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