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
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
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.
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
Sunday, November 27, 2011
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.
He just climbs up the ridge a little bit for cell service and collects water in large 50+ gallon plastic containers. Simplicity.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
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
Monday, November 21, 2011
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
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
Sunday, November 13, 2011
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
Monday, November 7, 2011
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
Sunday, November 6, 2011
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
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
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).
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