SOCIAL MEDIA

A.T. Volunteers Return to the Trail

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

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Appalachian Trail (A.T.) volunteers have been given the green light to resume Trail maintenance following guidelines offered by the National Park Service and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Maintenance work was put on pause in late March this year as safety guidelines and procedures were developed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among volunteers, hikers, and Trailside communities. The guidelines...
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USFS Acquires 49-Acre Tract in Fires Creek on Nantahala National Forest

Monday, June 29, 2020

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The U.S. Forest Service has acquired a 49-acre inholding at the headwaters of Laurel Creek, a tributary to Fires Creek, in a popular recreation area on the Tusquitee Ranger District. Funding for the purchase comes from the North Carolina Threatened Treasures FY 2020 Land and Water Conservation Fund Appropriations. The tract, which is completely surrounded by national forest, had been privately...
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National Park Service Seeks Information on Theft of Pink Lady Slipper Plants in Big South Fork NRRA

Friday, June 26, 2020

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National Park Service is seeking information related to the theft of approximately 30 pink lady slipper plants (Cypripedium acaule) along Leatherwood Loop Trail, on or about June 8-9, 2020. On June 11, park staff discovered holes where the plants were known to be present. Flowering and vegetative individuals at the site had been counted by park staff two weeks earlier, on May 28, so an accurate...
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Forest Service Issues Warning About Black Bears in Pisgah National Forest

Monday, June 22, 2020

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The Pisgah National Forest warns visitors to North Mills River, Bent Creek Experimental Forest, and Black Balsam and surrounding areas on the Pisgah Ranger District to be on the look-out for black bears. On the Grandfather Ranger District, bears have also been active at Table Rock and the Old Fort Picnic Area. Black bears look for food that campers and trail users bring on their trips. While black...
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Tourism to Blue Ridge Parkway creates $1.4 Billion in Economic Benefits

Saturday, June 20, 2020

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A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 14.9 million visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway in 2019 spent $1.1 Billion in communities near the park. That spending supported 16,341 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $1.4 Billion. “Over the past several weeks, NPS staff have been working hard to safely increase access to Blue Ridge Parkway, a unit of...
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Daniel Boone National Forest announces temporary closure of Tunnel Ridge Road

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

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Tunnel Ridge Road (Forest Route 39) in the Red River Gorge will be temporarily closed for repairs June 22-25. Gates will close Sunday, June 21, at 9:00 pm. Tunnel Ridge Road provides access to popular destinations such as Gray’s Arch and Auxier Ridge. As visitation to the popular Red River Gorge of the Daniel Boone National Forest has increased in recent years, so have the impacts on infrastructure....
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Hiker Fatality on Abrams Falls Trail

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

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Diana Graves, age 67, of Chesterfield, VA, was hiking with her family when she experienced a cardiac event approximately 0.5 mile from the trailhead. Bystanders immediately performed CPR until Park Rangers arrived on scene. Park Rangers continued life-saving efforts, including the use of an AED, but the efforts were not successful and the patient was pronounced deceased at 1:43 p.m. In addition...
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National Park Service Visitor Spending Generates Economic Impact of More Than $41 Billion

Monday, June 15, 2020

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U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt today announced the annual economic benefit of national parks to the U.S. and local economies. In 2019, visitor spending in communities near national parks resulted in a $41.7 billion benefit to the nation’s economy and supported 340,500 jobs. Visitor spending increased by $800 million from 2018 to 2019 and the overall effect on the U.S economy grew...
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Appalachian National Scenic Trail will reopen access to 27 miles of the Trail in Central Virginia known as the “Triple Crown”

Saturday, June 13, 2020

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Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail is increasing recreational access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working Service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase...
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Big South Fork NRRA is Increasing Recreational Access to Kentucky Campgrounds

Friday, June 12, 2020

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Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is increasing recreational access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach...
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As national parks reopen, our online trail guides are still here to help with all your hiking plans

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

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With most national parks finally in the process of reopening, and with restrictions on travel slowly being lifted, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your continuing support of our online hiking trail guides for the four national parks we cover: HikingintheSmokys.com HikinginGlacier.com TetonHikingTrails.com RockyMountainHikingTrails.com If you do plan to visit any of these parks...
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Smokies Restores Limited Campground and Visitor Center Services

Friday, June 5, 2020

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Beginning on Monday, June 8, the following areas will be accessible: * Cades Cove and Smokemont Campgrounds * Anthony Creek Horse Camp * Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, Cades Cove, and Clingmans Dome Visitor Centers and Great Smoky Mountains Association Bookstores * Backcountry Information Office at Sugarlands Visitor Center * Cable Mill and Mingus Mill * Abrams Creek Road * Cataloochee Road (to Palmer...
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Pisgah National Forest Reopens Several Campgrounds, Trails and Recreation Sites

Thursday, June 4, 2020

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On June 1, 2020, Pisgah National Forest will open several campgrounds and recreation sites. Some sites remain closed and facilities and services remain limited. Popular recreation areas that will reopen include, but are not limited to: * All concession-operated campgrounds on the Pisgah Ranger District including Davidson River, North Mills River, and Lake Powhatan * Mount Mitchell Trail and...
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Smokies Implements Vehicle-Free Wednesdays in Cades Cove

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced the implementation of vehicle-free access along the Cades Cove Loop Road each Wednesday, from June 17 through September 30, as part of a pilot study to improve the visitor experience. The park proposed the study due to congested parking areas and disruption of visitor services associated with the vehicle-free periods on Wednesday and Saturday...
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Big South Fork Increasing Recreational Access to Tennessee Campgrounds

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

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Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is increasing recreational access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach...
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Brewpub Seeks "Chief Hiking Officer"

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

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Hard to believe, but this is no joke! In fact, this just might be dream come true for one lucky, beer-loving hiker! The Devils Backbone Brewing Company is currently accepting applications for a "Chief Hiking Officer". Located in Lexington, Virginia in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Devils Backbone is seeking one person to thru-hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in 2021, and will pay them $20,000 to do so. Below is some additional information on the position from the brewers website, including a short video:
Devils Backbone is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just a few miles from the Appalachian Trail, so we can get our fill of fresh air any time. But folks always tell us how they wish they had the time to trek the AT from Georgia to Maine. So, why couldn’t we sponsor one lucky hiker and help them check “conquer the AT” off their bucket list?

Well, that’s what we’re doing! This spring we’re accepting applications for our 2021 Chief Hiking Officer. That’s right: we’re going to pay someone to hike the Appalachian Trail in 2021. We’ll outfit our CHO with gear, fly ‘em to the trail head, and throw some big ol’ beer parties along the way. Plus, there’s a $20k stipend.

Qualifications? You’ve gotta love hiking and beer. We mean really love it. We’re talking 2,200 miles, camping under the stars, pack-in-pack-out for 5-7 months love it. If this sounds like your dream job, read up on exactly what we’re looking for in our CHO below.


For more information on this unique opportunity, and how to apply, please click here.



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

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
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National Trails Day® 2020 Goes Virtual

Monday, June 1, 2020

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Each year people all across the country unite on the first Saturday of June to celebrate American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day®. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, events won’t be held in person this year on June 6, but American Hiking is still fighting for trail preservation and equitable access to the outdoors. On National Trails Day® 2020 American Hiking Society will partner with land managers,...
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