Smokies visitation slightly down in 2010

Smokies visitation slightly down in 2010

Friday, January 21, 2011

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The Great Smoky Mountains reported a total of 9,463,538 visitors to the park in 2010, a 0.3% decrease from the prior year. Although Gatlinburg (1.5%), Townsend (3.2%) and Cherokee (4.6%) each saw year over year increases, the park's 13 outlying entrances reported an overall decrease of 9.1%. Much of that decrease was driven by declines at the Foothills Pkwy East portion of the park, which has been closed for much of the year due to the reconstruction project. This section of the park saw a decline of just over a half million visitors, or 46.2% versus 2009.

The 9.46 million visitors to the park in 2010 represented the second highest total in the last decade. Only 2009, the 75th Anniversary year, was higher.

For the month of December, the entire park saw a sharp decline from the same period in 2009. Visitors arriving through the Gatlinburg entrance were down more than 40%, while Townsend dropped 20%, and Cherokee plummeted more than 56%.

Nearby Parks:

* The Blue Ridge Parkway reported a total of 14,517,119 visitors in 2010, which represented an 8.9% decrease from the previous year. This is a bit of a surprise given that the park celebrated its 75th Anniversary this past year. Road closures likely played a large part in this decline.

* Shenandoah National Park reported 1,264,347 visitors for the year, an 11.7% increase versus 2009.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Roots in the Cave - 2010

Roots in the Cave - 2010

Thursday, November 4, 2010

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The annual Roots in the Cave at Mammoth Cave National Park will focus on local cave explorer Edmund Turner (1867-1917) this year. Turner is credited with the discovery of Great Onyx Cave, but died penniless and was buried in a pauper's grave at the Mammoth Cave Baptist Cemetery on Flint Ridge.

This years' event will be held on November 12-13, and is sponsored by the Mammoth Cave Hotel and Mammoth Cave National Park.

"Roots in the Cave is an annual fall event that explores the family histories and lore of those people who once lived on what is now parkland," said Superintendent Patrick Reed. "Mammoth Cave became a national park in 1941, but before that time this land held 600 farms and 30 communities. Roots in the Cave pulls descendents together to share stories and research."

"One of the items on the agenda this year is to place a headstone on Edmund Turner's long neglected grave," said Greg Davis, manager of the Mammoth Cave Hotel. "Other events and discussions will bring to light pieces of Turner's life story, such as he explored Salts Cave accompanied by young Floyd Collins. Turner was an expert caver who has received little recognition."

Activities for registered participants include: a panel discussion on Edmund Turner by Roger Brucker and Norman Warnell; a guided walk to Stephen Bishop's homeplace; unveiling of the Turner headstone; and a tour of Great Onyx Cave (limited to 40 people). A genealogy display in the Rotunda Room on November 12-13 will be open to the public.

To register for Roots in the Cave activities contact the Mammoth Cave Hotel at 270-758-2225. Registration is $20 per person; all proceeds will be applied to the cost of Turner's headstone.

For information on hiking in the park (above ground), please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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National Trails Day

National Trails Day

Sunday, May 16, 2010

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American Hiking Society's signature trail awareness program, National Trails Day, will take place on June 5th this year.

One of the goals of National Trails Day is to inspire the public and trail enthusiasts nationwide to seek out their favorite trails to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops and trail work projects.

There will be many events all across the country. The Smoky Mountain Hiking Club will utilize the day as a trail repair and construction event. They will meet in Gatlinburg at 7:30 a.m. that morning.

The Carolina Mountain Club will host a couple of hikes, including the Lakeshore Loop near Fontana Lake in the southern Smoky Mountains.

Chimney Rock State Park will be offering free guided hikes on the hour from 11am to 3pm with park education staff and rangers who will discuss the plants and wildlife at the park.

The Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club and will host a hike to Grassy Ridge Bald on Roan Mountain.

These are just a couple of examples. You can get more details on each of these, and see the complete list of events across the country, by clicking here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

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More fee-free days on public lands in 2010

More fee-free days on public lands in 2010

Thursday, May 6, 2010

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To help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recently announced the schedule of 2010 free admission days to many of the lands managed by the Department of Interior.

All national parks, national wildlife refuges, and many areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management will offer free admission on the following days this year:

* June 5-6
* August 14-15
* September 25 (Public Lands Day)
* November 11 (Veterans Day).

More details about fee free days and some special offers are available:

* National Parks
* National Wildlife Refuges
* Bureau of Land Management Areas


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

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Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition Biennial Conference

Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition Biennial Conference

Saturday, March 20, 2010

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The Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition will hold its biennial conference in Tennessee the weekend of May 20 - 23, 2010. The conference will be based at the DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle, TN.

