Monday the 16th of December 2019

High winds are prompting action.

Smokies Road Info

‏ @SmokiesRoadsNPS 1h1 hour ago

Cades Cove Loop Road is closed for tree clearing through Thursday 12/19/19

OTG a short distance

I wanted to share a picture and give a suggestion...when it's cold and muddy after a snow go hiking! This is from Dec. 11th, and was already our 3rd snow in the lowlands, with more above like 2500'.

The AT south or west of Clingman's Dome

These pics are from a hike a few weeks ago I took with "Dave the hiker from Nashville", which was the Veterans Day weekend, and a fact which we did not figure into our plans. "Plans" which originally were to hike to LeConte via the Alum Cave trail but as we approached the trail cars started appearing parked on the sides of the road a 1/4 mile out, and continued a 1/4 mile past the trailhead parking.

We put that hike off for another day and continued up to the AT access at Clingman's Dome. This area was completely packed so we were glad to get out of the parking lot and in the woods!
This section of the AT, leaving Clingmans for Double Springs Gap, is fairly easy going that direction, minus a few rough spots, as it is losing altitude for the most part. Going down hill.
The return, thus, is a little bit more difficult . However this section of the AT is good for day hikes of various lengths and routes with many beautiful vistas! So "git a map" and start planning.

Little Bottoms Trail a week ago

 

 Hello! Dave the hiker from Nashville and I walked along
the Little Bottoms trail on a recent Saturday afternoon, enjoying the quiet noise of the forest beside Abrams Creek.
Dave the hiker took these photos as we walked this moderately difficult trail.
Much like the other end of this trail, coming out of Cades Cove, this section is rough, often skinny, and has numerous ups and downs in elevation and would not be recommended
for anyone seeking an easier softer walk.
However if you're in relatively good health and have something to drink you'll probably be ok.
Parking is near the Abrams Creek ranger residence. From this parking area one has access to some nice, less traveled routes.
And if you're just looking for a nice evening walk park here and walk towards the Abrams Creek Campground.  You'll find about a 1/4 mile or so of hard packed road along the creek until you reach  the campground.

Prescribed Burn Operations Set for November 19 and 20

Crews plan to complete fall prescribed burn operations in Cades Cove on Tuesday, November 19 in the 304-acre Tipton-Oliver unit and on Wednesday, November 20 in the 90-acre Cable House unit near the Abrams Falls Trailhead.  Hikers should expect temporary closures of the Abrams Falls Trailhead access road throughout the day.  Please see below for more details.

Visitors should expect to see fire activity and smoke during prescribed burn operations. Fire managers ask that motorists reduce speed in work zones, but refrain from stopping in the roadways. If smoke is present, motorists should roll up windows and turn on headlights.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Appalachian-Piedmont-Coastal Zone fire management staff plan to burn approximately 660 acres of fields on the western end of Cades Cove. Weather permitting, burn operations will occur between Wednesday, November 6 and Friday, December 20. The operations are expected to be conducted on three separate days. Media updates will be provided before burn operations. So stay tuned!

Over the last 20 years, park managers have conducted these burns during the spring and fall under specific prescription parameters to safely reduce fuels, restore meadow habitats, and maintain the historic landscape of Cades Cove. Park staff closely monitor fire weather conditions including vegetation and soil moisture, wind speed and direction, temperature, and relative humidity to ensure that conditions meet the burn plan objectives for the site. 

“The selected fields will be burned to restore meadow species, prevent the open fields from being reclaimed by forest, and to reduce hazardous fuels,” said Fire Management Officer Greg Salansky.

Visitors should expect to see firefighters and equipment along Hyatt Lane and the western end of the Cades Cove Loop Road. The loop road and historic structures will remain open to visitor use, but brief delays and temporary closures may occur to ensure public safety during burn operations. Park staff will be present to answer questions during operations at overlooks and parking areas. Specifically, the crew plans to burn the following units depicted in orange on the attached map: 185-acre old field, 304-acre Tipton-Oliver field, 87-acre cemetery marsh field, and 90-acre Cable House field.

