced road and facility closures beginning Saturday, September 15. Predictions from the National Weather Service indicate Florence will be a tropical depression rated-storm when she reaches the Smokies beginning as early as Saturday evening. Officials anticipate sustained winds of 40 mph with higher...

Shenandoah National Park Announces Schedule for Reopening

Friday, September 14, 2018

Shenandoah National Park has announced a phased reopening of Skyline Drive, facilities, and the backcountry after its closure due to Hurricane Florence. Skyline Drive, Big Meadows Lodge, and Skyland Lodge will reopen at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 14, 2018. Lewis Mountain Cabins, the backcountry, campgrounds, campstores, and waysides will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 15. Visitor...

Some Areas of Cherokee NF Closing Due To Hurricane Florence

Friday, September 14, 2018

The USDA Forest Service is closely tracking the forecast models of Hurricane Florence. It has been determined that it is necessary to close all developed (improved facilities) campgrounds and certain other areas in the northern portion (Unaka and Watauga ranger districts) of Cherokee National Forest by Friday September 14 at 12 noon. Sites will be evaluated for health and safety and reopened as conditions...

Entire Blue Ridge Parkway To Close Ahead of Hurricane Florence

Friday, September 14, 2018

On Friday September 14, 2018, the entire 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway and all associated facilities, with the exception of the Pisgah Inn and Peaks of Otter Lodge, will be closed at 8:00 p.m. in anticipation of high winds and heavy rains due to the remnants of Hurricane Florence. Saturated soils in combination with high winds in these areas increase the risk of rock slide and falling trees and debris....

Hiker From Maryville Dies in Big South Fork NRRA

Friday, September 14, 2018

At approximately 1:00 PM on Sunday, September 09, 2018, park rangers were notified of a 59-year-old male in need of medical assistance on Twin Arches Loop Trail, between Twin Arches and Jake’s Place, within the park. Park rangers arrived and provided CPR without success. Maryville, Tennessee-area resident Monte McDonough, was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was recovered and transported to...

Hurricane Florence Potential Impact in the Smokies

Thursday, September 13, 2018

If you plan on being anywhere near the Great Smoky Mountains or the Blue Ridge Mountains between Friday and Tuesday, you may want to note that there's an increasingly strong chance that you will be feeling the effects of Hurricane Florence. The hurricane will likely reach the Carolina Coastline as a Category 2 or 3 hurricane by late today. The current track of the storm has it pushing inland almost...

Hurricane Florence Closures for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

The U.S. Forest Service, Forest Supervisor, having closely tracked the forecast models of Hurricane Florence, has decided to close down all campgrounds and recreation sites, day use or overnight, in the Nantahala and the Pisgah National Forests by Thursday September 13th at noon. This will include the temporary suspension of creating reservations on www.recreation.gov. Cancelled reservations,...

Shenandoah National Park Announces Closures Due to Hurricane Florence

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Shenandoah National Park will close at noon on Thursday, September 13 in anticipation of severe weather associated with Hurricane Florence. Meteorologists are forecasting a significant wind-rain event, particularly in Shenandoah’s higher elevations. Damaging winds combined with already saturated soil will make for hazardous conditions with trees toppling and branches falling. Shenandoah’s backcountry...

Smokies Issues Safety Reminders During Elk Breeding Season

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials remind park visitors to exercise caution as they view and photograph elk to protect both the animals and themselves. Elk have entered the fall breeding season, known as the rut. As a result, from September 1 through October 31, fields in Cataloochee and Oconaluftee are closed to all users. Even when elk are not present, people are not allowed to walk into...

Hurricane Florence

Monday, September 10, 2018

If you're going to be anywhere near the Great Smoky Mountains or the Blue Ridge Mountains between Friday and Monday of next week, you may want to note that there's an increasingly strong chance that you will be feeling the effects of Hurricane Florence. The hurricane will likely reach the Carolina Coastline as a Category 4 hurricane by late Thursday. The current track of the storm has it pushing inland...

Orvis Event to Benefit Friends of the Smokies

Friday, September 7, 2018

Orvis Sevierville is pleased to announce their “Giveback Days” event taking place throughout the month of September. The outdoor retailer is partnering with Friends of the Smokies, a nonprofit that assists the National Park Service to preserve and protect the Great Smoky National Park by raising funds and public awareness. “The Friends of the Smokies are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year,”...

Fall Color Hiking in the Smokies

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Experts are cautiously optimistic about the prospects for an above average fall color display this year. It will be dependent on less rain falling on the mountains over the next several weeks, which forecasters seem to think will happen. If you're planning to hit the trail this fall to take in the colors, you may want to check out our fall color hiking guide, which offers recommendations on where...

Shenandoah National Park Celebrates Wilderness This Weekend

Monday, September 3, 2018

Shenandoah National Park will honor America’s wilderness heritage during its 18th annual Wilderness Weekend, September 8 – 9, 2018. Today, more than 110 million acres are protected in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Wilderness designation provides enhanced protection of areas that are used as sanctuaries for human recreation, habitat for wildlife, and sites for scientific research. This...

Conquering A Granite Goliath

Saturday, September 1, 2018

Below is an outstanding short film by Christopher R. Abbey on what it's like to climb 14,505-foot Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the lower 48. The film has recently become an official selection for the Highlands Park Independent Film Festival in Los Angeles. Enjoy! CONQUERING A GRANITE GOLIATH - Summiting Mount Whitney from Christopher R. Abbey on Vimeo. Jeff HikingintheSmokys.com ...

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