Members of hiking and trail building organizations from across the southeastern United States, partners of the coalition and any other interested parties will gather in Tennessee for a weekend of hiking, education, fun and celebration of the foot trails experience. Several guided hikes of varying length and difficulty will be offered in nearby locations. Simultaneously, at DuBose Center, there will be a series of educational sessions of varying length on tracks which address needs and interests of the hiking and trails community. Social activities will provide opportunities to share in fun with other participants and make new friends in the "trails community".

The DuBose Center is located about an hour northwest of Chattanooga, a mile off Interstate 24.

The following are the hikes scheduled in conjunction with the conference:

Thursday 1:00 pm

1 - Grundy Forest Day Loop...Sycamore Falls, 3 miles

2 - Savage Gulf Day Loop...Savage Falls, 4.2 miles

3 - Bridal Veil Falls and University of the South Campus, 4 miles


Friday 8:00 am

1 - Fiery Gizzard, 12.8 miles

2 - Raven Point, 9 miles

3 - Grundy Forest Day Loop, 3 miles

4 – Cloudland Canyon State Park, GA...Rim Trail, 5.0 miles

5 - South Rim Trail, Savage Gulf, 5.8 miles


Saturday 9:00 am

USAF Arnold Engineer Development Center
Hike/Ride to several natural and historic features


Sunday 1:00 pm

1 - Sewanee Perimeter Trail, Length TBA

2 - Franklin Forest...Tom Pack Falls, 5.5 miles


Please click here for more information.

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

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National Trails Day 2010 announced

National Trails Day 2010 announced

Sunday, February 14, 2010

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The American Hiking Society has recently announced the date for National Trails Day 2010.

On June 5th, 2010, the American Hiking Society and outdoor enthusiasts across the country will celebrate the 18th annual National Trails Day, a celebration of America's magnificent trail system and its countless supporters and volunteers. More than 1500 events will take place around the country including trail maintenance, hiking, biking, paddling, horseback riding, bird watching, running and trail celebrations.

The theme for this years' National Trails Day, Find Your Happy Place, encourages all Americans to get outside, connect with local hiking clubs, outdoor retailers, local parks and recreation departments or federal land managing agencies to experience, appreciate and celebrate the outdoor places that make us happy.

National Trails Day is a celebration of trails that evolved from the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors, sponsored by President Ronald Reagan. The 1987 report recommended that all Americans be able to go out their front doors and within fifteen minutes, be on trails that wind through their cities or towns and bring them back without retracing steps. The recommendation, dubbed Trails for All Americans, became the impetus behind several public and private parties joining American Hiking Society in launching National Trails Day in 1993.

For more information and to host an event, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

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2009/2010 Banff Mountain Film Festival Trailer

2009/2010 Banff Mountain Film Festival Trailer

Saturday, January 23, 2010

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Below is a trailer for the 2009/2010 Banff Mountain Film Festival. Let me tell you, there is some outstanding and incredibly beautiful footage in this short film. Make sure to watch the last scene. I posted this same footage on this blog about a year ago. I thought that maybe it was manipulated, but now appears to be the real deal.



You can click here to see the full tour schedule. There are several stops in the Southern Appalachian region over the next couple months.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

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Southern Appalachian hiker gift ideas

Southern Appalachian hiker gift ideas

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

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Need some gift ideas for that special hiker in your life? Below are a few suggestions any hiker or lover of the Southern Appalachians would appreciate:


Just Passin' Thru A Vintage Store, the Appalachian Trail, and a Cast of Unforgettable Characters is the brand new release from Winton Porter. The book recounts some of the stories, dramas and characters that show up at his store - the historic Mountain Crossings, a combination hostel and outfitter shop along the Appalachian Trail.






Waterfalls of North Carolina is the very first map available that features over 300 waterfalls in the western North Carolina region. In addition to the WNC region, the map also includes falls on the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains. The map was published this past October.








The Garmin Oregon 400T is the next generation of GPS for hikers and outdoors types. National Geographic Adventure Magazine had it on its list of must-have outdoor gear for 2009. Right now Amazon has this item on sale for only $399.95. That's a savings of $240!








The Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion-2010 is another brand new release. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association collaborated on this guide especially designed for potential thru-hikers.









Blue Ridge Mountains 2010 Scenic Wall Calendar is the latest from professional photographer, Jerry Greer.







For many more suggestions, please visit the Smoky Mountains Hiker Store.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

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