A Bridge Not Too Far (Away)

Former Hardscrabble Creek Bridge (Bridgehunter.com)

But it is no longer there. I just chanced across this entry on a website for lovers of historic bridges.



Do you notice bridges? I remember once standing on a Montana State Highway 200 bridge with an engineer friend — I was busy looking at the forest, wondering about its logging and fire history, but she noticed a bend in a truss and speculated that a trucker had tried to cross the bridge with a too-tall load at some time in the past.



That same bridge supported a spectacular osprey nest — easy access, river vu.

Papillon de nuit (Madagascar)

Ce Papillon de nuit photographié dans le secteur d'Ambatomirahavavy près de Antananarivo à Madagascar virevoltait comme nombre de ses congénères à proximité d'une lampe allumée Se posant sporadiquement sur le mur, le sujet a fini à un moment par atterrir sur l'une de nos semelles de chaussures, situation assez incongrue mais Ô combien intéressante pour la photographie de ses antennes en

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area to stop picking up trash to save money

The trash cans are going away. At many of the boat ramps, picnic areas, and parking lots in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), the brown receptacles have already been picked up by maintenance workers and packed off to a storage facility. Of 17 locations along the park's 48-mile stretch of river, only four will keep their cans: Abbotts Bridge, Powers Island, Paces Mill, and the fitness loop trail at Cochran Shoals (between Columns Drive and Interstate North.) Visitors should still bring their own bags and plan to pack out their trash, regardless of which unit they are visiting.



"We will continue collecting trash at receptacles at our busiest locations," said CRNRA Superintendent Patty Wissinger. "But there are a lot of trash cans in the park that are time-consuming to empty because they are far apart and not as frequently used. By eliminating these, we save significant labor costs." Park officials calculate that they will save $76,000 between April 1 and October 1 by removing 134 cans from 13 sites.



Due to sequestration, the park will be hiring fewer seasonal maintenance workers this summer. After an extensive review of the various tasks done by these workers, including emptying trash cans, mowing grass, and cleaning restrooms, the last task was deemed the most important.



"We had to make a reduction, so we chose trash removal and mowing," said Wissinger. "Clean restrooms are too important for visitor health and the overall experience of the park, so that's where we're going to keep our maintenance folks working."



Reduced mowing will become apparent when the weather warms up and grass starts growing. "Some parts of the park will start having a more natural look," said Wissinger. "This will be a summer to enjoy the wildflowers instead of the lawn."





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Male Rufous Hummingbird Taking A Shower

The Soul is self Cleaning if it Feels Brand New.

~

Male Rufous Hummingbird Taking A Shower

The Soul is self Cleaning if it Feels Brand New.

~

Thinning the Blog Stew

Trees burned in the 2010 Schultz fire.Image: Flickr/Coconino National Forest

• Coloradans: your fishing licenses explore on Sunday. And big-game hunting applications are due Tuesday night. Time to make some choices!



• A piece from the Colorado Springs Gazette's blog on Colorado's official sport of burro-racing with quotes from Hal Walter. You will find his too-occasional blogs in the sidebar: Farm Beet and Hardscrabble Times.



• Scientific American describes big forest-thinning projects in the White Mountains of Arizona.

The Forest Service hired Pioneer Forest Products last May to cut and process the trees from the thinned forests. Pioneer will recycle the small-diameter timber into wood products -- for cabinetry, for example -- and wood laminate. Nearly 40 percent will be feedstock for a 30-million-gallon-per-year biodiesel plant run by Western Energy Solutions/Concord Blue USA. The processing plant in Winslow, Ariz., will employ about 500 people. The firm is still waiting to receive financing to begin operations in a budget-strained environment, said Marlin Johnson, a consultant for Pioneer.

A Few Spring Flowers Along Washington's Nooksack River

Salmonberry

Indian Plum

Gooseberry

Red Alder Catkins

Feathers On Dried Grass

Daffodils





Bees Pollinate Flowers

and

Flowers Pollinate Humans into Beings.



~

A Few Spring Flowers Along Washington's Nooksack River

Salmonberry

Indian Plum

Gooseberry

Red Alder Catkins

Feathers On Dried Grass

Daffodils





Bees Pollinate Flowers

and

Flowers Pollinate Humans into Beings.



~

Governor Proclaims April 7-13 Tennessee State Natural Areas Week

Earlier in the week Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau announced that April 7–13 will commemorate Tennessee State Natural Areas Week. The annual celebration will officially kick off on Saturday, April 6, with activities planned throughout the week such as wildflower hikes, canoe trips, guided tours and volunteer efforts.



The Tennessee Natural Areas Preservation Act was passed 42 years ago by the General Assembly and signed by former Gov. Winfield Dunn. Today, that legacy encompasses more than 120,000 acres of land, endangered or unique plants and a variety of animals – all protected for future generations.



