Lumber Ridge Loop short version

So you start up the Lumber Ridge trail and about a mile or less on this great trail there's a trail to the right marked with a small sign with the letter 'M' on it. Once you begin this trail, 'M', you quickly realize it's not used often and by foot traffic only, as it is very narrow. This route will bring you down, in what seems like half a mile+-, to the Falls trail right there at the water tower. Stay to the right unless you wanna go over to Spruce Flat Falls to the left, which is less than a mile from here, and go right again when you come down the trail intersection. You'll pass the tents and such for the Tremont guest on the left and in about 1/4 ml. you'll be back at the Lumber Ridge Trailhead.
Oh! Yea, an awesome day hiking this short route and I accomplished my goal...which was to relax and be in the quiet for a few minutes.

Rich Mountian/Indian Grave Gap

Hey dudes and dudettes! Yesterday (Sun.12/18/11), was a beautiful day for hiking and today is looking excellent as well. So after I finish my work I'll get in the woods for a short walk. The hike I enjoyed yesterday; w/ the Mysterious One, was up the Rich mtn trail from Rich mtn road, onto Indian Grave Gap to the intersection with the Rich mtn Loop trail, and then returning the way we came. We saw two groups of other hikers who took advantage of the clear skies and quiet trails; w/ temps in the 40's+, to enjoy the views available on this route only in the winter.

Bear Activity

CAMPSITES CLOSED DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
Shelters: Icewater Spring
BC Sites:

USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
Shelters: Mt LeConte
BC Sites: BC #38, #61 and #85
Trails: Mt. Sterling, and Laurel Falls Trail

Closed Trails and BC sites:
Due to recent storms, the following trails are closed: Gunter Fork Trail,
Beard Cane Trail including Campsites 3 & 11, Hatcher Mountain Trail north
of its intersection with the Little Bottoms Trail.

USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALL
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES
December 17, 2011

New Boots!!

Today I was without an excuse for not hiking, other than being lazy. For about a year or more I have been using "shoe goo" to extend the useful life of my boots that had probably 1700 plus miles on them. About a month ago they fell apart one last time and since it has been raining lately the wet trails have kinda discouraged hiking without the proper footwear. So today the fine folks at the Little River Trading Co. put me in a new pair of boots and I went for a short walk to see if they felt as good on a trail as they did on flat floors. Dudes and Dudettes! I think I made good choice; with help, in my purchase and I'll get a better feel for them as the Mysterious One will be up tomorrow to do some walking and we'll do more than the approx. 2mls I covered today.
The short walk I took today was up the Chestnut Top trail and it was a nice stroll with some cardio coming up from the Townsend 'Y' parking. Check out the picture of the Squirrel's dining area atop the stump. This was one of several I noticed along the level parts of the trail. Level? hmmm, kinda stretching it using that word as most parts of the Chestnut Top trail have some slope one way or another.

Smokies road conditions on Twitter

The season has arrived to send out a reminder message to folks about getting road closure updates by Twitter.
The public can get the most current information via the Internet by going to:
www.twitter.com/smokiesroadsnps to read recent road notification postings. This is a Twitter website maintained by the Park, but anybody can access it at any time, without having to establish a Twitter account.
Anyone having a Twitter account can go an extra step and choose to have updates set to them by going to the site listed above and clicking the “follow” button to see the updates on their own account page and receive the notifications in the manner they specify.
In addition to notifications of winter road conditions, Park officials plan to notify travelers throughout the year of road openings and closings due to rock slides, fallen trees, and accidents. Anytime the status of one of the listed roads changes, a message will be sent out asap.
We encourage people to use this service as extensively as possible.

Looking forward

13 or more NGO's will be meeting in the coalfields of eastern Kentucky this week to discuss their strategies and needs to assist in these communities as they make a transition from often impoverished strip mining communities; primarily strip mining in the form of MTR, to more financially, socially, and environmentally rewarding and sustainable ways of life. Those gathered will gain input from local citizens, local and regional citizen groups and folks quite knowledgeable on the human cost to ones health, as well as the history, and culture of the families who have lived in these mountains for generations.

Updates for Campsites and Bears in the GSMNP

Dudes and Dudettes! This is the latest on our native friends, though "the song remains the same" if you use basic safety practices. We are looking forward to a short overnight excursion this week and we'll send pictures afterwards. Peace
CAMPSITES CLOSED DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
Shelters: Icewater Spring
BC Sites: BC # 24
USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
BC Sites: BC #35, #36, #37, #38, #61 and #85
Shelters: Mt LeConte and Silers Bald Trails: Mt. Sterling, Anthony Creek Trail & Horse Camp, Laurel Falls,
Ramsey Cascades, Forney Ridge (upper section) and Old Sugarlands
Closed Trails and BC sites:
Due to recent storms, the following trails are closed: Gunter Fork Trail,
Beard Cane Trail including Campsites 3 & 11, Hatcher Mountain Trail north
of its intersection with the Little Bottoms Trail.
USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALL
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES

36th annual 'Festival of Christmas Past', in the GSMNP

GATLINBURG – Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced the 36th annual Festival of Christmas Past celebration scheduled on Saturday, December 10, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The event, sponsored in cooperation with Great Smoky Mountains Association, is free to the public.
Festival of Christmas Past is an annual celebration of the history and culture of the Smoky Mountains with an emphasis on the Christmas season. “We try to recreate some of the sights and sounds of an old fashioned mountain Christmas,” said Kent Cave, North District Resource Education Supervisor.
The festival will include old-time mountain music featuring the "Lost Mill String Band," "Boogertown Gap" band, and "South of the River Boys." Demonstrations of traditional domestic skills such as the making of mountain berry baskets, apple-head dolls, quilts, and apple butter will be ongoing throughout the day.
“Local volunteer craftspeople and musicians come together to share their ancestral skills with the public during this annual festival. We invite the public to participate in the day’s activities and learn about winter life and work in the Great Smoky Mountains,” said Cave.

