Great Smoky Mountains Confirms White-Nose Syndrome in Bats

Biologists at Great Smoky Mountains National Park have confirmed that both a tricolored and a little brown bat found in a park cave tested positive for white-nose syndrome (WNS). This discovery transitions the park from only finding evidence of the fungus that causes WNS in a cave to now finding animals actively affected by the disease.

White-nose syndrome is a disease caused by the fungus Geomyces destructans and is responsible for the deaths of millions of bats in eastern North America. It is named for a white fungus that forms on the faces of many infected bats. While the actual cause of death due to WNS is unknown, the disease causes bats to become restless during hibernation, moving about the cave and burning up fat reserves or losing body water they need to survive the winter. There is no known cure for the disease.

Bats are important components of intact natural ecosystems and may provide services that benefit people, such as eating large amounts of insect pests. Great Smoky Mountains is home to eleven bat species and the largest hibernating population of the endangered Indiana bat in the state of Tennessee. Of the eleven known species that reside in the park, at least six of them that hibernate in park caves and mines are susceptible to WNS.

In 2009 all 16 park caves and two mining complexes were closed to any public entry to delay the importation of the WNS pathogen on visitor's clothing or gear. Park caves will continue to remain closed to human access to minimize the chances of spreading the disease to other areas.

"While the confirmation of WNS in the park is not a surprise it is still a sad day for the resource," said Dale Ditmanson, Park Superintendent. "By continuing to monitor bat populations in our caves and forests we hope to minimize WNS affecting other bat habitats outside of our boundaries"

Park visitors are reminded to not handle dead bats or bats found to be acting abnormally. According to the NPS Office of Public Health, WNS does not appear to pose a threat to human health since the fungus that causes WNS only grows at temperatures well below human body temperature. However, WNS can cause sick bats to exhibit unusual behavior, such as flying outdoors or at hibernaculum entrances at all times of day and in all types of weather, so bats may be encountered in unusual settings.

"While humans are not at risk of contracting WNS, bats are known to carry other diseases such as rabies. If you see a dead, sick or injured bat within the park, please notify the park at (865)-436-1230," said Bill Stiver, NPS Wildlife Biologist. "Any dead, injured or sick bats found outside of the park should be reported to your local state wildlife agency."

To see a brief video about White Nose Syndrome in Great Smoky Mountains, please click here.


Jeff
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Hiking the Middle Prong Trail

Take a hike with the Great Smoky Mountains Association along the Middle Prong Trail in the Smokies. This short video takes viewers on a vicarious stroll up the Middle Prong Trail in Tremont. The 4-mile hike follows the Middle Prong of the Little River, past relics from the old logging days, and on to the intersection with the Lynn Camp Prong Trail and the Greenbrier Ridge Trail:



� GSMA 2011. All rights reserved.



Jeff
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Trail Talk with Ranger Bob Miller

Earlier in the summer the National Park Foundation announced a new interactive website feature called Trail Talk, which provides an opportunity for the public to get an insider�s perspective on a national park - from the experts themselves. Every two weeks, NPF features a different national park on their Facebook page. Fans of NPF then have the chance to submit any and all questions they have about that park. Trail Talk rounds-up the questions, and then presents them to one of the rangers in that park.

Back in August, Bob Miller, spokeman for the Great Smoky Mountains, was the focus of Trail Talk. Ranger Bob offered readers some of his favorite hikes, as well as his three �can�t miss� activities in the park, among several other questions he fielded.

You can read the entire Q & A here.



Jeff
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High Vistas: New release from George Ellison

Local and prolific writer, George Ellison, released his newest book today, High Vistas: An Anthology of Nature Writing from Western North Carolina & the Great Smoky Mountains.

This new release is actually the second and final volume covering nature writings from the region. His latest book focuses on writings from 1900 to 2009, and includes well-known names such as Donald Culross Peattie, Roger Tory Peterson, James Fisher, Edwin Way Teale, Edward Abbey and Scott Weidensaul. The descriptions from these writers, and others, provide specific insights into the region's landscapes, flora and fauna, as well as a sense of wonder at its diversity and beauty.

High Vistas, Volume I, released in 2008, covers writings from the region from 1674 to 1900, and includes essays from celebrated naturalists such as John Muir and William Bartram, as well as lesser-known writers, who describe how they went about exploring and depicting the region.

The two High Vistas volumes are the first anthologies devoted to nature and descriptive writing from Western North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Both books include original illustrations from George's wife, Elizabeth.


Jeff
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Smoky Mountain Agencies Ramp Up DWI Efforts

In a press conference held on Wednesday, August 31st, local, state, and federal law enforcement officials in the Smoky Mountain Region gathered to announce the recently created Foothills Law Enforcement Coalition at a local college campus.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park took the lead in forming this 13-agency partnership, consisting of all the sheriff and police departments in the three Tennessee counties adjoining the park, including the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Made possible with special funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the focus is to increase public awareness of the dangers of driving while impaired through education efforts, as well as to coordinate law enforcement activities like sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols.

