National Public Lands Day Service Project in the Smokies

National Public Lands Day Service Project in the Smokies

Monday, September 10, 2012

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Saturday, September 29th, is National Public Lands Day and your chance to give back to Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Trail maintainence volunteers will have an opportunity to work on a popular and well-used trail near the Park Headquarters just outside of Gatlinburg.

The work day will involve gravel, bridge and drainage feature construction, as well as standard trail maintenance. Please be comfortable hiking at least 2 miles throughout the day. All volunteers will receive an REI "Get Dirty" volunteer shirt as well as the chance to win gear! Please wear close-toed shoes and long pants. Bring a day pack with water, food, rain gear, appropriate layers and anything you need for a day in the woods. All safety gear (gloves, eye and ear protection), tools and equipment will be provided. Volunteers must be 18 years or older. Registration is required. Please contact Christine Hoyer at 828-497-1949 or christine_hoyer@nps.gov to RSVP or for details.


Jeff
Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Big Brothers Big Sisters raffles cabin in Smokies

Big Brothers Big Sisters raffles cabin in Smokies

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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For the second year in a row, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina will be giving away a custom-built log cabin as part of its fundraising campaign this year. The grand prize in this years' raffle will be a fully furnished log home, located in Bryson City, North Carolina, near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The cabin is valued at more than $280,000!

The 2,000 square foot cabin has a hot tub, pool table, a sleeping loft, two bathrooms and a 1,400 square foot wraparound porch with majestic views overlooking the beautiful Deep Creek Valley.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is an organization that originated out of Cincinnati in 1904 to help children, between the ages of 6-14, by spending time with them in a one to one mentoring relationship.

Raffle tickets are priced at $100 each, with no more than 10,000 tickets being sold. Entrants may purchase as many available tickets as they like. The drawing for the prize will be July 4, 2011.

For more information, please click here.

This could be all yours:




Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Dispatches from the Field

Dispatches from the Field

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

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The latest issue of Dispatches from the Field was recently published on the Great Smoky Mountain National Park website.

The theme for this issue deals with Fire in the Smoky Mountains. In particular, it focusses on bringing fire back to the Smokies with prescribed burns.

One of the articles is concerned with how fire managers prepared for the controlled burn in Little Cataloochee back in April.

Another article explains how tree rings can tell stories about the history of fire in the park.

Tree rings from the oldest trees indicate that fire was common in the park in the early 1700s when small fires occurred every five to seven years or so. However, change is reflected in tree rings when in the early 1930s the park began suppressing fire. The result, in the Smokies and elsewhere, is that forest fires began to burn hotter, faster, and farther than they had before as a result of the thick layers of fuel (tree branches, leaves, dry grasses and other flammable debris) that were allowed to build up on the ground.

Today the National Park Service has adopted a policy of using regular, low-intensity fires to protect the landscape from out-of-control burns and keep forests and grasslands open and healthy.

You can read the issue by clicking here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Ash tree mapping volunteers needed

Ash tree mapping volunteers needed

Sunday, September 5, 2010

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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is once again looking for Citizen Scientist volunteers to help researchers collect scientific data on ash trees by mapping the locations of these trees within the Park.

The last three volunteer mapping days for the year will occur within the next 30 days. The project, which will take several years to complete, will be used to monitor future threats from a non-native insect.

Volunteers are being invited to join park biologists and educators during field days on September 11, September 25 and October 2 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on each of those days). Volunteers will learn how to identify ash and other common trees found within the Smoky Mountains, read a topographic map, and use a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit.

Ash trees are at risk from the invasive, non-native Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a beetle that can travel undetected in firewood and nursery stock from quarantined areas of the country into new locations in the Park. In 2009 the park installed EAB traps as part of a detection plan.

The traps are the bright purple triangular objects hanging in trees near campgrounds and picnic areas. U.S. Department of Agriculture research indicates the beetles are attracted to the color purple and a lure that smells like a stressed ash tree. The trap exterior is coated with a sticky material which captures insects for periodic removal by park staff.

So far no EABs have been found.

For more information on the EAB, please click here.

To volunteer, contact Ranger Susan Simpson at 865-436-1200, ext. 762, to RSVP and for the meeting location.