“Tennessee State Natural Areas Week is a great time to revisit some of these special places that make our state so unique,” said Martineau. “Ongoing support of these beautiful areas is vital to the state’s conservation efforts and we encourage all Tennesseans to join us in celebration of what these rich and diverse areas have to offer.”



The State Natural Areas Program provides long-term protection for rare, threatened and endangered plant and animal life. The program also protects ecologically sensitive areas, areas of geological interest and areas of great scenic beauty. First established in 1971 by the Tennessee Natural Areas Preservation Act, there are now 82 state natural areas.



The week includes a full schedule of events in many of these 82 natural areas, with approximately 40 programs planned across the state. A wide variety of interesting activities – including a bat program, several guided wildflower hikes, canoe trips and a geology talk – are planned to engage Tennesseans in appreciating and enjoying these public areas.



For a complete schedule of events and trip details, please visit the Division of Natural Areas’ website , or call the main office at 615-532-0431. Some activities require reservations, so please call to ensure an opportunity to participate.





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Mourning Cloak Butterfly Eating Nectar From A Willow Catkin

Gazing Opens The Door Into Amazing.

~

Mourning Cloak Butterfly Eating Nectar From A Willow Catkin

Gazing Opens The Door Into Amazing.

~

Bigfoot Meta-Analysis

No new "news" about the Big Guy, but here is some meta-analysis of changing portraits of Bigfoot over the years, by cryptozoologist Loren Coleman.

In the past discussions on Bigfoot, few have noticed the disappearance of the prognathism. The head and nose changed too, and the entire profile of the face changes with the vanishing of the projected lower facial features.



Patterson noted that one of the first articles that got him into the hunt for Bigfoot was by Ivan T. Sanderson. The cover art on that article shows the William Roe case, illustrated by Mort Künstler. Roger Patterson copied the art closely and then published Sanderson’s entire article in Patterson’s book. Many have commented on how the Künstler-Patterson art mirrors the P-G film Bigfoot.



I think the key is the changed face.

New Trails Added to HikingintheSmokys.com

A couple weeks ago my wife and I spent a few days hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. As a result, we have added four new trails to our website, HikingintheSmokys.com.



On a couple of hikes, such as the Sugarland Mountain Trail, and the Meigs Creek Trail , we were able to find almost total solitude in the heart of the Smokies.



The Grapeyard Ridge Trail also offered quite a bit of solitude as well. This trail, however, also offers hikers one of the more interesting historical artifacts you'll find in the Smokies - the remains of an old steam engine that rolled into Injun Creek:

We also hiked the Middle Prong Trail for the first time ever, and absolutely loved it. In fact, I would say it just might be the best waterfall hike in the Smokies. In addition to several smaller falls and cascades, the trail passes three major waterfalls, including Lower Lynn Camp Falls:

If you ever get a chance, take the time to hike the section of the Sugarland Mountain Trail that starts from Fighting Creek Gap. Along the way you'll have one of the best views of Mt. LeConte - in terms of seeing it's massive size from top to bottom:

To see all of the trails on our website, please visit HikingintheSmokys.com





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Go west, young man

Take my advice, "go west, young man".



That famous quote is attributed to Horace Greeley, the influential 19th century author. Greeley, who was also the founder and editor of the New York Tribune, saw westward expansion as the ideal place for hard working people to find opportunities to succeed.



Today, the west symbolizes the place for adventurers and enthusiasts to enjoy and play in the great outdoors. One of the most iconic destinations in the west is Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Coincidentally, less than 50 miles away from the park is the small town of Greeley, which happens to be named after ole Horace.



So what does all this have to do with anything? Actually, it brings me to our newest hiking website, which we just launched this past November. Just like HikingintheSmokys.com, RockyMountainHikingTrails.com offers details on many of the trails throughout the park. In fact, you'll find quite a lot of information to help plan much of your trip.

First of all, trying to figure out where to hike can be challenging, especially if you're unfamiliar with the area. The park offers more than 350 miles of trails that lead to some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. As a starting point you can check out our list of the Top 10 Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as our list of the Best Easy Hikes in the park.



Our website also offers many lodging options on our Accommodations page. Here you'll find a wide variety of overnight accommodations that offer a wide variety of amenities in the Rocky Mountain National Park area.



If you're looking for additional activities during your stay, besides hiking, take a moment to check out our Things To Do page. Then, take a day to go horseback riding, rafting, birding, photography touring, or maybe even take a hot air balloon tour of the Rockies!



If you're currently planning, or just considering a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park this summer, now's the time to begin making reservations before accommodations begin filling-up during the peak travel season.



Please know that by supporting one of our advertisers you help to support RockyMountainHikingTrails.com.



Finally, if you know anyone else that's planning a trip to RMNP this year, we would really appreciate if you could forward this link onto them as well.



Thank you very much!





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Bayfield, Wisconsin

Bayfield, Wisconsin

Opposition to Smokies Backcountry Fees Gaining Momentum

Knox County Commissioners voted yesterday to express support for a recent Blount County Commission resolution that opposes the backcountry camping fee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Knox resolution also demands for the immediate repeal of the backcountry camping fee, and opposes the imposition of any fee for the use of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that is not directly associated with the use of amenities or a commercial purpose.

