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

Burning The Cove

Fire managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park plan to conduct a series of prescribed burns of fields in Cades Cove on Tuesday through Friday, November 9-12, if weather conditions permit. Park managers plan to burn several tracts totaling about 700 acres.
The selected fields are being burned as part of a cost-effective strategy to prevent the open fields from being reclaimed by forest. The Park contracts to mow about 950 acres of fields that are clearly visible from the Cades Cove Loop Road twice a year. Other fields that are less visible from the Loop Road, totaling around 1,500 acres, are kept open by burning or mowing on a three year rotation. Park firefighters and a Park engine will be assigned each day to ignite the grass lands and to make sure the fire stays within its prescribed boundaries. Strips of grass surrounding each field slated for burning have been mowed short to provide containment lines. Hand-built control lines have also been scraped down to bare soil to contain the fire in some areas.
“At this point we do not expect to have to close the Cades Cove Loop Road, but will monitor the situation for smoke or other safety hazards,” said Park Fire Management Officer Mark Taylor. “The public, of course, will notice smoke in the valley but it will dissipate quickly and not unduly impact their visit,” he said.

A Walk Along Rich Mountain

This is a wonderful afternoon walk which is a moderate to strenuous walk depending on the pace. My quiet steady pace up the 2.3 miles to the ridge line was a good workout yet allowed the experience of noticing birds, lizards, and squirrels. The trail is in good condition minus the horsesh_t, with many wildflowers blooming along the way
Once at the top I took a right turn and walked another 1/2 ml or so w/ views of Cades Cove through the trees. The evening sun and strong winds made for a very pleasant hike, Peace.

This Just in...yesterday, Cades Cove Schedule

The folks at the GSMNP Superintendents office sent this out March 31st, letting folks know...
that the popular Cades Cove Loop is expected to reopen Saturday, April 24,
about a month earlier than had been projected.
The Superintendent credits capable management and aggressive efforts by the contractor and the cooperation of the Federal Highway Administration, in conjunction with financial incentives built into the contract for the early completion.
In recognition of the completion of this long-overdue project and of National Park Week, the Park is planning two celebratory events. A Field Day has been set for Saturday, April 24 when only bicycles and pedestrians will be permitted on the road until noon. On Sunday morning, April 25 the Park and the Friends of the Smokies are planning a one-time-only “Cades Cove Loop Lope”, which will offer pre-registered runners a choice of the full 11 mile loop or a 3.5 mile loop course. Both events are being planned to minimize visitor inconvenience.
The weekend’s activities also coincide with National Park Week, a nation-wide celebration in National Park areas when visitors are encouraged to get out and enjoy the great American outdoors.
The Park has traditionally limited the Loop Road to bicycles and pedestrians until 10a.m. each Saturday and Wednesday from early May through September, but they have extended this one “bicycle closure” until noon to accommodate an anticipated greater number of people.
They are also expanding the parking area available to Loop visitors through use of one of the mowed pastures, and will be limiting access to the Cove beyond the
Townsend Wye to those coming to bike or walk until noon on Saturday the 24th of April. Thanks for y'alls hard work! Peace

Rich Mountain Road

I began this casual walk up Rich Mtn.rd. from the parking area for the Ace Gap trail and Rich Mtn. trail access coming in from Dry Valley. The only sign of humans were some day old bike tracks left in the snow over the 3 miles or so I walked in. It was a very pleasant walk up easy to moderate inclines most of the way with views through the trees at several points of parts of Cades Cove way in the distance. A hike I hope to do again when I'm looking for an easy afternoon walk, before the cove loop re-opens in May. Peace

Spring into Wild Life!

