The rut is on in the Great Smoky Mountains

The elk mating season, better known as the rut, has arrived in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This means that the best time to view elk in the park is between now and the next couple of weeks.

The best places to see elk in the Smokies are in the Cataloochee Valley and near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, and the best times for viewing are early in the morning and just before sunset.

The elk rut is characterized by the loud bugling noise made by adult males. The typical bugle call of a male bull elk is a distinctive sound that begins deep and resonant, and becomes a high pitched squeal before ending in a succession of grunts. Elk males use a combination of bugling and aggressive behavior in an attempt to establish dominance over other males in order to attract females.

With hormones raging during this time period, gigantic battles among competing males are common.

If you plan on viewing this incredible spectacle, be sure to bring binoculars. Also, stay a safe distance away from all elk. Males are extremely aggressive and unpredictable.

To get an idea of the typical behavior of elk is during the rut season, including the distinctive bugle call, check out the video from the Great Smoky Mountains Association:


© GSMA 2010. All rights reserved.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

The Cataloochee Valley

As mentioned last week, my wife and I recently made are first foray into the Cataloochee Valley on the far eastern end of the Great Smoky Mountains. If you've never been there, it might be because it's a little difficult getting to. For one, not being near any of the major tourists centers, Cataloochee is in a fairly isolated location. Secondly, you have to drive at least 3 miles (9 if coming from Big Creek) on a winding, dirt/gravel road. Although it's a little rough with washboard in places, it's still passable for two-wheeled passenger cars if you take it easy.

There are a lot of similarities between Cataloochee and Cades Cove. The most striking similarity are the large grassy meadows:


Another similarity between the two areas of the Park are the historical structures, such as the Palmer Chapel:


..... or the Caldwell House, built in 1906 by Hiram Caldwell, a descendant of the first settlers in Cataloochee who came to the valley in 1834:


Cataloochee is also home to some of the largest trees in the Park. According to the Volume 2 #1 issue of Smokies Life Magazine, the Cataloochee Valley is home to three Eastern Hemlocks that stand more than 170 feet in height. Below is a photo of two very large trees we found on the Boogerman Trail. Although the picture doesn't quite do it justice, the tree on the left requires at least two adult males to stretch their arms in order to reach completely around it:


If you hit the trail in Cataloochee you'll find even more history. We "discovered" these very impressive stone walls on the old Carson Messer homestead, located on the Boogerman Trail just east of the (second) Caldwell Fork Trail junction:


Cataloochee is perhaps most famous for the elk that now roam the valley after being reintroduced to the Park in 2001. A great time of year to visit is in the fall during the rut season when mature bulls bellow out loud calls, also known as bugling, that can be heard for miles.

We were only able to spend a few hours in the valley on this latest visit, however, I hope to return soon and spend a lot more time exploring the area in more depth.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Little Cataloochee Trail expected to be closed today

Last week park managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced plans to conduct a series of controlled burns in the Cataloochee Valley area near Maggie Valley.

The first burn is scheduled to begin today. As a result, the Little Cataloochee Trail may be closed today and tomorrow. Weather conditions will determine if the fire can be conducted. If you plan to hike in this area, you should plan an alternative hike in the event that the trail is closed when you arrive.

If wishing to hike in that area of the park today or tomorrow, check with the park website for the latest information.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

Noted Author to Present History of Cataloochee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host author Hattie Caldwell Davis on Saturday, April 17, from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

Ms. Davis was born in Cataloochee Valley and attended the Beech Grove School. She has written four books about life in Cataloochee: Reflections of Cataloochee Valley and its Vanished People in the Great Smoky Mountains; Step Back in Time to See Historic Cataloochee Valley of the Elk; Historic Cataloochee Tour Guide; and Civil War Letters and Memories from the Great Smoky Mountains. She will be available to sign books, which can be purchased at the center’s bookstore, and talk with visitors about her life in Cataloochee and the history of the people in the valley.

Ms. Davis’ written works detail life in Cataloochee Valley from 1834-1934. She tells family stories of how her ancestors settled in the valley, how they lived, and of the heartbreak of having to leave Cataloochee for the establishment of the park. She also describes the scenery when Cataloochee was a farming settlement, the virgin forests and the animals that once roamed the area, but later vanished, such as the panther and wolf. Her books include a number of historic photographs that help tell the stories of the people of Cataloochee Valley.

Contact the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at 828-497-1904 for additional information.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

Smokies recruiting for "Elk Bugle Corps"

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Volunteers-in-Parks program once again is enlisting volunteers to assist with managing people and elk in Cataloochee Valley, N.C.

The "Elk Bugle Corps" program assists park rangers with providing visitor information on responsible elk viewing practices and elk behavior and to help with parking and traffic management. Last year, the group of volunteers totaled some 80 persons from around the area. They donated over 7,000 hours of service and spoke with over 85,000 visitors. Many of these volunteers are returning, but there is a need to replace a number of volunteers who are moving on to other opportunities this summer. The Park’s goal is to recruit and train new volunteers who can commit to assisting on a recurring basis.

Each volunteer is asked to work at least two scheduled, four hour shifts per month starting the second week in May and continuing through November. This target period is during high visitor use from late spring during the elk calving season through the end of the fall color and elk mating seasons. The program’s greatest need is for volunteers to work the afternoon shifts which will run from approximately 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the summer. Although elk are not as active at this time of day, Cataloochee Valley is still relatively busy and the volunteers have the opportunity to spend more time with individual visitors.

Cataloochee Area Park Ranger Mark LaShell commented, "We feel the program is a win-win situation. We continue to receive positive feedback from the Cataloochee volunteers who enjoy working in such a beautiful mountain valley and from visitors who receive a better experience having these volunteers to interact with in an otherwise remote area with no personal services."

For persons interested, two informational meetings and new volunteer orientation sessions will be held in Cataloochee Valley at the ranger station on April 15 and 17, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. All potential volunteers will be required to attend one of the orientation sessions as well as one full day of training during the last week of April and the first week of May. Anyone who is interested in volunteering and attending one of the orientation sessions is asked to email Ranger Mark LaShell or phone (828) 269-3161 (email is preferred).


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.