On February 13th Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials implemented a $4 per night, per person fee for anyone wishing to camp in the park's backcountry. Almost immediately after the plan was announced in July of 2011, the backcountry fee system has generated strong opposition.



Citizens groups, such as the Southern Forest Watch , oppose the fee on grounds that "backcountry camping is differentiated from front country camping in that no amenities are provided to campers other than the metal cables that are constructed to raise campers' gear and food above the level at which bears can access said gear and food".



Earlier this month the Southern Forest Watch filed a lawsuit against the fee.



The resolution passed by the Knox County Commissioners also asks that all of the counties in the State of Tennessee to join in passing the resolution, and to forward to their state delegations to ask their delegates to investigate the matter and to join in formally opposing the same fees.



So far this strategy, originally initiated by the Blount County Commission, seems to be gaining momentum. Since the February 21st vote by Blount County, similar resolutions have been passed by Knox County, Monroe County and Bradley County in Tennessee, as well as Swain County in North Carolina.





Jeff

Hiking Trails in the Smokies

Colorado Interactive Plant, Drought, Maps

A website of interactive maps about growing zones, native plant distribution, frosts, drought, and more. Put in your ZIP code and get all kinds of info! Hello from zone 5b.

Signs of Spring (2)

Sandhill cranes (Wikipedia)

While I was shoveling snow this morning — two flocks of sandhill cranes calling and shimmering in a clear blue sky.



And I don't know if this is springlike or not, but on the 17th a scorpion stung me in the hand — when I was in bed, which felt like a real violation.



The last time that happened was in 1986, I think, but I was in Cañon City, which is an outlier of the Chihuahuan Desert anyway.



It seems like I saw one in this foothills house one other time, but I can't remember when.



These little tan scorpions are not too bad — it's a hit like a wasp sting that is just a memory a couple of hours later. But M. says that venomous desert critters have it in for me.

When Did Apes Domesticate Dogs?

This is a clip from some kind of nature show, apparently. Anyone know which one, and if there is a backstory to it?



And if you think baboons are creepy, this will reinforce the perception.

'Accessible to the Most Timid Motorist'

I link to this news story about the Broadmoor Hotel adding another lodge on Cheyenne Mountain just because it lets me incorporate this old promotional film about a previous lodge.



There is also footage of the Will Rogers Shrine under construction in the mid-1930s. When I was old enough to learn who he was, I wondered how a "man of the people" like Rogers would have felt about being "memorialized" by what looks like a robber baron's tower.



But that was Spec Penrose's money and ego talking.



Also included is footage of the original Manitou Incline funicular cars.

Audobon Fires Conservation Writer over Cats

Steve Bodio has the details — go read them.

Audubon-the-mag has now achieved the remarkable feat of firing both the best nature editor of our time and our most independent conservation columnist. If you are so inclined, go to their website and tell them just how inconsequential and worthless they have become.

It's not like the Audobon Society is about protecting birds anymore?

Phyllomacromia trifasciata (Madagascar)

Cette grande Libellule Phyllomacromia trifasciata, de la famille des Corduliidae est magnifique avec ses yeux d'un vert très particulier. Photographiée aux abords du village d'Ambatomirahavavy près de Antananarivo à Madagascar, elle ne m'a pas laissé le loisir de la photographier de profil et j'ai donc dû me contenter de ce simple portrait dorsal. Phyllomacromia trifasciata

Tennessee State Parks Announce New Campground Reservation System

Tennessee State Parks has unveiled a new customer-friendly campground reservation system, which will offer visitors the ability to reserve campsites at 35 state parks up to one year in advance of their planned stay. Reservations can be made online, by visiting the park's office, or by calling an individual park during regular business hours.



“Traditionally, campers have had to rely on obtaining their favorite camping spot on a first come, first served basis,” said Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau. “With the new reservation service, visitors will be offered more ease and convenience when it comes to their park stay.”



To check availability and reserve campsites online or via phone, visit tnstateparks.com/reservations for a complete list of available campgrounds and phone numbers or visit the online site directly at tnstateparks.itinio.com/ . Campers can select the state park they wish to visit, arrival/departure dates, and their preferred campsite. Visitors may reserve up to five sites per reservation. The online system features a campground map, offering photos and prices for each individual campsite. Tennessee State Parks’ campsites are very popular, so campers are encouraged to check availability through the new online system or by calling the park before departing on a trip.



Tennessee State Parks implemented the program using a phased approached, beginning in late 2012 to ensure the appropriate training could take place and any issues or concerns could be addressed before formally launching the new reservation system. Over the course of the last several months, state parks have been gradually added to the roster. The new campground reservation system joins several new initiatives launched by TDEC over the last two years for park visitors on the go, including the Tennessee State Parks 75th Anniversary microsite, a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based recreation “finder,” and the new Tennessee State Parks Pocket Ranger® mobile phone application.