The weather is taking a step towards the warmer seasons, at least during the day. Small blooms are starting to emerge at different elevations so enjoy the vistas while you got 'em and prepare for the equally wondrous spectrum of colors just beginning. This walk along Rich Mtn. trail (Saturday 3/21), and a short part of Indian Grave Gap trail, over to the site of the former fire tower, was done so in partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid 60's. The trail was in good shape and I encountered no one over the 5ml+ route I chose.
On the return trip, after carefully reviewing my maps, I dropped OTG about a quarter mile down from campsite #5, and into a Steep ravine which brought me to the stream shown on the map. I bushwacked fairly easily, keeping the stream close by for reference, out to the Rich mtn. rd, coming out of Cades Cove, where the stream crosses over the road. I went right at the road crossing about a 1/2 ml. to the parking area picking up empty cans and bottles along the way.

Bote Mountain with Views

Now I've hiked all or portions of this trail several times but never w/ the leaves completely gone. Dude! at a couple of points I could see into Cades Cove from the Bote Mtn. trail!(top picture).
There were great views on the other side of the trail across the valley to Defeat Ridge and New World.
The trail was muddy in places and as I gained elevation; which is all this trail does from Laurel Creek rd. to the AT, the snow cover became more full and in places was still 6 or more inches deep. I made my turn around at the Lead Cove trail intersection. This made for a 9 mile RT hike from the parking area at the trailhead on Laurel Creek road. I would rate this trail as moderate to difficult depending on your health and experience because of the consistent incline for the entire length (7.9mls) and often rough, dual us trail. The stream running down below along side Defeat Ridge was noisy with water and kept enticing me to do an impromptu bushwack but my wiser side ruled and I chose to save that for another day w/ a partner. Peace.

Rich Mtn. to Indian Grave Gap

This walk (8mls RT) began like the previous entry in that it started at the Rich Mtn. trail parking where the Rich Mtn. road exits the park. Today the visibility was much better and the temperature was a little warmer except when walking along exposed points of the ridge line. The trail was muddy in places along the route and frozen in others.
On this day once I reached the ridge at campsite #5, I drank some fluids, ate some junk, and turned left along the Indian Grave Gap trail for 1.8 mls. A few hundred yards after taking this turn the trail splits. I chose the one less traveled (made the choice while planning the route) and was rewarded with some beautiful views and pictures. This spur takes you to the location of an old fire tower and if you keep following it, as I did, it reconnects you w/ the Indian Grave Gap trail.
This path drops occasionally and probably loses several hundred feet in elevation before it terminates at the junction w/ Scott Mtn. trail and the Crooked Arm trail. The latter which drops you down into Cades Cove and the Rich Mtn. Loop trail.
I followed the Scott mtn. direction about a Qtr. of a mile to campsite #6, where I sat on a log ate some stuff, drank some fluids and appreciated the gifts.
Once done I filled my Nalgene at the water source below the site and returned to the trail. Through this hike I saw several birds of various sizes and colors out taking advantage of this relatively warm day. Enjoy!

Blisters in the Back Country 02/08/08

W

This back country excursion began at the parking area for the West Prong trail head across the road from the main building at the Insitute at Tremont. After parking and "losing" my tent; as I had reservations in shelters the next 2 nights, I started my walk up Tremont road and the approx. 3.7 miles to Middle Prong Trailhead. It was a nice walk and only one car passed along the way. Once at the trailhead I continued up the Middle Prong Trail enjoying the full stream; Lynn Camp prong, which flows along side the trail, and the rock formations stacked beside it, in it, and over it as well. Just over 4 miles into this trail I came upon some day hikers who were very pleasant and told me of Indian Flats Falls, just ahead and to the right, down an unmarked spur. This was worth the detour of only about 150 yards and as I'm sure the couple I'd met new, it makes a great destination for a 8 mile+(RT) day hike. Indian Flats Falls (see pic) consist of at least three large falls cascading down into the Indian Flats Prong w/ lots of rocks to sit or lay on while appreciating the peace. All these "prongs" end up playing parts in forming the Little River. I took a few pictures and returned to the trail and up just a little bit connected to the Greenbriar Ridge Trail.

