Archive for the ‘Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area’ Category

Hiking News Round-up

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
The Great Smoky Mountains Association is inviting the public to an end of the season party for Clingmans Dome Road and Information Center. Both will close for the winter on November 30th. The GSMA will be offering free refreshments at the information center, free postcards, and discounts of 30% on all Clingmans Dome clothing.

The GSMA also announced in the latest Cub Report that George Ellison, his wife Elizabeth, and some of their very special author friends will appear on Friday, December 2, at the Captain's Bookshelf in downtown Asheville, NC, from 6 to 8 p.m. to discuss their new books.

The Adventure Blog is reporting that Les Stroud is returning to Survivorman on the Discovery Channel. I'm sure that will make all of his fans very happy.

NPS Digest announced this morning that the Natchez Trace Parkway has completed the largest tree planting project ever, with 14,000 native tree seedlings and saplings planted in three states as part of comprehensive scenic and natural resource protection effort.

NPS Digest also announced that the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area recently celebrated the donation and acquisition of 44 acres of riverfront land in the park's quickly developing north end.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Natchez Trace Parkway | Comments Off

Regional Fall Color Round-up

Saturday, October 16th, 2010
The following are the latest fall color updates for the various park areas in the Great Smoky Mountains region:

* Tom Harrington's latest update on the GSMA website states that fall colors are now at their peak in the upper elevations of the Great Smokies (above 3,000 feet), and will remain at peak for the next couple of days. He also expects autumn colors for the lower elevations to be at or near peak by next week.

* Virtual Blue Ridge posted this report late Thursday:

In Virginia the Peaks of Otter is reporting color in Tulip Poplar, Dogwood, and Sourwood on the mountainside. A variety of Oaks and Mountain Ash are also showing fall colors. The Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill area are probably at peak color this coming weekend. Dogwood and Poplar are also pretty, along with Sassafras along the roadsides in the area of the Blue Ridge Music Center. This weekend will probably be the peak of color there.

High up on the sides of Mount Mitchell north of Asheville, visitors will also see some color showing nicely. The area south of Asheville is one of the highlights now with Graveyard Fields turning peak after a cold night in recent days. This is by far the best place to see good color along the southern end of the Parkway. A few of the higher elevations around Devil's Courthouse, Richland Balsam and more are about 50% right now while the rest of the Parkway south of there is about 30%-40% color. Still a nice drive with enough color to show that fall is finally here.

You can read the full report by clicking here.

* Tennessee State Parks has a new “color watch” tool on their website to help visitors plan for the best leaf peeping opportunities. For nearby Roan Mountain, ETSU professors are projecting a magnificent season of color throughout October. The website also highlights state park events, including fall hikes at South Cumberland, Nathan Bedford Forrest, and along the Cumberland Trail.

* Grandfather Mountain State Park in NC is reporting that fall colors are at their peak right now.

* And finally, earlier this week, the National Park Foundation announced its 2010 ‘Top National Parks for Fall Foliage’ list. Included on the list was the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area where peak fall colors are expected through Thanksgiving.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Fall colors, Tennessee State Parks, autumn, color watch | Comments Off