Mt. Tamalpais State Park (CA)

The day began with a hike in Muir Woods as the goal however as we approached the area it was clear that we were not the only ones with that idea. The Mysterious One and I began to smile to each other, now being the "tourist", or at least for me being such. We drove by 3 full parking lots and began to notice cars parked along the side of the road for the next 1/4 ml+. As we did so I made a comment about Laurel Falls in the GSMNP, and the visitors there that use similar parking techniques. So as we continued along the parked cars we decided we'd see what else we could find to get into. A few minutes later we found a pull off for a horse camp and trail head in Tamalpais State Park, which would take us to a trail with a view of the Pacific Ocean in 1.3 mls. We followed this Connector Trail up a sometimes steep elevation from the start and after many switchbacks arrived at a turning point at the Coast View Trail.

We followed this trail another 1/2 ml+ gaining more elevation and some large comforting views of the ocean in one direction and mountains in the other.

This was a beautiful hike and one I hope to continue. Peace

San Jose area for the holidays

Hello, I was invited to visit with friends and family over the christmas break in the San Jose CA, area and in doing so have squeezed in a few day hikes. One was in a state park which we passed on our way to Santa Cruz and which is where I took these pictures. Pretty awesome area and only teases me for more experiences in the surrounding ancient Redwood forest. Peace

Mountains of West Virginia

This picture is of the

New River in West Virginia, this morning looking from my room at Hawks Nest State Park. a beautiful location despite the fact that MTR coal mining is occurring close by? I wonder whether or not you can drink the water.

The Bugs

Park Resource Managers with the Great Smokey Mountains National Park recently confirmed the Smokies first backcountry emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation. According to Great Smokey Mountains National Park Biologist, Glenn Taylor, “The emerald ash borer is a 1/2 inch-long metallic green beetle that lays eggs on the bark on all species of ash trees. After hatching, the EAB larvae burrow under the bark, and create feeding tunnels that cut off nutrient and water flow to the tree. The tree can die in three to five years.” Accidentally introduced to North America from Asia, EAB was first discovered in southeast Michigan in 2002, and has spread to 16 states and two Canadian provinces killing tens of millions of ash trees. Since 2009, officials have been monitoring for the presence of EAB. Front country infestations were confirmed in June 2012 at Sugarlands Visitor Center and at the Greenbrier entrance to the Park. An off-duty park employee discovered the backcountry infestation on Injun Creek Trail in the Greenbrier area on November 8, 2012. The employee noticed a pile of bark chips at the base of several ash trees. Signs of woodpecker activity on ash trees is an excellent indicator of an EAB infestation. Paul Merten, a forest insect specialist from the USDA Forest Service in Asheville, NC, confirmed EAB at the site by looking under ash tree bark for feeding tunnels left by the immature beetle. “The infestation is well established, probably two years old or older,” Merten said. Complete eradication of EAB is not currently feasible, but Park Resource Managers are developing a management plan to maintain public safety and protect ash trees where possible. EAB and other tree pests can be transported in firewood. Park regulations prohibit bringing firewood to the Smokies from areas that have been quarantined for EAB or other destructive pests. For more information about firewood regulations at the Smokies, visit their website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/firewood-alert.htm

Pigeon Mountain Pocket Wilderness

The Mysterious One and I took a short walk in the Pocket Wilderness located just south of Chickamauga GA, today, and as you can see, we were blessed with lots of remaining leaves and bright colors. Peace

Panther Creek/Miry Ridge/AT/Greenbrier Ridge/Middle Prong Lolipop

Dudes and Dudettes, this Labor Day weekends, overnight excursion was fabulous! After consulting with Pam, Dan, and Mike in the Backcountry office over two days and finding the first few choices of shelters and campgrounds along desired routes already full we chose the route described in the title of this entry. I had walked all sections of it on various hikes and backpacking excursions and the "Mysterious One" had done some sections of the route. We started Sunday early in the afternoon and finished today (9/3), at about 4:30pm. The walk began with PC skies and humid temperatures in the 80's. After we accessed Panther Creek trail we saw no one until Sunday on the AT, which allowed for a quiet night in campsite #26, which sits a little ways past the high point of Dripping Springs Mtn (4801'). Even with the growing cloud cover at this altitude we had some views of Thunderhead (et.al) as we stopped at this point and appreciated what has been given.

