The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: May 2019

The Infamous Angel's Landing

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Over the last year or so I've had the privilege of publishing a couple of short films by Christopher R. Abbey. This includes films on climbing 14,505-foot Mt. Whitney in California, as well as a three-day backpacking trip in the Mt. Sterling area of the Great Smoky Mountains. His latest film chronicles his hike up Angel's Landing in Zion National Park, and highlights some of the crazy terrain hikers...

National Park Visitor Spending Contributed $40 Billion to U.S. Economy

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

As the summer vacation and travel seasons opens, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced that visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2018 resulted in a $40.1 billion benefit to the nation’s economy and supported 329,000 jobs. According to the annual National Park Service report, 2018 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, more than 318 million visitors spent $20.2...

Shenandoah National Park Announces Launch of Interactive Map “Exploring Shenandoah National Park History – One Tract at a Time”

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Park Superintendent Jennifer Flynn is pleased to announce the release of “Exploring Shenandoah National Park History – One Tract at a Time (EPH)”. This new web-based interactive map provides the public with historic land tract boundaries “linked” to information about the tract including land ownership, acreage, houses, structures and land use. This information was previously published in “A Database...

Smokies Tourism Generates $953 million in Visitor Spending

Friday, May 24, 2019

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 11,421,203 visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2018 spent $953 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 13,737 jobs in the local area. National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, with every dollar invested by American taxpayers in the National Park Service returning $10 to the economy. “Year...

Hiker’s How-To: Proper etiquette for your trail adventures

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Though this article is from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, this information applies to all hikers: Colorado has a reputation for our outdoorsy ways and adventurous attitudes. We love to raft and kayak in whitewater, such as in the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. We water ski at places like Lake Pueblo State Park. We plunge down snowpacked mountainsides on skis. We mountain bike on remote single-tracks....

Smokies Hosts Star Gazing Event at Purchase Knob

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hosting a stargazing event on Friday, May 31 at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center in North Carolina. Located on Purchase Knob at 5,000 feet in elevation, the learning center provides one of the clearest views of the sky from the Haywood County region of the park. The Astronomy Club of Asheville will lead an exploration of the night sky at this...

Keep your distance from young or injured wildlife

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Though this article is from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, this information applies to anyone and everyone who ventures into the wild: Each spring, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks receives several calls from people who have picked up deer fawns or other wildlife. FWP advises against this practice for several reasons. The agency does not accept, hold or rehabilitate deer and elk because the...

Report Armadillo Sightings in North Carolina to the Wildlife Commission

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking the public to report any sightings of nine-banded armadillos to the agency. Commission biologists are seeking observations to help them determine the range expansion of armadillos in the Tar Heel state. To participate, volunteers who spot an armadillo in the wild should upload and share their photos on the NC Armadillo project, which launched today...

TVA Grant Funds Park Programs for Boys & Girls Club

Monday, May 20, 2019

Friends of the Smokies has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to fund summer programs in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) for urban youth in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley. Funds provided by TVA will pay transportation expenses for elementary aged students in Knoxville to visit GSMNP this summer. These summer programs...

Recommended Gear For Hiking In The Smoky Mountains

Sunday, May 19, 2019

The following is a guest post from dopeoutdoors.com: The Great Smoky Mountains are one of the most popular hiking locations in the USA, in fact, I think it is fair to go one step further and say it is one of the most popular hiking spots in the world. But before you head to the Great Smoky Mountains you need to ensure you have your essential gear. Any hiker will tell you that there is a lot of...

hiking shorts · Kuhl · product reviews · Renegade Cargo Shorts

Gear Review: Kuhl Renegade Cargo Short

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to test my new pair of Renegade Cargo Shorts during a hike in our local park. The Renegade is made by Kühl, an outdoor clothing company based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. The Kuhl website states that "Going off the grid takes more organization than you might think." The Renegade Cargo Short "features pockets inside other pockets to ensure your important...

Blue Ridge Parkway Announces 2019 Pavement Preservation Work

Thursday, May 16, 2019

The National Park Service announced today that over 115 miles of the historic motor route in three primary areas will be resurfaced as part of a pavement preservation program on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Work is expected to start in late-May and continue through November of 2019, with no work scheduled during October. Work locations, within scheduled project areas, will change weekly and visitors in...

