Nature Valley's Preserve the Parks Program to Benefit Smokies

Commonly referred to as America's best idea, the national parks are awe-inspiring places that provide a deep connection to our country's heritage, and to nature. But threats to the parks and to their funding are impacting park wildlife, water and air quality, and require our attention and support. Leading granola bar brand, Nature Valley is a longtime supporter of national park preservation through its "Preserve the Parks" program now in its third year which benefits the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). Over the course of the three-year relationship, the Preserve the Parks program will have helped raise more than $1 million to benefit restoration projects in support of America's national parks.

This year, Nature Valley is continuing to help preserve America's national parks while encouraging education, outdoor exploration and support. To get the 2012 Preserve the Parks program started, Nature Valley is making a $300,000 donation to the NPCA and is inviting consumers to help raise an additional $200,000 by entering the Universal Product Codes (UPC) from specially-marked packages of Nature Valley products at PreserveTheParks.com. This year, in celebration of National Park Week (April 21-29), consumers are invited to visit the Nature Valley Facebook page and Like designated posts during that week to help trigger additional donations to the NPCA $1 per Like, up to $50,000.

Preserve the Parks Program Details

Funds raised by Nature Valley this spring and throughout the year will support restoration projects benefiting six national parks, including:

� Acadia National Park: Constructing a connector trail to provide better access to Acadia National Park.

� Everglades National Park: Improving public access to, and providing greater awareness about the Everglades and Everglades National Park.

� Grand Teton National Park: Protecting wildlife migration corridors near Grand Teton National Park.

� Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Restoring land and wildlife habitats to benefit Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

� Joshua Tree National Park: Ensuring healthy ecosystems to benefit the wildlife of Joshua Tree National Park.

� Yellowstone National Park: Restoring pronghorn migration routes around Yellowstone National Park.

For more information, to volunteer, or make a donation, please visit PreserveTheParks.com. NEXT ->>...

Two Searches For Missing Men Scaled Back in Smokies

The park has scaled back both of the extended searches it�s been conducting � one for Derek Leuking, missing since March 15th, and the other for Michael Cocchini, whose abandoned car was found in the park on March 20th.

Despite having up to 60 searchers involved in the effort for almost a week, search managers have not found a single clue that they can conclusively tie to either man. Without any concrete leads to pursue, search managers have concluded that it's no longer productive to continue such intensive efforts. Both operations will therefore be scaled back to limited searches. The intelligence gathering portion of the investigation will continue and rangers will be available to follow up on any leads or reports of sightings that may surface either inside the park or beyond its boundaries. The park will also continue to disseminate information about the missing men at trailheads and high-traffic areas in hopes that one of many spring break visitors who will be in the park will come upon a clue or see one of them.

If you've followed both of these cases closely you may have noted a few strange details along the way.

Park spokesman Bob Miller was recently quoted as saying that "despite having 60 people out there, we haven't found anything that indicates either of them was anywhere other than their cars. We don't want to give up, but we've pretty much exhausted what we can do."

No clues or even a warm trail - despite using tracking dogs during both SARs.

Oddly, there was a note inside Derek Leuking's vehicle that asked that no one look for him. We've also found out that Leuking was a fan of Bear Grylls, leading to some speculation that he may have wanted to imitate the �Man vs. Wild� survival show. There are reports that he may have also carried survival gear with him, however, he didn't bother to take the sleeping bag or the tent that he purchased just prior to his disappearance.

Leuking was not known to be despondent or upset, but he did disappear roughly one
year after the death of his grandfather, whom he was very close to. He actually inherited the truck he was driving.

There were reports that Michael Cocchini, the second missing person, was despondent. However, officials also said they had heard reports that Cocchini might have been in Gatlinburg, which is close enough to walk or hitchhike from where his car was parked - about a mile south of the Sugarlands Visitor Center.

In both cases, officials seem to be dealing with conflicting clues and details. Did both men try to disappear without a trace? Was their ultimate goal to commit suicide and leave no trace so that no one could find their bodies? Or, is it possible that a hoax is being perpetrated?


Jeff
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Smokies Backcountry Camping Fee Approved

Well this will surely cause a stir - given the ferocious opposition to the original proposal:

Great Smoky Mountains Superintendent Dale A. Ditmanson has announced today that the Park's proposal to begin collecting for the use of the Park's backcountry campsites and shelters has been approved by the National Park Service. This approval clears the way for the Park to move forward with developing an online system to collect fees beginning in 2013 for reserving and use of the Park's backcountry by overnight hikers and equestrians.

The Park developed the plan in order to improve its trip-planning and reservation services to users and to expand its backcountry Ranger presence to better protect park resources through enforcement of food-storage and other regulations and improved visitor education regarding Leave-No-Trace principles.

The proposal was open for public comment last summer and some 230 written comments and two petitions were received during the comment period. According to Ditmanson, the public comments provided a great deal of constructive input on the concerns Park backcountry users had about the fee plan. "Many commenters were under the misconception that the Smokies is legally prohibited from charging user fees. The Park is prohibited from charging a toll or license fee from motorists crossing Park roads, by language in a 1951 deed under which the ownership of some park roads was transferred from the State of Tennessee to the National Park Service. But, we have long been authorized to collect user fees for specific activities such as front country camping, weddings, and commercial filming."

"There was also a significant amount of concern about our initial plan to utilize the same computerized federal reservation system, www.recreation.gov that virtually all national parks use to reserve drive-in sites in front country campgrounds. We acknowledge that some of the policies, such as the lead time for making reservations and cancellations, are not a good fit for more spontaneous backcountry users. We will not use that system unless we are convinced that it can provide the level of service we want to offer, and are exploring the alternative of developing a stand-alone software program tailored specifically to the Smokies. The system developed will also need to be practicable for Appalachian Trail thru hikers whose itineraries evolve from day-to-day."

"Concern was also raised about the range of fee amounts that were under consideration and that the resulting revenues may be diverted to other programs. We have decided to focus our plans around the lowest and simplest of the fees under study: $4 per night per person. Most importantly, 100% of the revenue from this program will be invested in improving back-country services through extended hours of the back-country office, trip-planning assistance, on-line reservations, and protection of park resources through increased ranger staff. "

Now that the proposal has been approved, Park managers plan to provide periodic updates as plans for the reservation system evolve.


Jeff
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Smokies Stats of the Day

The latest issue of Smokies Guide (the official newspaper for GSMNP) published a list of the average number of serious injuries in the park on an annual basis. I thought these were quite interesting:

Motor vehicle related: 250
Walking related: 38
Bicycle related: 16
Horse related: 7
Burns: 6
Cuts from knives, etc.: 6
Tubing related: 5
Bee sting reactions: 4
Bites from small animals: 3
Snake bites: 1


Jeff
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Holiday Specials on Cabins in the Smokies

As a way of thanking the advertisers on HikingintheSmokys.com, I wanted to let you know about the specials they�re offering on overnight lodging in the Smokies during the month of December. These cabin owners offer lodging in Townsend, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge as well as the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains. If you or anyone you know is planning on visiting the Smokies this month, please check out these outstanding offers:

Gatlinburg Falls Resort:

* BUY 2 NIGHTS GET 2 NIGHTS FREE (WEEKDAYS ONLY) (12/05/2011-12/15/2011)


Heartland Rentals:

* Stay 3 nights and get the 3rd night half off.
* Stay 4 nights and only pay for 3 nights!
* Stay 5 or 6 nights in December and get the 5th night free!!
* Stay 7 nights and only pay for 5 nights.

All offers exclude Christmas and New Years!


Moose Creek Crossing:

* BOOK ANY CABIN AND STAY BETWEEN 12/15/11 - 1/10/12 FOR 4 NIGHTS DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND RECEIVE 15% DISCOUNT OF THE LODGING AMOUNT - ON REMAINING INVENTORY ONLY. MUST CALL OUR OFFICE AT 1-888-972-2246 TO RECEIVE THIS DISCOUNT.

* Book any cabin for three nights or more and stay between November 15th - December 20, 2011 and receive 50% off one night. Discount applied to the least expensive night. Remaining inventory only. Not combined with other discounts. Not during holiday weekends. Must call our office at 1-888-972-2246 to receive this discount.


Timber Tops Luxury Cabins:

* 3 Nights for the Price of 2!
* 25% All Remaining Cabins for 2 Nights
* 4 Nights for the Price of 3 on ALL Cabins!

Excludes Holiday Rates (12/23/2011-12/31/2011)



**When making a reservation, please be sure to mention that you saw these specials on HikingintheSmokys.com**



Jeff
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Help Support HikingintheSmokys.com This Season

With today being Cyber Monday, I wanted to ask everyone, if you're planning to purchase anything from Amazon, REI or Backcountry.com this Holiday Season, to please shop from our store. You get the exact same great prices as if you went directly to their websites, plus you help support HikingintheSmokys.com as a free resource for hiking trail information in the best national park in the country!

Just click on one of the banners below to begin shopping from your favorite retailer:

To see our complete libary of hiking and travel guide books for the Smokies and the surrounding Southern Appalachian Mountains region, plus maps and other gift ideas, please click here to visit our Amazon affiliated store.

Thanks for all your supports throughout the year!


Jeff
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Celebrating Christmas in the Smokies

Over the next couple of weeks the Great Smoky Mountains will be celebrating Christmas with two events on two separate weekends. Both events are free to the public:

Festival of Christmas Past:

Dates: 12/10/2011
Times: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Sugarlands Visitor Center
Phone: (865) 436-1291

Celebrate Christmas in the mountains with old-time music, harp singing, storytelling and reminiscing, craft demonstrations such as weaving, spinning, quilting, bark berry basket making, historic toys and games, and children's activites.

Event Schedule:

9:30 am - 11:00 am Old Time Harp Singing
11:00am - 12:00 pm Storytelling with Charles Maynard
11:00am - 12:30 pm Memories Walk
12:00pm - 1:00 pm Lost Mill String Band
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Decorating the Sugarlands Christmas Tree
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Bill Proffitt and the South of the River Boys
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Memories Walk
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Stories from the Past with Charlotte Liebrock as moderator
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Boogertown Gap



Holiday Homecoming:

Dates: 12/17/2011
Times: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Location: Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Phone: (828) 497-1904

Enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas celebration in the Smokies with traditional music.






Jeff
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Vintage Posters of the Smokies

If you're looking for a great gift idea, or something to use to decorate the home or office, check out the vintage posters of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A wide variety of vintage posters are now sold on Amazon.com, and we've assembled all of the posters for the Smokies in our Amazon affiliate store.

Below are just a couple of the posters found in our store. To see our complete selection, click on our store link, and then look for the "Photos, Prints & Posters" category.

The Great Smoky Mountains


Rhododendron in Full Bloom c. 1941


View of the Le Conte Creek and the Chimney Tops, c. 1946



Please visit the Smoky Mountain Hiker's Book Store to see all of our vintage posters for the Smokies.


Jeff
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Smokies Elk Management Plan Receives Approval

In June of 2010, the Great Smoky Mountains published an Environmental Assessment (EA) outlining the findings of the 8-year experimental elk release (2001-2008), and to determine the most appropriate and feasible approach for permanent management of elk in the park. Late last week the park announced (PDF) that their "Preferred Alternative" would have no significant impact on the environment, public health, public safety, threatened or endangered species, historical sites, or any other areas of the park that offer unique characteristics of the region.

The 8-year experimental elk release proved that a sustainable elk population has been established in the Smokies. The only question that remained for park officials was how to manage the herd on a long-term basis.

As part of their "Preferred Alternative" for managing the herd, the park has established three goals:

1) GSMNP will maintain a healthy elk population that is managed within the capabilities of GSMNP and in consideration of other land uses within the park.

2) GSMNP will identify, monitor, and mitigate when necessary impacts of elk and the elk population on vegetation or other natural or cultural resources.

3) GSMNP will maintain safe viewing opportunities of elk, while educating the public regarding their natural history and biology.

The latest Elk Progress Report, from July 2011, reports that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding land is currently home to approximately 140 elk. During the 2011 calving season, 19 calves were born (so far, at that point), 16 of which have survived.

Thanks to the National Parks Traveler for pointing this report out.

Update: here's a press release the park issued this afternoon.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com NEXT ->>...

Visitation up 4.4% in September in Smokies

Through the first nine months of the year, visits to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are 6.2% below the numbers for the same time last year. Through September the park has seen 6,797,955 visits.

For the month of September, however, visitation was up by 4.4%.

Interestingly, the number of people camping in front country campsites in the park is down 6.8% for the year. However, the number of backcountry campers has increased by 16.9%! No wonder the park wants to charge fees for camping in the backcountry! Or, are people trying to get in as many "bag" nights as possible before the fees kick-in?

In other parks:

* So far this year the Blue Ridge Parkway has seen 12,938,118 visits. That represents a 7.7% increase over 2010 figures for the same time period. However, for the month of September, visitation was down 10.2%.

* Visitation to Shenandoah National Park was down a whopping 25.1% in September, while dragging it into negative territory for the year (-1.1%).

* Finally, at the Big South Fork NRA, visitation was down 3.8% for the month of September, and is down 9.2% for the YTD.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com NEXT ->>...

Help Support This Blog

For anyone considering a trip to see the beautiful fall colors of the Great Smoky Mountains, it's not too late make plans and have your reservations in place. October in the Smokies is the second most popular month in terms of park visitation. And with the awesome beauty the autumn season provides, it's really no wonder.

If you do plan to visit the Smokies this fall - or even during the upcoming Holiday Season - please take a moment to check out our Cabin and Chalet Listings for a wide variety of options in Gatlinburg, Townsend, Pigeon Forge and the North Carolina side of the Smokies.

By supporting our sponsors you help to keep this blog and the HikingintheSmokys.com website up and running.

Thank you very much!


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
HikingintheSmokys.com NEXT ->>...

Opportunities to Celebrate Public Lands Day in Smokies

On Saturday, September 24, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will celebrate National Public Lands Day by hosting several volunteer projects in a unified effort with many public lands across the country. National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands that Americans enjoy. Those interested in participating at the Smokies will have a chance sign up for either a trail rehabilitation or a native meadows restoration project.

The Trails Forever program - a partnership between the national park and Friends of the Smokies - will be hosting a Forney Ridge Trail project. Adult volunteers (18 years old or older) can work with the park trail crew to reconstruct a section of this popular trail. The work will include collecting, moving, breaking and setting rock as well as naturalizing some sections where work as already been completed. To RSVP to participate in this opportunity or for more information, contact Trails & Facilities Volunteer Coordinator, Christine Hoyer at 828/497-1949 or by email.

Park resource managers are recruiting for volunteers to help restore native meadows in Cades Cove. Remnant stands of our native Indian Grass remain scattered throughout the Cove. Volunteers can help the park collect seed from this native grass that provides outstanding wildlife cover and nourishment for a variety of wildlife including ground nesting birds, small mammals, turkeys, and deer. To RSVP to participate in this opportunity or for more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Dana Soehn at 865/436-1265 or by email.

Also occurring on the same day, the long-time B&W Y-12 Help to the Smokies Volunteer Team plans to participate by working at the popular Chimney's Picnic Area to improve a majority of the picnic sites with replacement of new and improved stand up grills. Over the years, these grills have developed rusted holes and corroded walls due to the extreme weathering conditions at the 3,000 foot elevation site. The volunteer crew will install 68 new grills with a cement foundation anchored in gravel picnic pads. These pads were also rebuilt with the help of B&W Y-12 during previous rehabilitation of the Chimney's Picnic Area. This year, B&W Y-12 is celebrating its 15 year partnership with the Park in providing annual volunteer support and corporate funding to accomplish visitor facility improvements.

In addition, several volunteers trained in the teaching of Leave No Trace principals will be stationed at popular visitor areas at Clingmans Dome, Sugarlands Visitor Center, and Oconaluftee Visitor Center. They will reach out to the public to discuss and promote responsible recreational practices. The Smokies' Leave No Trace program strives to educate all those who enjoy the outdoors about the nature of their recreational impacts as well as techniques to prevent and minimize such impacts that are created by combined effects of millions of outdoor enthusiasts.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com NEXT ->>...

The Annual Broad-Winged Hawk Migration

The first cold front of the year usually passes through the Smoky Mountains during the early-to-mid September time period. As the weather patterns change to cooler temperatures, Broad-winged hawks begin to make their annual migration down the Appalachian Mountain range to winter in the neo-tropics of Mexico, to as far south as Southern Brazil. For bird enthusiasts, this provides an excellent opportunity to watch the buteos as they kettle-up over the ridges and glide from one thermal to the next.

The Broad-wings are one of the first species to begin their southern migration. Flocks or �kettles� can be quite large. You may even see a few Cooper�s, Northern Harriers and Sharp-shinned hawks joining in as well.

Some of the best vantage points in the Smokies to watch the migrations are in the higher elevations of the park such as Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome, Look Rock, or Indian Gap.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com NEXT ->>...

Cabin Reservations for this Autumn in the Smokies

For anyone considering a trip to see the beautiful fall colors of the Great Smoky Mountains, now is the time to make your plans and have your reservations in place. October in the Smokies is the second most popular month in terms of park visitation. And with the awesome beauty the autumn season provides, it's really no wonder.

If you do plan to visit the Smokies this fall, please take a moment to check out our Cabin and Chalet Listings for Gatlinburg, Townsend, Pigeon Forge and the North Carolina side of the Smokies.

By supporting our sponsors, you help to keep this blog and the HikingintheSmokys.com website up and running.

Thank you very much!


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com NEXT ->>...

Across the Smokies: The New Endurance Record

Back in May I received an email from David Worth, announcing that he had just broke the record for the fastest trek across the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains. David ran/walked/trekked 72 miles - from Fontana Dam to Davenport Gap - in 14 hours and 50 minutes, besting the previous record set by Will Harlan of 15 hours and 57 minutes.

I didn't realize it at the time, because I don't know him, but David is a park ranger for the Smokies, and works as an interpretive ranger atop Mt. LeConte.

Earlier in the week the Great Smoky Mountains Association published a video about his recent feat. The narrator makes the points that David gained a total of 18,660 feet as he crossed the crest of the Smokies. This compares to "only" 13,000 feet of elevation that climber gain from base camp to the summit of Denali in Alaska.

David is also quoted as stating that he may be interested in tackling the speed record for the entire Appalachian Trail someday. He might want to note that his goal is about to get a little tougher. Jennifer Pharr Davis is just days away from shaving roughly a half-day off the existing record of 47 days, 13 hours and 31 minutes.

Anyway, here's the video:


� GSMA 2011. All rights reserved.



Jeff
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Alcoa Grant to Benefit Teachers Near the Smokies

Alcoa Foundation has granted $15,000 to Friends of the Smokies to support teacher enrichment programs, including teacher workshops and opportunities for three teachers to spend a summer working as park rangers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

�We all share an interest in improving student achievement in science and technology,� said Liz Dupree, Chief of Resource Education at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. �By sharing our science and teaching resources with local teachers, we can reach thousands more students each year.�

Using the Alcoa Foundation grant funds, Friends of the Smokies will work with National Park Service staff to offer two science and technology workshops for a total of 60 teachers in the spring and summer of 2012. Grant funds will also pay for stipends and uniforms for three teachers to assist with the park�s resource education programs in the summer of 2012. Through both programs, teachers will learn about the park�s newest science programs and technology, efforts to encourage inquiry-based learning, and suggested lesson plans that address recent state-mandated curriculum changes.

Alcoa�s Tennessee Operations is the world�s largest producer of rolled aluminum can sheet for beverage cans and is based in Blount County, Tennessee. Alcoa employs more than 1,200 workers at its smelting and fabrication plants in Blount County, its hydropower facilities, and its downtown Knoxville office. Their Community Advisory Board assists Alcoa�s Tennessee Operations in prioritizing its philanthropic resources by representing the needs of the board�s constituents and communities.

Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Alcoa Foundation supports conservation and education work worldwide through its local and regional contacts. Alcoa Foundation has granted more than $350,000 to Friends of the Smokies since 2001, making them one of the top ten all-time donors to the Friends organization.


Jeff
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DUI Enforcement Operations Planned for Smokies

Rangers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park have announced plans to conduct two sobriety checkpoints and ramp up traffic patrols between June 24 and July 10, in conjunction with a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation�s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As part of this wave of DUI reduction activities, Park Rangers will be conducting checkpoints on June 25 on the Tennessee side of the Park and on July 8 on the North Carolina side of the Park. Visitors can expect to see Park Rangers out in force during this period looking for impaired drivers.

The Park received funds in 2010-2011 from NHTSA to implement a High Visibility Law Enforcement program, a nationwide project to reduce or eliminate alcohol-related crashes and fatalities through highly publicized law enforcement activities.

According to Chief Ranger Clay Jordan, �The main objective of this enforcement action is to bring attention to the serious consequences of driving while under the influence of alcohol. Motor vehicle crashes are by far the most common cause of serious injuries and fatalities at the Smokies and alcohol is a contributing factor in too many of these wrecks.�

He continued, �We�re capitalizing on this opportunity and are very hopeful that if people understand there is a strong probability that they will be caught and arrested, motorists will be less inclined to drive impaired. We want to save lives and prevent injuries; not necessarily arrest individuals.�


Jeff
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Ranger led hikes in the Smokies

Rangers in the Great Smoky Mountains will again be leading a series of hikes to various destinations within the park this summer. This is a great opportunity for adults and children to learn a little bit more about the history and the natural surroundings of the area your hiking in. Here's the current list of scheduled hikes:

Cades Cove Night Hike: Mondays and Fridays thru mid-August
Times: 9:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Location: Orientation Shelter at the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road
Listen to the spirits of Cades Cove while enjoying a night-time walk in the cove. Distance: 2.5 mile walk rated easy in difficulty.

Sunset Stroll: Every Monday thru 8/8/2011
Times: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Laurel Falls Trailhead
Summary: Come along with a ranger for a guided walk up to Laurel Falls just before sunset. 2.6 miles roundtrip hike rated moderated in difficulty. Click here for more info.

Return of the Elk: Every Tuesday thru 8/9/2011 (except 6/21)
Times: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: Cataloochee Valley, Rough Fork Trailhead
Summary: Learn about the return of the elk to the Smokies with a guided hike to the elk acclimation pen. Hike distance: less than one mile, rated moderate in difficulty.

Where the Waters Sing: Every Wednesday thru 8/10/2011
Times: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Location: Kephart Prong Trailhead on Newfound Gap Road between Smokemont and Newfound Gap
Summary: The sound of water is music for the soul. Join a ranger and experience the melody of the mountains. Two-mile round-trip hike rated moderate in difficulty. Click here for more info.

Hike into the Sugarlands Valley: Every Wednesday thru 8/10/2011
Times: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Location: Sugarlands Visitor Center
Summary: Round up the kids and get your blood pumping on a brisk walk along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River to learn some secrets of the natural world. Hike rated moderate in difficulty.

Hike to Alum Cave Bluffs: Every Thursday thru 8/11/2011
Times: 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Location: Alum Cave Bluff Trailhead on Newfound Gap Road
Summary: Geology, old-growth trees, and panoramic views await you while joining a park ranger on one of the most diverse hikes in the Smokies. Wear sturdy shoes; bring water and a snack. Hike rated moderate to strenuous in difficulty. Click here for more info.

Hike to Grotto Falls: Every Sunday thru 8/07/2011
Times: 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Location: Grotto Falls Trailhead on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Summary: Hike with a ranger through an old growth forest to one of the most popular waterfalls in the park. Hike rated moderate in difficulty. Click here for more info.


All hikes are free. For more information, please visit the GSMNP event page.


Jeff
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Vault toilet installations to cause temporary closures in Smokies

The Great Smoky Mountains website has posted an update regarding the installation of vault toilets at the Alum Cave Trailhead and on the Cades Cove Loop Road. The installations will result in a couple of temporary closures next week. Here's the statement from the GSMNP website:

� Cades Cove Loop Road will be closed until noon on Thursday, June 16 to install a vault toilet.

� The north parking area at the Alum Cave Trailhead will be closed on Friday, June 17 to install a vault toilet. The trail will be open, but parking will be very limited.

I'll post more information if any other details become available.


Jeff
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