We were delighted to see the campground empty, which may be more a testimony to the frequent lack of water at this campsite and vicinity, than to our good fortune, knowing this we had filled our bottles up along Panther Creek (There was no water at #26, or anywhere near it we were to learn on Sunday). Either way, we enjoyed the privacy, fixed one of those gourmet BP'g meals you hope you can repeat someday; one that was very light to carry, inexpensive, and tasty, and built a nice fire with the plentiful dry wood laying around the area. After enjoying the evening together the "Mysterious One" and I climbed into our tents...and then it rained! There were several thunderstorms throughout the night and I quickly found myself floating in a puddle as the groundcloth I was using had become exposed on one edge and was collecting water. Between storms I drained it and adjusted the exposed edge making for a much dryer night. The next morning despite the rain we did not find any running water so after oatmeal and coffee we started our 13ml+ day with no water. Now we did not go down the Lynn Camp Prong trail in search of any but rather continued on thinking we'd surely find a wet spring. We didn't, until we turned down Greenbrier Ridge trail and had it not been for a gift of about 16 oz of water from a pair of AT sectional hikers we would have been mighty thirsty. They told us that they had not seen water since the Derrick Knob Shelter but we found it like 1/10ml down the Greenbrier. I drank plenty and topped off my bottles for the remaining 8+ miles.

This hike brought challenging terrain and obstacles, beautiful vistas which will be more frequent along most of the route during the coming months and well maintained trails. Besides the distance on the second day (13+mls), this hikes most difficult section was Panther Creek up to Jake's Gap, and portions of the approach to the AT on the second day. All things considered including the scarcity of water I'd call it a difficult hike for many, though worth the effort . Peace

Visit the Stars

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hosting a star gazing event on Friday, September 7 at one of Haywood County’s clearest views of the sky -Purchase Knob, home to the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Astronomy Club of Asheville will lead an exploration of the night sky at this high elevation site with a 260 degree unobstructed view of the sky. Visitors can expect to see the planets Neptune and Uranus; the wonderful starry glow of our Milky Way Galaxy stretching across Purchase Knob's dark skies; the beautiful spiral disk of the Andromeda Galaxy; the numerous star clusters of late summer and early fall; as well as several binary star systems. The event starts at 7:30 pm with an indoor orientation, which will be held rain or shine. The Learning Center is located at 5,000 feet in elevation so please bring warm layers. The program is limited to 60 people so reservations are required and can be made by calling the park directly at (828) 926-6251. Purchase Knob is located off US 276 near Maggie Valley, North Carolina. It is not recommended to use a GPS or an internet map service to find Purchase Knob, but the park staff can provide reliable directions. -NPS-

This just in...Gatlinburg Loop Closed....at times

Just in... Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced plans today to complete road projects on the Gatlinburg Bypass and a section of Newfound Gap Road near the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Work will begin on August 29 and is expected to be completed by September 1. Weather delays, however, could extend the project into the Labor Day weekend. To minimize impact to visitors, all work will be completed at night. The bypass will close each evening at 7 pm and reopen at 7 am the following morning. Newfound Gap Road will not close completely, but will be restricted to one-lane traffic from 7 pm to 7 am. For additional information call 865-436-1207

Natural Tunnel State Park in Virginia

Last week I spent 4 days in a lodge at this state park located in southwest Virginia, while attending a business meeting for an organization to which I belong. The park consist of 850 acres and has a few short trails to hike with no backcountry sites, given its limited size. Though it is a very beautiful area with some picturesque vistas.

The park has a swimming pool complete with a tall spiraling slide, meeting facilities which were very nice but had limited access for some cell phone services, and what I thought was a relatively good wifi connection. I hiked daily on the short trails in order to clear my thoughts and relax and it worked with views and blooms; Passion Flowers I believe, like you see in the pictures. Peace.

Hiking a Section of the AT in Virginia

Dudes! and Dudettes! The 'Mysterious One' and I took a 6 day backpacking excursion along the Appalachian Trail that began on the 20th and ended on the 26th, with about 13 miles on the Virginia Creeper returning us back to Damascus. The forest of middle Appalachia were magnificent, often crowded with Frazier Firs with the ground covered in various ferns. On several days we passed through dense patches of Blue Berries and Black Berries and feasted as we walked. Many flowers were still blooming including some rodo's.

Our walk began with a shuttle from Damascus piloted by "Just Bill" and "D-O-G", the drivers trail name and his furry friend who "Just Bill" says does not like to be referred to as a dog. He also told us that he was given his trail name during a conversation with author John Molloy several years ago.

We were extremely lucky with the weather, as for the first four days we heard thunder and saw rain often on distant mountains, and then it rained. The fifth day was saturated with rain and thunderstorms; sometimes dangerous, with frequent lighting and strong winds on ridge lines. We were careful not to hike along the tops of mountains or open fields during these storms. Met some good folks along the way including the "Handyman" from Wisconsin, and the "Mad-patter", from South Carolina.

The terrain was difficult at times though very doable for the fit hiker, with some great shelters through this section maintained, I believe, by the Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club. All of the shelters we stayed in or near had privies. The Grayson Highlands were awesome! See the ponies in the picture? The 'Mysterious One', noticed that we were "probably gonna go over that mountain over there", pointing to what turned out a day later to be correct and was the highpoint in the Grayson's. Not far after the Highland's we came to a shelter, Thomas Knob, with an awesome view behind it looking south. What a deal folks, hiking with a friend. One I hope to continue soon. Peace

Rich Mountain Trail

This trail is one I hike often on afternoons like today when I have at least two hours to get up, and back, to campsite #5, which is about 2.3 mls oneway from the trailhead at Rich Mountain rd. Many of the photos of blooming wildflowers I've shown this year were taking along this route. Today as I neared the halfway point I heard some commotion off to my left and so I found a spot in the shade to stop and listen some more. About 2 minutes after I stopped I saw a bear approaching the trail and I realized I needed to move from where I was standing else it was gonna come out of the woods very close to me. I quietly moved up the trail without losing my fix on the bear and noted the direction of the slight breeze blowing at that time and space. I'd have the breeze in my favor until the bear(s) stepped out on the trail. Note the plural because I had heard what sounded like another animal moving from the same place I had heard the first and as I reviewed the area I spotted a much larger 2nd bear a minute or two later. Well as you can see this large bear; probably a male as it is mating season, did not "step" out of the woods. Rather he was probably alerted by the other ones behavior after it had stepped out onto the trail and had spotted me. As soon as the first bear saw me it quickly walked down the trail before disappearing into the woods and then this large bear lept out of the forest edge and crossed the trail. This second bear is mostly in the air, just about to land when this picture was taken. By the time that happened I had already identified it visually and was paying close attention to it as it waited to cross, crouched behind some brush literally on the edge of the path. I took some photos of this big bear as it waited to cross and could see it through my camera lens when I took it but so far I can't find it in the photos. Camouflage! These beautiful animals are another two reminders for me to consider my lack of power and human vulnerabilities. I am not as a human some supreme being in this world in which I walk, rather as Aldo Leopold suggested just a part of it. Peace

Amongst the Crowds

Dudes and Dudettes! What an awesome afternoon hike I got yesterday! I was able to walk a trail(WProng) close by my residence and found the trailhead parking empty of other vehicles and along the trail I was not having to step over a bunch of horseshit. There are days, like Sunday, when I choose to find another trail to hike because my first choice began with piles of horseshit and this takes away from the appreciation of other things when I am frequently reminded by the sight and smell of this stuff and that I need to watch where I step. Backcountry fees charged for the hiker should be less than half of what the charge for horse usage on these trails even if that means raising the cost for overnight stays involving horses or a daily fee for horses. If not for the threat of the entry of non-native species from the horseshit then charge more for the trail damage these equestrians cause. So, where was I...? Oh, right. Awesome peacefulness on this 4ml hike, lots of blooms still blooming, beautiful songs by the birds to listen to, relatively pleasant temperatures and a nice breeze. In one of these pictures you'll see where an animal has been digging into a rotting log for some grub. Peace

Bird

I volunteer at the GSMNP and have been asked by more than one traveler from afar, "where can I go to see all the birds", as if we have them, the birds, on call somewhere. I've even listened to visitors talk of how disappointed they were at not seeing all "the birds" they had heard about and not being a "birder" myself I can only ask like where they've tried, did they walk out of a parking lot into the woods, and what kind of birds they're looking for?. Mainly to be polite and figure out who I am gonna ask for assistance. Now I say that to say this... damn near each time I go walking in the woods I see or hear birds if I stop and listen. Pretty near every time I am in the woods if I shut down my thinker and open myself to the sounds around me I will hear and see many things close by. I'll admit that is not always easy; shutting up, shutting down, and listening, and initially it requires some effort on my part. This bird was fishing in the West Prong of the Little River on Thursday. Peace

'Shroom and Bloom

The rodo's are awesome as well as many other plants and blooms. The Bee Balm was seen along a walk I took OTG Thursday. This unmarked route was full of rodo's as well with thunder sounding off throughout the walk as scattered storms gathered.

This Just In!! Emerald insects of mass destruction are here!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials recently confirmed the presence of invasive emerald ash borer beetles in the park. Last week, beetles were discovered near Sugarlands Visitor Center and in the Greebrier area, on the Tennessee side of the park. The insects were recovered during routine inspection of traps and sent to a U.S. Department of Agriculture entomologist for confirmation. The emerald ash borer was first discovered in the U.S. in Michigan in 2002 and has steadily spread from there, damaging millions of ash trees across the country. The ½ inch-long beetle lays eggs in bark crevices on all species of ash. Upon hatching, larvae burrow under the bark, creating feeding tunnels that interfere with the tree’s ability to translocate nutrients and fluids. The tree gradually starves and eventually dies. The park began trapping the beetles in 2008 as part of a broader effort coordinated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Under APHIS guidance, traps were placed in a 100-mile-wide band outside the previously known infested area. At the time, the park was considered to be at high risk for new infestation because of the sizable number of visitors who reside in already infested counties. The spread of emerald ash borer beetles primarily results from transport of infested logs and firewood. A park-wide ban remains in effect for any firewood originating from a location for which a federal or state quarantine is in effect. A list of all quarantined areas may be found at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/quarantine-counties.htm. Park management is evaluating a range of options in regard to addressing the emerald ash borer’s presence in the park. “Protecting the park’s biodiversity is of the utmost importance,” says Superintendent Dale Ditmanson.” We will carefully consider all options available to us before determining the best course of action in dealing with this invasive species.”

Fire Flies are early this year!

This is what the biologist at the GSMNP have to say about the fire flies this year. They're Early!! (The following is from a recent park memo) The Bottom Line: The appearance and display of the synchronized fireflies this year is extremely early. Park biologists predict that while there may still be some activity during the weekend of June 2nd, the display will be past peak and may taper off to nothing well before the following weekend. Beginning Tuesday May 29th the Elkmont road will be closed each evening to all but registered campers (if the campground is not full, visitors will be permitted to proceed to the campground to register to camp). Trolleys shall run beginning June 2nd for ticketed Firefly Event reservation holders only. No additional information will be available by phone. Visitors can check the park website for any updated information on current activity levels. More Information: Like many seasonal events in nature, the annual timing of the appearance and display of synchronized fireflies is influenced by environmental conditions—mostly climate—which can be impossible to accurately predict well in advance. While the 2012 special firefly operational period was scheduled based upon the timing of firefly appearances in past years, this year the unusually warm spring has caused the appearance of the fireflies well earlier than that ever recorded in the past. We believe that the activity is currently at peak. Daily temperatures in the days ahead will affect the length and intensity of the firefly display making it difficult to predict exactly when the activity will taper off. Unfortunately, due to the popularity of the firefly event, requiring the availability and coordination of a large cadre of park staff and trolleys, we do not have the flexibility to shift event operations forwards or backwards to match current firefly activity and it is necessary to close access to the viewing area to protect resources and visitors.

Various recent hikes

Dudes and Dudettes! I have had some awesome day hikes recently, squeezed in to a lot of other stuff.

Stuff like a week of activism and related events in West Virginia, work, and getting more work. Looks like I'll be working Bonnaroo again this year unless a better more long term job comes up, which is possible, and next week is the Week in Washington. That is where about 150 folks from around the country will be in DC working to protect our drinking water from toxins and heavy metals by the most destructive form of coal mining currently used, Mountaintop Removal. Enough.

The day hikes where these pictures came from included the West Prong, Rich Mountain, and Laurel Falls trail, where the bear was. I may not be able to do as much hiking as I'd like due to activism and work in the next few weeks/months though I will adapt and find some interesting walks wherever I end up. Peace

Flowers and Things..

A beautiful day for a walk with PC skies, temperatures in the 70's, and a breeze. I had been in a car or at a desk for the previous week in various parts of WV, and was in real need of some time in the woods. A short while into the hike up Rich Mtn. trail I was presented with these bright Indian Pinks

blooming alongside the route which were mixed with other wild flowers, including Mountain Laurel and some Flame Azalea.

The trail was in good condition and on my return a few hours later I passed Mr Hickey; a Volunteer in the Park (VIP), cleaning up around campsite #5 and doing maintenance on the Rich Mtn. trail between the Ace Gap trail head and the #5 campsite. Funny thing was a few hours later I am stopping by Little River Trading Co., looking for an item and I saw him again inside shopping. Well he was doing good work on the trail and I thanked him for it. Now the Copperhead I nearly stepped on was at the bottom of trail and the end of a good hike. It was one of those times where just as your placing your foot you look to see where your putting it and just start spazzing out physically trying to not step on the damn thing and cussing as you do some funky maneuvers for a few feet and a few seconds, until you realize your gonna be OK. I turned around to face it after I finished doing my spastic dance and that sucker was all cocked back and as freaked out as I was, probably. Another remarkable creature here for a purpose and good reason for me to appreciate the wild life and do what I can to preserve it. It all matters. Peace

Gravel Road at Tremont Closed May 15 and 16

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced that the gravel section of Tremont Road beyond the Great Smoky Mountains Institute will be closed on May 15 and 16 to allow crews to clean ditches, culverts and grade the road while using heavy equipment and dump trucks. Workers will also be adding gravel to the road and removing standing dead trees along the shoulders. The closure of this narrow road is necessary for the safety of visitors and employees during this much needed road work. During the closure periods there will continue to be access to Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont and the West Prong and Lumber Ridge Trailheads. The Middle Prong Trailhead will be inaccessible.

Lumber Ridge Loop

The "Magster" and I walked this 8ml+ route today with good weather. We saw and spoke with two groups of BP's, both of which had been out for several nights and were curious if we knew the weather forecast, as it had been raining the night before. The manway portion of this route was void of people with lots of Trillium and other wild flowers shining with color. Peace

Chimney Tops Trail Closed.....temporarily at times.

This just in....
Gatlinburg - Officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park have announced that the popular Chimney Tops Trail will be closed each Monday through Thursday from Monday, April 30 through Thursday, October 18 while the trail undergoes a major facelift. The work is expected to take two seasons to complete. The combination of heavy use, abundant rainfall, and steep terrain has turned the Chimney Tops trail into a badly eroded obstacle course of slick, broken rock, exposed tree roots and mud. The hazards that now exist on the trail encourage hikers to pick their way across the uneven surface or to divert them off the edges of the trail, causing extensive soil erosion and resource damage. The Park’s Trails Forever Crew and will be rebuilding the trail using rock and timber. The planned work includes: Constructing rock steps to carry hikers up the steepest areas and prevent erosion; building elevated “turnpikes”- logs laid parallel and packed with dirt, to carry the trail across wetland areas, and creating numerous “waterbars” – logs or stone partially buried diagonally across the trail to divert rainwater off the trail before it can erode the walking surface. Park managers say that the extensive use of durable stone and rot-resistant black locust timbers in the reconstruction will stabilize the trail for decades to come, reducing annual maintenance, and greatly improving the visitor experience.
According to Tobias Miller, the Foreman of the Park’s Trails Forever Crew,” Because of the narrow trail corridor, and steep drop-offs along the edges of the trail, we could not get the work done safely or efficiently with hikers streaming through. Much of the needed work involves moving and breaking large rock which will require extensive rigging of cable systems that will make the trail virtually impassable. Trying to accommodate hikers through the work zones with this type of work underway would be hazardous.” The Park is scheduling the work so as to allow the Chimney Tops Trail to be re-opened for peak visitor use each Friday through Sunday. During the closure days the Park is suggesting alternative trails including: Alum Cave Trail which is two miles south of Chimney Tops along Newfound Gap Road, the Appalachian Trail north to Charlies Bunion, the Rainbow Falls Trail from the Cherokee Orchard Road to the falls, or the Forney Ridge Trail from the Clingmans Dome Parking Area two miles to Andrews Bald. Park managers are especially encouraging people to hike the Forney Ridge Trail, because until recently it had the same sort of problems as the Chimney Tops Trail and is an example of the kind of work that is ongoing at Chimney Tops. The Park’s Trails Forever Crew is funded through a partnership between the Park and the Friends of the Smokies. The Friends are donating $121,000 this year to support the program.
The Park’s professional Trails Forever crew will also be reinforced by volunteers who sign up to work with the crew on scheduled workdays, as individuals or part of organized groups. The Park invites interested trail work volunteers to visit the Trails Forever website at

www.smokiestrailsforever.org or contact Trails & Facilities Volunteer Coordinator at (828) 497-1949 for more information.

More blooms as I walked today

These are some pretty awesome flowers (May Apples) in their beauty and the way they bloom under their large leafs.







The "Mysterious One" described this camouflage as making the hidden flowers "only for the small animals" hiding them from larger critters like us. Peace

Cool Spring Days, Hot Spring Blooms!

Dudes and Dudettes! Today was a good day for walking in the woods. With sunny skies, cool temps (low to mid 60's) and an often strong wind blowing cool air through the mountains I was able enjoy two hikes totaling 9+ mls. The blooms along Rich Mtn. trail are very pretty and the Trillium is kicking it along this route starting from Rich Mtn. rd. at Ace Gap trailhead. There were also an array of other colorful blooms in white, purple, pink, and yellow.
Sunday the mysterious one and I hiked about 9mls beginning at Fighting Creek Gap along the Sugarlands Mtn trail and down the Huskey Gap trail to campsite #21, which sits along the Little River. We then returned up Huskey Gap trail and followed it out to the parking area for this trailhead on Hwy #411. Where we had left a car after leaving a conference we had been attending in Gatlinburg. Dude! there like 1/2 acre fields of Trillium along this route. I mean like fields or mountainsides of white blooms! Oh, yea. I forgot my camera....guess you'll have to come see for yourself. E-mail me and we'll arrange something or help you find the trails you seek. Peace

Just the other day

Just the other day I got a the opportunity to visit Hector's farm and walk up to, on top of, and over the waterfalls he's still trying to protect. The water was flowing in all his streams and the few flat areas were covered in an awesome array of wild flowers.


The one Woofer whose staying with him will be leaving soon and there remains lots of work to do so I am going to visit again soon for a few days to work on the farm.

Last week on a Loop

This walk was taken last week and followed the Lumber Ridge Trail out of Tremont to the intersection 4mls.up the trail and then down the manway to Spruce Flat Falls. It was a quiet day with some blooms happening and I did not see anyone along the route.
I did see my first confirmed wild hog as I was coming down the manway though! Dudes and Dudettes! I stop after getting about 15 casual minutes down the trail from the intersection and stop because I am hearing something off the the right of me that ain't no squirrel. As I listen I begin to eliminate the possibilities of what the noises are coming from and I say "noises" due to fact that there are loud "thumps and cracks" coming from a couple locations close by and not so far up a ridge. Then I catch a glimpse of some thing moving which turns out to be a bunch of little tan and black piglets. A minute or three later I begin to hear this snorting sound that is getting closer and I started looking for trees to climb and other escape routes. For a few seconds I got a glimpse of a large adult boar walking through the rodo's and apparently rounding up it's little ones. A wildlife moment that I was unable to document on a film do to the foliage and and the moving animals. Peace

The Mountains of Tennessee

From our friends at LEAF
March 22, 2012

Dear Caretakers of Creation:

You all are a political miracle. In calls, letters and e-mails you told your representatives that you want them to support and pass the Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Act. Your action has gained the bill new supporters and made others reluctant to go on record against it. Thank you for that.
Your remarkable level of attention and quick action against the decoy bill in the Senate has caused the decoy to lose momentum. The decoy has not been offered at all in the House. The voters have stopped a common legislative maneuver. Thank you for that too.
We have at least one more legislative derailment LEAF needs your action to stop. Now that it is clear to the coal industry that some expected industry votes are wavering, they will likely ask the House Committee to take no action at all this year. Generally, this type of motion requests study and “talks” instead of a vote.
LEAF intends to respectfully request a vote, on the merits, in the House and Senate, this year. And we believe this important bill should reach the floor in both the House and Senate, so that all of our representatives get a chance to be heard.

The TSVPA is on the calendar of the House Subcommittee for next Tuesday, March 27. It is a long calendar, so they may or may not get to us on that day. If not, April 3rd is a likely alternate date.

But we must be prepared by March 27. The message we need you to send to the House Environment Committee members is: “There have been five years for delays and study. During that time eight more mountains have been permitted for destruction. We have already lost too many irreplaceable, Tennessee mountains to delay. Pass the Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Act (HB 291) this year.”

Email RE or phone message for members: “Pass the TSVPA-this year.”

It is human to try to avoid choices, when either option will displease someone. However, failure to decide is a decision. Pray for courage for our elected representatives to protect the mountains.

With humble gratitude for the power of your voices,
Dawn Coppock
Legislative Director, LEAF

For more information contact Dawn Coppock, LEAF Legislative Director
c 865-382-0895, o 865-933-8173, dawn@dawncoppock.com or see www.tnleaf.org.

Wear Valley rd Closed

Beginning today, March 15th, the GSMNP will begin a three Week Closure of the Wears Valley Entrance to the park which brings you into the Metcalf Bottoms area.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced that Park’s Wears Cove Entrance will be closed from Thursday morning, March 15 through Thursday, April 5, while the deck of the bridge and utility lines across the Little River is replaced.
The Wears Cove Road carries traffic from Wears Cove via Lyon Springs Road to the Park’s Little River Road at the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. At this time of year the road is primarily used by local commuters as a short cut between U.S. 321 in Wears Valley and Gatlinburg.
During the closure period there will be no access to Little Greenbrier School. The Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area will open on April 1 as scheduled. The North loop and picnic pavilion will open on April 6.

Spring Break in The GSMNP

GATLINBURG - Great Smoky Mountains National Park managers have announced plans to bring in a large crane to remove the remaining unstable material from the site of the March 5 slide on the north-bound Spur. That slide occurred just beyond the tunnel on the north-bound Spur (U.S. 441) between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The Park expects to accomplish the slide stabilization between Tuesday morning March 13 and Thursday afternoon March 15.
Managers are looking at two alternatives to handle north-bound traffic during the work period. One option is to funnel the north-bound traffic into single lane before the tunnel and maintain that one lane of traffic past the work zone. If they do not believe that can be done safety, the second option will be to detour the north-bound traffic onto one of the normal south-bound lanes all the way from the north end of Gatlinburg to the Gnatty Branch Bridge where motorists would cross the river and continue into Pigeon Forge.

Snow Flurries and the Spring Schedule for the GSMNP

Dudes and dudettes! So, like last week it's in the 70's and today I step out into a light snow? and tomorrow I'll likely be in shorts working in the yard.
Hmmm?...and Over a dozen weather related records were broken last year......
This just in from the GSMNP
Campgrounds and secondary roads will open starting on Friday, March 9. The schedule
follows:
Roads – The secondary roads that are set to open on March 9 include:
Little Greenbrier, Rich Mountain, Straight Fork/Round Bottom, Forge Creek, Parson Branch, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. As a result of the mild winter, Clingmans Dome Road is set to open on Friday March 16. Heintooga Ridge and Balsam Mountain Roads will open on May 11.

Operating Hours for Visitor Centers – The three visitor centers are open daily and the operating hours through March are as follows: Sugarlands Visitor Center, near Gatlinburg, TN, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Cades Cove Visitor Center, near Townsend, TN, 9a.m.-6 p.m., and the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC, hours will be 8:00a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Recreation.gov provides visitors an opportunity to make reservations to many federally-managed recreation areas, including National Park Service areas, all across the U.S. The park’s developed campgrounds of Cataloochee, Elkmont, Cades Cove, Smokemont, and some sites at Cosby are on the reservation system for at least a portion of their seasons. To make reservations at the five campgrounds, and all group campsites, horse camps, and picnic shelters, visitors can go to www.Recreation.gov or, alternatively, book reservations by calling 877-444-6777.
Campgrounds open on a staggered basis starting March 9. (See the following schedule for exact dates.) For the five campgrounds on Recreation.gov, reservations are required at Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont for the period from May 15-October 31 (for other dates the three campgrounds are first come, first serve); Cataloochee Campground--all sites must be reserved throughout its season; and Cosby Campground, which has mostly first-come, first-served campsites, has a limited number of reservable sites during its season. Camping fees range from $14 to $23 per
site/night.
Campers have an opportunity to camp in “generator free” campsites at three campgrounds: Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont campgrounds. The
generator-free loop sections of these campgrounds are reservable through
Recreation.gov.
Picnic Areas – There are 10 first-come, first-serve picnic areas. Open all year are Cades Cove, Greenbrier, Deep Creek, and Metcalf Bottoms. Chimneys Picnic Area will be the first to open on March 15 while Big Creek, Collins Creek, and Cosby Picnic Areas will open shortly after on April 1.
Heintooga and Look Rock are scheduled to open on May 11. The Park’s largest picnic pavilion at Twin Creeks opens on April 1 and reservations are required through Recreation.gov only. Twin Creeks fees range from $35-$75 depending on the number of people. In addition, picnickers can reserve five other picnic pavilions on Recreation.gov. They are located at Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep Creek, Metcalf Bottoms, and Greenbrier picnic areas. The cost is $20, except at Greenbrier where it is $10.
LeConte Lodge, accessible only by trail, will open on March 19. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 865/429-5704, fax 865/774-0045 or e:mail reservations@lecontelodge.com. One night at the lodge costs $121 per adult and $85 for children 10 and under (tax not included). The price includes two meals--dinner and breakfast. Day hikers and backpackers can purchase a prepared bag or dining room lunch an snacks/beverages at the lodge. Reservations are required for the dining room lunch.
Campground Concessions – The Cades Cove Campground Store will open March 3. The store provides groceries, camping supplies, firewood, ice, vending, limited food service, souvenirs, and bike rentals. The Cades Cove Store has multi-speed comfort or mountain bikes available for rent, in addition to single speed cruisers. The Elkmont Campground concession will open March 9. The concession provides firewood, ice, limited camper convenience items, and vending of soft drinks, newspapers, and snacks.
CAMPGROUND SCHEDULE
Campgrounds Fee Open Group Sites
North Carolina:

Balsam Mountain $14 May 11
Big Creek $14 April 1 April 1
Cataloochee $20 March 9 March 9
Deep Creek $17 April 1 April 1
*Smokemont $17, $20 Year-round May 15

Tennessee:
Abrams Creek $14 May 11
*Cades Cove $17, $20 Year-round March 9
Cosby $14 April 1 April 1
*Elkmont $17, $20 March 9 March 9
Look Rock $14 May 11

*$20 per site during the reservation period May 15-October 31. At Elkmont,
riverside sites are $23 during reservation period only.

From our friends at Appalachain Voices

See the link to 'App Voices' on the right side of this page to access their website and the studies mentioned below. And then call your congresspersons state and federal and tell them about it! You'll find the numbers at the bottom of the page. Below is an excerpt from the latest App Voices website.

Mapping the Human Cost of Coal

According to 21 new scientific studies, people living near mountaintop removal and other types of coal mines suffer higher cancer rates, more birth defects, and have shorter life spans than other people in Appalachia.

Check out the new interactive health mapping feature on iLoveMountains.org or read summaries of the key findings of these 21 studies and you’ll understand why Appalachian people have long been saying: “What we do to the land, we do to the people.”

[ Check out the map and read summaries of the studies on iLoveMountains.org ]

They are killing us!

This link was sent from a woman; Maria Gunnoe, who knows personally about the ethical and environmental injustice being allowed by policy makers as foreign and domestic energy companies blow up our mountains for coal. Coal which in most cases is exported to other countries while our peoples homes, communities and history are destroyed.
Click the title for more.....and I think I'll go for a hike. Peace

Just a picture

The areas to the northwest of Knoxville are beautiful and there is relatively little development. This area of which I type contains part of the Cumberland Mountains just east of the Big South Fork and is being pillaged in another fashion as it's resources are extracted and sold on the stock exchange. If you would, click on and enlarge this picture of these signs I saw as I drove into Elk Valley TN today. Read with a prayer. Peace

Hiking in a little snow

So Saturday included a few few first for me one of which was the first snow; though minimal, in the lowlands this winter and the other a hike with a family member who I've never hiked with. My concerns about the weather and adequate clothing were noted in the days prior to our walk and her cover was OK for a short day hike. We followed a route which would keep us off the ridge lines because of the strong winds which were gusting thus bringing windchill's into the single digits early in the day.

Our walk began at the Schoolhouse Gap trailhead; much to my surprise the parking area was overflowing, and followed it up to the intersection with trail leading down to White Oak Sink. After about a half a mile along the Sink trail we passed a group of 8 who were exiting and which made for a quiet walk for us the rest of the way.
This area is really getting a lot of use as compared to when I first ventured down an indiscreet manway into the Sink only 4 and half years ago. I recall being cautioned by other, more experienced volunteers at the VC, to not be giving away the locations and routes of all "our spots". I must say though when I did, I did so with discretion, and no longer distribute such information to the general public.
We visited the caves and waterfall then exited through the one of the other routes which brought us out at the cabin and School House Gap Trail. Which we followed back to the trailhead, passing a few folks on the way out. Another great experience in the woods made possible by a lot of people that have come before us, and leaving with us a great responsibility to do the same. Peace

This just in...I-40 west bound Closed....

Per TDOT (TN Department Of Transportation)

Interstate 40 westbound in Cocke County- All west bound lanes closed due to a Rockslide at Mile Marker #450, reported at 1/31/2012 1:00:00 AM and it is not likely to be cleared until 2/14/2012 at 10:00:00 AM (Eastern Time). Westbound traffic is affected with all lanes blocked.
I-40 westbound traffic will be turned around at exit 451 back to I-40 east to I-26 westbound to I-81 southbound to I-40 as an alternate route.

Hungry Mother

Dudettes and dudes! Me and some of my friends are staying a few days at Hungry Mother State Park near Marion VA, working on some ways to better carry the message of stopping MTR. This stream is along my walk from the cabin I am sharing and the building we meet in. Peace

Great Smokies NP and more People

The park numbers are in for 2011...and more people continue to visit! Check these numbers and how many just drove around the cove and over the gap? Charge 'em a buck per car!!
December 2011 traffic into Great Smoky Mountains National Park jumped by 37.7% over December 2010. This strong visitation drove year-to-date Park visitation over 9 million by a scant 8,831 visitors. Traffic for the year in 2011 totaled 9,008,831 compared with 9,463,538 for 2010 - a decline of 4.8% for the year.
In December 2011 Park entries were 471,603 compared with 342,512 in December 2010. The strong December 2011 count was a result of a combination of unusually warm winter weather in 2011 and especially harsh winter weather in December 2010.
All three of the Park's main entrances saw substantial jumps in December 2011 visitation:
Gatlinburg was up 46.1%
Townsend was up 24.1%
Cherokee was up 75.1%

The 13 outlying entrances showed an 11.8% jump over 2010 traffic. Visits to the 397 National Park Service sites nation-wide declined by 1.68% in 2011. Grand Canyon National Park, the second most visited National Park behind the Smokies, dropped by 3.3% last year with a total of 4.2 million visits. Yellowstone travel was off by 6.8% with 3.4 million.

(Source: Bob Miller, GSMNP)

Random Walks and Photos

These walks over the last week included the trail to Spruce Flat Falls from Tremont, Chestnut Top, and some others. Each walk was made in differing weather conditions ranging from 40 degrees and drizzle to sunny with temperatures in the lower 30's. The trails at this time of the year are are used less frequently with the winter weather discouraging those less experienced and unprepared which makes for a quiet time for thoughts and awareness of the things in the moment. Peace

Sam's Creek

This OTG route was quiet today though there were several cars parked at the Middle Prong trailhead parking area. The weather was overcast, little wind, and temperatures maybe in the low 50's. The trails were soft but not muddy and stream crossings were not a problem with the recent light rains the Townsend area received yesterday (Sat.) and overnight. I am hoping to make the ascent up Thunderhead from this approach sometime in the next few months, with careful planning and a partner in crime.

Hiking for the new year

Dudes and Dudettes! What an awesome day hike the Mysterious One and I took on Sunday the first calendar day of 2012.
It was challenging in several ways, including the approximate 13 mls we covered w/ an elevation gain on the Bull Head trail of just about 4000'. The often wet, windy weather and temperatures fluctuating with the variables of altitude, wind, and cloud cover, and the added physical challenges because of these, allowed us to further appreciate the forest and mountains in the present. Times were slowed some by these elements but they also made for sometimes seemingly fictitious settings while hiking through clouds on quiet paths, with the rhododendron's green appearing bright through the misty shroud.
In the one picture the Mysterious One is on the clouded trail just before lunch and we are probably around 5000'+, the other is of Rainbow Falls, and the other is just why the call 'em the Smokies!
Hiking this day was not for the ill prepared or wimps and as our gear was adequate I re-learned more about hiking mountains in the winter. Most importantly is to be prepared for just a little bit more than "I think" I'll need because given the space in my day pack that I did not use an extra bit of food, another dry layer ready if needed, and something besides my full length jacket for a shelter would have been good to have. For shelter I mean like a 5'x 8' poly tarp or something. Something light and versatile.
And of course some hot coffee for the Mysterious One at lunch sure would have won some points! Peace