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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Big Brothers Big Sisters Cabin Raffle

Big Brothers Big Sisters Cabin Raffle

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina recently announced its 1st Annual Smoky Mountain Cabin fundraiser. The grand prize is a fully furnished log home, located in Bryson City, North Carolina near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The cabin is valued at $340,000!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is an organization that originated out of Cincinnati in 1904 to help children, between the ages of 6-14, by spending time with them in a one to one mentoring relationship.

The raffle ticket price is $100 each and no more than 10,000 tickets will be sold. Entrants may purchase as many available tickets as they like. The deadline for the raffle is October 7th, however, there are early bird prizes, with the deadline for the first prize being August 7, 2010.

For more information, please click here.

This could be all yours:





Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Ash tree mapping volunteers needed this Saturday

Ash tree mapping volunteers needed this Saturday

Thursday, August 26, 2010

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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is once again looking for Citizen Scientist volunteers to help researchers collect scientific data on ash trees by mapping the locations of the trees within the Park.

The mapping project, which will take several years to complete, will be used to monitor future threats from a non-native insect. There are four dates left to volunteer this year, with the next being held this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers will learn how to identify ash and other common trees found in the Smoky Mountains, read a topographic map, and use a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit.

Volunteers should be prepared to hike up to 5 miles on park trails and in rough terrain off the main paths. It's recommended that participants wear long pants and comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots for hiking and bring snacks, water, sunscreen, and rain gear. Reservations are necessary and participation is limited to 16 people (children 12 and under must bring an adult).

The ash trees are at risk from the invasive, non-native Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a beetle that can travel undetected in firewood and nursery stock from quarantined areas of the country into new locations in the Park. In 2009 the park installed EAB traps as part of a detection plan.

The traps are the bright purple triangular objects hanging in trees near campgrounds and picnic areas. U.S. Department of Agriculture research indicates the beetles are attracted to the color purple and a lure that smells like a stressed ash tree. The trap exterior is coated with a sticky material which captures insects for periodic removal by park staff.

So far no EABs have been found.

For more information on the EAB, please click here.

To volunteer this weekend, contact Ranger Susan Simpson at 865-436-1200, ext. 762, to RSVP and for the meeting location.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Visits to the Smokies up fo the year

Visits to the Smokies up fo the year

Sunday, August 22, 2010

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Visits to Great Smoky Mountains National Park this year have remained strong - despite several road construction projects.

For the year-to-date, through July, visits are up 2.4%. This figure is even more impressive when you consider that the park was celebrating its 75th anniversary last year.

Although overall July visits were flat compared to the same month last year, Gatlinburg saw a 7.4% increase, Townsend reported a 12.8% increase, and Cherokee reported a whopping 26.9% increase.

However, those entrances were offset by a 32.4% decrease in the outlying park entrances for the month.

Comparatively, the Blue Ridge Parkway reported a 3.8% decline in July, and is down 16.6% for the YTD. Shenandoah National Park saw a 7.1% increase in July and is up 2.6% for the YTD.


Jeff
Smoky Mountain Rental Cabins

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Full Moon Hike in Cades Cove

Full Moon Hike in Cades Cove

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

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Next Monday night, July 26th, is the second in a series of "Full Moon" hikes in Cades Cove of the Great Smoky Mountains this summer.

This is an excellent opportunity to take a stroll in Cades Cove under a full moon. If interested, meet at the Orientation Shelter near the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road. The hike is from from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.


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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Citizen Science Ash Tree Mapping

Citizen Science Ash Tree Mapping

Saturday, July 17, 2010

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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is again looking for Citizen Scientist volunteers to help researchers collect scientific data on ash trees by mapping the locations of these trees within the Park.

The mapping project, which will take several years to complete, will be used to monitor future threats from a nonnative insect.

People are again being invited to join park biologists and educators during a field day on Saturday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will learn how to identify ash and other common trees found in the Smoky Mountains, read a topographic map, and use a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit.

The ash trees are at risk from the invasive, non-native Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a beetle that can travel undetected in firewood and nursery stock from quarantined areas of the country into new locations in the Park. In 2009 the park installed EAB traps near campgrounds and picnic areas as part of a detection plan. So far no EABs have been found.

Volunteers should be prepared to hike up to 5 miles on park trails and in rough terrain off the main paths. It is recommended that participants wear long pants and comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots for hiking and bring snacks, water, sunscreen, and rain gear. Reservations are necessary and participation is limited to 16 people (children 12 and under must bring an adult). Contact Ranger Susan Simpson at 865-436-1200, ext. 762, to RSVP and for meeting location.



