Campgrounds in Smokies set to reopen this weekend

March 9th, 2010
Several seasonal facilities in the Great Smoky Mountains will reopen this weekend.

* Five of the Park's seasonal campgrounds will reopen on Friday: Abrams Creek, Big Creek, Cataloochee, Cosby, and Elkmont.

* Deep Creek is scheduled to open April 1 and Look Rock will open May 14.

* Road repair work will result in delayed openings for Smokemont and Balsam Mountain campgrounds, which are scheduled to open on May 28.

* Group camping will be available starting on Friday at Big Creek, Cataloochee, Cosby, and Cades Cove. Deep Creek will open as usual on April 1, however, delayed openings will be at Elkmont (April 10), and Smokemont (May 28). Reservations for group camping must be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service.

* The Cades Cove Campground is open year round and is not affected by the Cades Cove Loop Road construction.

* Horse Camps at Anthony Creek, Big Creek, Cataloochee, Round Bottom, and Towstring will reopen on April 1.

To make reservations at three of the Park's developed campgrounds, and all group campsites, horse camps, and picnic shelters, visitors can visit www.recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777.

> The Cades Cove Campground Store will reopen on April 1. The store provides groceries, camping supplies, firewood, ice, vending, limited food service, souvenirs, and bike rentals.

> The Elkmont Campground concession will open this Friday. The concession provides firewood, ice, camper convenience items, and vending of soft drinks, newspapers, and snacks.

> Secondary roads set to reopen this Friday include the Little Greenbrier and the Straight Fork/Round Bottom roads.


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

Tellico River Cleanup starts Saturday morning at Tellico Ranger Station

March 9th, 2010
This year's Tellico River Cleanup will be held this Saturday and will begin from the Tellico Ranger Station in Tellico Plains, TN. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. at the Tellico Ranger Station.

Volunteers will pick up litter and other debris along the Tellico River Road, portions of the Cherohala Skyway, North River Road, and Citico Creek in the Tellico Ranger District.

“Everyone is encouraged to wear long sleeve shirts, sturdy shoes or boots and gloves,” said Cherokee National Forest Service representative Mary Jane Burnette. “Bring a lunch and plenty of drinking water. Garbage bags will be provided as well at the garbage pickup.

“T-shirts will be provided to the first 75 volunteers. Sizes are limited, so you may want to arrive early to make sure you get your size shirt.”

Last year’s cleanup involved more than 100 participants who collected nearly one ton of trash.

The event is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, Tennessee Valley Authority, Trout Unlimited, Chattanooga Trout Association, Keep Monroe Beautiful, Chota Canoe Club, Atlanta Whitewater Association and Tellico Motorcycle Outfitters.

For more information call Burnette at 423-253-8413.


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

win a SPOT GPS Satellite Messenger, easy

March 9th, 2010

Joe Mueller wants to give you a free SPOT GPS Satellite Messenger along with one year of service.

product details on Amazon – SPOT Personal Tracker

It’s a contest … but I can’t think of an easier contest.

All you need to do is make a comment on his blog stating why you would want one:

GPS for Today – Win A SPOT GPS Satellite Messenger

… Be sure to make a comment inferior to my own. I want to win this device!


New website for LeConte Lodge winter caretaker

March 8th, 2010
Last week I received an email from Doug McFalls announcing the launch of his new website. Doug is the winter caretaker at the LeConte Lodge. This coming Friday Doug will be retiring his current website, www.lifeonleconte.com, a site known for some incredibly beautiful photography from the summit of Mt. LeConte.

His new website, www.ReflectionsoftheSmokies.com, is already up and running, and promises to continue with even more inspirational photos from the Smokies.

Doug also mentioned that the management for the LeConte Lodge has decided to do their own blog on their own website. Should be interesting to see how they proceed with this.

Speaking of Mt. LeConte, WBIR reported over the weekend that during the months of December, January, and February, the mountain received more than double the average amount of snowfall.

Mt. LeConte received 112" of snow overall during those three months; in an average year, it receives 51 inches.


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

Readers Essay Contest

March 8th, 2010
As part of its latest issue, Backpacker Magazine has published its winning entries from its readers' choice essay contest.

In all, Backpacker published 14 short essays, including one by Greg Hoover who shares his secrets for finding quiet on the busiest trail in the country's busiest park - that would be the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Click here to read all 14 essays.


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