Archive for the ‘2010’ Category

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Smokies visitation slightly down in 2010

Saturday, January 22nd, 2011
The Great Smoky Mountains reported a total of 9,463,538 visitors to the park in 2010, a 0.3% decrease from the prior year. Although Gatlinburg (1.5%), Townsend (3.2%) and Cherokee (4.6%) each saw year over year increases, the park's 13 outlying entrances reported an overall decrease of 9.1%. Much of that decrease was driven by declines at the Foothills Pkwy East portion of the park, which has been closed for much of the year due to the reconstruction project. This section of the park saw a decline of just over a half million visitors, or 46.2% versus 2009.

The 9.46 million visitors to the park in 2010 represented the second highest total in the last decade. Only 2009, the 75th Anniversary year, was higher.

For the month of December, the entire park saw a sharp decline from the same period in 2009. Visitors arriving through the Gatlinburg entrance were down more than 40%, while Townsend dropped 20%, and Cherokee plummeted more than 56%.

Nearby Parks:

* The Blue Ridge Parkway reported a total of 14,517,119 visitors in 2010, which represented an 8.9% decrease from the previous year. This is a bit of a surprise given that the park celebrated its 75th Anniversary this past year. Road closures likely played a large part in this decline.

* Shenandoah National Park reported 1,264,347 visitors for the year, an 11.7% increase versus 2009.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in 2010, December, Great Smoky Mountains, Smokies, visitation, visitors | Comments Off

Roots in the Cave – 2010

Thursday, November 4th, 2010
The annual Roots in the Cave at Mammoth Cave National Park will focus on local cave explorer Edmund Turner (1867-1917) this year. Turner is credited with the discovery of Great Onyx Cave, but died penniless and was buried in a pauper's grave at the Mammoth Cave Baptist Cemetery on Flint Ridge.

This years' event will be held on November 12-13, and is sponsored by the Mammoth Cave Hotel and Mammoth Cave National Park.

"Roots in the Cave is an annual fall event that explores the family histories and lore of those people who once lived on what is now parkland," said Superintendent Patrick Reed. "Mammoth Cave became a national park in 1941, but before that time this land held 600 farms and 30 communities. Roots in the Cave pulls descendents together to share stories and research."

"One of the items on the agenda this year is to place a headstone on Edmund Turner's long neglected grave," said Greg Davis, manager of the Mammoth Cave Hotel. "Other events and discussions will bring to light pieces of Turner's life story, such as he explored Salts Cave accompanied by young Floyd Collins. Turner was an expert caver who has received little recognition."

Activities for registered participants include: a panel discussion on Edmund Turner by Roger Brucker and Norman Warnell; a guided walk to Stephen Bishop's homeplace; unveiling of the Turner headstone; and a tour of Great Onyx Cave (limited to 40 people). A genealogy display in the Rotunda Room on November 12-13 will be open to the public.

To register for Roots in the Cave activities contact the Mammoth Cave Hotel at 270-758-2225. Registration is $20 per person; all proceeds will be applied to the cost of Turner's headstone.

For information on hiking in the park (above ground), please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in 2010, Edmund Turner, Great Onyx Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, Roots in the Cave | Comments Off

Visits up slightly for Smokies in May

Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Visits to Great Smoky Mountains National Park were up a half percent, or about 4,000 people, in May compared with the same month last year, according to the Park.

Visits are still down 1.8%, or 50,000 visitors, for the year-to-date.

* Visits in May were up at the Gatlinburg entrance 4.9%

* The Townsend entrance reported a 12.1% increase - likely due to the re-opening of Cades Cove.

* The Cherokee entrance down more than 10%.

* The 13 outlying entrances were down 3.2%.

* Visits to campgrounds were off 15.9% in May, and are down 20.9% for the year-to-date.





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

Posted in 2010, May, Smokies, visits | Comments Off

National Trails Day

Sunday, May 16th, 2010
American Hiking Society's signature trail awareness program, National Trails Day, will take place on June 5th this year.

One of the goals of National Trails Day is to inspire the public and trail enthusiasts nationwide to seek out their favorite trails to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops and trail work projects.

There will be many events all across the country. The Smoky Mountain Hiking Club will utilize the day as a trail repair and construction event. They will meet in Gatlinburg at 7:30 a.m. that morning.

The Carolina Mountain Club will host a couple of hikes, including the Lakeshore Loop near Fontana Lake in the southern Smoky Mountains.

Chimney Rock State Park will be offering free guided hikes on the hour from 11am to 3pm with park education staff and rangers who will discuss the plants and wildlife at the park.

The Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club and will host a hike to Grassy Ridge Bald on Roan Mountain.

These are just a couple of examples. You can get more details on each of these, and see the complete list of events across the country, by clicking here.


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

Posted in 2010, American Hiking Society, Fontana Lake, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Lakeshore Loop, National Trails Day | Comments Off

More fee-free days on public lands in 2010

Thursday, May 6th, 2010
To help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recently announced the schedule of 2010 free admission days to many of the lands managed by the Department of Interior.

All national parks, national wildlife refuges, and many areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management will offer free admission on the following days this year:

* June 5-6
* August 14-15
* September 25 (Public Lands Day)
* November 11 (Veterans Day).

More details about fee free days and some special offers are available:

* National Parks
* National Wildlife Refuges
* Bureau of Land Management Areas


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

Posted in 2010, National Parks, fee-free days, public lands | Comments Off

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