Appalachian Trail Re-opens - Black Mountain Fire 100% Contained

The Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain and its approach from Amicalola Falls State Park reopen today after a five day closure imposed while the U.S. Forest Service and partners battled a large wildfire in the area.



The Black Mountain Fire is now one hundred percent contained within a 455 acre containment area. It began Saturday near the Black Mountain and Springer Mountain area of the Chattahoochee National Forest near the Dawson, Gilmer, Fannin and Lumpkin County lines. A large response team was mobilized which included the local U.S. Forest Service Type 3 Incident Management Team and crews from a neighboring national forest. Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lumpkin County Fire Department and Gilmer County Fire Department all assisted in the response.



The cause of the fire is under investigation.



The wildfire did not affect any structures, including the Black Mountain trail shelter, and was not a threat to Amicalola Falls State Park or the Len Foote Hike Inn.



All temporary closures have been lifted for the Appalachian Trail approach trail from its crossing on Forest Road 28-2 at Nimblewill Gap to the Springer Mountain trailhead parking area on Forest Road 42. In addition, Forest Road 46 between Nimblewill Gap and High Shoals Church Road is now open.





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Memorial To Dana Bruce Dedicated

At noon on November 15th, friends, family, and coworkers of maintenance worker Dana Bruce gathered in the courtyard of headquarters of the Blue Ridge Parkway to dedicate a memorial to him. Dana, a third year seasonal employee, died while mowing Haw Creek Valley Overlook on May 7th.



During comments made by Shawn Benge, deputy regional director for Southeast Region, the attendees were reminded that every NPS employee is impacted by Dana’s death.



“I take my role in employee safety very seriously,” said Benge.” In Southeast Region, we’re working to increase our capacity in delivering strategic safety service to the field through the implementation of an executive safety committee, which the parkway has helped plan. There is nothing more important to the regional directorate than for you to arrive home safely each day.”



The memorial was designed by Blue Ridge employees, created at the Carolina Bronze Foundry, and constructed by Brandon Hensley. It rests near a memorial honoring Joe Kolodski, a ranger who died in the line of duty in 1998.



Superintendent Phil Francis and deputy superintendent Monika Mayr reflected on Dana’s contributions and invited his widow, Denise, to visit the memorial to her husband whenever she could: “We are reminded of our responsibility to care for all of you and for ourselves as we go about the activities of this – and every – day. We must remember what these memorials mean to us.”



“We are deeply saddened by this loss of a committed employee and friend who came to the NPS after retiring from his career,” said Gordon Wissinger, acting regional director for Southeast Region and a former chief ranger at Blue Ridge Parkway. “We work together to prevent similar future incidents. Tragic accidents like this remind us to slow things down a bit – especially on those work duties that are routine – and to continue to look out for each other. We are as strong as our team commitment to safety.”





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Meet Daddy Longlegs

Found this lovely fellow on my utility room door. I guess he was hunting a warm place to get out of the cold. So he’s welcome to stay as long as he likes. !

Great Smoky Mountains Celebrates Christmas Past

Great Smoky Mountains National Park announces the 37th annual Festival of Christmas Past celebration scheduled Saturday, December 8th, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The event, sponsored in cooperation with Great Smoky Mountains Association, is free to the public.



Festival of Christmas Past is an annual celebration of the culture of the Smoky Mountains, with an emphasis on the Christmas season. "Around Christmas time, people gathered in churches, homes, and schools and many of them celebrated the holiday through music, storytelling, and crafts. Festival of Christmas Past allows us to pause and remember some of these traditions," said Kent Cave, North District Resource Education Supervisor.

The festival will include old-time mountain music and traditional harp singing. Demonstrations of traditional domestic skills such as the making of rag rugs, apple-head dolls, quilts, and apple butter will be ongoing throughout the day. There will also be several chances to experience these traditions hands-on, with crafts to make and take home.



