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Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
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Special Evening Hike to Showcase Hidden Stories of Cumberland Gap

Friday, July 26, 2013

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The staff at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park eagerly heralds the third annual “Within the Shadows of Cumberland Gap Heritage Walk” being held next Saturday, August 3rd, 2013. Each year, some of the lesser-known people in the Gap’s history - from geologists to politicians, from scalp buyers to ancestors of presidents - are showcased. This year, visitors will encounter seven short plays along the Wilderness Road that may surprise even those who think they know all about the Cumberland Gap!

“We tend to think of people such as Daniel Boone and Civil War generals at the Cumberland Gap, but there were thousands of other people who traveled through this historic passageway” explained park historian Martha Wiley. “This is our chance to share with park visitors and neighbors some of these ‘hidden history’ stories. It’s a lot of fun for park staff and volunteers to be able to portray some of these riveting characters from our past!”

Rangers will be leading three hikes along the Wilderness Road with the first one beginning at 6:00 p.m., the next at 6:30, and the final at 7:00 p.m. Each hike will take approximately 90 minutes traversing 1.5 miles on a dirt trail with hilly sections; good walking shoes are required. This popular event is free, but each tour is limited to 30 people, so reservations are recommended by calling the park visitor center at (606) 246-1075.

Visitors should be at the Daniel Boone Visitor Information Center above the town of Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, 30 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time, as shuttles will take visitors to the starting point at the Thomas Walker parking area. In case of heavy rain the event will be cancelled.

This program is being co-hosted by the Friends of Cumberland Gap and park partner Eastern National. For more information about Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, please call (606) 248-2817 or visit www.nps.gov/cuga. For more information on the Friends of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and how to become involved, please visit www.friendsofcumberlandgap.org. Learn how Eastern National supports the interpretive and educational mission of the National Park Service by visiting www.easternnational.org.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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Campground Fee Increases at Wilderness Road Campground Take Effect June 1st

Saturday, May 25, 2013

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Effective June 1st, price increases for camping in the year round Wilderness Road Campground at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park will take effect. Camping rates for sites without electricity will increase from $12.00 to $14.00, and sites with electricity will increase from $17.00 to $20.00. Sites will be one half price for those having an Interagency Senior or Access Pass. Group campsites will increase from $30.00 to $35.00. This is the only campground in the park that allows vehicle access and which provides bathroom and shower facilities.

Park Superintendent Mark Woods explains the camping price increases as the first since 2002. He further spells out that "a comparability study, involving local state parks and private organizations with similar operations was conducted and that price increases will bring Cumberland Gap more in line with the price structure of the local community and the businesses that are similar in nature to the park's. This price adjustment will remove any possibility of the park unintentionally undercutting local and regional businesses."

Woods shares an exhaustive list of major improvements made over the past ten years to the 160 site campground which is enjoyed annually by an average of 103,395 visitors. "In May 2012, we completed a six-month $861,690 project which involved the installation of new water and wastewater systems within the campground. This was essential to improve the efficiency of park operations by reducing maintenance costs and costs related to deficiencies in the condition of the existing systems, provide a safe and healthy environment for both visitors and park staff, remove a potential source of surface water contamination and protect park natural and cultural resources and values. The new system includes 4000 linear feet of leach field trenches, four new septic tanks, new sewer pipe throughout, and eight new sanitary manholes. Six monitoring wells were also installed around the leach field. Flow meters were installed to more accurately monitor the water usage at each comfort station."

"Additional enhancements over the years include the upgrade of electrical sites to include 20, 30, and 50 amp service. The campground's three comfort stations have been completely renovated for improved accessibility and to also provide for families with children. The campground contact station has been retrofitted into a camp store managed by park partner Eastern National. The campground amphitheater has also been renovated to allow for multi-media and music programs. New picnic tables, fire rings, and improved signage have been added to individual sites. Accessibility has been improved at specific sites throughout the campground. Bulletin cases, wayside exhibits, and improved signage have been added to enhance visitors' experiences and to alert them to other recreational opportunities within the park. Total cost of all these improvements is close to 1.5 million dollars."

While Superintendent Woods is very proud of these improvement, he directs his praise to park employees and volunteers who were so essential in the park receiving the 2012 Middlesboro Daily News "People's Choice Award for Camping" in the Tri-State area. A very elated Woods also references a recent letter written by park visitors hailing from Livingston, Texas:

"Hi Friends. We just left your fabulous facility after our 5th stay for the Dulcimer Gathering. The beauty of the campground was enhanced by your staff's attention to the washrooms and the amphitheater too. This is our favorite campground! Thank you."

