The Knoxville News has been running articles through out the year on The Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrating its 75th Anniversary. The newest articles feature outdoor activities in the park.
Due to a continued bear problem park rangers have closed the Abrams Falls Trail in Cades Cove for the second time this month. Park officials stated that they do not plan to reopen the very popular trail in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park until the black bear can be tracked or caught. The park service’s web site has updates on road and facilities closures.
To help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the city of Pigeon Forge is having an online promotion. Register for a chance to win their Prize Pack that includes a $75 fuel card, $75 attraction pass ( 2 tickets to Wonder Works and 2 tickets to Country Tonite Theatre), two tickets to Dollywood, and Sha-Kon-O-Hey the 8 song CD written and recorded by Dolly Parton as tribute to the National Park.
To register or for more information click here. Contest ends July 31, 2009.
This spring in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park there have been many instances of nuisance bear activity. The popular Abrams Falls Trail was closed for a day this past week due to two reports of a black bear becoming aggressive towards hikers.
Some shelters and backcountry campsites are currently closed and bear warning signs have been posted at many shelters and trails including the Abrams Falls Trail. The nuisance bears have been a particular concern in the popular Cades Cove area.
The Nation Park Service web site has a very interesting article on Black Bears that has safety guidelines if you encounter a bear. Visitors may wish to check at the parks visitor centers or ranger stations before hiking or camping for further information.
With the recent rains and warmer humid weather both the Mountain Laurel and Flame Azalea are in robust bloom in the Smokies. They can be seen both in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and along back country roads through out the area.
The Mountain Laurel has either white or pink bell shape blossoms and is often found in rocky areas. The Flame Azalea, displaying bright orange flowers, happens to be one the very important parent plants to many of today’s hybrid varieties.
Mountain Laurel along Sevier County back road
Pink Mountain Laurel along the Roaring Fork Motor Trail
The Resort still has a few units available for this Memorial Day weekend. With much lower gas prices locally compared to last year and a decent weather forecast calling for clear skies on Friday and Saturday with just a chance of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon with daytime temperatures in the low 80’s, this will be an ideal weekend to visit the Great Smoky Mountains. With all the rain we have seen the last two weeks and some very cool night time temperatures the mountains are extremely clear at this time allowing for great views of the . Notice how clear the mountains show up in these photos that were taken on 5/20/2009.
The Elkmont Historic District Final Environmental Impact Statement and General Management Plan Amendment has been published in the Federal Register. The plan outlines the park’s plan for the vacant structures at Elkmont.
The Elkmont Historic District contains 74 vacant structures built in the early 1900s as a logging camp that was turned into a summer resort community prior to the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in 1934.
The plan proposes to preserve 18 cabins plus the Appalachian Clubhouse. Plans call for the clubhouse to be made available for public rental for day-use events after restoration. The remaining structures will be documented and then removed.
Now that May is finally here, its time to turn up the fun in the Smokies and the next two weekends should be jammed packed.
The 2009 Dolly Parton Homecoming Parade will be held this coming Friday, May 8th, at 6 P.M. on the main parkway in Pigeon Forge. This year’s parade has special meaning to Dolly, the parade grand marshal, as she is an official ambassador of the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park . The parade is one of six Pigeon Forge special events the park has included into its anniversary celebration.
Sevierville’s annual Bloomin’BBQ & Bluegrass Festival will be held May 15 & 16 and Smoky Mountain Resorts is offering a special Rocky’s BBQ package for The Resort at Governors Crossing for stays May 12th-17th. Rocky’s BBQ Package includes a 2-night stay at The Resort, a stuffed Rocky the Bear, and a bottle of Rocky’s Smoky Mountain BBQ Sauce. For further information or to reserve this package call 800-497-5749.