Great Smoky Mountains is one of three parks participating in a pilot program funded by NHTSA aimed at reducing DUI crashes in the National Park System through enhanced education and law enforcement efforts. Now in the third year of this program, these efforts have enabled rangers at the Smokies to more effectively join with neighboring law enforcement partners to more effectively target impaired drivers. The other pilot parks are Delaware Water Gap and Zion.

�Great Smoky Mountains National Park�s mountainous roads are narrow, windy and heavily travelled. It can be an unforgiving environment for a careless driver; or worse, for a driver whose mental state is compromised by alcohol or drugs,� said Clay Jordan, the park�s chief ranger, at the conference. �Of the 14 or so alcohol-related fatalities the three county area averages each year, three or four of them typically occur within the park.�

Kendell Poole, director of the Tennessee Governor�s Highway Safety Office, whose office receives funding from NHTSA to dole out to local law enforcement agencies, also played a role in the conference.

�This is a significant partnership,� he said. �By this endeavor, we are going to create further public awareness in and around the national park area. We�re going to create a united front and let people know we are serious about keeping our roads safe.�

In attendance were family members of a 32-year old man who was killed by a drunk driver and their story was brought to light. Representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) also were present and interviewed by the media. All three Knoxville television stations, ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliates, covered the event as well as print media from each of the participating communities.

The different departments also organized educational displays including goggles that simulate various stages of intoxication, along with examples of equipment used at sobriety checkpoints, and a DUI crashed vehicle. The press event also showcased a couple of professionally designed graphics, visually depicting the 13 agencies working together to combat impaired driving. The graphics are being distributed throughout the region as an educational tool.

Ruth Esteban, an official in attendance from NHTSA, stated that the press event was a great success and that news of the coalition efforts was acknowledged and well-regarded at the highest levels of NHTSA.


Jeff
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Fall Scenes from the Smokies

Pretty cool video of some beautiful fall scenes in the Great Smoky Mountains. The video was taken in 2009:

Smoky Mountains 2009 from James Swartz on Vimeo.

Jeff
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The Great Smoky Mountains Quiz: The Answers

As promised, here are the answers to yesterday's Great Smoky Mountains quiz. Hope you at least got a passing grade!

1) The number of mammals found in GSMNP is one of the most diverse in North America. One of the main reasons for this diversity of species in the Smokies is:

a. Amount of rainfall
b. Wide range of elevations
c. Temperature fluctuations
d. Amount of moving water
e. Acreage within park boundaries

2) "Tsali's Rock" is on what trail on the North Carolina side of the GSMNP:

a. Deep Creek
b. Sunkota Ridge
c. Thomas Divide
d. Bone Valley
e. Noland Divide

3) How many grist mills remain in GSMNP today:

a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5
e. 6

4) What are the two mammals in the Smokies listed as federally endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973:

a. Norway rat / Eastern fox squirrel
b. Appalachian cottontail / Star-nosed mole
c. Least shrew / Spotted skunk
d. Carolina northern flying squirrel / Indiana bat
e. Southern bog lemming / Mink

5) During the peak "timber boom" of the early 20th Century, how many miles of logging railroad were in the Smokies:

a. 50 miles
b. 75 miles
c. 100 miles
d. 150 miles
e. 200 miles

6) Roughly how many black bears are estimated to live in GSMNP:

a. 400-800 bears
b. 800-1100 bears
c. 1100-1400 bears
d. 1400-1700 bears
e. 1700-2000 bears

7) The first experimental release of elk in GSMNP came from:

a. Virginia/Kentucky border
b. Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
c. Rocky Mountain National Park
d. Yellowstone National Park
e. Manitoba, Canada

8) The last tree logged in the Smokies was cut at the Townsend Mill of the Little River Lumber Company in:

a. 1939
b. 1943
c. 1913
d. 1926
e. 1932

9) Which company got its start out of Alum Cave in 1838:

a. Epsom Salts Company
b. Champion Fiber and Paper Company
c. Reynolds Aluminum Company
d. Alcoa
e. Little River Lumber Company

10) Which of the species below was not a successful reintroduction into the GSMNP:

a. Eastern cougar
b. Red-cockaded Woodpecker
c. River otter
d. Sonoran Desert Toad
e. Red wolf


Jeff
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The Great Smoky Mountains Quiz

It�s been awhile since I�ve posted a quiz on the Great Smoky Mountains, so I thought I'd lay down the gauntlet to see how much you really know about the greatest national park in the country. Here are 10 questions - my toughest quiz yet - to challenge your mind today. I�ll provide the answers tomorrow.