Greenbriar Ridge Trail continued the noticeable ascent up Davis Ridge which had just become more obvious of an incline back about 1/2 mile or so, as the previous trail ended w/ some consecutive switchbacks. Greenbriar Ridge was pleasant trail, one I'd rate as difficult for the novice, as the next 4 miles we're gaining some serious elevation. The Derrick Knob shelter, which is only 3/10's of a mile from where Greenbriar Ridge intersects w/ the AT, sits at 4890'.
Upon my arrival at the shelter I met, what would be the only other guest here, Josh and Shannon. They were old friends and it seems Josh, an AT sectional hiker had convinced his friend, who had never backpacked before, to join him. I wonder if they're still talkng? Ha, ha, As they were in the middle of, what is described by some, as the most difficult section of the AT and were hiking the next day through to Mt. Collins which meant some serious stuff! Hey guys please tell us how it went! I thanked Josh the next morning for introducing his friend to the Wild before they departed, and complimented Shannon for meeting the challenge. Rock on!

So, after reading in 'Hiking Trails of The Smokies', about how difficult the next 6.3 miles of the AT would be I quickly dismissed it as information for the beginner hikers, such as one of my new friends from Alabama. HAAAA! I'm the novice!! How little I really know. The AT between Derrick Knob and Spence Field was some serious "Stuff". I suggest reading about it in the previously mentioned text (p86-87) and heed any notes of practicality about the section to be hiked. Not that I did mind you, but I'm paying for it today. Well, that and another not so well thought out decision but more about that in a minute. Along this part of the AT there was no water basically, until you reach Beechnut Gap, at this point there is an obvious spur down off the AT to a big; at least on this day, broad, flowing spring. I passed a group of folks here who seemed to have been here before and were very pleasant as we shared greetings, etc... .
All along this portion of the AT, my excursion was very rewarding w/ the spectacular views both east into North Carolina, w/ Fontana Lake off in the distance, and west back over Tennessee, and Cades Cove (see pic). Throughout this there were "ups and downs" along the trail and most "ups" without switchbacks and involved often steep, extended inclines. Now I'm no light wieght yet these were/are strong challenges to ones strength, endurance, and determination, at times. How many of you reading this have hiked here, or somewhere similar, and asked yourself while in the middle of it "What the _____ am I doing?" Only to be smiling a few moments later as you look over a cliff at the valley below and answer your question w/ an affirmative smile and saying "because I love this"। Whatever "this" is. Endorphins, solitude, peace... . OK, so I get to the turn off for Bote Mtn. trail, 2/10's of a mile from the Spence Field shelter; which I checked out, and I have been toying w/ the thought of completeing my walk out today. I didn't do anything smart like review my map or consider what I had just accomplished and went w/ it, my initial thought, thinking "oh, the next 6 miles won't be a problem, heck it's all down hill, 20 minute miles and I'll be out before dark". After 1.7 miles into my descent I look at the map as I arrive at the crossroad w/ Anthony Creek trail to get a bearing on my estimated time of arrival and begin to realize what a potentially serious miscalcualtion I had made. It was just over 10 miles, not 6, out along Bote Mtn., to the West Prong trail and out to my car. Being the stubborn person I am sometimes, I marched on re-adjusting my ETA by at least an hour.
Practicing lots of acceptance about "who's responsiblity" it was for where I was at that moment. I enjoyed the trail and the various levels and types of forest I passed through, again see the previous referenced text, (p129). Upon reaching campsite #18, I was rejuvenated knowing I had "only" 2.7 miles to go, though this was tempered by a camper I spoke w/ breifly as I passed who told me it was "just over the top of that little mountain and then it's just down from there". Well "Them there" natural pain killers kicked in and I gotter done! Despite some developing blisters, sore legs and occasional personal mental abuse about some of my descisions that day, I was very pleased w/ what I had accomplished and offered lots of "thanks to the spirits that be", for the opportunity to experience what had been allowed me that day. Peace