Hill added that online reservations for inns and some cabins have been available for visitors for several years, but adding the campground system was one that required a bit more effort in terms of program design and operations. After a competitive bidding process, Arizona-based Rev’d Up, Inc. was selected to build and host the new campground reservation system and will continue overseeing the project as part of a five-year contract. A minimal $3 reservation fee (per campsite reserved) was added as part of the overall implementation and will help offset costs of the new system.





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Did You Know…National Park Week is April 20-28

The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation invite everyone to get to know their national parks during National Park Week. This year’s dates are April 20 – 28, with free admission to all national parks April 22 – 26.

“This year’s theme, ‘Did you know…’ provides a fun way to discover the wonders of America’s national parks,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “For example, did you know that there are national parks in 49 of 50 states? Did you know that national parks include seashores, battlefields, and historic homes? Did you know that the country’s highest peak, lowest point, tallest tree, deepest lake and longest cave are in national parks? Did you know that you probably live within an hour or two of a national park? National Park Week is a great time for all Americans to visit a nearby national park to camp and hike, watch wildlife, stroll a Civil War battlefield, and connect with our heritage and each other.”



National Park Week is also a good time to explore local parks, trails, and architectural gems sustained through National Park Service programs such as the Rivers Trails Conservation Assistance program and the National Register of Historic Places.



The annual celebration includes special events such as Junior Ranger Day on April 20 and Earth Day on April 22. Find a list of ranger-led programs and plan your adventures at nationalparkweek.org . You can also use the website to share your park experiences and photos and help support parks.



“National Park Week is a perfect time to celebrate America’s best idea – our national parks,” said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “We are proud to stand with our partners at the National Park Service in presenting this annual event and hope everyone takes advantage of this opportunity to enjoy and support these outstanding places.”



We think some of the best parks to visit - anytime of year - are Rocky Mountain National Park , Glacier National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park . But hey, that's just our opinion!





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Coléoptère (Madagascar)

Ce Coléoptère, photographié sur la commune de Ambatomirahavavy dans les environs de Antananarivo à Madagascar, restera sans doute une énigme. Je n'ai même pas osé le ranger dans le groupe des Hannetons bien qu'il ait de fortes ressemblances avec eux. Famille des Scarabeidae Le nombre d'espèces de Hannetons endémiques de Madagascar est immense et identifier mon sujet, vraisemblablement de

Roads in Nantahala National Forest could be closed for up to 2 years

The U.S. Forest Service today announced temporary road closures for segments of Forest Service Road (FSR) 423 (Tatham Gap), FSR 440 (Tuni Gap), FSR 340 (Fires Creek) and FSR 81C (Whigg Branch) because of damage caused by a storm that occurred earlier this winter. These temporary closures extend emergency closures put in place after approximately 11 inches of rain fell during the week of Jan. 14, 2013.



A reopening date for the roads, located in the Tusquitee Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest, has yet to be determined. Early estimates are that it could be two years before repairs are completed. Repair costs are likely to exceed $5 million. The Forest Service is applying for funding to pay for the projects. Forest Service engineers are working to address damage to these and other roads in the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests that were damaged by heavy winter rains.



"Parts of the roads are too dangerous for motor vehicle travel right now, and our first priority is to protect public safety," said District Ranger Lauren Stull. "We've installed temporary gates where feasible to keep as much of these roads open to the public as possible. We're working quickly to obtain funding to repair these sections and get folks safely back out on these roads, but sometimes Mother Nature deals you a tough hand."



Details on the road closures follow:



FSR423 (Tatham Gap) - Approximately 3.3 miles will be closed to all forms of traffic beginning approximately 0.6 miles beyond the intersection between FSR 423 and State Route (SR) 1391 extending to a temporary gate installed at the intersection of FSR 423 and FSR 423B just below the south side of Tatham Gap. Due to existing and imminent road failures, this segment is closed to all forms of use including foot, horse, motorized and non-motorized traffic until it is determined that the roadbed has stabilized sufficiently to allow safe use by the public.



FSR 440 (Tuni Creek) - Approximately 4.7 miles will be closed to motorized use beginning at the intersection of SR 1307 (Stephens Branch Road) and FSR 440 extending to the intersection between SR 1311 and FSR 440.



FSR 340 (Fires Creek) - Approximately 6 miles will be closed to motorized use beginning at a temporary gate that has been installed at the intersection of FSR 340 and FSR 340B (Little Fires Creek Road).



FSR 81-C (Whigg Branch) - Approximately 1.6 miles will be closed to motorized use beginning at the intersection of FSR 81 and FSR 81-C.



The segment of Tatham Gap Road is closed to all forms of use including foot, horse, motorized and non-motorized traffic. However, forest users may still access other road areas through non-motorized means, such as hiking, but should use great caution when approaching road slides.



For more information, contact Bill Champion at the Tusquitee Ranger Station at 828-837-5152.