For more information on the use of prescribed burns in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/wildlandfire.htm.

Road Closing due to Weather Advisory

US Hwy 441 Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg TN and Cherokee NC will close at 7:00pm tonight Monday 11/11/19 due to winter weather advisory. The park will advise when re-opened. GSMNP twitter link here: https://twitter.com/smokiesroadsnps

Burning Cades Cove

Park Plans Prescribed Burn in Cades Cove 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Appalachian-Piedmont-Coastal Zone fire management staff plan to burn approximately 660 acres of fields on the western end of Cades Cove. Weather permitting, burn operations will occur between Wednesday, November 6 and Friday, December 20. The operations are expected to be conducted on three separate days.  

The loop road and historic structures will remain open to visitor use, but brief delays and temporary closures may occur to ensure public safety during burn operations.

Visitors should expect to see firefighters and equipment along Hyatt Lane and the western end of the Cades Cove Loop Road. 

Over the last 20 years, park managers have conducted these burns during the spring and fall under specific prescription parameters to safely reduce fuels, restore meadow habitats, and maintain the historic landscape of Cades Cove. 

Park staff closely monitor fire weather conditions including vegetation and soil moisture, wind speed and direction, temperature, and relative humidity to ensure that conditions meet the burn plan objectives for the site. 

These seasonal controlled burns help perpetuate native herbaceous species that provide high quality cover and foraging opportunities for a diversity of wildlife including deer, turkeys, and ground nesting birds.

Park staff will be present to answer questions during operations at overlooks and parking areas. 

Tree's and Colors

Dudes and Dudettes! Wow, Sunday I was doing some volunteer work in the GSMNP, and was unable to access the trail I was scheduled to work on until after 9am, due to all the blow downs from the high winds over the previous 24 hours.

Visitors were backing up at the SVC by 8am, wanting to know when the roads would open.
Crews were out early Sunday morning clearing trees and had most of the park open by noon! Great work.
These pictures are from some hikes I've taken over the last few days. Peak colors are likely in the next week to 10 days.

Sunday, 10/26/19,Trees Down and Many roads Closed

With high winds yesterday, Saturday 10/26/19, and overnight,  much of the Great Smoky Mtns. NP, is currently closed due to FALLEN TREES CAUSING road closures. Stay tuned to the GSMNP twiiter site which you'll find a link to on this page. Be safe.
https://twitter.com/smokiesroadsnps

Fall Colors in the Appalachian Mtns. and Great Smoky Mountains NP

TEMPORARY RESTRICTION ON CAMPFIRES IN THE BACKCOUNTRY CONTINUES IN EFFECT 

In the Great Smoky Mountains NP

Alert 1 , Severity ,danger ,,TEMPORARY RESTRICTION ON CAMPFIRES IN THE BACKCOUNTRY IN EFFECTDue to drought conditions, there is a temporary restriction on campfires in the backcountry. Use of backpacking stoves that utilize pre-packaged compressed gas canisters is still permitted. Carry extra water as springs may be running low or dry.
So….it's fall in the smokies! And with this time of year lots and lots of folks travel to the Appalachian Mountains to view the colors of the fall foliage. Peak colors for the area including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is projected to be the last week of this month, October.
Trees and other plants have been affected by the hot and dry period this area has been in for most of the last month, until it started cooling off the first week of October and much of this area had some rain the 15th and 16th.
Trees are changing, and the guess that the last week of the month will be the peak is looking pretty accurate. Dogshead thinks so.

The fall mast crop is Plentiful

Dudettes and dudes! I have been on this trail several times over the last weeks and found the nuts and other fall crops that occur naturally in these mountains are plentiful! And with this full crop of acorns, hickory and beech nuts, as well as berries and stuff like worms, the bears come to fatten up.  I have seen lots of sign, some very recent, but have not seen any bears yet.
Nonetheless, my hikes up the Rich Mtn trail have been very pleasing, and as always, full of variances in shades of a color(s). Be it the differing shades of green in plants, leaves and trees, or the mosses, it is fun to notice the small changes in "green".

