Work resumes on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced that the reconstruction project on the Cherokee Orchard Road and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail just outside of Gatlinburg has resumed.

The projected reopening date for the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is now October 1st.

According to Park officials, from Monday through Sept. 3, all traffic up the two-lane Cherokee Orchard Road will be required to turn around at the Noah Bud Ogle Cabin, which will prevent access to the Rainbow Falls and Bullhead Trails. During the closure Park managers are directing hikers bound for Mt. LeConte to either the Alum Cave Trail or the Boulevard Trail.

Normal traffic on the road will resume over the Labor Day weekend. However, from Sept. 7 through Sept. 10, the Cherokee Orchard Road will be closed again to public use into the Park.

Park officials emphasized that since part of the work includes repaving of the two parking areas at the Rainbow Falls Trailhead, all vehicles must be removed from those parking lots by dark on Sunday. Additionally, all vehicles parked in the lots over the Labor Day Weekend must be removed by dark on Sept. 6.

Other trailhead impacted by the project include the Baskins Creek Trail, Grapeyard Ridge Trail and the Grotto Falls entrance of the Trillium Gap Trail.

Both roads will be resurfaced with asphalt concrete pavement and will include resurfacing of all existing parking areas, trailheads, roadside pullouts, paving of existing gravel pullouts, reconstruction of settled road sections, minor roadway realignments, rehabilitation/reconstruction of stone masonry structures, and re-pointing of stone masonry retaining walls.

The project will also include pavement milling, repairing or replacing existing drainage culverts, installing wheel stops, replacing guardrail, shoulder work, turf establishment, replacing signs, and construction of 1,300 linear feet of new retaining wall structures or other support system below the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

Permanent vault toilet facilities will be installed at the Rainbow Falls trailhead parking area as part of a separately funded project. These facilities will replace the moulded plastic port-a-johns and will be a significant improvement for visitors to this area.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Great Smoky Mountains Vacation Rentals

Summer is rapidly approaching, which means that hiking season in the Smokies is already swinging into full gear.

If you're planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains this spring or summer, I'd like to take this opportunity to remind readers to check out the vacation rentals on our website to find that perfect cabin or chalet. Our site offers a wide selection of vacation rentals with a variety of amenities in the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Townsend areas, as well on the North Carolina side of the Smokies. If you haven't visited our cabins page in awhile, you should know that we're always adding new listings. To see all of our listings, please click here.

Also, I wanted to note that I received an email today from Dan Cramer, owner and operator of Cramers Creekside Cabins in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area. During the month of May, Dan is offering a 20% discount on all cabin rentals. Simply visit his website at www.cabins123.com and then enter "MAYFLOWERS" as the promo code to take advantage of this excellent deal.

Please know that when you patronize our advertisers it helps to support HikingintheSmokys.com.

Thank you!


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

Dates set for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage

The 60th annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will take place from April 21 thru April 25 this year and will be headquartered at the Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg. The pilgrimage is a five-day event consisting of a variety of wildflower, fauna, and natural history walks, motorcades, photographic tours, art classes, and indoor seminars.

With over 150 programs available, both outdoor and indoor, there will be topics and hikes to please everyone.

Also included in this year's Pilgrimage will be a "Greener Living Expo", highlighting ways to be more earth-friendly. Indoor programs will feature composting and organic gardening, water pollution and its effect on aquatic life, becoming your own "green grocer", attracting insect-eating birds through gardening, and much more.

To learn more about the Great Smoky Mountains Association's Pilgrimage, please click here (website should be updated shortly). On-line registration will begin March 9 and end April 17. Registration fees are: $40 for one day, $75 for 2 or more days, $10 for students, and children under 12 are free.

For further information about the Pilgrimage or about exhibit space call the GSMA at 865-436-7318, extension 222 or 254.

The Great Smoky Mountains are home to more than 1600 species of flowering plants. If you're more interested in striking out on your own to see some of these, please check out my list of the best trails to hike, when to hike them, and which flowers you can expect to see.

