How about a night hike through the Smokies?

A headlamp, some spare batteries, a little common sense, a lot of warm clothing, and a desire to see the Smokies in a whole new light (or lack thereof) is all you need to embark on a night time hike. The skies can be rather spectacular in the winter time. Many familiar constellations can be seen, but only on a clear sky, far away from the lights of the city.

All for just a dollar a day …

No … not asking for a donation. ;o)

Sometimes during a hike through the Smokies, I get a little sense of amazement. Not from the surrounding beauty and the peaceful sounds all around. Those are a given. Once in a while I’ll stumble across something as little as small stone bridge, or as striking as the fire tower atop Mt. Cammerer – not to mention the very trail so carefully blazed under my feet – many with a little placard indicating that it was constructed more than 70 years ago by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

A part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal, The CCC was implemented to provide jobs for young men from all over the Depression-scarred country who were skilled in masonry, architecture, engineering and landscaping. The goal was not only to boost the economy by giving badly needed jobs, but to restore and conserve some of our greatest environmental assets. In the early 30s, more than 200 men were placed in the Smokies to build roads, blaze hiking trails, build bridges, picnic areas and fire towers, plant trees, restock streams – you name it – all for an average wage of $30 per month.

The amazing thing is that, 75 years after the dedication of the Great Smoky Mountains as a national park, most of their work is still standing. The Cammerer fire tower, the Chimneys picnic area, the very monument from which FDR declared the Smokies as a national park 75 years ago yesterday, are all reminders of the hard work and dedication of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Woodturning Demo This Weekend

The key is to cut away the parts that aren’t part of what you’re making. It’s true in woodturning. It’s true in life.

4 seasons, 4 days

School is staring back and thoughts of Fall break are already scurrying about in little ones’ (and their folks’) heads. So here’s a little tidbit from www.smokymountains.org on how to spend 4 days of vacation in the Smokies.

Day One:

The Big Picture! See spectacular fall color from the high country to lower elevations on a day’s drive from Townsend; Enjoy scenic vistas from the Foothills Parkway and the Cherohala Skyway; Hike to pretty overlooks and historic destinations with a map and guide from the Townsend Visitors Center.

Day Two:

Southern Cookin’! Please your palate by eating each meal at a different restaurant, doing some camp cooking, or getting a picnic to go; Come to Fall Festivals and dine on BBQ, specialty sandwiches, homemade ice cream and desserts; See how the old-timers cooked meals in their log cabins.

Day Three:

Off the Beaten Path! Take a picnic and explore the byways of the Smokies and beyond; Take a short walk in a nearby beautiful, quiet area of the Park and find out about outdoor education programs; Bicycle or motorcycle around Blount County and beyond; Take a horseback or carriage ride.  Seek out special places for photography; Find a secret fishin’ hole.

Day Four:

Folks and Folkways! Visit with musicians and crafts people of the mountains; Watch artisans at work; Go to a park ranger’s evening program; Take in an outdoor concert or play;  Learn the stories behind the scenery on a guided tour of Cades Cove; Attend a local church service or Sacred Harp Sing.

Delicate Balance

When we hear discussion about environmental issues, the phrase “delicate balance” is often used. Depending on context, the phrase has different meanings. Every ecosystem is held in delicate balance, where the introduction of any foreign intruder can cause total devastation. In the Smokies, for example, we have the Woolly Adelgid, a non-native insect that is wreaking havoc on the hemlock trees in the park. Great efforts are being made to get rid of this pest, however, so there is hope!

Another meaning for the term can be applied to the efforts of our visitors bureau. We want you to come and enjoy all that the Smoky Mountains have to offer – and they have a LOT to offer. Tourism benefits the economic growth of our area, it’s a lot of fun for you and your family, and it provides an education of the history and heritage of the region both now and for generations to come. But it is also important that these mountains, their flora and fauna, and all of their surrounding scenic beauty remain as they were when the original settlers came to make their homes here – or maybe even better! That’s what “Low Impact Vacation” is all about.

With a low impact vacation mindset, you can enjoy your Smoky Mountains vacation knowing that your children, your children’s children, and their children’s children (and so on) will be able to do the same for years to come.

Becky Cable’s Home

One popular spot around the Cades Cove Loop Rd. is the former home of Becky Cable, or “Aunt Becky” as she was called. The home is about at the halfway point around the Cove and it’s a nice place to get out and stretch your legs. You can explore the area and see how early Smoky Mountains settlers lived. Adjacent to the Cable house is the Cable Mill with its characteristic waterwheel.

Becky Cable’s home is one of dozens of historic structures in The Smokies. From cabins to barns to churches to mills to schools, many remnants of real mountain life still stand to remind us of how folks lived in these mountains before the area was made into a national park.

As always, respect these structures and leave them the way you find them. They are priceless pieces of our history. They are pieces of us. Let’s make sure they stay for many years to come.

Thunderhead Mountain for the REAL hiker in you.