Clingmans Dome Closed a few days early

Because of snow and ice, Clingmans Dome Road has been closed for the season a couple of days early.
Clingmans Dome Road will not reopen to vehicles until April 1, 2012.
The route will stay open to hikers, snowshoers, and skiers throughout the winter

Cades Cove Closure Update....

GATLINBURG – Managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced plans to close the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road to all vehicular traffic on Wednesday, November 30, and to impose a partial closure on Thursday, December 1. During that time, Park forestry technicians will treat hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA)-infested hemlock trees with a horticultural oil sprayed from large truck-mounted units as they have been doing since 2004. In the event of heavy rain or freezing weather, the operation will be rescheduled. To check the status of the road closure, visitors can call the Park’s general information number at 865/436-1200.

During the full closure on November 30th, only hikers will be allowed to travel the Loop Road. Bicyclists will not be allowed to enter the Loop Road for safety reasons since there will be heavy equipment on the road making it unsafe for bicycling. Park personnel will be working at the entrance and exit areas of the Loop.
The spraying operation on December 1st, will only impact the western end of the Loop Road. Motorists and cyclists will be able to enter the Loop as they normally would, but will have to detour across the Loop via Hyatt Lane (the second gravel crossroad) to exit Cades Cove. Hikers can continue through the closed portion. The detour will shorten the length of the trip to an 8-mile tour of Cades Cove. The Hyatt Lane bypass will eliminate access to the Cades Cove Visitor Center and Cable Mill area as well as the several trailheads located on the western end of Cades Cove: Abrams Falls, Cooper Road, Rabbit Creek, and Wet Bottom Trails, and Gregory Ridge trailhead.
As part of the Park’s control efforts of the hemlock woolly adelgid, actions include spraying hemlock trees with the oil/soap application in high-use developed areas that are easily accessible by vehicles such as Cades Cove, campgrounds, picnic areas and along roadsides. Jesse Webster, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Project Coordinator, said that “In addition to spraying trees in developed areas, the Park is utilizing a systemic pesticide to treat some of the larger hemlocks in the spray zone. The systemic treatments move into the tree canopy with sap flow and can effectively control adelgids for 5-7 years which can be a more practical and cost effective approach to management. The spray acts as a quick knockdown allowing the systemics to catch up."
The park employs a three-prong approach that also includes the release of predator beetles. All of the chemical and biological control techniques are showing positive effects in areas of these treatments, despite the noticeable decline of tree vigor and mortality throughout the Park. Currently about 600 acres are being sprayed annually, over 180,000 hemlock trees are being hand-treated with systemic pesticides spread across 4,400 acres, and about a half-million predator beetles have been released.

Middle Prong

This was a very pleasant walk up the Middle Prong trail even with a possibility of rain all around the region. However no rain occurred in this immediate area as I walked about 3mls along this often busy route. The possibility of rain must have kept folks away I guess because when I reached the trailhead parking it was empty! Yes!!! I said, and gave thanks for the lack of human noise and distractions. As I returned and neared the parking area I passed some folks on the bridge smoking and taking pictures. I encouraged them to walk some for more pictures when I noticed there van was pulled as close to the bridge as it could be without completely blocking the path. Peace

Off the grid for real!

This is a picture of a friends developing compound on his property which is located adjacent to the Cherokee NF and is totally "off the grid"! No indoor plumbing or electricity, he lives comfortably and you may notice the more permanent structures he's building in the trees above the tent.

He just climbs up the ridge a little bit for cell service and collects water in large 50+ gallon plastic containers. Simplicity.

Cades Cove Closed.....

GATLINBURG –
Managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced plans to close the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road to all vehicular traffic on Tuesday, November 29, and to impose a partial closure on Wednesday, November 30.
During that time, Park forestry technicians will treat hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA)-infested hemlock trees with a horticultural oil sprayed from large truck-mounted units as they have been doing since 2004. In the event of heavy rain or freezing weather, the operation will be rescheduled.
To check the status of the road closure, visitors can call the Park’s general information number at 865/436-1200.
During the full closure on November 29, only hikers will be allowed to travel the Loop Road. Bicyclists will not be allowed to enter the Loop Road for safety reasons since there will be heavy equipment on the road making it unsafe for bicycling. Park personnel will be working at the entrance and exit areas of the Loop.
The spraying operation on November 30 will only impact the western end of the Loop Road. Motorists and cyclists will be able to enter the Loop as they normally would, but will have to detour across the Loop via Hyatt Lane
(the second gravel crossroad) to exit Cades Cove.
Hikers can continue through the closed portion. The detour will shorten the length of the trip to an 8-mile tour of Cades Cove.
The Hyatt Lane bypass will eliminate access to the Cades Cove Visitor Center and Cable Mill area as well as the several trailheads located on the western end of Cades Cove: Abrams Falls, Cooper Road, Rabbit Creek, and Wet Bottom Trails, and Gregory Ridge trailhead.

As part of the Park’s control efforts of the hemlock woolly adelgid, actions include spraying hemlock trees with the oil/soap application in high-use developed areas that are easily accessible by vehicles such as Cades Cove, campgrounds, picnic areas and along roadsides.
Jesse Webster, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Project Coordinator, said that “In addition to spraying trees in developed areas, the Park is utilizing a systemic pesticide to treat some of the larger hemlocks in the spray zone. The systemic treatments move into the tree canopy with sap flow and can effectively control adelgids for 5-7 years which can be a more practical and cost effective approach to management. The spray acts as a quick knockdown allowing the systemics to catch up."
The park employs a three-prong approach that also includes the release of predator beetles. All of the chemical and biological control techniques are showing positive effects in areas of these treatments, despite the noticeable decline of tree vigor and mortality throughout the Park.
Currently about 600 acres are being sprayed annually, over 180,000 hemlock trees are being hand-treated with systemic pesticides spread across 4,400 acres, and about a half-million predator beetles have been released.
www.nps.gov/grsm

Hike This Fall in Tennessee State Parks

Hey dudettes and dudes, click the title of this entry for 12 walks in Tennessee state parks, as suggested by folks at the state and passed on to us by our friend David. Thanks, and be alert and safe traveling over the next several weeks. Peace

Bears and Campsites GSMNP Update

CAMPSITES CLOSED DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
Shelters: Icewater Springs
BC Sites: BC #68, BC #24

USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
BC Sites: BC #28, #35, #36, #37, #38, #61 and #85
Shelters: Mt LeConte, Laurel Gap, and Silers Bald
Trails: Mt. Sterling, Anthony Creek Trail & Horse Camp,
Laurel Falls, Clingmans Dome Tower, Little River, Ramsey Cascades, Forney
Ridge (upper section) and Old Sugarlands

Shelter closed for Construction: Laurel Gap

Closed Trails and BC sites:
Due to recent storms, the following trails are closed: Gunter Fork Trail,
Beard Cane Trail including Campsites 3 & 11, Hatcher Mountain Trail north
of its intersection with the Little Bottoms Trail.

USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALL
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES

OTG and loving it!

Wow dudes and dudettes!! What an awesome walk I took this morning. I walked into an area OTG that I've hiked into before however I followed a route that took me in another mile or so farther than before and provided plenty of challenges. With much of the seasonal foliage gone it was fairly easy to keep up with where I was and where I wanted to go. This route is not difficult in the sense that you may get lost because if you think you are all you have to do is follow the stream out to the parking area. Though it can be difficult navigating through some rodo hells and several "rock hops" that would not be suggested for the novice. Well, maybe some day we can continue this walk together. Peace

Signal Point/Chattanooga Signal Mountain

Wow dudes and dudettes! I was able to hike off of Signal Point which is part of the southern end of the Cumberland Trail; the Tennessee River Gorge Segment.
There are some great vistas from the beginning of this trail and they continue throughout the first mile or so scattered sporadically looking across the Tennessee river across to Elder Mountain (click the title for a link describing this section of the Cumberland Trail).
The vistas resume if you continue up the trail from the gorge towards Edwards Point Overlook, which is about 3 mls. from Signal Point. Check out some of the colors still in the trees.
There is water, which should be treated or filtered, at the crossing of Middle Creek, though if you are doing an overnight or long day hike along the Cumberland Trail one should carry along an extra Nalgene because water is not readily available. Peace

CAMPSITES CLOSED DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:BC #68

USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:BC Sites: BC #28, #35, #36, #37, #38, #61 and #85
Shelters: Mt LeConte, Spence Field, Mt. Collins, Double Spring Gap,Laurel Gap, and Silers BaldTrails: Mt. Sterling, Anthony Creek Trail & Horse Camp,Laurel Falls, Clingmans Dome Tower, Little River, Ramsey Cascades, ForneyRidge (upper section) and Old Sugarlands Shelter
Closed for Construction: Laurel Gap
Closed Trails and BC sites:Due to recent storms, the following trails are closed: Gunter Fork Trail,Beard Cane Trail including Campsites 3 & 11, Hatcher Mountain Trail northof its intersection with the Little Bottoms Trail.
USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALLBACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES

Here are some who are willing to pay. Click this title and see!

Hmmmm?!!! 202-225-3121

Whose paying what?

Click the title of this entry and People Speak up! Reach the members of congress at 202-225-3121, 24/7. Or the Whitehouse at 202-456-1414 (1111).

Bears and Campsites

CAMPSITES CLOSED DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY: BC Sites: #35 and #38
USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY: BC Sites: BC #28, #36, #37, #38, #61 and #85 Shelters: Mt LeConte, Spence Field, Mt. Collins, Double Spring Gap,Laurel Gap, and Silers Bald Trails: Mt. Sterling, Anthony Creek Trail & Horse Camp,Laurel Falls, Clingmans Dome Tower, Little River, Ramsey Cascades, Forney Ridge (upper section) and Old Sugarlands Shelter closed for Construction: Laurel Gap
Closed Trails and BC sites:Due to recent storms, the following trails are closed: Gunter Fork Trail,Beard Cane Trail including Campsites 3 & 11, Hatcher Mountain Trail north of its intersection with the Little Bottoms Trail. USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALL BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES

Campsites and Bears in The GSMNP

CAMPSITES CLOSED DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:BC Sites: #35, and #68 USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:BC Sites: BC #18, #21, # 24, #28, #36, #37, #38, #61 and #85Shelters: Mt LeConte, Spence Field, Mt. Collins, Double Spring Gap,Laurel Gap, Cosby Knob, and Silers BaldTrails: Mt. Sterling Trail, Anthony Creek Trail & Horse Camp, Laurel Falls,Clingmans Dome Tower, Little River, Ramsey Cascades Trail, and Forney RidgeTrail (upper section). Old Sugarlands TrailShelter closed for Construction: Laurel Gap Closed Trails and BC sites:Due to recent storms, the following trails are closed: Gunter Fork Trail,Beard Cane Trail including Campsites 3 & 11, Cooper Road Trail fromjunction at Beard Cane to Cades Cove Loop Road, Hatcher Mountain Trailnorth of its intersection with the Little Bottoms Trail, Rabbit Creek Trailfrom the junction with the Hannah Mountain Trail east to the Abrams FallsTrailhead, including Campsite 15, and Wet Bottom Trail. USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALL BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES

GSMNP Trail and campsite closures Update

CAMPSITES CLOSED DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
BC Sites: #35, and #68

USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:

BC Sites: BC #18, #21, # 24, #28, #36, #37, #38, #61 and #85
Shelters: Mt LeConte, Spence Field, Mt. Collins, Double Spring Gap,
Laurel Gap, Cosby Knob, and Silers Bald
Trails: Alum Cave, Anthony Creek Trail and Horse Camp, Laurel Falls,
Clingmans Dome Tower, Rainbow Falls, Little River, Trillium Gap (Grotto
Falls parking
to Grotto Falls) Pretty Hollow Gap Trail, Ramsey Cascades
Trail, and Forney Ridge Trail (upper section).
Shelter closed for Construction: Laurel Gap

Closed Trails and BC sites:
Due to recent storms, the following trails are closed: Gunter Fork Trail,
Beard Cane Trail including Campsites 3 & 11, Cooper Road Trail from
junction at Beard Cane to Cades Cove Loop Road, Hatcher Mountain Trail
north of its intersection with the Little Bottoms Trail, Rabbit Creek Trail
from the junction with the Hannah Mountain Trail east to the Abrams Falls
Trailhead, including Campsite 15, and Wet Bottom Trail.

USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALL
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES
October 05, 2011


FYI:
A Special Use Permit is in the works to authorize the Appalachian Trail
Conservancy to conduct another airlift of supplies on or about October
10-13.
The drop zones will be the Laurel Gap and Tricorner shelters and various
points along the A.T. between Camel Hump Knob and Old Black.
The staging LZ will be outside the park at Big Creek.

And some legislators say what?

Wow! You know the data has been in regarding MTR and extremely high rates of birth defects, cancers and assorted ailments for folks near MTR coal mining sites (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935111001484). And it has been pretty clear to those not blinded by party rhetoric, greed and campaign finance that the majority of the residents in these communities want this form of mining to end. The results of a recent bipartisan poll show this clearly. Please check it out, the link is provided by clicking the title to this entry, and call someone in congress (202-225-3121) and tell them about it, again, because "annoying persistence" pays off. Peace

Fall Colors Bloom

Hey dudes and dudettes! This day began with a pleasant walk into White Oak Sink, coming in from outside the park and the School House Gap. As I enjoyed the relative quiet I took pictures of some of the many colors along the trail that were in the form of blooms and not the usual suspects yet. Though some trees are beginning to show change the "peak" is still a few weeks out. The enjoyment of the often unrecognized fall blooms delights me as I appreciate this season for the beginnings of some things. I hope you can too. Peace

National Actions continue

In speaking with an individual last night while in Washington I was clued in on an action beginning today, right now even as I type. This action is, from what I understood in my conversation, an all inclusive, peaceful conglomeration of various actions which are beginning on Liberty Plaza in DC. Are you tired of being lied to, cheated for your hard work and not appreciated for the daily chores required to maintain a safe and clean home for yourself and others while being opposed on all fronts by those who are supposed to work for us? Then come on! to Liberty Plaza in this nations capitol. Peace

Educate yourself and Speak Out!

The work we've continued this week in Washington has been completed for now with little discernible movement. Those folks elected to work for the people seem in most cases bought and paid for by corporations and their inhumane self-interest.
People are being poisoned, lands wasted, and heritages erased by MTR and the greed which drives it. There is a need for action and more action. Both within and without established parameters. Peace

The Land of the free

These woman were doing their afternoon prayer on the lawn of our nations capital. It was pleasing to see them carrying out this daily practice in this location where there is talk of freedom and justice yet we let our fears legislate these principles into obscurity. Peace

We're Back!!!

Several of the groups which make up the Alliance for Appalachia have returned to Washington to meet with some of our elected officials and attend some hearings in an effort to speed the end of Mountaintop Removal as a form of coal mining. If you are not familiar with MTR please click on the title of this entry and see for yourself the crimes against humanity and our natural world which are being committed. Call your congressperson and let them know what you think about the wholesale destruction of a regions people, their legacy and their future. And do mention our need for drinking water which is polluted from MTR. The number is 202-225-3121, and then ask for your senators or representatives office. It is answered 24/7 so be sure and leave a message if it's after hours. Stay tuned more to come! In Solidarity.

The woods are Alive with sounds of change.

The leaves were crackling under my feet today as I took a short walk in the forest and enjoyed the wind with cooler temperatures. Tonight it'll be in the 30's in the mountains and no telling what the folks along the AT will feel. Cold weather, I love it! Bye to all the fair weather folks! Of course the traffic is increasing as the folks from all over the world come to see "the colors".

Fall Creek Falls

Weekends like this allow even the most novice hiker to enjoy a easy walk in the woods. I began my hike around 7:30am, with temperatures in the upper 60's, a layer of high thin clouds, and little wind. The route I took from the Inn to the falls was mostly paved and had little elevation gain or loss for most of the 2.5 mls, oneway. Now the descent to the base of the falls was steep and rocky requiring close attention to this approximately 1/2ml unpaved section. And made for some good "cardio work" coming out.
This Tennessee state park is located in Bledsoe and Van Buren counties, 11 miles east of Spencer and 18 miles west of Pikeville. It may be entered from Highway 111 or Highway 30, which can be accessed from I-24, or I-40, (click the link for the address)

Fall Creek Falls consist of more than 20,000 acres sitting across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau, and is considered one of the most scenic SP's in America. The falls which the park is named after is the highest waterfall, at 256', in the eastern united states. Oak and Hickory forest atop the plateau fade into Tulip and Hemlock forest in the gorges. These protected areas within the park support abundant species diversity in both plant and animal life including Mountain Laurel and Rodo's.
May the forest be with you.

OTG

Dudes! and dudettes! What a relaxing walk today for about 4 mls, in and out, otg, near the Middle Prong. It was very pleasant with a cool morning temp, sunshine, and only animals to be heard. There were yellow and white flowers blooming, with the many shades of green still going on. My thoughts were more positive and open to the changes which must be considered. The changes in the trails I chose required some attention so as to stay on the chosen path. Peace

Cumberland Mountain State Park

This Tennessee state park is located really close to Crossville, on TN #127, and not too awful far from I-40.
I took the Pioneer Loop trail for about 4 miles+, completing the somewhat abbreviated loop. One of the bridges which crossed the main stream feeding Byrd Lake was out so modifications in the route were made. Though these changes still allowed for a complete appreciation of the biological diversity found in this 1720 acre park, with every native plant found on the entire Cumberland Plateau is found within this park.
This park provides hiking trails; the longest is 6 miles, fishing, boat rentals, and ranger led educational hikes. As a matter of fact I walked up on one of these interpretive hikes and it turned out I knew the Ranger, Randy Hedgepath, who also serves as an advisor to one of the organizations I am affiliated with in a similar way. Ranger Hedgepath was leading some folks who were w/ the Sierra Club and they commented on the "Stop Mountaintop Removal" button I was wearing. It was a nice way to make acquaintances and know that there are others speaking out on this crime against humanity.
Along the trail I viewed numerous rock shelters as seen in this photo. Note the color changes along the rock as a result of lighting being filtered through clouds and trees and then reflecting off the rocks. The other photo is off a pool of apparent quicksand, yea, that's it, deep quicksand! Oh, OK then it's a pool of water covered with ants joined at their legs to buoy themselves atop the water, yea maybe that's it, yea floating ants....Nope? OK, really it is a pool of water covered with pine or spruce needles. Peace

Bears in the Park

Lots to look at!
CLOSED CAMPSITES DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
BC Sites: #21, # 24, #28, #35, and #68
Shelters: Spence Field, Cosby Knob, and LeConte

USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
BC Sites: BC #18, #36, #37, #38, #61 and #85
Shelters: Mt. Collins, Double Spring Gap, Silers Bald, and Laurel Gap
Trails: Laurel Falls Trail, Clingmans Dome Tower Trail, Rainbow Falls
Trail, Little River Trail and Trillium Gap Trail (Grotto Falls parking to
Grotto Falls).
BC Sites closed due to storm damage:
#3, #11, #15

Closed Trails:
Due to recent storms, many trails in the Park may be difficult or
impossible to travel due to downed trees. The following trails are closed
due to this damage: Gunter Fork Trail, Beard Cane Trail entire trail,
including Campsites 3 & 11. Cooper Road Trail from junction at Beard Cane
to Cades Cove Loop Road. Hatcher Mountain Trail north of its intersection
with the Little Bottoms Trail. Rabbit Creek Trail from the junction with
the Hannah Mountain Trail east to the Abrams Falls Trailhead, including
Campsite 15. Wet Bottom Trail entire trail.

USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALL
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES

Eagle Creek and the GSMNP

Dudes
and
Dudettes! What a great hike I went on this last week. The "Mysterious One" and I spent the last five days in the GSMNP backpacking covering a bunch of miles, new trails for both of us, and encountering few people throughout the time out. The highlight was the fourth day out which included a very appreciative walk up Eagle Creek trail from our previous nights stay on Fontana lake at site #90. Dang, I loved that trail, and the stream crossings, and the steep grade the last two miles (almost 1000'/ml.), and the complete lack of other humans. Really. The reports of dangerous stream crossings, I felt, were completely exaggerated for the experienced, or even "somewhat experienced" hiker. This picture is of the second crossing which closely mirrored the first. I look forward to doing it again. Peace

GSMNP Backcountry fee proposal Public input

The management folks at the Great Smokey Mountains National Park have Set some dates for Open Houses to Discuss Proposed Backcountry Management Changes Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson is inviting the public to two open houses to discuss changes the Park is considering in the way it manages its backcountry campsite reservation.
The open houses are set for Tuesday, August 16 at the Old Oconaluftee Visitor Center at 1194 Newfound Gap Road in Cherokee, NC and on Thursday, August 18 at Park Headquarters at 107 Park Headquarters Road in Gatlinburg.
Both events will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“I look forward to the open houses as informal opportunities for Park neighbors to talk about the proposed changes one-on-one with the Park staff.” Ditmanson said. “There will be no formal presentations, so folks can show up at any time between 5:30 and 7:30.”
Park managers are proposing changes to the system by which backpackers make reservations for the use of the Park’s remote campsites and shelters and they also plan to increase the presence of Rangers in the backcountry. If implemented, the changes will include charging a reservation fee. No fees are being contemplated for day hiking. Details of the proposal may be found at the Park’s website:
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/parkmgmt/index.htm.

Bears with Cubs

Dudes! and Dudettes!! I went for walk hoping I'd see a bear and planned a route on which I often see them. Yesterday was no exception. I was barely a mile into my walk when I heard some shuffling in the forest below and beside me, I saw a mo mma bear busting it down the side of the mountain while her two cubs were quickly scooting up separate trees. The pictures are of the first family I saw and I know they are not closeups but they were not very still for long at all and I got what I could. I say this because another mile plus up the trail I heard some shuffling on a small rise to my right and I quickly determined it was not a squirrel. After sitting still for a few minutes and listening to the movement I spotted another adult bear off to my left on the knob of this ridge line. Then directly in front of me I see a little black ear just above the underbrush which was attached to a little black bear cub and then another cub briefly shows itself as it made its way through the seemingly tall brush. "Seemingly" to the cubs as the brush was only like knee high.
I am reluctant to name the trail however if you leave a comment or contact me I'll likely give up the information on where these bears were walking. Peace

Mushrooms along the way

Today dudes and dudettes, well yesterday, I walked along the West Prong trail to campsite #18. There were some folks setting up camp and we talked briefly about fishing and the VIP program. This after he asked if he could help me, maybe thinking I was lost, and rightfully so, as I wandered around the campsite checking on its condition. I was acting as a recruiter after I explained briefly what I was doing, for this vital park program.
The mushrooms and related fungi, are coming into "bloom" with different colors, sizes and shapes. These were happening along the main trial and the loop route which I followed on the way out. These are some of those remarkable small parts of the vast system we are also, only a tiny part of. Peace

Bear activity in the GSMNP

As of 2/28/2011
CLOSED CAMPSITES DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
BC Sites: # 24, #35, #68
USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
BC Sites: BC #18, #21, #36, #37,#38, #61 and #85
Shelters: Cosby Knob, Mt. Collins, Double Spring Gap
Trails: Laurel Falls Trail, Clingmans Dome Tower Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail, Little River Trail.
BC Sites closed due to storm damage: #3, #11, #15
Closed Trails:
Due to recent storms, many trails in the Park may be difficult or
impossible to travel due to downed trees. The following trails are closed
due to this damage: Gunter Fork Trail, Beard Cane Trail entire trail,
including Campsites 3 & 11. Cooper Road Trail from junction at Beard Cane
to Cades Cove Loop Road. Hatcher Mountain Trail north of its intersection
with the Little Bottoms Trail. Rabbit Creek Trail from the junction with
the Hannah Mountain Trail east to the Abrams Falls Trailhead, including
Campsite 15. Wet Bottom Trail entire trail.

USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALL
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES

Clean water for you?

Hello folks! Several of the groups which make up the Alliance For Appalachia, are in the District of Columbia this week keeping the Clean Water Protection Act, (CWPA) fresh on the minds of those in congress. The CWPA is a bill which would restore the original intent of the Clean Water Act (1972), will cost nothing to implement, will end the destruction of mountains and the valley fills which bury our streams and poison the water. All this and more a direct consequence of MTR. This bill would not cost jobs and would only stop that one form of coal mining, MTR. If your unfamiliar with some of these terms or MTR you can learn more by clicking the title of this blog entry, or go to ilovemountains.org, have fun educating yourself and seeing this domestic terrorism.

Kitten Care

This post is to inform those concerned about the fate of Spice; see previous entry, the Mysterious One drove back to the campground the other day and retrieved her. Spice is now at a foster parent's place and up for adoption. The Mysterious One said that when she went looking for Spice she could not be found and after several walks through the camping area was preparing to leave when she heard a cat's "meow".

Quinn Springs Campground in the Cherokeee NF

This campground is located just off Hwy 411, north of Cleveland TN, and is just down the road from the Hiwassee State Scenic River State Park. If Spice, the kitten in the picture, is around you'll have a loyal, if somewhat tentative, campsite companion. The Mysterious One made quick friends with Spice, feeding it beans and oats. The other picture is a beetle rolling a "ball", of what may have been a nut or some other food source.

From the campground you have access to several trails including the Oswald Bald trail which is what the "Mysterious One and I chose. This route of 3.8 mls, one-way, gains 2000' in elevation and should be considered difficult by most folks. As we climbed towards the upper reaches of the trail the forest cleared some and felt less cluttered with some open spaces. The bottom portion consisted of smaller trees and undergrowth, though it should be noted that this is a national forest and not a park, so trail traffic is less and maintenance is not as frequent giving it a more rustic feel. The Hiwassee Hiking Club does a fine job in maintaining this trail given the steep nature of the route. Atop the trail the mountain is crowded with radio antennas and other relays and transmitter. There is camping allowed at this point however we did easily spot any previously developed or used sites.

This Just in......to me anyway.

update to the trail closures in Cades Cove due to storm damage.
The Rabbit Creek Trail is now open from the Abrams Creek RS to the junction with Hannah Mountain Trail. Hannah Mtn Trail is now open from Rabbit Creek Trail to junction with Wet Bottom Trail and Abrams Falls Trail.

...Oh! and, by the way....

The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement for Monday...
Hot and humid conditions will increase Monday...Hot temperatures in the mid and upper 90s, along with high humidity, will produce heat index values between 100 and 105 for several hours Monday afternoon across the southern and central portions of the Tennessee Valley including Chattanooga and Knoxville. People participating in outdoor activities should take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Heat exhaustion, cramps, and heat stroke can result from prolonged exposure to these conditions. Friends and co-workers should check on people who may be at risk.

Pigeon Mountain/Pocket Wilderness

This primitive area contains 16,000 acres, with no developed facilities, and over 40 miles of trails. Most of which are shared by hikers, mountain bikes, and horseback riders. The trail which the Mysterious One and I walked on the 4th, was the Estelle Mine Trail, and consisted of a total of just under 6mls., in and out. The route we chose took us through several mines or tunnels, some longer and darker than others, and all much cooler than the 90+ degree temperatures outside. These tunnel were spurs off the marked trail and went through small ridges that would shorten the walk somewhat, teasing us with much cooler air for a while.
This wildlife area is popular during the fall for usually two short hunts for deer season and less so during the spring for Turkey hunting.
The Mysterious One and I saw some beautiful blooms and interesting rock formations, plus got some time outside in these beautiful north Georgia forest. Peace

Lumber Ridge Trail, rodo's, waterfalls, and a wedding

This walk involved about 9mls, of sunny skies, lots of rhododendron's blooming, waterfalls, and a wedding party. The moderate climb, consistent for approx. 3.5 mls, from Tremont, where Lumber Ridge Trail begins, should be considered difficult for those who don't get out as often. At one point in the walk we turned to the right down an old unmarked route and walked along the path of a former railway used for removing timber. This trail leads through bunches of rodo's, numerous stream crossings, and metal remnants of the old railway. The 'Mysterious One' and I stopped for lunch along this portion of the walk and made sure to keep hydrated along the way.
As we made our way back from Spruce Flat Falls, we stepped aside for a group of folks in rather odd attire. Turns out they were hiking to the falls for a wedding ceremony which caused the 'Mysterious One' to chuckle and share with them that she had noted in her thoughts that the scene at the falls was set for some type of ceremony. Seeing the picture you may agree. Peace

The March to Blair Mountain

The March on Blair Mountain was a large victory for all those who want fair pay, safe working conditions, an important part of America's history told and preserved, and an end to the most destructive form of mining (Mountaintop Removal) stopped. The first march up Blair Mtn., in 1921, was about organizing workers for fair pay and safer workplace conditions. This was one of the major points addressed in the most recent march, as well as preserving the mountain as an historic landmark by protecting it from MTR.
Estimates on the number of those attending the rally in Blair were as high as 2000+, and more than 850 folks were counted on the march up the last 2 miles of roadway which crisscrossed through the battlefield. The picture of the three women standing beside each other wearing the signs is important in several ways especially in that the folks way in the background, above them to the right, were counter protester telling us to go home and leave their state alone. Read their signs! There were several dozen West Virginians walking with us as we covered the fifty mile route and we often received friendly greetings from locals, stating their support for the march, with relatively infrequent, misinformed, verbal attacks from counter protesters.
As was pointed out by several speakers at the rally we must reach out to those who oppose us and open a dialogue so that we can better understand the fears they face and for them to understand ours. Peace

The March On Blair Mountain

Hello from Marmet WV, feeling resistance from police and counties over the first two days with most of the local folks being very polite. The marchers have encountered problems but they are being overcome with hard work on behalf of the organizers and patience from the walkers. I will post pictures asap as this is not my computer and others are waiting to use it. Please call your local media outlets and ask them if they know about this march and if so, have they heard of the "institutional resistance" coming from county governments and police. Also if you or someone you know can support the March on Blair Mountain, please do so. Or better yet come join us in Logan WV, and Blair Mtn. on Saturday!!! Musicians, speakers!! See the web site for current information at marchonblairmountain.org Peace

Blair Mountain's Fate

Come join the march and/or rally with folks from the mountains of Appalachia and other parts of this country as we honor those miners and their families who payed with their lives struggling for a fair wage and worker safety. The march and rally will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Blair Mountain in 1921, when 10,000 coal miners rose against the rule of the coal operators and fought for the basic right to a fair wage and safer working conditions. Please See the link (click the entry title) for important details to ensure the greatest value for your efforts and everyone's safety. The March on Blair Mountain is a peaceful, unifying rally involving environmental justice organizations, workers, scholars, artists, and other citizens and groups. Currently, Blair Mountain is threatened with obliteration by mountaintop removal (MTR) mining, and it is here that a new generation of Appalachians takes a stand.

Nina Leopold Bradley Moves On....

Nina Leopold Bradley Passes Away at 93
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Nina's passing on the morning of May 25, 2011. After 93 years of exceptional health things deteriorated rapidly for Nina beginning on Monday of this week. She was with her family, surrounded by the wildness she loved to the very end. The Aldo Leopold Foundation and the Leopold family thank you for all of the outpouring of support.
Nina Leopold Bradley, 93, died May 25, 2011 at her home on the Leopold Reserve near Baraboo WI. She was born August 4, 1917 in Albuquerque NM, the third child of famed conservationist Aldo Leopold and Estella Bergere Leopold, of a prominent Hispanic family in New Mexico.
Nina will be remembered as a scientist, conservationist, philosopher, and humanitarian by an international community of colleagues. After growing up in New Mexico, she attended the University of Wisconsin, graduating in the 1930s with a major in geography. With her first husband zoologist William Elder, she collaborated on many wildlife projects, studying Canada geese in Illinois, ducks in Manitoba, big game populations in Africa, and the rediscovered but nearly extirpated population of Nene geese in Hawaii. During World War II, she worked for Dr. Thomas Park on the Tribolium project at the University of Chicago studying insect populations. In 1971, Nina accepted a position with the Thorne Ecological Institute in Boulder, CO, facilitating conferences to introduce corporate leaders to important ideas in ecology. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including honorary doctorates from Northland College and the University of Wisconsin.
Along with her second husband Charles Bradley, she rekindled the "axe-in-hand" philosophy of her father, establishing the Bradley Study Center on the Leopold Reserve along the Wisconsin River in 1976. This work included creation of a graduate ecological research program in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin and expansion of the land restoration and phenological observation that her family had begun so many years ago. The work of Nina and Charles was instrumental in the establishment of the internationally recognized Aldo Leopold Foundation and the construction of the Leopold Center.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Aldo Leopold Foundation, Box 77, Baraboo WI 53913.

GSMNP Trail Update....This just in

A SECTION OF ABRAMS FALLS TRAIL REOPENS FOR
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
A popular portion of the Abrams Falls Trail from Cades Cove to the waterfalls has been repaired and reopened today after an EF4 tornado extensively damaged it and 8 other trails in the northwestern portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in late April. Visitors are now able to access the trail from the Cades Cove trailhead and hike 2.5 miles to the waterfalls.
The trails from the falls to Abrams Creek campground via Rabbit Creek, Hannah Mountain and Little Bottoms Trails remain closed.
Over 33 miles of trails were severely impacted from the tornado’s effects where thousands of trees were blown down and their roots upended tearing huge gaps in the trails. The Park has hired a number of local people and is receiving assistance from 23 trail workers from six western parks to help support Park efforts to clear and rehabilitate trails.
The trails that are officially closed are: Ace Gap Trail; Beard Cane
Trail; including Campsites 3 & 11; Cooper Road Trail from junction at Beard Cane to Cades Cove Loop Road; Hatcher Mountain Trail; Little Bottoms Trail from Campsite 17 to Abrams Falls/Hannah Mountain Trails junction (Campsite 17 is open); Hannah Mountain Trail from Rabbit Creek Trail junction to Abrams Falls/Little Bottoms Trails junction (Campsite 16 is open); Rabbit Creek Trail, including Campsite 15; Wet Bottom Trail; and Abrams Falls beyond the waterfall.

Abrams Falls Trail Update

The Abrams Falls Trail is now open from the Loop Rd to the Falls.
It is still closed past the falls to the junction of Hannah Mtn. and Hatcher
Mtn. Trail.

From Breaks Interstate Park

This state park sits on the line with Virginia and Kentucky and is 4000+ acres of awesome beauty. The terrain is of one I am not familiar with and was pretty rugged as you may be able to tell from the pictures.

That is the trail going between the rock.

Walking with The Mysterious One

The sky was pretty much overcast, temps in the low 70's maybe, with the walk quiet except for the birds and sounds of water sliding through the rocks of the several streams we crossed and traveled beside. This path OTG continues to receive more traffic, to a point, from folks fishing and some of the lucky ones who just know of the route. We were among the lucky ones today who enjoyed the shades of green cast amongst the different plants in this forest. How many more beautiful places have been destroyed via MTR? Hmmm?

The Spring Around Here

The picture of the Falls is from an overnight excursion the Mysterious One and I took a few weeks ago in north Georgia, Crockford-Pigeon Mtn, I believe. The others are from here and there and in between.

Trail Closures

Officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the National Weather Service have determined that a severe EF 4 tornado swept across the northwestern corner of the Park last Wednesday causing extensive damage to seven park trails. The popular Abrams Falls Trail remains impassable due to numerous blow downs and over 40 areas where root balls were ripped out of the trail surface leaving hot-tub sized craters. Park managers hope to have Abrams Falls Trail reopened by Memorial Day.
After an inspection of other trails in the affected area, managers have announced the full closure of all or parts of seven trails totaling 22 miles. A survey by trail workers shows a total of over 4,500 trees down on the closed sections with some areas resembling jackstraws for over a mile at a time. They also counted over a thousand areas where trees were blown down and their roots tore gaps in the trail. In addition to all of the Abrams Falls Trail, the following trails are now officially closed to both hikers and equestrians until further notice:

Rabbit Creek Trail from its trailhead at Abrams Creek Ranger Station to Hannah Mountain Junction (although campsite #16 remains open)
Hannah Mountain Trail from Rabbit Creek Trail to Abrams Creek
Hatcher Mountain Trail – entire trail
Beard Cane Trail – entire trail (backcountry campsites #3 and #11 are closed)
Ace Gap Trail – entire trail
Little Bottoms Trail from campsite #17 to the Hatcher Mtn. Trail Jct.
(campsite #17 is open)
“We have closed the trails because the tangled trees and damaged
surfaces make them extremely hazardous.” Park Chief Ranger Clay Jordan said, “But to make matters worse, our ability to send rescuers in to extract anybody who is injured is seriously compromised.”
Park managers stress that no Park roads are affected by the storm damage, and that the remainder of the Park’s 800 miles of trails remain open. In the Cades Cove area visitors are encouraged to seek alternative trails. Access to Gregory Bald via Parson Branch Road is unaffected. Visitors can stop at any Park visitor center for advice or check the Park’s website at:
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

Laurel Falls Trail Clean up!

Some park staff and volunteers spent Tuesday the 19th cleaning up and repairing the Laurel Falls Trail. About half a dumpster of trash, a large portion of which was plastic and aluminum beverage containers, was picked up this day by volunteers, while trail maintenance staff repaired portions of the trail worn from time, use, and misuse. This annual effort gathers lots of garbage, much of which is recyclable, and it is a sad statement on those who leave the trash and their lack of understanding or caring for some of the things which make our human existence possible, (i.e. water, plants).
Thanks to all the GSMNP staff and volunteers who helped make a positive difference on this day.