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

April Classic Hikes of the Smokies: Hyatt Ridge Discovery

On the third Tuesday of each month this year, Friends of the Smokies will be offering guided hikes as part of their Classic Hikes of the Smokies series. To celebrate the Friends’ 20th anniversary this year, each hike will honor an achievement or cause that the Friends organization has supported in Great Smoky Mountains National Park since its establishment in 1993.



The hike for next month, called Hyatt Ridge Discovery, will honor Discover Life in America:



April 16: Hyatt Ridge Discovery

Distance: 9.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 2000 feet

Trails – Hyatt Ridge and Beech Gap



To help support the Smokies Trails Forever program, a donation of $10 for members and $35 for non-members is requested. Non-members receive a complimentary membership to Friends of the Smokies. Members who bring a friend hike for free. You can pre-register for this through Friends of the Smokies at outreach.nc@friendsofthesmokies.org or 828-452-0720.





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis To Retire

NPS Digest announced today that Phil Francis, superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, is retiring.



Since joining the National Park Service in 1972 at Kings Mountain National Military Park, Phil has tirelessly served in a variety of parks that have taken him from coast to coast, including such special places as Shenandoah National Park, Yosemite National Park, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Parks and the Blue Ridge Parkway.



In 1994, Phil transferred to the Smokies after serving for three years as the associate regional director for administration in Southwest Regional Office in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After 11 years as deputy/acting superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Phil was asked to become the sixth superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, where he has served since 2005.



Phil’s assignments have provided him with the opportunity to work with numerous partner organizations and communities. He provided leadership in the creation of a number of new non-profit partners, including Blue Ridge Parkway 75, Inc., the Institute at Tremont, Experience Your Smokies, and Discover Life in America.



Phil has also been instrumental in the completion of several high-profile planning efforts, including the North Shore Road EIS at the Smokies and completion of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s first ever general management plan. During his career, Phil has had a hand in duties ranging from reenactments to law enforcement to budget formulation to directing a Youth Conservation Corps – and everything in between.



Phil is a 2003 graduate of the Department of Interior’s Senior Executive Service candidate development placement program. In 2005 Phil was awarded the Department of Interior’s Superior Service Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the National Park Service as assistant superintendent at the Smokies and acting superintendent of the Outer Banks Group and Blue Ridge Parkway as well as numerous other performance awards during his career.



U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander honored Phil in the Congressional Record in 2006 for his service at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.



Discover Life in America, which is conducting the first all species inventory of a national park, named a new species to science after Phil in appreciation for his support of the project.



Phil was born in Shelby, North Carolina, and raised in nearby Grover. He attended Kings Mountain High School and later graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor of science degree in administrative management. Phil is married to Dr. Becky Nichols, a scientist employed by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and he plans to spend his retirement enjoying the special places and people of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina.



There will be a celebration of Phil’s career on April 6th in Asheville, North Carolina.





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Veterans Offered Full Scholarship and Support to Hike the Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), in partnership with Warrior Hike, Operation Military Embrace, the Military Family Lifestyle Charitable Foundation, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, has launched a new initiative called the “Walk Off the War” program. This program will provide 13 military veterans the opportunity to reconnect with the United States in a uniquely physical and psychological way – a fully funded scholarship to hike the Appalachian Trail (A.T.).

The objective of this program is to provide these veterans a self-directed, self-paced journey along the A.T. Hiking the Trail provides the opportunity to eliminate the negative effects of the war, through walking in nature, engaging with other hikers and experiencing the hospitality of the Trail towns along the A.T. In the end, the goal is to return these soldiers back into civilian society with the greatest opportunity for success in their personal and professional lives.



All participating veterans are not required to hike the entire A.T., but rather experience the physical, psychological and spiritual benefits of the Trail.



“Similar to Earl Shaffer, the first A.T. thru-hiker, these veterans will have the opportunity to journey along the Appalachian Trail and experience first hand the benefits of retreating back into nature,” stated Rich Daileader, former thru-hiker and board member of the ATC. “The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to partner up with Warrior Hike and several other Military and Veteran organizations to offer this incredible experience to our military veterans.”



The program will provide full scholarships to equip and support 13 military veterans. The first group of veterans will begin their journey on March 17th in Springer Mountain, Georgia. The rest of the veterans will begin their hike by April 15th.



The ATC, trail maintaining clubs along the A.T. and veterans groups in various “trail towns” will provide the veterans, who may travel alone or in small groups, with ancillary support services. This may include hosting a hiker or arranging transportation.



Two of the driving forces behind this initiative are Captains Sean Gobin and Mark Silvers, two Marines that upon returning from Afghanistan in 2012, hiked the A.T. to help purchase adapted vehicles for seriously wounded veterans. They are also the co-founders of Warrior Hike, a non-profit organization geared to raise funds for wounded veterans.