1) The number of mammals found in GSMNP is one of the most diverse in North America. One of the main reasons for this diversity of species in the Smokies is:

a. Amount of rainfall
b. Wide range of elevations
c. Temperature fluctuations
d. Amount of moving water
e. Acreage within park boundaries

2) "Tsali's Rock" is on what trail on the North Carolina side of the GSMNP:

a. Deep Creek
b. Sunkota Ridge
c. Thomas Divide
d. Bone Valley
e. Noland Divide

3) How many grist mills remain in GSMNP today:

a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5
e. 6

4) What are the two mammals in the Smokies listed as federally endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973:

a. Norway rat / Eastern fox squirrel
b. Appalachian cottontail / Star-nosed mole
c. Least shrew / Spotted skunk
d. Carolina northern flying squirrel / Indiana bat
e. Southern bog lemming / Mink

5) During the peak "timber boom" of the early 20th Century, how many miles of logging railroad were in the Smokies:

a. 50 miles
b. 75 miles
c. 100 miles
d. 150 miles
e. 200 miles

6) Roughly how many black bears are estimated to live in GSMNP:

a. 400-800 bears
b. 800-1100 bears
c. 1100-1400 bears
d. 1400-1700 bears
e. 1700-2000 bears

7) The first experimental release of elk in GSMNP came from:

a. Virginia/Kentucky border
b. Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
c. Rocky Mountain National Park
d. Yellowstone National Park
e. Manitoba, Canada

8) The last tree logged in the Smokies was cut at the Townsend Mill of the Little River Lumber Company in:

a. 1939
b. 1943
c. 1913
d. 1926
e. 1932

9) Which company got its start out of Alum Cave in 1838:

a. Epsom Salts Company
b. Champion Fiber and Paper Company
c. Reynolds Aluminum Company
d. Alcoa
e. Little River Lumber Company

10) Which of the species below was not a successful reintroduction into the GSMNP:

a. Eastern cougar
b. Red-cockaded Woodpecker
c. River otter
d. Sonoran Desert Toad
e. Red wolf


Jeff
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Why is visitation in the Smokies down significantly?

"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."

-Yogi Berra

Visitation to the Great Smoky Mountains dropped 17.6% in June, and is down 11.9% through the first six months of the year. This represent nearly a half million fewer visitors so far this year!

Park spokesman, Bob Miller, has been quoted in the press stating that managers aren't exactly sure as to the reasons for the decline, but think that high gas prices and the continuing weak economy are to blame.

It's true that a gallon of gas costs roughly $1.00 more when compared to last summer, Gross Domestic Product is down from last year, and the unemployment situation is roughly the same, but visitation across the entire National Park System is down only 1.1% for the YTD.

Incidentally, visitation to the Blue Ridge Parkway has jumped 23.5% this year. Superintendent Phil Francis, however, said the increase was due to the Parkway opening on time this year as a result of an easier winter that brought fewer trees down on the road. I'll buy that analysis when comparing the early spring numbers, but the BRP still saw an increase of 1.7% for the month of June.

So there has to be another reason(s) for the significant drop in the Smokies relative to the rest of the National Park System. Have there been significant increases in hotel and cabin rental rates? Is the park's reputation for being too crowded catching up with the general public? Did reports of the April Cades Cove tornado give the impresson that major portions of the park were damaged? Has Pigeon Forge and/or Gatlinburg lost any significant convention business?

Anybody have any insight?


Jeff
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Water Availability Notice posted for Smokies

Great Smoky Mountains officials have posted a Water Availability Notice for a couple of locations around the park. If you're a backpacker, or a hiker that relies on obtaining water in the backcountry, you should make note of these:

� Springs along the Appalachian Trail may run dry during summer and fall. Please check with the Backcountry Office at (865) 436-1297 for additional information.

� Newfound Gap - the water system and drinking fountain are closed due to the potential for contamination by surface water. Bottled water may be available from the Great Smoky Mountains Association store at Clingmans Dome, which is open daily from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

� Mollies Ridge - no water

� Spence Field - no water

� Backcountry Campsite 26 - very low water


Jeff
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Guided Backpacking Trips in the Great Smoky Mountains

Did you know that REI offers guided backpacking trips in the Great Smoky Mountains? If you�re new to the park, or new to backpacking, this is a great way to explore the Smokies with experienced and professional guides.

REIs challenging Appalachian Trail tour follows the crest of the western Smoky Mountains. Along the way participants visit Clingmans Dome, Derrick Knob, Thunderhead Mountain, Rocky Top and Spence Field. Along the way hikers stay in backcountry shelters, and REI provides breakfast and dinners. The trip is considered challenging for experienced backpackers or very fit beginners. REI runs this guided trip about a dozen times this year, but half are already sold out.

For a backpacking excursion that�s a little less challenging, and a little more family friendly, REI introduced a new three day backpacking loop hike this year, designed for families with children ages 9 and up. The trip starts and ends in the Big Creek area, and includes a visit to the Mt. Sterling fire tower. Along the way hikers pass by old growth Hemlock and Spruce trees, streams, pools and cascading waterfalls. There are still two dates available for this year; however, you do have the option of organizing a privately guided trip.

For those seeking the ultimate in adventure, REI offers an introductory course in rock climbing in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest. During this two-day course participants spend time at Looking Glass and Cedar Rock, two areas ideal for beginner climbers. The course is run by professional instructors that are certified by the American Mountain Guides Association, and have many years experience in teaching �Rock Climbing 101�. All meals, camping accommodations and required technical equipment are provided. Several dates are still available.

For more information on these guided trips, as well as a variety of other adventures in national parks and outdoor areas across the country - and around the world - please click here.


Jeff
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