Appalachian Trail Conservancy Comments on the Assaults on Hikers in Southwest Virginia

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

The following is a statement from Suzanne Dixon, president of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, on the assaults on hikers in Southwest Virginia: “The Appalachian Trail community of hikers and volunteers is profoundly saddened by the horrific attack Saturday morning on two hikers as they took their ‘journey of a lifetime’ along this beloved footpath,” says Suzanne Dixon, president of the Appalachian...

Big Bend National Park

Monday, May 13, 2019

After leaving White Sands National Monument, Kathy and I headed southeast towards Alpine, Texas. Along the way we were scheduled to stop at the McDonald Observatory, located in the Davis Mountains just northwest of Alpine, to take part in their Tuesday night "Star Party". If you saw my post from White Sands, you'll likely notice large billowy clouds in my photos. Those clouds proceeded to develop...

Flash Sale: half-off on "Ramble On: A History of Hiking" today

Friday, May 10, 2019

As you're likely already aware, I published my new book, Ramble On: A History of Hiking, last fall. Today, I wanted to announce that for a very limited time the eBook version of the book will be on sale. Beginning at 10:00 am EST today you will be able purchase the eBook version for only $4.99 on Amazon - a 50% discount off the regular price of $9.95. You can take advantage of this limited time offer until 2;00 pm today. For more information on the book, and to purchase, please click here.

Additionally, if you like the book, I would really appreciate if you could write a short review on my Amazon page.

Thank you very much!

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking

Smokies Invites Volunteers to an Appalachian Trail Work Day

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Great Smoky Mountains National Park staff and partners invite volunteers to participate in a service opportunity in celebration of National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1. The national park is once again working with the Friends of the Smokies, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Regional Office, and the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club to host this large volunteer event on the Appalachian Trail. This...

White Sands National Monument

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

After leaving the Santa Fe area we drove down to White Sands National Monument in south-central New Mexico. It was truly another world. The sand is pure white, and looks like snow in many places. Driving in certain places, or pulling into some parking lots you would've thought that you would need snow tires. White Sands is the world's largest gypsum dunefield, which encompasses roughly 275 square...

Trillium Gap Trail Rehabilitation Begins May 13

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that a 2-year trail rehabilitation project will begin next week on Trillium Gap Trail. Due to the construction process on the narrow trail, a full closure is necessary for the safety of both the crew and visitors. The trail and associated parking lot along Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail will be closed May 13 through November 15 on Monday mornings...

Shenandoah National Park Hosts Wildflower Weekend 2019

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Native spring wildflowers and nature art will be celebrated during Shenandoah National Park's 33rd annual Wildflower Weekend, May 11-12, 2019. Special hikes and programs will focus on the diversity and importance of hundreds of species of flowering plants that are protected by the park. Visitors may view the winning entries in the park’s annual “Youth Art in the Park” wildflower art contest. The...

Tent Rocks in Black and White

Monday, May 6, 2019

Last week Kathy and I returned home from a two-week tour of New Mexico and Texas. Along the way we did several hikes in Big Bend National Park and Enchanted Rock State Park in Texas, as well as Bandelier, White Sands and Tent Rocks national monuments in New Mexico. During the New Mexico leg of our trip we had the opportunity to do a few hikes with our niece and nephew. The following are a few photos...

Smokies License Plates Pass New Milestone in Tennessee and North Carolina

Sunday, May 5, 2019

Twenty years after the launch of the program, drivers in Tennessee and North Carolina have raised more than $15 million in support of Friends of the Smokies through specialty license plate sales. The iconic black bear is depicted on both states’ plates and contributes to their popularity on both sides of the mountains. The Tennessee Smokies plate underwent a multi-year redesign and hit the roads...

Mazamas Review "Ramble On: A History of Hiking"

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Earlier this week the Mazamas, one of the oldest mountain clubs in America, published a review of my new book, Ramble On: A History of Hiking. I want to sincerely thank Brian Goldman for publishing his detailed review of the book in the latest edition of Mazama Bulletin, the monthly magazine of the Mazamas.

Mr. Goldman concluded his extensive review by stating: "Overall, this book is a very comprehensive, all-encompassing overview for anyone interested in the history of hiking."

To read the entire review (on page 24), please click here.

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking

Blue Ridge Parkway Opens Comment Period for Planned Bridge Projects near Ashe and Alleghany Counties

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

The National Park Service announced today, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, that a public comment period is open for a Draft Environmental Assessment prepared for two bridge improvement projects on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The first project, known as Project 2A16, includes the rehabilitation of Big Pine Creek Bridge...

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