If you can't make it to the Smokies this spring, you can still view a gallery of wildflowers I've put together by clicking here.


Need help identifying wildflowers?

Check out Southern Appalachian Wildflowers. This is an excellent companion to have during wildflower season to help you identify the many flowers you'll be seeing. This field guide features wildflowers from the southern tip of the Appalachians in Georgia and Alabama to the Blue Ridge Parkway and includes Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Please click here for more information.


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

Winter Specials on Cabins & Chalets in the Smokies

As a way of thanking our advertisers on HikingintheSmokys.com, I wanted to let readers of this blog know about the specials they’re offering on overnight lodging this winter season. You can find a variety of cabins and chalets in Townsend, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge as well as the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains. If you or anyone you know is planning on visiting the Smokies through the remainder of the month, please take a moment to check out these outstanding offers:

Auntie Belham's is offering HikingintheSmokys.com bloggers more savings on their lodging than anyone else. We have added an additional discount to our standard winter specials. Visit us online at our website to see specials and photos of all our beautiful Cabins, Chalets and Cottages. For all HikingintheSmokys.com bloggers we are offering additional savings - Special 1: Stay 2 nights, get your 3rd night free and your 4th night HALF-PRICE. Special 2: All 7 night stays will receive the 5th night HALF-PRICE along with the 6th & 7th nights free. Call our office at 800.436.6618 to make your reservation today. Mention BLOGGER'S ONLY to receive one of the above specials. Hiking, hot tubing and having fun, what else could you need to chase away the winter blues.

Boyd Mountain Log Cabins offers 7 hand hewn antique log cabins, restored on a 130 acre family farm. The cabins have 1, 2, 3 & 4 bedrooms with modern conveniences including full kitchens and wi-fi. We offer Kids Stay and Ski Free program with Cataloochee Ski Area. Offer valid Sun-Thur., Non-Holidays. For info 828-926-1575 or www.boydmountain.com.

Cherokee Realty is offering a 25% discount on any of their rentals booked between now and April.

Hidden Creek Cabins: All remaining weeknights, when you stay at least 2 nights, are just $59.00 per night for a family of 2-4 on select cabins between now and February 28th. Also, for anyone that signs up for our newsletter or starts following us on twitter, we will automatically enter them into our drawing for a free weekend stay in February. Call Kevin or visit our site for details: 828-507-5627, www.hiddencreekcabins.com

Moose Creek Crossing Cabin Rentals: GET ONE NIGHT FREE: Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free from 10/24/09 thru 3/14/10. Offer cannot be combined with any other specials. Not valid on holidays. 15% OFF: Stay 2 nights or more from 10/24/09 thru 3/14/10 and get 15% off the nightly rate. Must call office at 1-888-972-2246 to receive discount. Year-round specials are also available, please call for more information.

**When making a reservation, please be sure to mention that you saw these specials on HikingintheSmokys.com**


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

Nasty day in the Smokies

Today, tonight and tomorrow will be a rainy, windy and cold couple of days. Gatlinburg is supposed to get about an inch of rain with a little bit of snow mixed in from time to time.

Check out the conditions atop Mt. LeConte right now. This is from a posting on the Life on LeConte Blog this mornning:

It's 31 degrees out with a high of 40 and low of 26. There was a half inch of rain, an inch of snow with mixed sleet. Right now we have high winds with gusts estimated at 70 mph. There is 8 inches of slush on the ground. Just a plain old nasty day on Mt. LeConte. I did get out for a short time yesterday in the cloudy and snowy conditions. I got a few nice photos but there were no views because of the clouds. Looks like a good day to stay in!

If you're planning on visiting the Smokies this weekend, make sure to keep up on the weather and the road conditions.


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

Park to improve detour around Spur rockslide

Great Smoky Mountains National Park managers and officials from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) met Tuesday to develop plans to improve the traffic flow and safety of the mile-long detour that carries southbound US 441 traffic around Monday night’s rockslide. Currently the south-bound traffic is being diverted onto one of the two lanes that normally carry north-bound traffic, creating two-way traffic flow.

The slide occurred on the portion of the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Spur which is owned by the State of Tennessee, so TDOT has sole responsibility for repairs of the slide itself. The rest of the 5 mile-long Spur, including the detour area, is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so the two agencies are working jointly to manage traffic during the closure of the south-bound Spur which TDOT believes may last a month or more.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Facility Management Chief Alan Sumeriski said, “We are working with TDOT to improve the configuration of temporary traffic barriers and the signage to help keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible and to maximize public safety. Motorists can expect to encounter back-ups on the Spur while TDOT adds yellow striping and reflective pylons to keep opposing traffic separated on the two-way section of the Spur. We will also be adding numerous signs in the detour area to guide residents and visitors to each of the side roads that are accessed off the Spur.”


Jeff
Smoky Mountain Rental Cabins Cabin and chalet listings in the Smokies.

Winter Specials on Cabins in the Smokies

As a way of thanking our advertisers on HikingintheSmokys.com, I wanted to let readers of this blog know about the specials they’re offering on overnight lodging this winter season. You can find a variety of cabins and chalets in Townsend, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge as well as the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains. If you or anyone you know is planning on visiting the Smokies this January or February, please check out these outstanding offers:

Auntie Belham's is offering HikingintheSmokys.com bloggers more savings on their lodging than anyone else. We have added an additional discount to our standard winter specials. Visit us online at our website to see specials and photos of all our beautiful Cabins, Chalets and Cottages. For all HikingintheSmokys.com bloggers we are offering additional savings - Special 1: Stay 2 nights, get your 3rd night free and your 4th night HALF-PRICE. Special 2: All 7 night stays will receive the 5th night HALF-PRICE along with the 6th & 7th nights free. Call our office at 800.436.6618 to make your reservation today. Mention BLOGGER'S ONLY to receive one of the above specials. Hiking, hot tubing and having fun, what else could you need to chase away the winter blues.

Boyd Mountain Log Cabins offers 7 hand hewn antique log cabins, restored on a 130 acre family farm. The cabins have 1, 2, 3 & 4 bedrooms with modern conveniences including full kitchens and wi-fi. We offer Kids Stay and Ski Free program with Cataloochee Ski Area. Offer valid Sun-Thur., Non-Holidays. For info 828-926-1575 or www.boydmountain.com.

Cherokee Realty is offering a 25% discount on any of their rentals booked between now and April.

Eden Crest Vacation Rentals: Through January 31, 2010, choose one of the following: Receive a 15% discount -OR- Stay 2 nights and the 3rd night is free -OR- Stay 5 or more nights and the 5th and 6th nights are free. (Excludes holidays, Discounts cannot be combined)

Hidden Creek Cabins: All remaining weeknights, when you stay at least 2 nights, are just $59.00 per night for a family of 2-4 on select cabins between now and February 28th. Also, for anyone that signs up for our newsletter or starts following us on twitter, we will automatically enter them into our drawing for a free weekend stay in February. Call Kevin or visit our site for details: 828-507-5627, www.hiddencreekcabins.com

Moose Creek Crossing Cabin Rentals: GET ONE NIGHT FREE: Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free from 10/24/09 thru 3/14/10. Offer cannot be combined with any other specials. Not valid on holidays. 15% OFF: Stay 2 nights or more from 10/24/09 thru 3/14/10 and get 15% off the nightly rate. Must call office at 1-888-972-2246 to receive discount. Year-round specials are also available, please call for more information.

Timber Tops Luxury Log Cabins is offering 3 Nights for the Price of 2 during the month of January (Excludes Holiday Rate Seasons).


**When making a reservation, please be sure to mention that you saw these specials on HikingintheSmokys.com**


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