This year’s group of veterans includes Adam Bautz, Rob Carmel, Steve Clendenning, Stephanie Cutts, Dick Erwin, Gary Ewin, Chris Galemore, Thomas Gathman, William Guill, Jeff Harper, Kevin Reed, Sharon Smith, and Cody Umphress.



This event is sponsored by 2Toms, Adventure Medical Kits, Ahnu, Antigravity Gear, Backcountry Edge, The Earl Shaffer Foundation, Easton Mountain Products, Good Sports, Granite Gear, Katadyn, Kelty, Leki, L.L.Bean, McKee Foods, Off Grid Expeditions, Railriders, Sawyer, The A.T. Guide, and Wise Company. For more information about this program visit www.appalachiantrail.org/events or www.walkoffthewar.com .





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Pillars of Strength In Changing Times

Remove The Scales That Measure Change.

What Remains Is Perpetual Balance No Matter The Conditions.

Every Moment Is Now Equally Just.

~

Pillars of Strength In Changing Times

Remove The Scales That Measure Change.

What Remains Is Perpetual Balance No Matter The Conditions.

Every Moment Is Now Equally Just.

~

American Dipper Silhouette

By Emptying Your Self Of Form,

You Open Your Self To Something Greater,

To That Which Always Surrounds You

And To The Energy and Forces That Flow Through You.

By Letting Go Of Limiting Formulations and Ideas of Who You Are,

One Feels and Therefore Becomes The Bigger Picture.

~

American Dipper Silhouette

By Emptying Your Self Of Form,

You Open Your Self To Something Greater,

To That Which Always Surrounds You

And To The Energy and Forces That Flow Through You.

By Letting Go Of Limiting Formulations and Ideas of Who You Are,

One Feels and Therefore Becomes The Bigger Picture.

~

Thinking about Mega Fires in the West

A wildfire video with some Colorado footage from last year (Waldo Canyon Fire) coupled with a cheery weather briefing from FEMA.



ᔥ Wildfire Today .

Erin Brckovich's Crowd-Sourced Cancer-Cluster Map

The map, covering the United States and some places in Canada, is built from individual reports. There is no information given that I can as to why a particular locale contains a "cancer cluster." Evidently, you have to research that out on your own.



Boing Boing had a piece recently on Brokovich's current environmental work and related issues, of this map is just a piece.

Cat Caught My Tongue

One Hears Nature Speak Its' Truth,

When They Make No Sense Of It.

~

Cat Caught My Tongue

One Hears Nature Speak Its' Truth,

When They Make No Sense Of It.

~

Signs of Spring (1)

Two nights ago: The first scent of skunk spray. So they are up and about.



Last night: A dinner guest said that a bear had been seen in or near Cañon City.



Today: Mourning cloak butterflies in the air when M. and I went for a walk up into the the national forest.

Mountain Chickadee Drinking Water From Snow Melting On The Roof

The Ever Flowing Faucet Is Hidden In Every Plane Site

For Those Who Search To Quench Their Thirst.

~

Mountain Chickadee Drinking Water From Snow Melting On The Roof

The Ever Flowing Faucet Is Hidden In Every Plane Site

For Those Who Search To Quench Their Thirst.

~

Seriously Injured Hiker Rescued on Alum Cave Trail

NPS Digest is reporting that a seriously injured hiker was rescued in the Great Smoky Mountains over the weekend.



On the afternoon of Saturday, March 9th, park dispatch received a call from Jackson County 911 reporting an injured hiker on the Alum Cave Trail approximately a mile above Alum Cave Bluffs. A 55-year-old man had fallen about ten vertical feet and then taken a tumbling fall of another 60 feet while moving over for hikers passing him on the trail. He suffered a three inch laceration to his neck, a five inch laceration to his leg, and a deep tear in his hand. He was able to make it back up to the trail, where he was assisted by visitors, although they were unable to control the bleeding from his neck.



Rangers made a very quick response up the trail, while park dispatch pulled together a litter crew of park staff and two AD hires. Trail conditions were treacherous due to recent snow, and traction aid devices were required. The man’s bleeding had been controlled prior to the arrival of the rescuers, though he had already suffered a significant blood loss and a drop in his body temperature. He was packaged and removed by a combination of wheeled litter and sliding the plastic litter along the snow covered trail. A lowering system for the litter was used at Arch Rock. The litter team arrived at the trailhead at 2 a.m., where the patient was transported by ambulance to an LZ by Gatlinburg EMS. He was then flown to University of Tennessee Medical Center by Lifestar.





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Visitor Dies Following Canoeing Accident Near The Sinks

NPS Digest is reporting that a 65-year-old man from Ontario, Canada was seriously injured in a canoe accident above The Sinks early on Monday afternoon. He was visiting the area to attend the Ain’t Louie Fest, which includes a series of river trips loosely organized by a group of whitewater enthusiasts, and became trapped after his canoe capsized and he was swept downstream. Many of the participants are well trained in swiftwater rescue and immediately began rescue operations. They’d pulled him from the water and had begun CPR by the time emergency responders arrived on the scene. Although he’d been underwater for about a half hour and was unresponsive when rescued, he resumed breathing and his heart again began to beat, but later expired at a local hospital.



The Townsend Volunteer Fire Department, Townsend Police Department, Blount County Sheriff’s Department, and Blount County Fire also responded to the incident. Little River Road was closed for over an hour to allow for emergency traffic.





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Smokies Alters Spring Opening Schedule

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has altered the facility opening dates for many park facilities for the 2013 season. The delayed openings are a direct result of staffing and hiring limitations which impacted the Park's ability to conduct preseason preparation work on its facilities. Because of the five percent budget reduction that is in place, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closing three campgrounds, two picnic areas, one horse camp, and associated access roads, for the 2013 season.



Facilities to remain closed in 2013 include: the Look Rock Campground and Picnic Area and the Abrams Creek Campground in Tennessee; the Balsam Mountain Campground and Picnic Area (including the associated Heintooga Ridge and Balsam Mountain Roads) and the Tow String Horse Camp in North Carolina. "We regret this will cause inconvenience to park visitors," stated Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson, "especially those who have enjoyed these more remote areas of the Smokies year after year. We have focused our workforce to maximize the utilization of facilities throughout the remainder of the park in order to serve and provide recreational opportunities for our millions of park visitors."



The schedule follows:



Roads - Secondary Roads are scheduled as follows: Round Bottom/Straight Fork Road will open April 1; Parsons Branch and Rich Mountain Road will both open on April 5; Roaring Fork Nature Trail and Little Greenbrier are set to open April 1. Heintooga Ridge and Balsam Mountain Roads will be closed for the season.



Clingmans Dome Road has been open dependent on weather conditions since February 15, but will be officially open for the summer season on March 29.



Operating Hours for Visitor Centers - The three visitor centers are open daily and the operating hours through March are as follows: Sugarlands Visitor Center, near Gatlinburg, TN, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Cades Cove Visitor Center, near Townsend, TN, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC, hours will be 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.



Operating Hours for Backcountry Office - The Backcountry Office located at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, near Gatlinburg, TN, is open every day from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Backcountry reservations and permits can be obtained online at www.smokiespermits.nps.gov or by calling 865-436-1297.



Recreation.gov provides visitors an opportunity to make reservations to many federally-managed recreation areas, including National Park Service areas, all across the U.S. The park's developed campgrounds of Cataloochee, Elkmont, Cades Cove, Smokemont, and some sites at Cosby are on the reservation system for at least a portion of their seasons. The system allows campers to reserve specific campsites and to make reservations 6 months in advance. Group campsites and picnic pavilions can be reserved up to 12 months in advance. To make reservations at the five campgrounds, and all group campsites, horse camps, and picnic shelters, visitors can go to www.Recreation.gov or, alternatively, book reservations by calling 877-444-6777.



Campgrounds will open on a staggered schedule starting April 12 (See the following schedule for exact dates.) For the five campgrounds on Recreation.gov, reservations are required at Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont for the period from May 15-October 31 (for other dates the three campgrounds are first come, first serve); Cataloochee Campground--all sites must be reserved throughout its season; and Cosby Campground, which has mostly first-come, first-served campsites, has a limited number of reservable sites during its season. Camping fees range from $14 to $23 per site/night.



Campers have an opportunity to camp in "generator free" campsites at three campgrounds: Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont campgrounds. The generator-free loop sections of these campgrounds are reservable through Recreation.gov.



Group Camping will be available at seven campgrounds (see schedule for opening dates) and reservations must be made through Recreation.gov. Group camping is available at Big Creek, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, Cades Cove, and Smokemont. The cost for group camping ranges from $26 to $65 per site/night.



Horse Camps at Anthony Creek, Cataloochee, and Round Bottom will open April 1 and at Big Creek on April 12. Tow Sting will be closed for the season. Reservations are only available through Recreation.gov. The horse site fees are $20 at all horse camps except for Big Creek where it is $25.



Picnic Areas - There are 8 first-come, first-serve picnic areas open during 2013. Open all year are Cades Cove, Greenbrier, Deep Creek, and Metcalf Bottoms. Chimneys picnic area will open on March 15 and Collins Creek will open on March 29. Big Creek and Cosby picnic areas will open shortly after on April 12. Heintooga and Look Rock will be closed for the season.



The Park's largest picnic pavilion at Twin Creeks opens on April 1 and reservations are required through Recreation.gov only. Twin Creeks fees range from $35-$75 depending on the number of people. In addition, picnickers can reserve five other picnic pavilions on Recreation.gov. They are located at Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep Creek, Metcalf Bottoms, and Greenbrier picnic areas. The cost is $20, except at Greenbrier where it is $10.



Horseback Riding - The opening dates for the three horseback concessions located on the Tennessee side of the Park are: Smoky Mountain Riding Stable on March 8; Sugarlands Riding Stable on March 8; and Cades Cove is scheduled on March 9. In addition to horseback rides which cost $30 per horse per rider for one-hour rides, Cades Cove Riding Stable will offer their customary carriage rides and hay rides, and wheelchair accessible carriage and hay rides. The Smokemont Riding Stable in North Carolina will open March 23 and, in addition to guided horseback rides, will provide visitors with a chance to experience a horse-drawn wagon ride along the route of the historic Oconaluftee Turnpike.



LeConte Lodge, accessible only by trail, will open on March 25. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 865/429-5704, fax 865/774-0045 or email: reservations@lecontelodge.com. One night at the lodge costs $126 per adult and $85 for children 10 and under (tax not included). The price includes two meals--dinner and breakfast. Day hikers and backpackers can purchase a prepared bag or dining room lunch and snacks/beverages at the lodge. Reservations are required for the dining room lunch.



Campground Concessions - The Cades Cove Campground Store has been open since March 2. The store provides groceries, camping supplies, firewood, ice, vending, limited food service, souvenirs, and bike rentals. The Cades Cove Store has multi-speed comfort or mountain bikes available for rent, in addition to single speed cruisers. The Elkmont Campground concession opened on March 8. The concession provides firewood, ice, limited camper convenience items, and vending of soft drinks, newspapers, and snacks.



CAMPGROUND SCHEDULE



Campgrounds | Fee | Open | Group Sites



North Carolina:

Balsam Mountain N/A Closed for the Season

Big Creek $14 April 12 April 12

Cataloochee $20 March 15 March 15

Deep Creek $17 April 12 April 12

Smokemont $17, $20 Year-round May 15



Tennessee:

Abrams Creek N/A Closed for the Season

Cades Cove $17, $20 Year-round March 8

Cosby $14 April 12 April 12

Elkmont $17, $20 March 8 April 21





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

A Silent Scream

Or, why I lasted only a year as a advertising copywriter.



This phrase popped out from an item on The Outdoor Wire : "the ultimate turkey vest is now better than ever."



So something that was "ultimate"—the last possible stage of whatever it was—has now moved beyond ultimate. Which is what, exactly? Into another dimension where time and space collapse?



The writer good have said, "a damn fine turkey vest is now even better."



Could we just have a moratorium on "ultimate" and "extreme" in sports and outdoor writing? Is that too much to ask.

Libellule inconnue (Madagascar)

Cette belle Libellule bleue, photographiée dans l'Ankarana au nord de Madagascar m'a donné énormément de fil à retordre dans ma recherche de son identité. Je m'apprêtais à lui donner le nom de Hemistigma albipunctum en raison de sa ressemblance troublante avec celle-ci, mais je me suis ravisé en m'apercevant que Hemistigma albipunctum, très répandue en Afrique ne semblait pas être présente à

Missing Hiker Found By Searchers

NPS Digest is reporting that a man was rescued last week in the Great Smoky Mountains after reporting himself as being lost.



During the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 6th, a 37-year-old North Carolina hiker made several 911 calls reporting that he was lost, cold, and out of food and water. He was not equipped for winter weather, and had only a light jacket with him. The three calls he made were pinged and the last was found to be from Purchase Knob within the park, a site the man frequently visited.



A hasty search of that area was conducted by rangers and volunteers. They found several items thought to belong to the man along with fresh tracks in the snow. The nighttime temperature in the area was in the teens and the wind chill was near zero. While this hasty search was underway, Haywood County deputies conducted searches of the other two GPS points determined from the 911 calls, but he was not found in either area. The search around Purchase Knob continued until 10 p.m. on Wednesday and resumed at first light the next morning. The man was found in good health early that afternoon, walking down a road close to the park’s boundary.



Also assisting in the search were Haywood County Search and Rescue and the North Carolina Search and Rescue Dog Association.





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Yahoo Falls Wildflower Hike Set For Saturday, March 30th

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Daniel Boone National Forest are pleased to announce a cooperative wildflower hike at Yahoo Falls on Saturday, March 30, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending at approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern time. The Yahoo Falls area provides a stunning variety of spring flowers on a short, moderate hiking trail. In addition to wildflowers, spectacular scenery is provided by 113 foot tall Yahoo Falls, towering sandstone cliffs, a huge rock shelter, and an outstanding overlook of the Big South Fork River. The hike will be led by National Park Service and U. S. Forest Service Rangers and local volunteers. The Yahoo Falls picnic area is accessed from Highway 700, west of Whitley City, Kentucky.



The Yahoo Falls site was originally developed by the U.S. Forest Service in the mid-1960s when the area was known as the Cumberland National Forest. The forest was renamed the Daniel Boone National Forest in 1968. The land was transferred to the National Park Service for inclusion in the Big South Fork NRRA in 1987. The National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service share a long history of cooperation in providing opportunities for the citizens of our nation to learn about and enjoy the resources held in trust for the American people by the two agencies.



For further information, contact Big South Fork's Bandy Creek Visitor Center at (423) 286-7275.





Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies