Archive for the ‘Little River Trail’ Category

Autumn Naturalist Ramble

Friday, October 1st, 2010
Join the Great Smoky Mountains Association and naturalist Liz Domingue on Saturday, October 30th, for a walk on the Cucumber Gap Loop Trail. This easy to moderate hike is a 5.6-mile round-trip hike, and will traverse the Little River and Cucumber Gap trails in Elkmont.

Liz will be available to answer any questions you might have about any of plants, birds or wildlife you might see along the way.

The GSMA asks that you wear good hiking boots and bring water, a light lunch or snack, and rain gear. The hike will begin at 9:00 am at the Little River trailhead.

A registration fee of $10 per person is required. To register, please call 865-436-7318, Ext. 222 or 254.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in Autumn Naturalist Ramble, Cucumber Gap Loop Trail, Little River Trail, great smoky mountains association | Comments Off

Smokies delays re-opening of Elkmont area trails

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
Officials from the Great Smoky Mountains announced yesterday that the on-going construction project will delay the re-opening of the Little River/Jakes Creek Trail access road in Elkmont.

The new re-opening date is now October 15.

The work consists of repaving all of the connecting roads to the popular trails in Elkmont and creating formalized parking areas for the trailheads, as well as a new day use parking area at the Appalachian Clubhouse.

Managers were expecting to complete the work by Labor Day, but progress was held up by the addition of underground utility work which delayed the award of a contract.

Limited access is still being provided to hikers to reach the Little River Trail, but there is no safe access through the construction site to the Jakes Creek Trailhead which provides access to the Cucumber Gap, Jakes Creek and Meigs Mountain trails.

An extremely limited number of temporary parking spaces have been designated at the Elkmont Campground, so hikers planning to use the Little River Trail will need to check in for instructions at the campground kiosk.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in Construction, Jakes Creek Trail, Little River Trail, repave | Comments Off

Wildflowers at lower elevations in Smokies at peak

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
The latest Wildflower Report from the Great Smoky Mountains Association was posted by Steve Kemp yesterday. Mr. Kemp reports that wildflowers at lower elevations in the Great Smoky Mountains are at peak bloom right now.

Here's his report:

Wildflowers are abundant along the Little River and Cucumber Gap trails in the Elkmont area right now. Trout-lily, hepatica, spring-beauty, and anemone are all blooming. We should have a good peak of bloom between now and April 20 at the lower elevations.

To read this and past reports, please click here.

To see a list of some of the best wildflower hikes in the Smokies, please click here.


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

Posted in Cucumber Gap Trail, Elkmont, Little River Trail, wildflowers | Comments Off

Finally! (Little River Trail)

Thursday, December 31st, 2009
Finally, the bear warnings for the Little River Trail have been removed. The bear activity warning had been posted on the Little River Trail for several months this year, and was the last of six trails that had bear warnings during the year.

Also, several backcountry campsites and shelters have been re-opened or have had posted warnings removed in recent weeks.

Back in October there were 5 backcountry campsites and shelters that were closed, in addition to at least 18 that had posted warnings. There were also six trails at that time that had warnings as well.

There are now only 9 backcountry campsites and shelters with posted warnings and 1 closing at this time.

Below is the current list of warnings and closings:

Bear Warnings:

• Backcountry Campsites 13, 84, and 88
• Cosby Knob Shelter
• Double Spring Gap Shelter
• Mollies Ridge Shelter
• Mt Collins Shelter
• Mt Le Conte Shelter
• Tricorner Knob Shelter

Backcountry Campsite 75 is still closed.


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

Posted in Little River Trail, bear warnings | Comments Off