Due to an active rock slide the Point Lookout Trail will be closed. Pisgah National Forest is asking hikers to avoid this area for your own safety and the safety of personnel working to reopen the trail, as heavy equipment will be on the trail. The Pisgah National Forest, McDowell County and the Town of Old Fort are working to have the slide removed and the trail reopened in time for fall colors.
A follow up notice will be issued when the trail is reopened.
Jeff
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Smokies Fall Color Report
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has just published their late September Fall Color Report on their website. According to the report:
If you need any help on where to hike this fall, please take a look at our fall hiking page.
And if you do plan to visit the Smokies this fall - or even during the upcoming Holiday Season - please take a few moments to check out our Accomodations Listings for a wide variety of lodging options in Gatlinburg, Townsend, Pigeon Forge and the North Carolina side of the Smokies.
Jeff
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The main fall leaf season is still several weeks away (mid to late October), but color has begun to develop over the past week in high elevation areas. Many birch trees are showing muted yellows, and species such as witch hobble, sumac, and blueberries are sporting red leaves at higher elevation. It's still early in the season though, so colors should continue to develop over the next week or two along the crests of the mountains.You can read the full report on the national park website.
At low to middle elevations, dogwood trees have a reddish cast that will develop into brilliant reds later in October. Species such as sourwood and red maple are also turning red. And the brilliant reds of Virginia creeper vine can be seen climbing the trunks of many trees. Overall however, the forests are still very green at these elevations. There's not a lot fall color to see yet -- just scattered trees here and there.
And if you do plan to visit the Smokies this fall - or even during the upcoming Holiday Season - please take a few moments to check out our Accomodations Listings for a wide variety of lodging options in Gatlinburg, Townsend, Pigeon Forge and the North Carolina side of the Smokies.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
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Smokies To Host Star Gazing Event at Purchase Knob
Great Smoky Mountains National Park in cooperation with the Astronomy Club of Asheville, will host a star gazing event on Friday, October 2, 2015, at Purchase Knob, home to the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center. The Astronomy Club of Asheville will lead an exploration of the night sky at this high elevation site with a 260-degree, unobstructed view of the sky. Visitors can expect to see the Milky Way Galaxy high overhead that night along with the telescopic planets Uranus and Neptune, the Andromeda Galaxy, and many striking star clusters.
“National park areas offer a wonderful opportunity to stargaze,” says Park Superintendent Cassius Cash. “Visitors are often amazed at the amount of stars that can be seen simply by entering into the natural darkness of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”
The event starts at 7:00 p.m. with an indoor presentation of what can be seen in the nighttime skies during October, which will be held rain or shine. The Learning Center is located at 5,000 feet in elevation. Participants should dress warm and bring a flashlight. Rangers also recommend participants bring a lawn chair or blanket for sitting, along with binoculars which can be used for stargazing. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.
The program is free but is limited to 80 people. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (828) 926-6251.
Jeff
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TetonHikingTrails.com
“National park areas offer a wonderful opportunity to stargaze,” says Park Superintendent Cassius Cash. “Visitors are often amazed at the amount of stars that can be seen simply by entering into the natural darkness of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”
The event starts at 7:00 p.m. with an indoor presentation of what can be seen in the nighttime skies during October, which will be held rain or shine. The Learning Center is located at 5,000 feet in elevation. Participants should dress warm and bring a flashlight. Rangers also recommend participants bring a lawn chair or blanket for sitting, along with binoculars which can be used for stargazing. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.
The program is free but is limited to 80 people. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (828) 926-6251.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Smokies Closes Whiteoak Sink Area to Protect Declining Bat Populations
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced the closure of the Whiteoak Sink area effective now through March 31, 2016 to limit human disturbance to bat hibernacula and help hikers avoid interactions with bats. Park biologists will be monitoring the site throughout the winter collecting population, ecological, and behavioral data that will inform resource managers developing a long-term protection plan. An extended closure through late spring may be recommended if the winter data suggests such an action would increase the chances for survival of a significant number of bats.
The Whiteoak Sink area is primarily accessed from the Schoolhouse Gap Trail between Townsend and Cades Cove. This closure includes the area bounded by Schoolhouse Gap Trail and Turkeypen Ridge Trail west to the park boundary. The Schoolhouse Gap and Turkeypen Ridge trails will remain open.
Park biologists have reported dramatic declines of cave-dwelling bat populations throughout the park. The decline is thought to be due to white-nose syndrome (WNS). Infected bats are marked by a white fungal growth on their noses, wings, and tail membrane. The skin irritation damages skin tissue causing the bats to wake from hibernation during winter months. Once aroused, the bats burn energy at a much faster rate depleting stored fat. With no food source available during the winter, the bats soon die.
Infected bats exhibit unusual behavior including flying erratically during the day, even during winter months, and diving down toward people. They may be seen flopping around on the ground around cave openings.
