Autumn Naturalist Ramble

Autumn Naturalist Ramble

Friday, October 1, 2010

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Join the Great Smoky Mountains Association and naturalist Liz Domingue on Saturday, October 30th, for a walk on the Cucumber Gap Loop Trail. This easy to moderate hike is a 5.6-mile round-trip hike, and will traverse the Little River and Cucumber Gap trails in Elkmont.

Liz will be available to answer any questions you might have about any of plants, birds or wildlife you might see along the way.

The GSMA asks that you wear good hiking boots and bring water, a light lunch or snack, and rain gear. The hike will begin at 9:00 am at the Little River trailhead.

A registration fee of $10 per person is required. To register, please call 865-436-7318, Ext. 222 or 254.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Smokies delays re-opening of Elkmont area trails

Smokies delays re-opening of Elkmont area trails

Thursday, September 2, 2010

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Officials from the Great Smoky Mountains announced yesterday that the on-going construction project will delay the re-opening of the Little River/Jakes Creek Trail access road in Elkmont.

The new re-opening date is now October 15.

The work consists of repaving all of the connecting roads to the popular trails in Elkmont and creating formalized parking areas for the trailheads, as well as a new day use parking area at the Appalachian Clubhouse.

Managers were expecting to complete the work by Labor Day, but progress was held up by the addition of underground utility work which delayed the award of a contract.

Limited access is still being provided to hikers to reach the Little River Trail, but there is no safe access through the construction site to the Jakes Creek Trailhead which provides access to the Cucumber Gap, Jakes Creek and Meigs Mountain trails.

An extremely limited number of temporary parking spaces have been designated at the Elkmont Campground, so hikers planning to use the Little River Trail will need to check in for instructions at the campground kiosk.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Wildflowers at lower elevations in Smokies at peak

Wildflowers at lower elevations in Smokies at peak

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

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The latest Wildflower Report from the Great Smoky Mountains Association was posted by Steve Kemp yesterday. Mr. Kemp reports that wildflowers at lower elevations in the Great Smoky Mountains are at peak bloom right now.

Here's his report:

Wildflowers are abundant along the Little River and Cucumber Gap trails in the Elkmont area right now. Trout-lily, hepatica, spring-beauty, and anemone are all blooming. We should have a good peak of bloom between now and April 20 at the lower elevations.

To read this and past reports, please click here.

To see a list of some of the best wildflower hikes in the Smokies, 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, hiking gear store, and more.

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Finally! (Little River Trail)

Finally! (Little River Trail)

Thursday, December 31, 2009

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Finally, the bear warnings for the Little River Trail have been removed. The bear activity warning had been posted on the Little River Trail for several months this year, and was the last of six trails that had bear warnings during the year.

Also, several backcountry campsites and shelters have been re-opened or have had posted warnings removed in recent weeks.

Back in October there were 5 backcountry campsites and shelters that were closed, in addition to at least 18 that had posted warnings. There were also six trails at that time that had warnings as well.

There are now only 9 backcountry campsites and shelters with posted warnings and 1 closing at this time.

Below is the current list of warnings and closings:

Bear Warnings:

• Backcountry Campsites 13, 84, and 88
• Cosby Knob Shelter
• Double Spring Gap Shelter
• Mollies Ridge Shelter
• Mt Collins Shelter
• Mt Le Conte Shelter
• Tricorner Knob Shelter

Backcountry Campsite 75 is still closed.


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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Little River Trail / Parson Branch Road

Little River Trail / Parson Branch Road

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park website is reporting that park officials have posted a warning for active bear(s) on the Little River Trail.

The Little River Trail is a popular hiking destination in the Elkmont area.

The website is also reporting that the Parson Branch Road has been temporarily closed as a result of mud. This will impact anyone wishing to hike the Gregory Bald Trail. Until the road is reopened ("tentatively scheduled to reopen on June 17"), hikers will need to take the Gregory Ridge Trail to Gregory Bald.

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Stabilization of Elkmont Historic Area

Stabilization of Elkmont Historic Area

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

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Below is an excellent video showing a short history of the Elkmont community in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The community dates back to the early 1900s when the cottages were used as summer homes by the affluent from Knoxville. The video gives a brief history on the establishment of the community as well as the subsequent decline after the National Park Service began purchasing the buildings and land in its efforts to create the park. The video also provides a rare look inside of a couple of the structures which have been off-limits to the public.

The video was posted just over a year ago and shows the dilapidated condition of the community. However, since then, the Elkmont community has begun the process of undergoing some major changes. Facing pressure from historic preservation groups, the park has reversed its policy of allowing the structures to deteriorate and has recently begun emergency stabilization projects on 18 homes, as well as the Appalachian Clubhouse. Eventually the Park Service hopes to restore all 19 structures so they can be viewed by the public. Furthermore, the Appalachian Clubhouse will become a public day use area with educational exhibits.

At this point, the park plans on removing the other 55 buildings and returning their sites to natural habitats.

The Elkmont area is located near the Little River Trail and Cucumber Gap trailheads just outside of Gatlinburg.




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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