For more information about Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and camping opportunities, please call (606) 248-2817 or visit www.nps.gov/cuga.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Prescribed Fire Season at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Sunday, February 17, 2013

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As part of a program to use "managed fire" inside the park, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park will be burning 286 acres near Tiprell, Tennessee in mid to late February. The goal is to reduce hazardous fuels near the town, and also to help maintain the type of historic forest found by Daniel Boone and Thomas Walker when they first arrived in the area.

"Managed fire," explained Chief Ranger Dirk Wiley, "is just another tool to help protect the park and our neighbors. It lets us burn a little, under very controlled conditions, so that we prevent a larger fire from threatening the park and nearby homes."

It sounds simple, but involves a complicated "prescription" that accounts for wind, fuel moisture, slope and sunshine, the spread of the smoke, and the effect of the fire on the existing plants. By carefully lighting the understory, the goal is to reduce the small fuels that can build up and create uncontrollable wildfires during dry periods. It also has the benefit of maintaining a forest that developed over thousands of years of fires set by Native Americans as part of their own desire to improve hunting.

The Tiprell fire will cover most of the hillside between Tiprell and the top of the ridge separating the park and Lincoln Memorial University. If all goes as planned, it will be done in one long day and the final result will be a subtle, but significant, reduction in both the fuels that carry fire and certain species of trees such as striped maple.

Park Ranger Shane Sturgill, "burn boss" for the fire, details that a successful prescribed fire will be almost invisible just a few months after the actual fire is gone. "It's not a raging fire," said Sturgill. "It's the kind of creeping ground fire that passes through the forest naturally."

The park will be notifying neighbors and nearby agencies on the day of the burn, and wants to make certain that nobody is alarmed by a sudden column of smoke inside the park. "It's just another day in the park," said Sturgill. "We're using fire as a tool to take care of the resources, the visitors, and our park neighbors."

The park encourages anyone with questions to contact Chief Ranger Dirk Wiley at (606) 246-1054, or email dirk_wiley@nps.gov.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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Public Meeting Scheduled to Seek Public Input on Higher Camping Fees in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

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A modest increase in camping fees has been proposed for the year round Wilderness Road Campground in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. This is the only campground in the park that allows vehicle access, and provide bathroom and shower facilities. Camping rates for sites without electricity would increase from $12.00 to $14.00 and sites with electricity would increase from $17.00 to $20.00. Sites would be one half price for those having an Interagency Senior or Access Pass. Group campsites would increase from $30.00 to $35.00. A public meeting to seek public input and outline these increases is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the national park visitor center. Visitors can also provide comments via the park's web site: www.nps.gov/cuga or send comments to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, 91 Bartlett Park Road, Middlesboro, KY 40965. Comments are to be received by the park no later than March 15th, 2013.

Park Superintendent Mark Woods explains the camping price increases as the first since 2002. He further spells out that "a comparability study, involving local state parks and private organizations with similar operations was conducted and that price increases would bring Cumberland Gap more in line with the price structure of the local community and the businesses that are similar in nature to the park's. This price adjustment would remove any possibility of the park unintentionally undercutting local and regional businesses."

Woods notes a list of major improvements made over the past ten years to the 160 site campground which is enjoyed annually by an average of 103,395 visitors. "In May 2012, we completed a six-month $861,690 project which involved the installation of new water and waste-water systems within the campground. This was essential to improve the efficiency of park operations by reducing maintenance costs and costs related to deficiencies in the condition of the existing systems, provide a safe and healthy environment for both visitors and park staff, remove a potential source of surface water contamination and protect park natural and cultural resources and values. The new system includes 4000 linear feet of leach field trenches, four new septic tanks, new sewer pipe throughout, and eight new sanitary manholes. Six monitoring wells were also installed around the leach field. Flow meters were installed to more accurately monitor the water usage at each comfort station."

"Additional enhancements over the years include the upgrade of electrical sites to include 20, 30, and 50 amp service. The campground's three comfort stations have been completely renovated for improved accessibility and to also provide for families with children. The campground contact station has been retrofitted into a camp store managed by park partner Eastern National. The campground amphitheater has also been renovated to allow for multi-media and music programs. New picnic tables, fire rings, and improved signage have been added to individual sites. Accessibility has been improved at specific sites throughout the campground. Bulletin cases, wayside exhibits, and improved signage have been added to enhance visitors' experiences and to alert them to other recreational opportunities within the park. Total cost of all these improvements is close to 1.5 million dollars."

For more information about Cumberland Gap National Historical Park please call (606) 248-2817.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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Lost! National Park Program to Help Children Learn Survival Techniques

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

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Daniel Boone would never admit to being lost - but did admit that he was "bewildered" once for several days when visiting an unfamiliar area. Unlike Boone, the average person of today would know nothing of the lifesaving tips they might need to survive being lost in the woods. On September 24th, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park will host "Junior Rangers" as they learn secrets that Boone knew of survival and how to help themselves get found if ever lost in the wilderness!

Every year millions hike, canoe and simply wander into some of the most untouched and unspoiled wilderness areas America has to offer when they visit their national parks. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park's 85 miles of trails are used by thousands of visitors every year and periodically, rangers receive reports of missing hikers or lost children. One wrong turn or misread map can attribute to anyone being "bewildered," but when the visitor is a child, the situation can quickly become serious. Rangers are quite familiar with being sent to the backcountry of Cumberland Mountain to look for missing or lost hikers and sometimes these searches become true rescue missions as well.

Cumberland Gap Protection Ranger John Housch relates that many times visitors, especially children, when lost, will make decisions that make it difficult or impossible to find them, even though they are trying to be found! Search dogs, helicopters, bright flashlights and other search equipment can be alarming to a frightened child who may actually hide from the very people who are trying to save them! Ranger Housch invites parents to bring their children to this special Junior Ranger C.S.I. Program entitled Captive. Survival. Instincts. This special program will arm children with the tools to survive if they should ever become a "captive" of the wilderness!

The program will begin on Saturday, September 24th at 1:00 p.m. at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park visitor center. All are invited to join our Junior Ranger Corps during this exciting "ranger training"!

For additional information on Cumberland Gap National Historical Park's programs, please call 606-248-2817, extension 1075.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Operation Spring Clean at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Monday, April 4, 2011

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Next weekend, staff at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and the city of Middlesboro will be gearing up for a community cleanup along Yellow Creek which borders Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

The cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 9 and is a joint effort with Operation PRIDE in Middlesboro. "We are pleased to be working with National Park Service staff to do something good for our community and the park," says Randy Melton, Operation PRIDE Coordinator for the city of Middlesboro. "It's going be to be a great day!"

The focus of the cleanup will be removal of litter and recyclables from the banks along Yellow Creek. In addition to cleanup efforts, there will be activities for kids that will be geared toward recycling. "The idea is to get folks together for a day of fun and a little bit of work," says park scientist Amy Wilson. "We encourage anyone that is interested to come out and join us. Every little bit helps." The cleanup will be followed by a cookout at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in which all participants will be recognized and provided with special prizes for lending a hand and taking pride in their community.

Registration for the cleanup will be from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the park visitor center. For additional information please call Amy Wilson at (606) 248-2817, extension 1115. Anyone who is interested in Operation PRIDE in Middlesboro should contact Randy Melton at (606) 499-3677.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Renowned Appalachian Photographer Subject of Program & Exhibit at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

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Cumberland Gap National Historical Park's Hidden History Lecture Series continues with an exciting opportunity to hear about the life and work of renowned Appalachian photographer Earl Palmer from Dr. Jean Haskell, the woman who wrote the definitive book on the "Blue Ridge Mountains' Roamin" Cameraman." Palmer spent his life photographing the southern Appalachian Mountains, its people and their daily routines. His work appeared in Life and National Geographic. Cumberland Gap has an extensive collection of his iconic photos and opened an exhibition of his work yesterday at the national park visitor center.

"Earl Palmer's work is immediately recognizable," explains Park Historian Martha Wiley. "While organizing our historic photograph collection, this extraordinary group of photos really popped, catching our attention! We are very excited to be able to share them with the public. Many of them showcase scenes of Hensley Settlement and its residents before the national park was established and also feature Thomas Jefferson Cupp, a mountaineer who lived near the settlement."

To kick off the exhibit, Dr. Haskell, author of "The Appalachian Photographs of Earl Palmer," will present a program on Palmer and his work at 2 pm on Saturday, March 26th. Dr. Haskell has worked tirelessly to promote the study of Appalachia, having co-edited the "Encyclopedia of Appalachia," has served as the director of the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services at East Tennessee State University and also as the president of the Appalachian Studies Association.

There will be a reception and book-signing following Dr. Haskell's presentation. Her book on Earl Palmer is available for purchase at the park bookstore, operated by park partner Eastern National.

The Hidden History Lecture Series, co-sponsored by the Friends of Cumberland Gap, is free of charge. For additional information on park programs, please call (606) 248-2817, extension 1075.

For more information on Cumberland Gap NHP, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Shooting Star viewing party at Cumberland Gap NHP

Sunday, August 8, 2010

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The public is invited to watch the annual Perseid meteor shower with Cumberland Gap park rangers at the remote Hensley Settlement this Friday night.

As darkness falls in the southern mountains, the historic Hensley Settlement in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park becomes the stage for a shooting star spectacular. Its remote location high upon Brush Mountain provides an incredible opportunity to view the night sky and the famous Perseid meteor shower.

Visible each year beginning in mid July, the Perseid meteor shower has been observed for almost 200 years. The shower, which consists of dust and debris associated with a comet called Swift-Tuttle, appears as streaks of light in the evening sky. “These streaks can be seen at rates of up to 90 per hour,” explains Park Naturalist Scott Teodorski. “The dark skies found up on Brush Mountain provide the perfect environment to view this spectacular show. It is a sight to behold.”

A fire will be available and sticks will be provided for those who wish to bring marshmallows and hot dogs to roast. Star gazing enthusiasts are encouraged to bring binoculars, blankets or chairs and appropriate clothing.

Visitors interested in participating in this free program should meet at the park visitor center at 6:30 p.m. to caravan to the settlement. Vehicles will be allowed to only travel up to the settlement via the Shillalah Creek Road from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Vehicles will be allowed to only travel down the road from the settlement from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

In case of rain, the program will be cancelled. For more information on this or other ranger-guided programs, please call the park visitor center at (606) 248-2817, extension 1075.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Within the Shadows of Cumberland Gap Heritage Walk

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

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The Wilderness Road that travels through the Cumberland Gap has seen hundreds of years of history and has been witness to tales of heartbreak and joy, loss and discovery. Visitors can discover these stories during the Friday, May 28th event, “Within the Shadows of Cumberland Gap Heritage Walk,” to begin at the Daniel Boone parking area in Virginia at 6:30 p.m.

During the 1.5 mile long walk through the Gap, visitors will meet several “ghosts” from the road’s past. They will hear the tales of a Cherokee warrior and a long-hunter from 1700 and 1780. Mary Cloud Turner, wife of Revolutionary War soldier John Turner, will be there, sharing her experiences as a resident along the Road in the early 1800s. Meet Matilda, a slave from Newlee’s Iron Furnace down in the town of Cumberland Gap, who is looking for an escape route along the Road in the 1850s. Soon after Matilda fades away, encounter Confederate soldiers of the Civil War during their occupation of the Gap in 1861. Jump forward in time again to the 1920s and meet an English gentleman and his roadster, out for a ride on the newly paved Dixie Highway. Finish your tour with a park ranger, not from 2010 but from 1960, as he welcomes all to this brand-new gem of the National Park Service.

The 1.5 mile walk through the Gap along the Wilderness Road is moderate with one uphill section and some loose gravel. Visitors should wear sturdy walking shoes. A shuttle will be provided to take visitors back to the Daniel Boone parking area after the event, which is expected to last approximately two hours.

For more general information on hiking at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, 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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Cumberland Gap NHP to offer full moon hike

Friday, March 26, 2010

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Cumberland Gap National Historical Park will be offering a full moon hike this coming Monday.

On the night of March 29th, park rangers will offer a full moon hike into the historic Cumberland Gap. Park Naturalist Scott Teodorski explains “March brings with it the whispers of spring and the renewing of nature’s wondrous cycle. Should the night be warm, the calling of the mountain chorus frogs and spring peepers will be deafening. And a real treat would be hearing the call of the whipporwill. We’ll plan the hike so we will be approaching the saddle of the historic Gap as the moon rises above the mountains.” Full moon enthusiasts should meet at the Thomas Walker parking area at 8:00 p.m. and wear good walking shoes for the easy 1.2 mile round trip hike.

Cumberland Gap will be offering a couple of programs this weekend, including the Kentucky National Parks Movie Fest on Sunday, March 28th.

Please click here for more information.

For information on hiking trails in Cumberland Gap, 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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Southeast Foot Trails Coalition Conference: May 7-10

Friday, February 27, 2009

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The 2009 Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition Conference will be held in Kentucky from May 7 thru May 10. Meetings and some activities will take place at Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Pineville, KY. Other activities will be held at nearby Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, including guided hikes led by park staff.

The conference will include educational sessions and group breakout discussions. There will also be social activities including a square dance on Friday evening and a visit to the Hensley Settlement in Cumberland Gap NHP on Saturday evening for a cookout and some night sky / night hike activities. A special public ceremony is planned to recognize the connection of the Cumberland Trail and the Pine Mountain Trail at Cumberland Gap as well.

Registration is now open. For more information, please click here. If you have questions, please contact Dennis Crowley at dennis.crowley@win.net.


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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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