Big South Fork’s John Muir Trail Extension Now Open

Big South Fork’s John Muir Trail Extension Now Open

Thursday, November 13, 2014

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A new 2.3 mile section of the John Muir Trail in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, from Devils Den to Honey Creek Loop, was completed this past National Public Lands Day, September 27, 2014. This new connection allows hikers to travel approximately 39 miles on the John Muir Trail from Pickett State Forest all the way to Honey Creek Loop trailhead. The new section of the John Muir Trail is also blazed as part of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail and the new section allows the extension of the Trace 14 miles deeper into the Big South Fork NRRA.

Some of the costs related to the trail work were made possible by a donation to the Big South Fork NRRA from the Sheltowee Trace Association, a volunteer-based non-profit. "This new section of the John Muir Trail enables us to co-locate the Sheltowee Trace on some of the most beautiful, rugged terrain that showcases some of the best trail in the Big South Fork," said Steve Barbour, executive director of the Sheltowee Trace Association. "We see this addition as another step forward toward our goal of eventually connecting the Trace to the Cumberland Trail."

The Sheltowee Trace is a 319 mile National Recreation Trail that was created in 1979 and now stretches from Honey Creek Loop in the Big South Fork NRRA to northern Rowan County, Kentucky. The trail is named after Daniel Boone, who was given the name Sheltowee (meaning "Big Turtle") by members of the Shawnee tribe.

For information on hiking and other recreation opportunities in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, please call (423) 286-7275.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Winter is Coming: Seven Days on the John Muir Trail

Winter is Coming: Seven Days on the John Muir Trail

Monday, September 15, 2014

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"The mountains are calling and I must go"

- John Muir

Below is a video from Ryan Commons that documents his hike across the Sierra Mountains along the John Muir Trail.

Ryan made the trip from the Mt. Whitney Portal to Happy Isles in Yosemite National Park - 222.4 miles - in just seven days! Along the way he climbed a total of 42,000 feet, or, put another way, almost 8 miles of climbing! Obviously he put in some pretty insane milage each day to accomplish this goal.

Ryan followed the trail up to Mount Whitney, which, at 14,496 ft, is the highest peak in the lower 48. From there he passed through King's Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park, and the Ansel Adams Wilderness before ending his journey in Yosemite.

At 40 minutes in length, the video is fairly long, but is very well made, and well worth the spectacular scenery alone:


WINTER IS COMING - Seven Days on the John Muir Trail from Ryan Commons on Vimeo.






Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies

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Big South Fork Honored As An International Mountain Biking Destination

Big South Fork Honored As An International Mountain Biking Destination

Monday, November 5, 2012

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The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) recently announced at their annual World Summit in Santa Fe, New Mexico, that five trails in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area were named as Epic Rides. The five trails are Collier Ridge, West Bandy, Duncan Hollow, Grand Gap Loop, and the portion of the John Muir Trail from Grand Gap Loop to Station Camp. "The IMBA Epic designation, being very selective, brings with it national and international recognition to trails that are special to mountain bikers including landscape, trail length, and a back country experience. The Epic designation will draw hundreds of new users, many of who use the IMBA designation as a bucket list of must-ride trails," said Joe Cross, President of the Big South Fork Mountain Bike Club.

Big South Fork is the first national park unit in the United States to receive the elite Epic Ride designation. IMBA only names a handful of trails for this title. Other Epic Rides named this year include the Warner Lake area in South Chilcotin, British Columbia, Canada, and the Bernina Express, Graubünden, Switzerland. "This is wonderful news for the Big South Fork," said Niki Stephanie Nicholas, Park Superintendent. "We have a strong partnership with the Big South Fork Mountain Bike Club who have volunteered many hours and worked closely with park staff to improve park trails."

For more information on mountain biking in the Big South Fork, please call (423) 286-7275 or go to the park's webpage.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies

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Mile...Mile & A Half

Mile...Mile & A Half

Friday, March 16, 2012

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Back in December I posted a short video from a group of multimedia artists that spent 25 days hiking the 219-mile long John Muir Trail last summer. The video was only a small taste of a documentary film the group is currently working on.

Recently, the group published the first official trailer for the documentary, called MILE...MILE & A HALF: A Journey Across The John Muir Trail. I know I said this back in December, but I'm really looking forward to seeing the entire film. The incredible scenery from the Sierra Mountains is pure inspiration. For more information on JMT: the Muir Project, you can visit the film crew's website.

Here's the trailer:

MILE...MILE & A HALF (trailer) from The Muir Project on Vimeo.

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Thru-Hiking the John Muir Trail in 7 Days with Andrew Skurka

Thru-Hiking the John Muir Trail in 7 Days with Andrew Skurka

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

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Fresh off his incredible solo trek around the Alaskan and Yukon bush in 2010, Andrew Skurka is at it again. This past summer he guided Gerry Morton, President and CEO of EnergyFirst, on a 7 day hike along the entire 224-mile John Muir Trail. Averaging 32 miles a day, the two hikers trekked from the Yosemite Valley to the summit of 14,505-foot Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48. The video below documents some of the highlights from their adventure.

In recent years Skurka has become known as a hiking and adventure superstar. During his trek around Alaska and the Yukon he traveled roughly 4680 miles in 176 days. This included 1315 miles of skiing, 2100 miles of trekking, and 1270 miles of packrafting.

In addition to his recent Alaskan and John Muir Trail excursions, he's hiked the Appalachian Trail, and in 2007, became the first person to hike the 6875-mile Great Western Loop, which includes the Continental Divide and Pacific Crest Trails. It's probably safe to say that after all those miles he should be an expert on blisters. Andrew offers some excellent tips on preventing them in the January issue of Backpacker Magazine.

As of today, Skurka is officially an author as well. The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide was officially released today by National Geographic Books, and is available on Amazon. In this how-to guide, Skurka "shares the gear, supplies and skills that will allow you to love hiking, while still remaining safe and comfortable while camping."

Here's the video from the John Muir Trail:





Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Almost There - The Muir Project

Almost There - The Muir Project

Friday, November 25, 2011

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Earlier this summer a group of multimedia artists spent 25 days hiking the 219 mile long John Muir Trail. The intent was to capture their experience on the trail and bring it back to the general public in the form of a gallery exhibit that includes photographs, video installations and hands-on displays that allow visitors to truly get a feeling for the beauty and majesty of the trail - without the burning lungs and blisters. Alongside the exhibit will be a feature length documentary chronicling their adventures on the trail. Below is a short preview of what's to come. Based on what they've already published, I can't wait to see the entire film:

Almost There - The Muir Project from The Muir Project on Vimeo.

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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John Muir Trail in Cherokee National Forest Maintenance Day

John Muir Trail in Cherokee National Forest Maintenance Day

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

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This Saturday, March 6th, the Chattanooga Hiking Club will host a trail maintenance day on the John Muir Trail in the Cherokee National Forest. Volunteers will be brushing out a section of trail that runs beside the Hiwassee River. Bring boots, gloves, lunch, and water. Contact activity leader John Rowland to learn details and to volunteer.

The John Muir Trail is a 20.7 mile National Recreation Trail in eastern Tennessee that runs along the north side of the Hiwassee River in the Cherokee National Forest. It's named for naturalist John Muir and is said to follow the path he took during his travels from Kentucky to Florida.


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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Video: Seven Days on the John Muir Trail

Video: Seven Days on the John Muir Trail

Saturday, February 13, 2010

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"The mountains are calling and I must go"

- John Muir

Below is a video from Ryan Commons that documents his hike across the Sierra Mountains along the John Muir Trail.

Ryan made the trip from the Mt. Whitney Portal to Happy Isles in Yosemite National Park - 222.4 miles - in just seven days! Along the way he climbed a total of 42,000 feet, or, put another way, almost 8 miles of climbing! Obviously he put in some pretty insane milage each day to accomplish this goal.

Ryan followed the trail up to Mount Whitney, which, at 14,496 ft, is the highest peak in the lower 48. From there he passed through King's Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park, and the Ansel Adams Wilderness before ending his journey in Yosemite.

At 40 minutes in length, the video is fairly long, but is very well made, and well worth the spectacular scenery alone.

WINTER IS COMING - Seven Days on the John Muir Trail from Ryan Commons on Vimeo.

(if you have trouble with the streaming of the video, turning off the HD seems to help)


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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