Clingman's Dome tower closed for repair

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower will be closed beginning Wednesday, August 23 through the remainder of the 2017 season to complete repair work.
The work will consist of repairing the worst deteriorated areas on the concrete columns and walls, stabilizing support walls at the base of the ramp, and repointing some stone masonry. To accomplish this work in a timely manner and for the safety of visitors the tower will be closed for the duration of the project.

While visitors will not be able to climb the tower for views out over the surrounding tree tops, the Clingmans Dome parking overlook will be open and offers outstanding mountain top views. The visitor contact station and store, the trail to the tower, and all access to the trailheads in the vicinity will remain open. Visitors should expect some construction traffic in the vicinity of the contact station and along the trail. 

Straddling the North Carolina and Tennessee state line at 6,643 feet, the tower is a prominent landmark and destination as the highest point in the park.

Blooms and shrooms along the trail

One if the interesting things I have noticed over the years of hiking consistently in Southern and Middle Appalachia, is that there is almost always something wild blooming.
These pictures are a sample of some of what I got to experience along the Rich Mtn. trail on Sunday the 13th.

 And there were more!

Clingmans Dome Road Closure for the Solar Eclipse Event

Great Smoky Mountains National Park News Release

GSMNP officials are reminding visitors that Clingmans Dome Road will be closed to all access beginning at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 19 through the evening of Monday, August 21 following the event. 
No overnight parking will be allowed at Clingmans Dome Parking Area or pull-offs, parking areas, and trailheads along the road during this time period. The road will be closed to all motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.  
During the closure, all trails, campsites and shelters in the backcountry will remain open, but backpackers should carefully consider the road closure when planning their itineraries.
All vehicles must be clear of Clingmans Dome Road by 11:00 p.m. Saturday, August 19. An interactive map is available on the park website at http://go.nps.gov/GRSM_ECLIPSE where backcountry users can view which backcountry campsites are within the path of totality.

Clingmans Dome Road is the only park road closed for the solar eclipse event, but park visitors should be prepared for high volume traffic across all park roads on Monday, August 21. Vehicles cannot stop in the roadway and must be parked in designated parking areas. Visitors should expect temporary road closures throughout the day.

Visit the park website for more information at www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/2017-solar-eclipse.htm.

Hiking Rich Mtn Trail

This trail is a consistent choice if I am seeking a physical challenge, nature's beauty and solitude. And the physical challenge is optional if you want to "slow walk" it.

It's still an incline of 2mls to begin with but I can stop and look at things, listen for noises and notice even the small things.  Which in order to do so cause me to slow down.
Yesterday I was seeking some "cardio" so I was keeping up a good pace throughout the initial 2mls. There were some really high winds blowing as the remnants of tropical storm Cindy continued to slide through this region and that provided me the opportunity to watch the trees in the passes and along the ridges swinging in the gusting winds. It reminded me of people enjoying an old gospel song standing together with their arms in the air swaying from side to side keeping the rhythm with their bodies.
No bears seen today (6-23) however there was sign of young ones.

Trail Closures

My friends at the GSMNP want you to know....

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that there will be a temporary closure of a section of trail along the Jakes Creek and Little River Trails on Monday, June 26 through Friday, June 30 to complete the Ekmont Historic District demolition project. 

Both the Jakes Creek Trail and Little River Trail will be closed to all use from the trailheads to the junction with the Cucumber Gap Trail. All campsites/shelters in the backcountry will remain open and can be accessed using routes that do not include the closed sections of trail. Note that Backcountry Campsites 21 and 24 are currently closed for bear activity. 

Weather depending, the entire demolition project is expected to be complete on June 30, 2017.

The Following is why.....

.....Park Rangers and employees strongly suggest you follow recommendations from them and the signs you see along the trails.
DEATH IN THE SMOKIES
On Sunday, May 28, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Rangers received a report that a 37 year-old male fell from the top of the 100-foot tall Ramsey Cascades waterfall late that afternoon. The man, who was hiking alone, was observed climbing across the top of the waterfall before he fell. Park Rangers immediately responded to the scene and determined the individual, who had fallen approximately 80 feet, was deceased. Rangers recovered the body on Monday, May 29.
....And not to minimize this mans loss in any way, however this could have not happened. It is Sooo! Important for visitors to the GSMNP, and any other protected area to listen to and follow suggestions form Rangers.

I have volunteered for like 9+ years in the GSMNP and listened to park service employees, and other long-term volunteers tell of similar horrible mistakes made by folks who thought they were exempt from the dangers noted on a sign or what had been explained to them by a Ranger. 
This feeling of "oh, it'll be alright, I've hiked in the glaciers of Alaska", or, "oh, I'll be fine I've done this before", does not mean you won't slip this time. 
Peace and awareness to you all as you hike the path.

The Black Bear in the Appalchian Mountains

This announcement comes from the folks at the GSMNP, however it applies to most black bears in the Appalachian Mountain range.  With exception to those that have become accustomed to eating out of dumpsters and other "domesticated", people fed bears which are potentially very dangerous animals.

“Bears are very active right now, and we’re receiving reports across the park of bear sightings along trails and roadways,” said Park Wildlife Biologist Bill Stiver. “We ask for the public’s help by respecting bears’ space.”

Bears should be allowed to forage undisturbed on natural foods and should never be fed. Park officials remind visitors to properly store food and secure garbage. Coolers should always be properly stored in the trunk of a vehicle when not in use. All food waste should be properly disposed to discourage bears from approaching people. 

Hikers are reminded to take necessary precautions while in bear country including hiking in groups of 2 or more, carrying bear spray, complying with all backcountry closures, properly storing food regulations, and remaining at safe viewing distance from bears at all times. Feeding, touching, disturbing, or willfully approaching wildlife within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces wildlife, is illegal in the park.

If approached by a bear, park officials recommend slowly backing away to put distance between yourself and the animal, creating space for it to pass. If the bear continues to approach, you should not run. Hikers should make themselves look large, stand their ground as a group, and throw rocks or sticks at the bear. If attacked by a black bear, rangers strongly recommend fighting back with any object available and remember that the bear may view you as prey. Though rare, attacks on humans do occur, causing injuries or death. 

For more information on what to do if you encounter a bear while hiking, please visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/black-bears.htm. To report a bear incident in the park, please call 865-436-1230.