Friday's Video

Members of the Great Smoky Mountains Association recently joined naturalist Wanda Dewaard on a mission to tag and release monarch butterflies in Cades Cove. The tags will help researchers with the Monarch Watch program learn more about the flight patterns of these butterflies as they migrate to Mexico for the winter.

Here's a GSMA video highlighting the process of tagging the butterflies:


© GSMA 2010. All rights reserved.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Friday's Video

Several weeks ago a fire near US 129 and the Calderwood Dam burned almost 300 acres in the western Smokies area. The Great Smoky Mountains Association recently published a video on how the fire was started and what the park's strategy was for dealing with it:


© GSMA 2010. All rights reserved.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Fall colors in Smokies to arrive a little late this year

Steve Kemp from the Great Smoky Mountains Association has posted his latest fall leaf color report on the GSMA website.

Mr. Kemp is reporting that fall colors will likely be peaking a little later than average this year.

His report states that fall colors will be at their peak in 2-3 weeks in many areas of the Smoky Mountain high country (above 4,500'). He also stated that peak colors at the lower elevations are likely to be a month away.

You can view his entire report by clicking here.

For additional suggestions on some of the best hikes for viewing fall colors in the Smokies, please click here.

On a related note, TripAdvisor recently published their list of the top ten fall foliage destinations in the U.S. Not surprisingly, Asheville ranked number 1, while Galinburg came in at number 3.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Autumn Naturalist Ramble

Join the Great Smoky Mountains Association and naturalist Liz Domingue on Saturday, October 30th, for a walk on the Cucumber Gap Loop Trail. This easy to moderate hike is a 5.6-mile round-trip hike, and will traverse the Little River and Cucumber Gap trails in Elkmont.

Liz will be available to answer any questions you might have about any of plants, birds or wildlife you might see along the way.

The GSMA asks that you wear good hiking boots and bring water, a light lunch or snack, and rain gear. The hike will begin at 9:00 am at the Little River trailhead.

A registration fee of $10 per person is required. To register, please call 865-436-7318, Ext. 222 or 254.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Black bear presentation at Sugarlands Visitor Center

The black bear, the symbol of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, will be the topic of discussion at a special presentation at Sugarlands Visitor Center on Saturday, July 24 at 10:00 am.

Kim Delozier, GSMNP wildlife biology supervisor, will bring you up to date on the bear population, the mast situation, the human problem of feeding bears, and what to do and NOT do if and when encountering a bear in the park. Other interesting facts will be covered and you'll be able to ask Kim questions following the program.

This is a very timely topic given the increase in bear sightings and the recent encounter between a visitor and bear in the vicinity of Laurel Falls.

There is no fee for the program, however, the Great Smoky Mountains Association would appreciate a call to register at 865-436-7318, Ext. 222 or 254.


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

The GSMA is looking for suggestions

The Great Smoky Mountains Association is in the process of scheduling outdoor activities and they're looking for some input from you on what YOU would recommend for a great outdoor program. What are YOUR interests... including topics for indoor programs?

Birding, history hikes, wildflower walks, salamander forays? Have a favorite trail you'd like to visit again, but with an interpretive guide? The possibilities are endless, limited only to the imagination!

Pass on suggestions by calling Judy at 865-436-7318 ext. 222 or Marti at ext. 254 or e-mail Judy at Judy@GSMAssoc.org. The GSMA can't promise they'll honor your request, but they'll do their best.

You can also use the same contact information if you're interested in volunteering at GSMA or the Wildflower Pilgrimage events. There may be times when a helping hand would be a welcomed asset.


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.

GSMA Owl Prowl

The Great Smoky Mountains Association will be holding an Owl Prowl on January 23.

Join former park ranger Butch McDade on Saturday, January 23, for a nighttime adventure into the elusive world of owls.

Participants will meet at the Sugarlands Visitor Center at 7:00 pm.

The GSMA is asking participants to bundle up with winter clothing, wear hiking boots or athletic shoes with tread, and bring flashlights or headlights... maybe even a rain parka, just in case.

Please register in advance by calling 865-436-7318, extension 222 or 254.

There's a small $5.00 fee to help cover the presenter's fee.




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.