“We first confirmed the presence of WNS in the park in 2010,” said Park Wildlife Biologist Bill Stiver. “The impact has been devastating. We estimate that some of our cave-dwelling bat populations have already declined by 80% and we are doing everything we can to both slow the spread of the disease and protect the remaining animals by closing caves and areas near caves to the public.”
The park is home to 11 species of bats including the federally endangered Indiana bat and the Rafinesque's big-eared bat which is a state listed species of concern in both Tennessee and North Carolina. Bats play a significant role in maintaining ecological balance as the primary predators of night-flying insects. Biologists estimate that an individual bat can eat between 3,000 to 6,000 insects each night including moths, beetles, and mosquitoes.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is cooperatively working with other parks and federal, local and state agencies across the country to protect bats and manage cave habitats. In an effort to prevent the unintentional spread of WNS by people, the park closed all of its 16 caves and two mine complexes to public entry in 2009. Ongoing research in the Smokies includes monitoring bat populations in the winter during hibernation and tracking bats in the summer to determine habitat use. A recent plan released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aimed at stabilizing the dramatic decline of the Indiana bat identified hibernacula found in the Sinks as one of only 13 sites across the country identified as critical habitat for this endangered bat. Wildlife biologists have determined that giving the bats the chance to survive includes establishing protective zones surrounding critical habitat caves.
Humans are not susceptible to WNS because the fungus requires a cold body temperature to survive, but skin-to-skin contact with bats should be avoided due to other transmittable diseases such as rabies. Bats are the only mammal species in the park that have tested positive for rabies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the transmission of rabies virus can occur from minor, seemingly unimportant, or unrecognized bites from bats. For human safety, it is important not to touch or handle a bat. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends that individuals should seek immediate medical attention if they have had skin-to-skin exposure to a bat.
For more information about bats, please the park website at http://ift.tt/1aud1Mj
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
The Whiteoak Sink area is primarily accessed from the Schoolhouse Gap Trail between Townsend and Cades Cove. This closure includes the area bounded by Schoolhouse Gap Trail and Turkeypen Ridge Trail west to the park boundary. The Schoolhouse Gap and Turkeypen Ridge trails will remain open.
Park biologists have reported dramatic declines of cave-dwelling bat populations throughout the park. The decline is thought to be due to white-nose syndrome (WNS). Infected bats are marked by a white fungal growth on their noses, wings, and tail membrane. The skin irritation damages skin tissue causing the bats to wake from hibernation during winter months. Once aroused, the bats burn energy at a much faster rate depleting stored fat. With no food source available during the winter, the bats soon die.
Infected bats exhibit unusual behavior including flying erratically during the day, even during winter months, and diving down toward people. They may be seen flopping around on the ground around cave openings.
“We first confirmed the presence of WNS in the park in 2010,” said Park Wildlife Biologist Bill Stiver. “The impact has been devastating. We estimate that some of our cave-dwelling bat populations have already declined by 80% and we are doing everything we can to both slow the spread of the disease and protect the remaining animals by closing caves and areas near caves to the public.”
The park is home to 11 species of bats including the federally endangered Indiana bat and the Rafinesque's big-eared bat which is a state listed species of concern in both Tennessee and North Carolina. Bats play a significant role in maintaining ecological balance as the primary predators of night-flying insects. Biologists estimate that an individual bat can eat between 3,000 to 6,000 insects each night including moths, beetles, and mosquitoes.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is cooperatively working with other parks and federal, local and state agencies across the country to protect bats and manage cave habitats. In an effort to prevent the unintentional spread of WNS by people, the park closed all of its 16 caves and two mine complexes to public entry in 2009. Ongoing research in the Smokies includes monitoring bat populations in the winter during hibernation and tracking bats in the summer to determine habitat use. A recent plan released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aimed at stabilizing the dramatic decline of the Indiana bat identified hibernacula found in the Sinks as one of only 13 sites across the country identified as critical habitat for this endangered bat. Wildlife biologists have determined that giving the bats the chance to survive includes establishing protective zones surrounding critical habitat caves.
Humans are not susceptible to WNS because the fungus requires a cold body temperature to survive, but skin-to-skin contact with bats should be avoided due to other transmittable diseases such as rabies. Bats are the only mammal species in the park that have tested positive for rabies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the transmission of rabies virus can occur from minor, seemingly unimportant, or unrecognized bites from bats. For human safety, it is important not to touch or handle a bat. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends that individuals should seek immediate medical attention if they have had skin-to-skin exposure to a bat.
For more information about bats, please the park website at http://ift.tt/1aud1Mj
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
"Get On the Trail" Fall Hiking Series
Join Friends of the Smokies and fitness expert Missy Kane once again for another series of hikes this upcoming fall. Each Wednesday throughout the month of October, Missy and Friends will hike a different trail in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Ms. Kane was an Olympic runner and a Pan American Games medalist.
"Get on the Trail" is a great opportunity for people who are new to the area, or are new to hiking, as well as people who just want to know more about the Park.
The dates for this year's spring series are: October 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th:
October 7th
Cove Mountain Trail from Sugarlands Visitor Center
Easy, 5-6 miles
October 14th
Old Settlers Trail
Moderate, 6-7 miles
October 21st
Rich Mountain Loop
Difficult, 8.5 miles
October 28th
Cataloochee Divide from Purchase Knob to Double Gap
Moderate, 7-8 miles
The cost is $20.00 per hike, with aspecial gift and free membership to the Friends of the Smokies being provided by Friends and Missy. You must register by calling 865-541-4500 (Covenant Call Center) as space is limited.
Now celebrating it's 17th year, Get on the Trail with Friends and Missy has raised more than $140,000, with proceeds going towards the support for the preservation and protection of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
For more information, contact Sarah Weeks at Friends of the Smokies, 1-865-932-4794 or sarah@friendsofthesmokies.org.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ms. Kane was an Olympic runner and a Pan American Games medalist.
"Get on the Trail" is a great opportunity for people who are new to the area, or are new to hiking, as well as people who just want to know more about the Park.
The dates for this year's spring series are: October 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th:
October 7th
Cove Mountain Trail from Sugarlands Visitor Center
Easy, 5-6 miles
Old Settlers Trail
Moderate, 6-7 miles
October 21st
Rich Mountain Loop
Difficult, 8.5 miles
October 28th
Cataloochee Divide from Purchase Knob to Double Gap
Moderate, 7-8 miles
The cost is $20.00 per hike, with aspecial gift and free membership to the Friends of the Smokies being provided by Friends and Missy. You must register by calling 865-541-4500 (Covenant Call Center) as space is limited.
Now celebrating it's 17th year, Get on the Trail with Friends and Missy has raised more than $140,000, with proceeds going towards the support for the preservation and protection of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
For more information, contact Sarah Weeks at Friends of the Smokies, 1-865-932-4794 or sarah@friendsofthesmokies.org.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Celebrate National Public Lands Day in the Smokies
Great Smoky Mountains National Park invites the public to join park staff on Saturday, September 26, 2015 for the 22nd annual celebration of National Public Lands Day. The park is offering service opportunities at Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC and along the Foothills Parkway West near Walland, TN. Service projects at both locations will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m.
All Public Lands Day activities will be guided by park rangers and experienced support staff. At the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, participants will rebuild damaged sections of locust fence at the Mountain Farm Museum or repair and reroute sections of the Oconaluftee River Trail. Participants should meet on the visitor center porch at 10:00 a.m. At the Foothills Parkway West site, participants will remove exotic plant species that negatively affect woodland ecosystems in the park. Volunteers should meet near the Walland Post Office and BP Gas Station at 5317 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy Walland, TN.
Volunteers are advised to wear long pants and close toed shoes. Gloves and work gear will be provided. All participants should bring lunch, water, insect repellent, and sunscreen. Participants are requested to RSVP. To RSVP for fencing and trail work at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, please contact Trails Volunteer Coordinator Alan Chapman by email at Alan_Chapman@nps.gov or by phone at (828)-497-1949. To RSVP for exotic species removal, please contact Parkwide Volunteer Coordinator Sheridan Roberts by email at Sheridan_Roberts@nps.gov or by phone at (865)-436-1265.
National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single day of service for public lands. Over 2,000 city, state, and federal sites provide opportunities to support public lands annually. For more information on National Public Lands visit http://ift.tt/UwMFK6.
Jeff
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TetonHikingTrails.com
Volunteers are advised to wear long pants and close toed shoes. Gloves and work gear will be provided. All participants should bring lunch, water, insect repellent, and sunscreen. Participants are requested to RSVP. To RSVP for fencing and trail work at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, please contact Trails Volunteer Coordinator Alan Chapman by email at Alan_Chapman@nps.gov or by phone at (828)-497-1949. To RSVP for exotic species removal, please contact Parkwide Volunteer Coordinator Sheridan Roberts by email at Sheridan_Roberts@nps.gov or by phone at (865)-436-1265.
National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single day of service for public lands. Over 2,000 city, state, and federal sites provide opportunities to support public lands annually. For more information on National Public Lands visit http://ift.tt/UwMFK6.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Historic China Creek Trail Restored in Blowing Rock
The China Creek Trail, located on the Grandfather Ranger District in Avery County, is reopened to hikers following trail relocation and restoration work. The 2-mile trail begins in Blowing Rock, NC and passes through both Pisgah National Forest and National Park Service land.
The China Creek Trail was relocated to follow portions of the historic Upper Thunderhole Trail. According to the Blowing Rock Historical Society, the Upper Thunderhole Trail was built in the 1920s by the (now demolished) Mayview Manor Hotel to enable guests to access pristine China Creek and Thunderhole Creek for hiking, hunting and fishing. The China Creek area contains rushing streams and majestic forests, with trees over 300 years old.
Work on the trail was completed through a partnership with The Conservation Trust for North Carolina and the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) as part of the Grandfather Restoration Project. The YCC is a comprehensive youth development program that uses the natural world as a platform for teaching environmental stewardship, job and leadership skills, community service and personal responsibility. For seven weeks the YCC crew cleared the trail, installed water bars, switchbacks, and rock steps, making the trail more accessible and safer for families to enjoy.
The Conservation Trust for North Carolina and Grandfather Ranger District held a dedication and ribbon cutting for the historic China Creek Trail in late August. More than 60 people came out to celebrate and dedicate this historic U.S Forest Service trail.
The China Creek trail can be accessed from the trailhead in Blowing Rock, located on Laurel Lane across from the Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve at 1500 Laurel Lane.
Jeff
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TetonHikingTrails.com
The China Creek Trail was relocated to follow portions of the historic Upper Thunderhole Trail. According to the Blowing Rock Historical Society, the Upper Thunderhole Trail was built in the 1920s by the (now demolished) Mayview Manor Hotel to enable guests to access pristine China Creek and Thunderhole Creek for hiking, hunting and fishing. The China Creek area contains rushing streams and majestic forests, with trees over 300 years old.
Work on the trail was completed through a partnership with The Conservation Trust for North Carolina and the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) as part of the Grandfather Restoration Project. The YCC is a comprehensive youth development program that uses the natural world as a platform for teaching environmental stewardship, job and leadership skills, community service and personal responsibility. For seven weeks the YCC crew cleared the trail, installed water bars, switchbacks, and rock steps, making the trail more accessible and safer for families to enjoy.
The Conservation Trust for North Carolina and Grandfather Ranger District held a dedication and ribbon cutting for the historic China Creek Trail in late August. More than 60 people came out to celebrate and dedicate this historic U.S Forest Service trail.
The China Creek trail can be accessed from the trailhead in Blowing Rock, located on Laurel Lane across from the Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve at 1500 Laurel Lane.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Cooking the rocks at Emerald Beach
I have always been interested in the little things in life. The things that don’t get the attention that everything else seems to get. This even applies to rocks and rock outcrops. It applies to a little headland that I visited on a trip to Coffs Harbour earlier this year. The headland has no name but lies on the northern side of Emerald Beach and the village of the same name. It is made from a granite-like rock of a poorly understood suite of intrusions in north eastern NSW.
The rock is formally called the Emerald Beach Monzogranite. It is the eastern most granite on the Australian continent is also one of the youngest rocks in the New England area. The Emerald Beach Monzogranite has been dated at 228.5Ma and part of an informally super suite of granites called the Coastal Supersuite (Chisholm et al 2014). Originally the unit was formerly defined as the Emerald Beach Adamellite (Korsch 1978) but has been renamed to reflect the most up-to-date nomenclature. However, the name Monzonite (and hence Adamellite) is misleading. The composition of the rock is consistent with the definition of Granodiorite (Plagioclase Feldspar abundance greater than that of Potassium Feldspar (Korsch 1971, Chisholm et al 2014). No reference to Monzogranite (or Adamellite) have been made and the samples I’ve seen were plagioclase feldspar dominant so the present classification appears erroneous. Maybe the name Emerald Beach Granodiorite might be more correct.
The dating of the Emerald Beach Monzogranite was only conducted in the last couple of years. It is an example of using multiple techniques together to get an answer. The mineral Zircon is formed in magma chambers of granite and granite-like composition. This is a very stable mineral. Zircon locks up uranium in small amounts and this uranium undergoes radioactive decay to lead. By measuring the proportions of uranium to lead it is possible to determine how long ago the zircon had formed. By this method Chisholm et al 2014 narrowed the age down to about 228.5 million years old. This is the Upper Triassic era which was the time of the best known dinosaurs.
Xenoliths of country rock are present in the rock (you can see an example in the picture above). These darker coloured xenoliths are inclusions of country rock which has been caught up in the magma chamber and have not quite been completely melted into the rest of the liquid rock. In the case of the Emerald Beach Monzonite the xenoliths are slightly elongated and display a preferred orientation. This orientation is probably caused by following the direction of intrusion of the molten rock (Korsch 1971).
The intrusion of the magma heated up the surrounding rock into which it had been emplaced. This heating up forms what is termed a contact metamorphic aureole (a metamorphic zone of effect). The Emerald Creek Monzonite had heated the muds in the surrounding deep sea Coramba Bed rocks to such an extent that new minerals were formed including very small but abundant crystals of biotite mica. Biotite mica forms at approximately 500 degrees Celsius (but varies by pressure) and disintegrates when hotter than about 800 degrees. Therefore the temperature of the molten rock was probably at least this. This type of contact metamorphic rock is referred to as hornfels.
It is an interesting example how little aspects again can tell a lot about how rock forms. Preferred orientation of xenolith inclusions and the formation of biotite in the surrounding rock show both the direction that the magma was moving and its temperature at the time. Have a look if you are in the area and see if you can spot some of the xenoliths. Those that are really in the know can say that the Emerald Creek Monzonite seems to have been incorrectly named.
