The final video from the Hike the Smokies Challenge series has been posted on the Great Smoky Mountain Association's website.
The new video discusses water safety in the park, mainly around waterfalls and stream crossings. Ranger Chuck Hester relays a pretty scary story about a young man who's leg became trapped against a rock in one of the streams in the park.
You can view the video by clicking here.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Friday, September 3, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Update on the Calderwood Fire in western Smokies
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Tennessee Department of Forestry continue to keep a watchful eye on a low-intensity wildfire burning between U.S. 129 (The Tail of the Dragon) and the shores of Calderwood and Chilhowee Lakes (see map below).
Since Monday, the fire has grown from 160 acres to 294 acres as of early this morning. However, the fire is now 52% contained.
According to InciWeb, the fire is moving northward into an area of sparser fuels. Engine crews were able to construct a handline on Park land and tie into an old road on Tapoco (Alcoa) lands to the west. The fire will continue to burn down until it hits this handline.
The fire remains within all control lines and does not currently threaten Highway 129.
The Calderwood Fire is believed to have been started by a lightning strike on August 17 on land owned by Tapoco, but was first detected and confirmed on August 22. Since then it has spread slowly onto national park property.
The following is a map that shows the location and the progression of the fire (you can click on the map for a closer view):
The fire is expected to be fully contained by September 9th.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Since Monday, the fire has grown from 160 acres to 294 acres as of early this morning. However, the fire is now 52% contained.
According to InciWeb, the fire is moving northward into an area of sparser fuels. Engine crews were able to construct a handline on Park land and tie into an old road on Tapoco (Alcoa) lands to the west. The fire will continue to burn down until it hits this handline.
The fire remains within all control lines and does not currently threaten Highway 129.
The Calderwood Fire is believed to have been started by a lightning strike on August 17 on land owned by Tapoco, but was first detected and confirmed on August 22. Since then it has spread slowly onto national park property.
The following is a map that shows the location and the progression of the fire (you can click on the map for a closer view):
The fire is expected to be fully contained by September 9th.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Smokies delays re-opening of Elkmont area trails
Officials from the Great Smoky Mountains announced yesterday that the on-going construction project will delay the re-opening of the Little River/Jakes Creek Trail access road in Elkmont.
The new re-opening date is now October 15.
The work consists of repaving all of the connecting roads to the popular trails in Elkmont and creating formalized parking areas for the trailheads, as well as a new day use parking area at the Appalachian Clubhouse.
Managers were expecting to complete the work by Labor Day, but progress was held up by the addition of underground utility work which delayed the award of a contract.
Limited access is still being provided to hikers to reach the Little River Trail, but there is no safe access through the construction site to the Jakes Creek Trailhead which provides access to the Cucumber Gap, Jakes Creek and Meigs Mountain trails.
An extremely limited number of temporary parking spaces have been designated at the Elkmont Campground, so hikers planning to use the Little River Trail will need to check in for instructions at the campground kiosk.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
The new re-opening date is now October 15.
The work consists of repaving all of the connecting roads to the popular trails in Elkmont and creating formalized parking areas for the trailheads, as well as a new day use parking area at the Appalachian Clubhouse.
Managers were expecting to complete the work by Labor Day, but progress was held up by the addition of underground utility work which delayed the award of a contract.
Limited access is still being provided to hikers to reach the Little River Trail, but there is no safe access through the construction site to the Jakes Creek Trailhead which provides access to the Cucumber Gap, Jakes Creek and Meigs Mountain trails.
An extremely limited number of temporary parking spaces have been designated at the Elkmont Campground, so hikers planning to use the Little River Trail will need to check in for instructions at the campground kiosk.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Shenandoah Fall Programs schedule
Earlier in the week Shenandoah National Park published their ranger-guided Fall Programs schedule (covering September 7th thru October 31st).
The schedule includes campfire programs, discussions on various animals that live within the park, and several shorts hikes - with highlights that include Stony Man and Hawksbill Mountain.
Please click here to view the schedule.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
The schedule includes campfire programs, discussions on various animals that live within the park, and several shorts hikes - with highlights that include Stony Man and Hawksbill Mountain.
Please click here to view the schedule.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Fall Color Predictions for Western North Carolina
As she has for the last several years, Kathy Mathews, an associate professor of biology at Western Carolina University, has issued her predictions today on what the fall leaf season could look like this year.
Compared to last year, the news is much better. Ms. Mathews is predicting that visitors to the mountains of Western North Carolina can look forward to a vibrant display of color this fall.
“I predict this fall color change will be variable throughout the Southern mountains, but on the whole we should expect to see rich and attractive color change this season.,” she is quoted as saying in WCUs the Reporter.
“It’s been a hot year in North Carolina, with above-average temperatures this summer. Rainfall has been slightly less than average during the spring and summer. These are two factors I look at when thinking about the timing and quality of fall leaf color change in the mountains,” she said.
Mathews also said that peak colors may arrive a bit later than normal this year as a result of the warm temperatures over the summer. She told the Reporter that she doesn't expect peak to arrive until perhaps the end of October - about a week or so later than normal.
You can read the full article by clicking here.
Jeff
Smoky Mountain Rental Cabins
Compared to last year, the news is much better. Ms. Mathews is predicting that visitors to the mountains of Western North Carolina can look forward to a vibrant display of color this fall.“I predict this fall color change will be variable throughout the Southern mountains, but on the whole we should expect to see rich and attractive color change this season.,” she is quoted as saying in WCUs the Reporter.
“It’s been a hot year in North Carolina, with above-average temperatures this summer. Rainfall has been slightly less than average during the spring and summer. These are two factors I look at when thinking about the timing and quality of fall leaf color change in the mountains,” she said.
Mathews also said that peak colors may arrive a bit later than normal this year as a result of the warm temperatures over the summer. She told the Reporter that she doesn't expect peak to arrive until perhaps the end of October - about a week or so later than normal.
You can read the full article by clicking here.
Jeff
Smoky Mountain Rental Cabins
127 Hours: The Aron Ralston Story
Aron Ralston, the man who sawed his arm off after it was pinned under a boulder in a slot canyon in Utah, is the subject of a new movie coming out in early November.
The movie, called 127 Hours as a result of the amount of time he was trapped, is based on Aron's life story as told in his book "Between a Rock and a Hard Place".
The film features rising star James Franco as Ralston.
The trailer, below, is pretty compelling. I definitely plan on checking this movie out.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
The movie, called 127 Hours as a result of the amount of time he was trapped, is based on Aron's life story as told in his book "Between a Rock and a Hard Place".
The film features rising star James Franco as Ralston.
The trailer, below, is pretty compelling. I definitely plan on checking this movie out.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Backcountry.com Semi-Annual Sale
This is the final week of Backcountry.com's Semi-Annual Sale. I just wanted to point out that if you're looking for some great deals on gear, especially for the upcoming winter, this is a great time to take a look at some of the outstanding bargains being offered. As just a couple of quick examples:
- Women's The North Face Denali Jacket: Only $82.48 & Free Shipping (Regular Price $165). Click here for more information.
- Men's The North Face Denali Jacket Only $82.50 & Free Shipping (Regular Price $165). Click here for more information.
- Men's Columbia Whidbey Water Shorts - On sale for only $9.99 (regularly $32.00). Click here
for more information.
- Save 50% on discontinued colors of the Women's The North Face Venture Jacket. Please click herefor more information.
>>> You can find up to 50% off on more than 17,000 Items At Backcountry.com by clicking here.
(all offers expire on 9/7/10)
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
- Women's The North Face Denali Jacket: Only $82.48 & Free Shipping (Regular Price $165). Click here for more information.
- Men's The North Face Denali Jacket Only $82.50 & Free Shipping (Regular Price $165). Click here for more information.
- Men's Columbia Whidbey Water Shorts - On sale for only $9.99 (regularly $32.00). Click here
for more information.- Save 50% on discontinued colors of the Women's The North Face Venture Jacket. Please click here
for more information.>>> You can find up to 50% off on more than 17,000 Items At Backcountry.com by clicking here.
(all offers expire on 9/7/10)
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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