Goshen Prong to the AT and Miry Ridge

Dudes and Dudettes! Another great excursion in the GSMNP began along the Little River Trail, went right onto the Goshen Prong Trail, west on the AT, and descended from Miry Ridge Trail, back to the Elkmont area where we had started from 2 days before.

This route would be considered difficult for many, in both the distance we covered the second day and the initial 4+ miles up from campsite #23, to the AT. This part of the trail was a consistent incline, becoming steep and narrow at times.
Some of this route was new for both myself and the "mysterious one", who accompanied me on this two night walk in the park.  Actually she chose the route with a little help from our friend Pam in the Backcountry Office at the SVC.

The overall ascent on this route began in a subtle way after we took our first steps on the Little River Trail, and becomes much more dramatic after leaving #23, and beginning the final ascent to the AT.
Once we reached the AT, we "slow walked" it for the most part stopping at Double Springs and Siler's Bald shelters, each for a brief time to rest, lay in the grass and enjoy the moment!, before beginning our final approach to campsite #26, and our second nights stay.

It should be noted that there was little water flow at the "water source" near #26.  A reminder to keep those bottles full as it was literally just dripping. However we were able to secure enough water to have some coffee with our pop-tarts etc... in the morning!

Great Smoky Mountains NP and Hurricane Irma

(Stay tuned to your local weather for more storm information)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials continue preparations for Hurricane Irma and will be enacting road and facility closures beginning Saturday September 9. Predictions from the National Weather Service indicate Irma will be a tropical depression rated-storm when she reaches the Smokies beginning as early as Monday morning.  Officials anticipate sustained winds of 30-50 mph with higher gusts throughout Monday and into Tuesday, with the most severe weather predicted for Tuesday.  Rainfall amounts of 2-5 inches Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning are likely.

Closing Saturday, September 9, 2017
Picnic Areas

•      Big Creek, Collins Creek, Deep Creek, and Heintooga

Front Country Campgrounds

•     Balsam Mountain, Big Creek, and Deep Creek

Horse Campgrounds

•     Big Creek and Round Bottom

Roads

                Tennessee

•      Ramsey Cascade Road including Ramsey Cascade Trail
•      Tremont Road (Upper) from Tremont Institute to Middle Prong Trailhead

               North Carolina

•     Balsam Mountain Road
•     Clingmans Dome Road
•     Deep Creek Access Road and Tom’s Branch
•     Heintooga Ridge Road/Round Bottom Road/ Straight Fork Road
•     NC Hwy 284
•     Twentymile

Facilities/Concession Operations

•     Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob
•     Clingmans Dome Information Center
•     Leconte Lodge

Closing Sunday, September 10, 2017

 Picnic Areas

•   Cades Cove, Chimneys, Cosby, Greenbrier, Metcalf, and Twin Creeks

Campgrounds

•   Abrams Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Elkmont, and Smokemont

Horse Campgrounds

•   Anthony Creek, Cataloochee, and Tow-String

Roads

                Tennessee

•   Abrams Creek Road
•   Cades Cove Loop Road at 6 p.m.
•   Cherokee Orchard Road
•   Cosby Access Road
•   Elkmont Road
•   Forge Creek Road
•   Greenbrier Road
•   Laurel Creek Road
•   Little River Road
•   Rich Mountain Road
•   Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
•   Tremont Road
•   Wear Cove Gap Road

            North Carolina

•  Cataloochee Road
•  Lakeview Drive

Facilities

• Appalachian Clubhouse and Spence Cabin
• Cable Mill Visitor Center
• Cades Cove Stables
• Smoky Mountain Stables
• Smokemont Riding Stables
• Sugarlands Riding Stables
• Tremont Institute

Scheduled closures will make most park trailheads inaccessible.  Overnight backcountry use is not recommended beginning Sunday through Thursday due to the potential threat of downed trees and flooded stream crossings causing rivers and trails to become impassable.  All backcountry reservation holders are encouraged to alter their trip plans.  Refunds will be available to those who are unable to reschedule their trip for an alternative date.
Roads, campgrounds and facilities will be reopened as quickly as possible once staff evaluate the conditions and determine they are safe for opening.

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.