Lead Cove Trail

"The Mysterious One" and I accessed this trail from the pull-off parking beside Laurel Creek Rd as you drive towards Cades Cove. There are several pull-offs that are parallel to the road near the intersection of Finley Cane, Turkeypen Ridge, Crib Gap, and Lead Cove trails.
Find the trails' intersection on your map.

This 1.8 mile jaunt which makes up the Lead Cove trail, takes you up to the Bote Mtn. Trail where you can go right and continue 2.9 mls to the AT, and the Spence Field Shelter, or left and down to several trail intersections and eventually campsite #18. Another two miles along the West Prong trail an you'll reach the Institute at Tremont.
Lead Cove and other trails which connect with Bote Mtn. trail can be used as portions of great day hikes if you have a shuttle or two vehicles. Some longer day hikes/loops can also be mapped out.
About a 1/4 ml. in we surprised a sleeping bear. Needless to say it surprised us as well!
This 1.8 mls is a moderately difficult hike primarily because of the consistent incline throughout the 1.8 mls. The terrain and foliage was beautiful with a few late summer vistas along the way.

Noah Bud Ogle cabin and trail

From our friends at the GSMNP - 

Noah Bud Ogle Cabin and Nature Trail Temporary Closure Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced a temporary, weekday closure of the Noah Bud Ogle Cabin, Noah Bud Ogle Nature Trail, and associated parking area to allow crews to make needed cabin repairs. The area will be closed August 26 through September 12 on Monday mornings at 7:00 a.m. through Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. weekly. The area will be fully open each week on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and on federal holidays.

The Noah Bud Ogle cabin is located on Cherokee Orchard Road near Gatlinburg, TN. The cabin, barn, and tub mill are preserved along a mile-long nature trail. The unique cabin design joins two structures together by a common chimney. Crews will be making much-needed repairs to the chimney.

For more information on road and trail closures, please visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm.

....and this just in, yesterday. Major road closures this winter in the Smokies.

Significant road closures scheduled this winter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that the main access roads into Cades Cove and Cataloochee will be closed for several months this winter for road construction projects.     

The main access road into Cataloochee, Cove Creek Road, is expected to be closed from November 1 through February 29 for roadwork while the North Carolina Department of Transportation repairs a slide just outside the park along the county road. This full road closure will prevent access into Cataloochee from this main access point. The Cataloochee area will remain accessible along old Highway 284 which is a narrow, winding gravel road leading from the Big Creek area of the park into Cataloochee Valley. Weather depending, this road may be closed at any time due to snow, ice, or downed trees. This route is not recommended for low clearance vehicles or trailers. The Cataloochee Campground is expected to reopen for the 2020 season by March 26.


Laurel Creek Road, the seven-mile access road leading from the Townsend Wye to Cades Cove will be closed to all motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians from January 3 through February 29 to repair the Bote Mountain Tunnel. The full closure, beginning just past Tremont Road, is necessary to allow equipment set-up for the repair of the internal drainage system in the walls and ceiling of the 121-foot long tunnel. Crews will enclose and heat the tunnel, allowing the temperature-sensitive repairs to be conducted during the winter months when visitation is lower. Intermittent single-lane closures will be necessary between March 1 and June 15 to complete the tunnel repairs and to re-pave the tunnel area. 
The Cades Cove Campground, normally open during the winter months, will be closed December 30, 2019 through March 5. To accommodate winter campers, Elkmont Campground will remain open year round along with Smokemont Campground in NC. 

The Bote Mountain Tunnel, constructed in 1948, has not had any significant rehabilitation work since that time. 

For more information about road closures, please follow SmokiesRoadsNPS on twitter or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/grsm.

Hikes in the Smokies

Wow Dudes and Dudettes! The pleasures and benefits of getting outside are never ending. Whether I am in my yard or in a protected wilderness area my blood pressure drops and my attitude and outlook changes.
These are some pics I took while hiking some of my default hikes along West Prong, and Rich Mountain trails. The trails are in good condition and with schools being back in session the visitor numbers to all the protected areas are lower. The mast crop looks to be really good in the areas I have recently hiked.