The Christmas Memories Walk will be held at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm to teach visitors about the spirit of the season in these mountains in the time period from the 1880s to 1930s. "The Memories Walk always gets everyone in the Christmas spirit," said Cave. "Our wonderful volunteers portray some colorful characters that you might have found in a mountain community. We have a great time developing these skits each year."



The full schedule of events for the day includes:



• 9:30 am - Old-fashioned Harp Singing led by Bruce Wheeler, Paul Clabo and Martha Graham

• 11:00 am- Old Time Music with Lost Mill String Band

• 12:00 pm- Stories of the Past panel discussion, presented by the Smoky Mountain Historical Society

• 1:00 pm - Old Time Music with the South of the River Boys

• 2:00 pm - Old Time Music with Boogertown Gap Band

• 3:00 pm - Old Time Christmas with Tony Thomas and Judy Carson

• 11:00 am -12:30 pm and 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm - "Christmas Memories Walk" - Costumed interpreters will lead a short walk from the visitor center and talk about life in the mountains during the holidays in the early days of the 1880s to the 1930s.



"Local craftspeople and musicians come together to share their ancestral skills with the public during this annual festival. We invite the public to participate in the day's activities and learn about winter life and work in the Great Smoky Mountains," said Cave.





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Stitched Scenes From Below Goat Wall

One Doesn't Require An Appraisal

If They Know Their Own Self Worth.

~

Sheep May Safely Graze

Part of a flock of bighorn sheep seen grazing in the Wet Mountains today. There were actually about twice as many of them than the picture shows.



This flock was, I think, (re)established by transplanting in the 1970s and 1980s. Today's was the largest group that I have seen in the area. Several rams were in with the ewes, busy sniffing their butts — it's that time of year.

Cades Cove Loop Road To Be Closed for Adelgid Spraying

Managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced plans to implement a complete closure of the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road to all vehicular traffic on Monday, December 3, and to impose a partial closure on Tuesday, December 4. During that time, Park forestry technicians will treat hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA)-infested hemlock trees with a horticultural oil sprayed from large truck-mounted units as they have been doing since 2004. In the event of heavy rain or freezing weather, the operation will be rescheduled. To check the status of the road closure, visitors can call the Park's general information number at 865/436-1200 or follow our roads status on Twitter at www.twitter.com/smokiesroadnps .



During the full closure on December 3, only hikers will be allowed to travel the Loop Road. Bicyclists will not be allowed to enter the Loop Road for safety reasons since there will be heavy equipment on the road making it unsafe for bicycling. Park personnel will be working at the entrance and exit areas of the Loop.



The spraying operation on December 4 will only impact the western end of the Loop Road. Motorists and cyclists will be able to enter the Loop as they normally would, but will have to detour across the Loop via Hyatt Lane (the second gravel crossroad) to exit Cades Cove. Hikers can continue through the closed portion. The detour will shorten the length of the trip to an 8-mile tour of Cades Cove. The Hyatt Lane bypass will eliminate access to the Cades Cove Visitor Center and Cable Mill area as well as the several trailheads located on the western end of Cades Cove: Abrams Falls, Cooper Road, Rabbit Creek, and Wet Bottom Trails, and Gregory Ridge trailhead.



As part of the Park's control efforts of the hemlock woolly adelgid, actions include spraying hemlock trees with the oil/soap application in high-use developed areas that are easily accessible by vehicles such as Cades Cove, campgrounds, picnic areas and along roadsides.



Jesse Webster, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Project Coordinator, said that, "In addition to spraying trees in developed areas, the Park is utilizing a systemic pesticide to treat some of the larger hemlocks in the spray zone. The systemic treatments move into the tree canopy with sap flow and can effectively control adelgids for 5-7 years which can be a more practical and cost effective approach to management. The spray acts as a quick knockdown allowing the systemics to catch up."



The park employs a three-prong approach that also includes the release of predator beetles. All of the chemical and biological control techniques are showing positive effects in areas of these treatments, despite the noticeable decline of tree vigor and mortality throughout the Park. Currently about 600 acres are being sprayed annually, over 220,000 hemlock trees have been hand-treated with systemic pesticides spread across 8,000 acres, and about a half-million predator beetles have been released.











Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

The Smoky Mountain Explorer: Clingmans Dome

Next spring the Great Smoky Mountains Association will be releasing a documentary based on Clingmans Dome, and the Spruce Fir Forests that cling to the spine of the highest mountains in the Southern Appalachians. These unique rare ecosystems are very vulnerable, and are relics from the last ice age. This documentary will be the first in the new Smoky Mountain Explorer series, which will encompass and document a large portion of the parks unique habitats, wildlife, and flora.



The Smoky Mountain Explorer series will be approximately 8 segments of 40 minutes apiece, with Clingmans Dome kicking off the series. The film will be available at GSMA stores in blu-ray format, and through digital downloads through iTunes.



Here's the official trailer for the first film:















Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Palpopleura vestita (Madagascar)

Lorsque j'ai aperçu cette très petite Libellule, Palpopleura vestita, je me suis dit que décidément la nature nous réservait de vrais trésors de diversité et de couleurs et une grande fébrilité m'a brusquement envahi tellement j'avais la peur au ventre de ne pas réussir des images valables.

Palpopleura vestita

Cependant, et même si, comme nos bonnes dames ou demoiselles de l'Hexagone, Palpopleura vestita ne se laisse pas si facilement approcher, elle revient invariablement (comme les nôtres) sur son perchoir après avoir tournicoté un moment et fini par s'habituer à la présence du photographe qui s'en donne alors à coeur joie.

Fresh Snow On The Winged Seeds Of The Douglas Maple Tree

Wings Need Constant Adorning

To Be Up and Flying.

~

Extreme Hiking: Angels Landing

One of Zion National Park’s most famous features is the death-defying hike up to Angels Landing. The trail climbs 1200 feet in roughly 2.4 miles. The last half-mile features sharp drop-offs along a very narrow path, and includes chains for hikers to hold onto. The chains are there for a very good reason. In the past eight years alone, six people have plunged to their deaths after losing their footing along this trail.



Below is an excellent video that shows what hiking this trail is all about. Back in September my wife and I visited Zion. Although this trail is one of the most popular hikes in the park, we opted not to take it. Instead, we hiked up to Observation Point , which is a bit safer, and arguably offers better views, including a birds-eye view of Angels Landing.



If you've never been to the park, I highly recommend it. The question is, would you hike to Angels Landing? With a baby?















Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

The Great Plains Tour of 2012

Cast letters on the Oliver Building, Chicago. See note below.

In the last five weeks, I have traveled (on the ground) from Colorado through eastern Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas — from end to end four times — plus a corner of Iowa, Illinois, and some of Missouri.



The tour was in two parts, interrupted by that forest fire.



M. and I just drove in from Medicine Lodge, Kansas tonight, in fact. We've seen the Flint Hills, the Gypsum Hills, and all the khaki-colored country between Dodge City and the Colorado foothills.



Now I want to experience house as hibernaculum for a while — and to type a little.


NOTE: The Oliver Typewriter Co., one of the first successful manufacturers of such instruments, had its headquarters in the Oliver Building on Dearborn Street.

Fresh Snow On Forest Trees

Neutral Is An Aspect Of Being Natural.

Its Abnormal to be Normal.

When You Stop Trying To Find Something or get Somewhere,

Then the Real World Comes Rushing In to Greet You.

~

Forest Service Responds to Black Mountain Wildfire

The U.S. Forest Service and partners are responding to a wildfire burning approximately 215 acres near the Black Mountain and Springer Mountain area of the Chattahoochee National Forest near the Dawson, Gilmer, Fannin and Lumpkin County lines. A large response team has been mobilized, including the local U.S. Forest Service Type 3 Incident Management Team and crews from a neighboring national forest. Partners including Georgia Forestry Commission, Lumpkin County Fire Department and Georgia Department of Natural Resources are assisting in the response. The fire was first reported on November 24 around 7:00 p.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.



Officials have not identified any structures being threatened at this time. The wildfire is not threatening Amicalola Falls State Park or Len Foote Hike Inn.



Officials are advising the public to avoid the area. A temporary closure has been issued for the Appalachian Trail approach trail from its crossing on forest road 28-2 at Nimblewill Gap to the Springer Mountain trailhead parking area on forest road 42, including the Black Mountain trail shelter. Forest road 46 is also temporarily closed between Nimblewill Gap and High Shoals Church Road.



You can view vicinity and local area maps showing the location of the Black Mountain Fire by clicking here .











Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Paysages de Madagascar

Pour que les visiteurs de ce blog, habitués ou seulement de passage, se fassent une idée de la nature à Madagascar, il m'a semblé intéressant de publier quelques vues panoramiques de certains paysages typiques de l'Ile que je vous livre ci-après.

Panorama depuis la colline d'Antongona l'une des 12 collines entourant la capitale Antananarivo.

Panorama sur la région du Vakinakaratra près de Antsirabe.

Panorama sur les tsingys dans le massif de l'Ankarana.

Panorama sur la mer d'émeraude à Diego Suarez.

Help Support HikingintheSmokys.com This Season

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Thanks again for all you support - we really appreciate it!





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Two Ferries

Apropos of nothing, i drag forth from the archive a couple of photos from ferry rides. One of a San Juan run so sunny and clear that I felt like I was on the boat to heaven. Another on a greyer, more ambiguous day when the destination was shrouded until we were nearly there. These were both fun rides, one not really better than the other, each merely a means of transport to the observer, but each also an adventure and miraculous journey in my mind. The ferries of Washington, white and green, filled with cars, thrummed forward and back by diesels, seem so same, but each route is unique, each passage a new experience. Commuters may dull to the beauty, but I love each ride.

Discover the Joys of Winter Hiking

Many hikers tend to run from the woods as soon as the first snow flakes begin to fall. However, winter is great time to hit the trail. Not only are the crowds gone, but many parks show off their true beauty after a fresh snowfall. With just a little more attention to detail beforehand, anyone can have a safe and enjoyable hike during the winter.



Although it might feel quite frigid at the trailhead, your body will begin generating plenty of heat after just 10 or 15 minutes of walking. The best thing you can do to keep the cold out is to dress in layers: a base layer that wicks moisture off your body, a fleece jacket for insulating warmth, and a shell to keep you dry and to keep the wind from penetrating your core. Most importantly, dressing in layers allows you to adjust your attire as you heat-up or cool-off. When dressing for a winter hike, always remember the adage: cotton kills! Never wear anything made of cotton while hiking in the backcountry. Once wet, cotton no longer insulates you from the cold. Moreover, it wicks heat away from your body and puts you at risk of becoming hypothermic.



Some people are prone to cold feet in the winter. One of the keys to keeping your feet warm is to make sure they stay dry. Wear a good pair of hiking socks, made of wool blends or synthetic fabrics, that wick moisture away from your skin, retain heat when wet, and dry faster if they become wet. I always keep an extra pair in my pack in case the ones I’m wearing do get wet. (Expert Advice: How to Choose Socks ) You should also wear above-the-ankle hiking boots which help to keep snow away from your feet. You may want to consider wearing gaiters, especially if there are several inches of snow on the ground.



To round-out your winter apparel, don’t forget about a good pair of gloves, a ski cap and maybe even a balaclava.



If the snow is too deep in the mountains, consider hiking at lower elevations, or even wearing snowshoes. If you expect a lot of ice, especially in areas where there might be steep drop-offs, consider bringing crampons specifically made for hiking. These are sometimes referred to as traction devices, or in-step crampons, which you can either strap-on or slide onto your boots.



Trekking poles are another excellent choice for helping to maintain your balance on sections of trail with slick ice and snow.



After outfitting yourself with the proper winter gear, hikers will then need to focus on staying hydrated and properly fueled while out on the trail. Hiking in the cold, especially in snow, burns more calories. By some estimates, hikers can burn as much as 50% more calories when compared to similar distances and terrain in the summer. By not consuming enough calories while on the trail you become prone to getting cold faster. Make sure you bring plenty of high-energy snacks with you to munch on periodically throughout your hike. Watch out for foods that can freeze solid, such as some power bars. Or, instead of storing in your backpack, put some snacks inside your fleece jacket. Your body should generate enough heat to prevent them from freezing.



Although it may sound counter-intuitive, it can actually be easier to experience dehydration in the winter, versus hiking in the summer. Dehydration can occur faster in cold weather because the air is much drier. Moreover, dehydration can be dangerous because it can accelerate hypothermia and frostbite. Make sure you bring plenty of liquids with you, and drink often while on the trail.



If you’re storing water bottles in your backpack during a very cold day, you may need to insulate them to prevent them from freezing. An old wool sock will work in this case. Also, you may want to turn the bottle upside down to prevent the water from freezing at the neck. If you plan to be out for several hours, consider bringing a thermos containing a hot drink, or even soup.



Other winter hazards hikers need to be aware of include hiking in steep terrain that’s prone to avalanches, or a storm that covers the trail with fresh snow, thus making navigation difficult. You should always carry a topographical map and a compass with you in case you ever need help finding your way back to the trailhead if you were to become lost.



Other gear to bring with you includes a first aid kit, firestarter, waterproof matches, a pocket knife, an emergency blanket and maybe even a bivy sack .



Finally, let someone know where you’re going, when you’ll be back, and who to call if they don’t hear back from you at a specified time.



With a little care and preparation up front, anyone can discover the joys of winter hiking.



Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

White Tailed Deer Running Scared Along The Methow River

Scars Heal When You Are No Longer Pushed To Be Scared.

~

Essentials for the Smokies Hiker

Below are a couple of stocking stuffers for anyone interested in hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. With more than 800 miles of trails in the park, detailed topographical maps and hiking trail guides are great ways for hikers to discover new trails and new destinations in the Smokies:



Hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park , by local hiker and outdoor photographer Kevin Adams, covers more than 80 hikes in the Smokies. The guide features photos, up-to-date trail information, trail maps, elevation profiles, clear directions from major access points, difficulty and traffic ratings for each hike, vacation planning, a hiker's checklist, and quick reference trail highlights.





National Geographic now has two separate Trails Illustrated Maps for the Great Smoky Mountains - in addition to the old map. National Geographic has divided the Park in two sections, thus allowing each map to show much greater detail. The original map, which covered the entire Park, had a scale 1:70,000. The two new maps now have a scale of 1:40,000 (1” = .6 miles) and provide much greater detail such as backcountry campsites, footbridges, fords and stream crossings, nature/interpretive trails, as well as detailed trail mileages.



The map for the western section of the Park includes the Cades Cove, Elkmont and Fontana Lake areas.



The map for the eastern section includes Clingmans Dome, Mt. LeConte, Newfound Gap Road, Big Creek, Oconaluftee and the Cataloochee areas.



Coverage Highlights Areas and places featured in this map series include: the Appalachian Trail, Benton Mackaye Trail, and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The maps also include scenic overlooks and roadside pull-outs.



Of course the original map , which covers the entire Park, is still available as well.



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To see our full library of hiking and travel books for the Great Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail and the surrounding Southern Appalachian region, please visit our Amazon store by clicking here .



As always, thanks for your support!





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies