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