References/Bibliography:
*Chisholm, E.I., Blevin, P.L. and Simpson, C.J. 2014. New SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages from the New England Orogen, New South Wales: July 2012–June 2014. Record 2014/52. Geoscience Australia
*Korsch, R.J. 1971. Palaeozoic Sedimentology and Igneous Geology of the Woolgoolga District, North Coast, New South Wales. Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales. Vol. 104.
*Korsch, R.J. 1978. Stratigraphic and Igneous Units in the Rockvale-Coffs Harbour Region, Northern New South Wales. Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales. Vol. 111.
| Boulder on Emerald Beach. Note the xenolith at the bottom |
The dating of the Emerald Beach Monzogranite was only conducted in the last couple of years. It is an example of using multiple techniques together to get an answer. The mineral Zircon is formed in magma chambers of granite and granite-like composition. This is a very stable mineral. Zircon locks up uranium in small amounts and this uranium undergoes radioactive decay to lead. By measuring the proportions of uranium to lead it is possible to determine how long ago the zircon had formed. By this method Chisholm et al 2014 narrowed the age down to about 228.5 million years old. This is the Upper Triassic era which was the time of the best known dinosaurs.
Xenoliths of country rock are present in the rock (you can see an example in the picture above). These darker coloured xenoliths are inclusions of country rock which has been caught up in the magma chamber and have not quite been completely melted into the rest of the liquid rock. In the case of the Emerald Beach Monzonite the xenoliths are slightly elongated and display a preferred orientation. This orientation is probably caused by following the direction of intrusion of the molten rock (Korsch 1971).
The intrusion of the magma heated up the surrounding rock into which it had been emplaced. This heating up forms what is termed a contact metamorphic aureole (a metamorphic zone of effect). The Emerald Creek Monzonite had heated the muds in the surrounding deep sea Coramba Bed rocks to such an extent that new minerals were formed including very small but abundant crystals of biotite mica. Biotite mica forms at approximately 500 degrees Celsius (but varies by pressure) and disintegrates when hotter than about 800 degrees. Therefore the temperature of the molten rock was probably at least this. This type of contact metamorphic rock is referred to as hornfels.
It is an interesting example how little aspects again can tell a lot about how rock forms. Preferred orientation of xenolith inclusions and the formation of biotite in the surrounding rock show both the direction that the magma was moving and its temperature at the time. Have a look if you are in the area and see if you can spot some of the xenoliths. Those that are really in the know can say that the Emerald Creek Monzonite seems to have been incorrectly named.
References/Bibliography:
*Chisholm, E.I., Blevin, P.L. and Simpson, C.J. 2014. New SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages from the New England Orogen, New South Wales: July 2012–June 2014. Record 2014/52. Geoscience Australia
*Korsch, R.J. 1971. Palaeozoic Sedimentology and Igneous Geology of the Woolgoolga District, North Coast, New South Wales. Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales. Vol. 104.
*Korsch, R.J. 1978. Stratigraphic and Igneous Units in the Rockvale-Coffs Harbour Region, Northern New South Wales. Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales. Vol. 111.
Total Lunar Eclipse at Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park will celebrate the upcoming total lunar eclipse with a Park "star party" on Sunday, September 27. Join Park Rangers, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern, and local amateur astronomers at Big Meadows (mile 51 on Skyline Drive) for an evening of astronomy presentations and dark-sky viewing. Learn about the lunar eclipse, discover the importance of protecting dark-night skies, and enjoy close-up views of stars and planets. The total lunar eclipse is also the evening of the harvest moon, and the closest and largest full moon for 2015.
Starting at 6:30 p.m., Redfern will present "This Isn't Your Granddaddy's Moon" in the Byrd Visitor Center auditorium (mile 51). He will discuss the moon and the total lunar eclipse. After the presentation, Rangers and volunteer astronomers will provide telescope viewing and constellation tours near the Rapidan Fire Road gate at Big Meadows. Rangers and volunteers will be on site until 11:00 p.m. At 8:00 p.m. (and continuing until 1:30 a.m.), Redfern will re-join the group in the meadow to share his "Under The Stars At Shenandoah National Park" presentation with sky lore and fascinating sky facts. Phases of the eclipse are expected to begin at 8:11 p.m. and last until 1:22 a.m. on the east coast. The total eclipse will begin at 10:11 p.m. Redfern's presentation is part of the Let's Talk about Space in Shenandoah program hosted by Delaware North at Shenandoah National Park, an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service.
The presentation will be held regardless of weather, but night sky viewing may be cancelled depending on cloud cover. Dress for cool mountain nights and bring blankets, chairs, and flashlights. Rapidan Fire Road is a short walk from Byrd Visitor Center. Parking is available at the visitor center;the visitor center will remain open until the conclusion of Redfern's presentation. Limited accessible parking is available the Rapidan Fire Road gate. The program is free for Park visitors;regular Park entrance fees apply.You do not need to register beforehand
Many other locations in the Park are also excellent places to view the lunar eclipse, such as east-facing overlooks along Skyline Drive.
For more information about the total lunar eclipse "star party" event, contact Byrd Visitor Center at (540) 999-3500 ext. 3283. For questions about Redfern's presentation and the Let's Talk About Space in Shenandoah program, visit goshenandoah.com or call 877-247-9261.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Starting at 6:30 p.m., Redfern will present "This Isn't Your Granddaddy's Moon" in the Byrd Visitor Center auditorium (mile 51). He will discuss the moon and the total lunar eclipse. After the presentation, Rangers and volunteer astronomers will provide telescope viewing and constellation tours near the Rapidan Fire Road gate at Big Meadows. Rangers and volunteers will be on site until 11:00 p.m. At 8:00 p.m. (and continuing until 1:30 a.m.), Redfern will re-join the group in the meadow to share his "Under The Stars At Shenandoah National Park" presentation with sky lore and fascinating sky facts. Phases of the eclipse are expected to begin at 8:11 p.m. and last until 1:22 a.m. on the east coast. The total eclipse will begin at 10:11 p.m. Redfern's presentation is part of the Let's Talk about Space in Shenandoah program hosted by Delaware North at Shenandoah National Park, an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service.
The presentation will be held regardless of weather, but night sky viewing may be cancelled depending on cloud cover. Dress for cool mountain nights and bring blankets, chairs, and flashlights. Rapidan Fire Road is a short walk from Byrd Visitor Center. Parking is available at the visitor center;the visitor center will remain open until the conclusion of Redfern's presentation. Limited accessible parking is available the Rapidan Fire Road gate. The program is free for Park visitors;regular Park entrance fees apply.You do not need to register beforehand
Many other locations in the Park are also excellent places to view the lunar eclipse, such as east-facing overlooks along Skyline Drive.
For more information about the total lunar eclipse "star party" event, contact Byrd Visitor Center at (540) 999-3500 ext. 3283. For questions about Redfern's presentation and the Let's Talk About Space in Shenandoah program, visit goshenandoah.com or call 877-247-9261.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
GÉOPOLIQUE : Une histoire de violence américaine ...parmi tellement d`autres !
Salut à tous,
Du site Slate : Des ombres à l`aube : un massacre d`Apaches et la violence de l`histoire.
¨ Quatre récits croisés du Massacre de Camp Grant, pour sonder la place de la violence dans les relations de pouvoir entre communautés et la pluralité des mémoires.
Le matin du 30 avril 1871, plus de cent quarante Apaches, surtout des femmes et de jeunes enfants, furent massacrés, au fond d’un canyon de l’Arizona, par une troupe civile et composite de Mexicains et d’Américains, appuyés par des Indiens O’odham. L’événement, sobrement raconté dans les premières pages de l’ouvrage, donne son titre à ce livre, publié en anglais en 2008, et qui a reçu en octobre 2014 le prix des Rendez-vous de l’histoire de Blois. Les «ombres à l’aube», ce sont celles des Américains, postés sur les falaises du canyon pour tirer sur les Apaches, pendant que, au sol, les Mexicains et les O’odham fermaient la nasse.
Pour analyser cet événement, célèbre dans l’histoire américaine sous le nom de «Massacre de Camp Grant», l’auteur adopte une démarche passionnante en croisant les perspectives des différents groupes impliqués dans le massacre. Dans la première partie, intitulée «violence», l’auteur suit en effet un plan très simple et très efficace: quatre chapitres, s’attachant respectivement aux O’odham, aux Mexicains, aux Américains, et enfin aux Apaches. Chaque chapitre s’achève sur le massacre. Il ne s’agit pas de raconter l’histoire, mais bien de s’inscrire dans la logique de chaque acteur pour montrer quel sens pouvait avoir ce massacre.
Perspectives croisées, enfin, non seulement dans le traitement des sources ou dans la terminologie, mais aussi dans la représentation même du monde. Chaque chapitre de la première partie s’ouvre en effet sur une carte, mais une carte qui correspond à chaque fois à la vision du territoire qu’a la communauté en question.
La deuxième partie est volontairement extrêmement courte, ne faisant que six pages. Centrée sur la «justice», elle claque comme un coup de fouet les responsables du massacre. Jugés devant un tribunal, ils sont tous déclarés innocents.
Des Ombres à l’aube n’est pas un roman, c’est à la fois un très grand livre d’histoire, exemplaire tant dans le fond que dans la forme, et une belle réflexion, presque philosophique, sur la place de la violence dans les relations de pouvoir entre différentes communautés.
Traquer les ombres, pour mieux comprendre l’homme¨... (Voir l`article au complet)
http://ift.tt/1JjVlOe
Pégé
Du site Slate : Des ombres à l`aube : un massacre d`Apaches et la violence de l`histoire.
¨ Quatre récits croisés du Massacre de Camp Grant, pour sonder la place de la violence dans les relations de pouvoir entre communautés et la pluralité des mémoires.
Le matin du 30 avril 1871, plus de cent quarante Apaches, surtout des femmes et de jeunes enfants, furent massacrés, au fond d’un canyon de l’Arizona, par une troupe civile et composite de Mexicains et d’Américains, appuyés par des Indiens O’odham. L’événement, sobrement raconté dans les premières pages de l’ouvrage, donne son titre à ce livre, publié en anglais en 2008, et qui a reçu en octobre 2014 le prix des Rendez-vous de l’histoire de Blois. Les «ombres à l’aube», ce sont celles des Américains, postés sur les falaises du canyon pour tirer sur les Apaches, pendant que, au sol, les Mexicains et les O’odham fermaient la nasse.
Pour analyser cet événement, célèbre dans l’histoire américaine sous le nom de «Massacre de Camp Grant», l’auteur adopte une démarche passionnante en croisant les perspectives des différents groupes impliqués dans le massacre. Dans la première partie, intitulée «violence», l’auteur suit en effet un plan très simple et très efficace: quatre chapitres, s’attachant respectivement aux O’odham, aux Mexicains, aux Américains, et enfin aux Apaches. Chaque chapitre s’achève sur le massacre. Il ne s’agit pas de raconter l’histoire, mais bien de s’inscrire dans la logique de chaque acteur pour montrer quel sens pouvait avoir ce massacre.
Perspectives croisées, enfin, non seulement dans le traitement des sources ou dans la terminologie, mais aussi dans la représentation même du monde. Chaque chapitre de la première partie s’ouvre en effet sur une carte, mais une carte qui correspond à chaque fois à la vision du territoire qu’a la communauté en question.
La deuxième partie est volontairement extrêmement courte, ne faisant que six pages. Centrée sur la «justice», elle claque comme un coup de fouet les responsables du massacre. Jugés devant un tribunal, ils sont tous déclarés innocents.
Des Ombres à l’aube n’est pas un roman, c’est à la fois un très grand livre d’histoire, exemplaire tant dans le fond que dans la forme, et une belle réflexion, presque philosophique, sur la place de la violence dans les relations de pouvoir entre différentes communautés.
Traquer les ombres, pour mieux comprendre l’homme¨... (Voir l`article au complet)
http://ift.tt/1JjVlOe
Pégé
Celebrate Family Hiking Day with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy on Sept. 26
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), along with its Appalachian Trail (A.T.) Community™ partners and 31 Trail maintaining clubs, invite families to take a hike on the A.T. during the fifth annual Family Hiking Day on Saturday, Sept. 26. Held trail-wide on National Public Lands Day, Family Hiking Day is a program developed by the ATC to introduce and welcome families of all ages and abilities to the A.T.
“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to host Family Hiking Day for the fifth year,” said Julie Judkins, the ATC’s director of Education and Outreach. “Family Hiking Day is a great way to promote physical activity, entice friends and families to go outdoors, and encourage exploration of the Appalachian Trail’s natural beauty.”
Families from Maine to Georgia are invited to enjoy the outdoors with volunteer-led hikes or to plan an adventure on their own utilizing a list of family friendly hikes in their local area as well as Trail-related games and activities. Planned events vary based on location and include a wide range of activities and guided hikes led by A.T. club volunteers. RSVPs are required for guided hikes, and carpooling is encouraged.
As a partnering organization celebrating National Public Lands Day, the ATC will offer Fee Free passes to all participants in registered Family Hiking Day events. The Fee Free pass is good for one day of free entry to any participating federal public land, no matter the agency, and is valid for one year.
For more information about Family Hiking Day, including guided hikes, a list of suggested hikes by state, and activities, visit http://ift.tt/1QIcWnf.
For more information on the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains, please click here.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Families from Maine to Georgia are invited to enjoy the outdoors with volunteer-led hikes or to plan an adventure on their own utilizing a list of family friendly hikes in their local area as well as Trail-related games and activities. Planned events vary based on location and include a wide range of activities and guided hikes led by A.T. club volunteers. RSVPs are required for guided hikes, and carpooling is encouraged.
As a partnering organization celebrating National Public Lands Day, the ATC will offer Fee Free passes to all participants in registered Family Hiking Day events. The Fee Free pass is good for one day of free entry to any participating federal public land, no matter the agency, and is valid for one year.
For more information about Family Hiking Day, including guided hikes, a list of suggested hikes by state, and activities, visit http://ift.tt/1QIcWnf.
For more information on the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains, please click here.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Pisgah National Forest Posts New Restrictions for Big Creek / Waterville Area
The following is prohibited within the Big Creek/Waterville area on the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest. This area that is approximately one-quarter mile south of Walter’s Power Plant, between Big Creek and State Road 1332 (along the northeast corner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park):
1. Camping is prohibited unless it is in an authorized area.
2. No alcoholic beverages.
3. Follow horse riding rules and regulations as posted.
4. Do not build / maintain a campfire or stove fire.
5. Follow car parking rules and regulations as posted.
6. Use of bicycle, motorcycle, or motor vehicle of any type is prohibited.
7. Area is closed at sundown and opens again at sunrise.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
1. Camping is prohibited unless it is in an authorized area.
2. No alcoholic beverages.
3. Follow horse riding rules and regulations as posted.
4. Do not build / maintain a campfire or stove fire.
5. Follow car parking rules and regulations as posted.
6. Use of bicycle, motorcycle, or motor vehicle of any type is prohibited.
7. Area is closed at sundown and opens again at sunrise.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
The Grand Enchantment Trail ~ Part 10
Leaving the Old Safford Morenci Trail, we flew into the Eagle Creek Drainage.
Sheer and uniquely formed sandstone cliffs lined our route as we waded up stream.
Our running shoes and feet were to be wet and yet clean for an odoriferous change.
Numerous fords drove us forward into a Sunday Drive sort of day.
An old ranch haunted this remote paradise.
However, the desert gold poppies exercised the Homestead's past to uncover the beauty of that which has always been here Now.
Curious and not so wild horses followed us to rustle up some salty licks.
The ground turned muddy very quickly behooving us to make ground towards Clifton, Arizona south of the Morenci Mine to resupply.
We strung up an easy hitch out of a bear bow hunter to get a ride into Clifton on highway 191.
We found luck in returning to the trail within minutes of sticking our thumbs out with fresh supplies and a full stomach in tow even though the highway number used to be branded 666.
~
Tap Here for Part 11
~
The Grand Enchantment Trail ~ Part 10
Leaving the Old Safford Morenci Trail, we flew into the Eagle Creek Drainage.
Sheer and uniquely formed sandstone cliffs lined our route as we waded up stream.
Our running shoes and feet were to be wet and yet clean for an odoriferous change.
Numerous fords drove us forward into a Sunday Drive sort of day.
An old ranch haunted this remote paradise.
However, the desert gold poppies exercised the Homestead's past to uncover the beauty of that which has always been here Now.
Curious and not so wild horses followed us to rustle up some salty licks.
The ground turned muddy very quickly behooving us to make ground towards Clifton, Arizona south of the Morenci Mine to resupply.
We strung up an easy hitch out of a bear bow hunter to get a ride into Clifton on highway 191.
We found luck in returning to the trail within minutes of sticking our thumbs out with fresh supplies and a full stomach in tow even though the highway number used to be branded 666.
~
Tap Here for Part 11
~
The Grand Enchantment Trail ~ Part 9
While in Safford, we packed up two food boxes and sent them ahead of us to Gila Hot Springs and Winston, New Mexico.
We also made sure to fuel up at an all you can eat pizza buffet. Its an interesting thing to be able to continuously eat and drink for several hours without wavering.
Maneuvering our way through agricultural fields, we soon headed out into the desert where life was bursting from its seams.
Plants of all kinds were creating new lines and forms to color and paint themselves into.
Finding ourselves satisfactorily in the middle of nowhere, we soon registered that we were on The Old Safford Morenci Trail.
This trail was built in 1874 to haul goods and supplies to the booming mining operations in this region.
Water along this canyon filled route was equally as precious to us as gold, silver, and copper was to the miners.
Walking cross country through uniquely formed canyons was the norm.
Old homesteads and prehistoric granaries hid themselves in plain site along Bonita Creek where beavers... yes... beavers in the desert.... had current plans to develop their own homes and to store their own sense of valuable resources.
Signs of flashfloods were everywhere. Sometimes water is an all or nothing affair.
It's especially nice when a trail knows how to maintain its self by purging obstructions on a seasonal basis.
As low as 3,700 feet and climbing as high as 6,200 feet, we ventured to see the extremes and everything in between.
Stacey and I even came across a desert hare whose head had just been eaten off presumably by a bobcat.
Thunderstorms threatened us, but we didn't believe in their anger issues.
~
Tap Here for Part 10
~
The Grand Enchantment Trail ~ Part 9
While in Safford, we packed up two food boxes and sent them ahead of us to Gila Hot Springs and Winston, New Mexico.
We also made sure to fuel up at an all you can eat pizza buffet. Its an interesting thing to be able to continuously eat and drink for several hours without wavering.
Maneuvering our way through agricultural fields, we soon headed out into the desert where life was bursting from its seams.
Plants of all kinds were creating new lines and forms to color and paint themselves into.
Finding ourselves satisfactorily in the middle of nowhere, we soon registered that we were on The Old Safford Morenci Trail.
This trail was built in 1874 to haul goods and supplies to the booming mining operations in this region.
Water along this canyon filled route was equally as precious to us as gold, silver, and copper was to the miners.
Walking cross country through uniquely formed canyons was the norm.
Old homesteads and prehistoric granaries hid themselves in plain site along Bonita Creek where beavers... yes... beavers in the desert.... had current plans to develop their own homes and to store their own sense of valuable resources.
Signs of flashfloods were everywhere. Sometimes water is an all or nothing affair.
It's especially nice when a trail knows how to maintain its self by purging obstructions on a seasonal basis.
As low as 3,700 feet and climbing as high as 6,200 feet, we ventured to see the extremes and everything in between.
Stacey and I even came across a desert hare whose head had just been eaten off presumably by a bobcat.
Thunderstorms threatened us, but we didn't believe in their anger issues.
~
Tap Here for Part 10
~
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