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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Smokies Travel: Need a Cabin or Chalet?

Smokies Travel: Need a Cabin or Chalet?

Friday, June 25, 2010

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Peak tourist and hiking season is just about upon us in the Great Smoky Mountains. I just wanted to take this opportunity to remind readers that if you're planning a trip to the Smokies this summer, please take a moment to check out our cabin and chalets listings. The number of cabin owners listings their overnight accomodations on our site continues to expand. You'll find a wide variety of cabins and chalets, providing a wide variety of ammenities in the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Townsend and North Carolina Smokies areas.

Supporting our advertisers helps support this blog, as well as HikingintheSmokys.com.

Also, if you know of anyone planning a trip to the Smokies in the near future, we would really appreciate if you could forward this link onto them as well.

Please click here to see all of our listings.

Thank you very much!

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Synchronous Fireflies schedule details set

Synchronous Fireflies schedule details set

Saturday, May 22, 2010

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Each June in the Elkmont area of the Great Smoky Mountains, a natural phenomenon occurs that continues to baffle scientists.

During a two week window in late spring, thousands of lightning bugs flash in complete unison.

The synchronous firefly show, which researchers have identified as a rare form of “simultaneous bioluminescence”, is a popular and growing attraction for the Smoky Mountains. Each evening, several hundred park visitors begin arriving in Elmont with blankets, chairs and flashlights to witness the natural phenomenon that occurs after the park becomes pitch black.

If you would like to see this incredible show, you should be aware that the park closes the road to Elkmont. The only way to access the area is by using the trolley service provided by the park from the Sugarlands Visitor Center beginning on Saturday, June 5th, through the following Sunday night, June 13th.

Additional details from Park Officials:

The Elkmont entrance road will be closed to motor vehicles and pedestrian use every night from 5:00 p.m. until midnight, June 5-13, except to registered campers staying at the Elkmont Campground.

The trolleys will begin picking up visitors from the Sugarlands Visitor Center RV/bus parking area at 7 p.m. this year. The trolleys will run continually until the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking area is full, or until 9 p.m., whichever comes first. The last trolley to return visitors from Elkmont to the Sugarlands Visitor Center is scheduled at 11 p.m. The cost will be $1 round trip per person as in previous years.

It's recommended that visitors bring flashlights with red cellophane covers to reduce white light. Visitors can bring lawn chairs, and carry food and water in backpacks which can fit on their laps in the trolleys. Please note that there are no services available at the site.

Visitors are prohibited from bringing coolers, alcoholic beverages, or their pets.

For more information about the synchronous fireflies, including a video, 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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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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Volunteers needed for Smokies ash tree research

Volunteers needed for Smokies ash tree research

Friday, April 9, 2010

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Last year over 50 Citizen Scientist volunteers helped researchers collect scientific data on ash trees by mapping the locations of hundreds of these trees in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The mapping project, which will take several years to complete, will be used to monitor future threats from a nonnative insect. People are again being invited to join park biologists and educators during a field day on Saturday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Greenbrier area of the park. Volunteers will learn how to identify ash and other common trees found in the Smoky Mountains, read a topographic map, and use a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit.

The ash trees are at risk from the invasive, non-native Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a beetle that can travel undetected in firewood and nursery stock from quarantined areas of the country into new locations in the Park. In 2009 the park installed EAB traps near campgrounds and picnic areas as part of a detection plan. So far no EABs have been found.

This is the first of seven ash tree mapping days through the summer and fall that will be held in the Tennessee and North Carolina sides of the park. Other dates planned are June 9, July 31, August 28, September 11 and 25, and October 2. These are listed in the Events Calendar on the park’s website: www.nps.gov/grsm.

Volunteers should be prepared to hike up to 5 miles on park trails and in rough terrain off the main paths. It is recommended that participants wear long pants and comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots for hiking and bring snacks, water, sunscreen, and rain gear. Reservations are necessary and participation is limited to 16 people (children 12 and under must bring an adult). Contact Ranger Susan Simpson at 865-436-1200, ext. 762, to RSVP and for meeting location.


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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We’re Expanding!