Sometimes you want a nice, relaxing day in the mountains. Sometimes, you want to get your hike on! If you’re looking for some great views from a 5000+ foot peak and a nice day really IN the Smokies, you should check out Thunderhead Mountain.

The trailhead is just a few miles from Townsend in the Cades Cove picnic area.

At nearly 14 miles and more than 3000 feet in elevation gain, it’s very strenuous, so it’s not for the casual hiker. But it you are up to the challenge, the views are worth it. (And at 5000+ feet up, temperatures are a good 10-15 degrees cooler than where you’re starting.)

Again, this hike is not for the casual hiker. If you’d like a moderate hike to a gorgeous waterfall, drive a little ways down the Cades Cove Loop Road and get on the Abrams Falls Trail. It’s a much easier hike (only 2.5 miles back to the falls), and you can cool off in the water when you get there. (No climbing the falls, please!)

Take note that in the Summertime in the Smokies, there is always potential for the occasional out-of-nowhere thunderstorm. Bring rain gear with you and, if you get caught in a storm,  be sure to take cover, and be wary of lightning. (They don’t call it Thunderhead Mountain for nuthin’).

Always wear proper footwear. A good, sturdy hiking boot or shoe is necessary for a long hike with a lot of elevation gain, especially if you’re carrying a pack. And, as further precaution, whenever you hike, be sure to bring along the “Essentials”:

1. Map and trail guide (Many carry the “little brown book” – Hiking Trails of the Smokies
2. Compass/GPS device (be sure you know how it functions before heading out)
3. Flashlight / Headlamp (and extra batteries!)
4. Extra Food (trail mix, energy bars – calorie dense snacks that don’t take too much space in your pack)
5. Rain gear (rain suit, rain jacket or poncho)
6. Extra Clothes (especially socks! And no cotton socks. They can literally rub you the wrong way and cause blisters. Not a good time. Check out your local outdoor center for proper footwear options)
7. Sunglasses and/or brimmed hat
8. First-Aid Kit
9. Pocket Knife
10. Waterproof Matches (or a lighter) and Fire starter
11. Water / Filter / Bottles (Bring at least 2 quarts per person. More on a hot summer day. Never judge your hydration level by thirst. If you’re thirsty, you’re already partially dehydrated, so drink lots!) Also, never drink directly from any streams in the mountains. It may look perfectly clear and drinkable, but there are all sorts of germs in there that could lead to serious illness. Animals upstream “doing their business”  means a bad case of giardia or cryptosporidium for you. If you must taste some cool mountain water, bring a water filter! (Filtered Smoky Mountain stream water is amazing!)
12. Emergency Whistle
13. Insect Repellents
14. Sunburn Preventatives

What? No cell phone on this list? Bring one if you’d like, but be sure that you will not be able to rely on it. Reception in the mountains is spotty at best.

Of course, if you’re just going on a short and heavily used little trail, like to Abrams Falls, most of this can be dispensed with. But for an all day thing, these are absolutely essential to the health and happiness of everyone involved.

Hiking is a great activity for anyone. It’s a great way to get a little exercise (or a LOT, if you’re taking on Thunderhead Mountain!), enjoy nature, see some amazing wildlife and wild flowers, and just get away from it all. Just be sure to be safe and follow the rules of “Leave No Trace.”

Most of all, have fun!

Abrams Falls

Arguably one of the most popular hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Abrams Falls Trail. And why wouldn’t it be? The trailhead is an easy access from Cades Cove Loop Road, the trail is a very moderate 5 mile round trip, and the destination is a beautiful waterfall with a perfect swimming hole where you can cool off on a hot summer day.

The majority of the trail is well covered by dense trees, so it’s always a few degrees cooler. The trail is pretty wide in most places, and there aren’t too many really steep parts.

This is a fun and easy hike for you and your family. Take you time on this nice little scenic trail on your way to a family picnic on the banks of the falls.

*One note: As with anywhere with rushing water, always take extreme precaution. (Do NOT climb on the falls or get into deep water. People have fallen or been swept under by swift currents.)

If you’re a big-time hiker up for a real challenge, you should check out Thunderhead Mountain!

Smoky Mountain Memories

We’d like to hear from you! Leave a comment telling us your favorite memory/memories of time spent in the Smokies. A bike ride around Cades Cove? A tubing adventure at the Wye? A close encounter with some amazing wildlife? An art or music festival that was just fun, fun, fun? Let us know!

More good news for the Smokies

“We’re not talking about routine maintenance, but key projects that are beyond the scope of the limited staff employed through the park service.”

That is some great news from today’s Knoxville News Sentinel. The story goes that Scripps will be pitching in some big bucks to a fund supporting the Friends of the Smokies efforts to maintain the trails in the park. This “Trails Forever” fund (“the signature program of the park’s 75th anniversary celebration,”) will help keep the trails permanently maintained. That’s great news for you hikers and backpackers and overall nature lovers. The more maintained the trails, the less likely people will go off of them. This leads to a much more low impact way of experiencing the Smoky Mountains.