We’re Expanding!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

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After an especially long and cold winter this year, hiking season is finally in view.

For those of you planning a trip to the Smokies this spring or summer, and you need a cabin or chalet during your stay, please take a moment to visit our cabin listings page. Over the last several weeks we’ve added several new cabin and chalet rental businesses to our listings page.

Support for the sponsors on our website helps maintain this website. Here’s the link:

www.hikinginthesmokys.com/cabins.htm

Oh yea, if you know of anyone that will be traveling to the Smokies this year, I would really appreciate if you could pass this information onto them as well.

One last thing I wanted to relay is that we also continue to expand the number of books related to the Great Smoky Mountains and the Southern Appalachian region. Our online Amazon affiliated store offers a wide variety of maps and books related to hiking, history and travel in the Smokies, Southern Appalachians, the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway - many of them offered at discounts. We also sell hiking gear and apparel. Here’s the link:

http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/store.htm

Thanks again for your support.

Happy Trails!

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Elk to remain a species of special concern

Elk to remain a species of special concern

Friday, March 5, 2010

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Back in January the N.C. Wildlife Commission proposed a new rule that would've resulted in elk losing their status as a species of special concern. This special designation was originally assigned as part of the reintroduction experiment of the elk to the Cataloochee area of the Great Smoky Mountains in 2001.

With this rule in place, it has been illegal to shoot an elk — both inside the national park boundaries and outside the park. If delisted as a species of special concern, elk would've retained their status as a “non-game” animal, making hunting them illegal even if they wander outside of the national park. However, landowners would've been able to shoot problem elk without a permit under the proposed change. The commission said the proposal was put forward by its biological staff because they said the special status was no longer necessary.

Yesterday, however, the N.C. Wildlife Commission voted not to remove the elk from the state’s list of Special Concern species. This was a clear victory to all the people who voiced their concern on this during the public hearing phase.

The Commission also announced that is has approved of several changes to state hunting, fishing and trapping regulations. You can read more about these 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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Dates set for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage

Dates set for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage

Monday, February 8, 2010

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The 60th annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will take place from April 21 thru April 25 this year and will be headquartered at the Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg. The pilgrimage is a five-day event consisting of a variety of wildflower, fauna, and natural history walks, motorcades, photographic tours, art classes, and indoor seminars.

With over 150 programs available, both outdoor and indoor, there will be topics and hikes to please everyone.

Also included in this year's Pilgrimage will be a "Greener Living Expo", highlighting ways to be more earth-friendly. Indoor programs will feature composting and organic gardening, water pollution and its effect on aquatic life, becoming your own "green grocer", attracting insect-eating birds through gardening, and much more.

To learn more about the Great Smoky Mountains Association's Pilgrimage, please click here (website should be updated shortly). On-line registration will begin March 9 and end April 17. Registration fees are: $40 for one day, $75 for 2 or more days, $10 for students, and children under 12 are free.

For further information about the Pilgrimage or about exhibit space call the GSMA at 865-436-7318, extension 222 or 254.

The Great Smoky Mountains are home to more than 1600 species of flowering plants. If you're more interested in striking out on your own to see some of these, please check out my list of the best trails to hike, when to hike them, and which flowers you can expect to see.

If you can't make it to the Smokies this spring, you can still view a gallery of wildflowers I've put together by clicking here.


Need help identifying wildflowers?

Check out Southern Appalachian Wildflowers. This is an excellent companion to have during wildflower season to help you identify the many flowers you'll be seeing. This field guide features wildflowers from the southern tip of the Appalachians in Georgia and Alabama to the Blue Ridge Parkway and includes Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 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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Winter Heritage Festival this weekend in Townsend

Winter Heritage Festival this weekend in Townsend

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

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The 4th annual Winter Heritage Festival is this weekend in Townsend near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The festival will include hikes, exhibits, lectures and craft showcases Thursday through Sunday.

There will be naturalist-led hikes to Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse and Walker Sisters Homestead with Butch McDade; to Elkmont with Herb Handly, as well as other historic and scenic places.

Among the many programs, there will be:

* A discussion about Discover Life in America's biodiversity project in the Smokies, with Director Todd Witcher.

* A presentation about the Park's natural history collections, by Curator Adriean Mayor.

* Programs about key people in the formation of the Park: Horace Kephart, by Butch McDade and Ann Davis, by Robin Goddard.

The Winter Heritage Festival has received an Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History, and has been designated a "Top Twenty Event" by the Southeast Tourism Society.

For a full list of programs and events, please click here.

Need a rental cabin in the Townsend area? 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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Snow: Almost every road in Smokies closed

Snow: Almost every road in Smokies closed

Saturday, January 30, 2010

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As a result of the snow that began falling yesterday, almost every road in the Great Smoky Mountains is temporarily closed.

As of 7:30 this morning, the National Weather Service is reporting 1 inch of snow at the Sugarland Visitor Center and in Cades Cove, 2" at Oconaluftee, and 8" at Newfound Gap and atop Mt. LeConte.

Here's the full list of closings:

• Newfound Gap Road (US-441)
• Little River Road
• Laurel Creek Road
• Cades Cove Loop Road
• Foothills Parkway East
• Foothills Parkway West
• Cataloochee Entrance Road
• Old NC-284 between Big Creek and Cataloochee
• Cherokee Orchard Road
• Tremont Road
• Cosby Entrance Road
• Greenbrier Road at US-321
• Lakeview Road
• Gatlinburg Bypass
• Wear Cove Road
• Upper Tremont Road

Please click here for the most updated road information or you can call 865-436-1200.

The forecast for Gatlinburg calls for more snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 4 p.m. today, then a chance of snow. High near 32. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.2 of an inch possible. Total daytime snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

For the latest weather updates and forecasts for 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, and more.

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Nuisance bears stats for 2009

Nuisance bears stats for 2009

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

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In my email today I received the latest addition of "The Cub Report", the monthly e-newsletter from the Great Smoky Mountains Association. The report includes some brief statistics on nuisance bears in the Smokies.

The GSMA reports that wildlife managers captured 21 bears (9 males, 8 females, and 4 unknowns) during 2009. Two bears were caught twice.

Bears are considered to be nuisance bears when they associate people with food, which means they have the potential to become dangerous.

Usually, wildlife managers examine and process the bears and then release them at or near the site of capture. Seven of the bears were released on-site, and 16 bears were moved to other parts of the park, far from the picnic areas, campgrounds, and parking lots they had come to know as their own personal cafés.

Bear populations have grown to record numbers across the Southern Appalachians. Wildlife biologists from the Southern Appalachian Bear Study Group agree that 2009's black bear population throughout the region appears to be the highest on record.

Bait station surveys in Great Smoky Mountains National Park reported more sightings of bears in 2009 than at any time since record keeping began in 1981. There are now estimates of nearly two thousand bears living within the park.


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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CMC takes position on future route of MST in Smokies

CMC takes position on future route of MST in Smokies

Friday, January 15, 2010

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In the latest addition of the Carolina Mountain Club E-newsletter, the hiking club announced it's position on building and maintaining the Mountains-to-Sea Trail through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Here's the statement from the club newsletter:

CMC remains committed to building and maintaining the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) from Heintooga Ridge Road at Wolf Laurel Gap (MP 458.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway) to Black Mountain Campground east of Mount Mitchell.

The MST is complete in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Clingmans Dome to Mingus Mill.

Three routes are under discussion for connecting the two pieces of the MST.

1) Across the Qualla Boundary to the Oconaluftee River Trail to Mingus Mill.

2) On Blue Ridge Parkway land to the Oconaluftee River Trail to Mingus Mill.

3) From the current MST on Newton Bald Trail, along a series of existing trails in GSMNP to Polls Gap and on Heintooga Ridge Road.

CMC supports Option 3, using existing trails in GSMNP to complete the MST, as it offers the quickest and easiest way to complete the MST in our area. CMC will not commit to further trail building on the MST, should either Option 1 or Option 2 be chosen.

Below is a map of the route the CMC supports:

The proposed route drops down to the Smokemont Campground from the Newton Bald Trail. From the campground, the trail follows the Bradley Fork Trail, Chasteen Creek, Hughes Ridge, Enloe Creek, Hyatt Ridge, Beech Gap, Balsam Mountain, Mt. Sterling Ridge, Pretty Hollow, down the Cataloochee Road to the Rough Fork Trail and on to Polls Gap.

When fully completed, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail will stretch roughly 1000 miles from Clingmans Dome in the Smokies to Jockey’s Ridge on the NC Outer Banks.




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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