Hikers and visitors to state and national parks need to take personal responsibility.

The tragic death of 2 year old who fell while hiking with his family in Chimney Rock State Park in North Carolina has opened a dialog where people has been inquiring as to if there were sufficient warnings of the potential danger to hiking children and if these warnings were bilingual or not. Now some are asking if children should be banned from being on certain hiking trails.

In this day and age it is up to everyone to take personally responsibility for their own safety as well as those under their supervision. I have personally turned around on trails that I have hiked before because conditions were such that the trail was unsafe for me to continue.

I never needed a sign to tell me to not dangle one of my kids over a lion's cage at the zoo or let them be alone next to a burning campfire when they were too young to understand not to stick their hands into the pretty flames.

Unfortunately even though I always did do my best to protect my children, they did get some bumps and bruises, sometimes when they were right next to me because accidents do happen - that's why cars have seat belts.

Rather than ban driving because accidents can happen, we ban dangerous behavior when driving such as drinking/drugging while driving and speeding - the biggest dangers in our national parks and state parks that claims more lives than anything else.

It's not that I am just singling out this tragic accident in the Chimney Rock Park. This Labor Day I was hiking along the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains national park and saw 3 blatant cases of foolish behavior which were risky to the risk takers as well as the lives of others arround them.

Before even leaving the Clingmans Dome parking lot to start my hike, 4 men in their early 20s were climbing on damp rocks that have a warning sign prohibiting people from climbing on them. One of their backpacks along with a water bottle were by the warning sign.

Next at the Double Spring Gap backcountry shelter there were more overnight campers than the maximum capacity of the shelter and in violation of Great Smoky Mountains national park rules, tents were set up outside the shelter.

One of these tents contained 4 people who ate food and then stored their food overnight in their tent. Considering the next backcountry shelter over the Mount Collins Shelter has an active bear warning, the chance for an unpleasant encounter with a black bear which could potentially endanger everyone in the over capacity shelter is high.

All backcountry shelters in the Great Smoky Mountains National park that I have checked have signs warning of the presence of black bears in the GSMNP and what to do to avoid them as well as some of the other park regulations for campers. These warnings were obviously ignored.

Further down the Appalachian Trail about 2 miles past the Silers Bald Shelter I ran into 3 young male hikers coming down the trail with the leader of the group wearing beach sandals. It turned out that Mr. Flip Flops was an experienced hiker who just felt like not wearing his hiking boots on this trip.

I asked him which one of his friends was going to carry him out if he twisted his ankle or got hurt and his friends laughed and pointed at each other. Considering how deep in country they were, any extraction would have to be a serious undertaking which would have also put any rescuers at risk.

All of these risk takers spoke English and acted foolishly knowing of the potential danger they were putting themselves and others in. Obviously they just didn't care about their own safety as well as the safety of others.

I hike 10 - 15 miles a day in the Great Smoky Mountains national park year-round unless the weather or road conditions are hazardous. While I solo hike most of the time (which I don't suggest) I outfit myself so that I am ready for any potential emergency and I don't behave in a risky manner or take chances along the trail to increase the chances that I will have to be rescued.

When I bring someone else along on a trail I make sure that I know their skill level and that they have an understanding of what they can and can not do and make sure that they have the right footwear, clothing and supplies to safely and comfortably come hiking with me.

If you plan on taking a hike or engaging in any other activity in the park that has a risk, be smart, go to one of the visitor centers and speak to one of the Park Rangers or volunteers and take their expert advice.

While no one can guarantee you won't have an accident or an unpleasant experience, with a little planning and taking personal responsibility for your own actions and those in your party, your hike will probably end with pleasant memories of time well spent in the park rather than a nightmare that will haunt you the rest of your life.

Native American Pow Wow taking place in Cherokee North Carolina

Today is the final day for the Native American Pow Wow in the Cherokee Fairgrounds where Indian tribes of many nations are gathering to dance, play music and show their tribal customs to an eager crowd.

The crowds are small, the weather is perfect and with free parking and an admission of only $10 this is the place to be right now.

The pow wow is expected to go into the night with grand entrances taking place at 1pm and 7pm.

Visitors will find booths with crafts, food and drink and plenty of music.

Tragic death of 2 year old on hiking trail in Chimney Rock Park

Hiking with his family in the North Carolina Chimney Rock Park, a 2 year old from Spartanburg South Carolina fell yesterday morning to his death in an area which has a steep drop off.

While park staff did what they could including repelling down a cliff, administering CPR and extracting the youth and transporting the child to a hospital their effort were in vain as the child tragically died.

The trail was closed off during rescue efforts which took under 2 hours included the help of Emergency response crews, fire and police who all arrived at the scene of this accident in Chimney Rock Park.

According to Rutherford County Chimney Rock Park Superintendent Adrienne Wallace the accident is under investigation and it is unknown how far the child fell as well as how the child was able fall given the fencing that lines the hiking trail.

Sadly what should have been a glorious day the park ended in an earth shattering event for the family. Many hiking trails and especially waterfalls have had serous injuries and deaths when people have climbed on wet rocks, left the designated trail or left small children unattended or not under direct control by holding their hand.

Most hiking trails do not have fencing or railings to protect people from falls and this accident shows that even fencing or rails does not mean a deadly accident can still not occur.

As a professional hiker who hikes between 10 – 15 miles a day year round I can tell you I personally slipped 3 times in the past week. I was able to catch myself twice with my hiking poles and maintain my balance but a sore on my arm and elbow are clear evidence that even a professional who is paying attention and properly equipped can easily have an accident on a hiking trail.

Current black bear activity in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains national park the memorial day weekend are fairly sure to see a black bear if they spend enough early morning hours and late afternoon hours in Cades Cove or Cataloochee or deep enough in the backcountry.

Backcountry users must take exceptional care in the backcountry shelter at Mount Collins (pictured below) which has seen significant black bear activity in the past few days.

Great Smoky Mountains national park temporally removes size and quantity limits on Rainbow Trout in section of park.

The national park service has an ongoing Brook Trout Restoration Program in the Great Smoky Mountains national park and now anglers can help the program with a set of temporary fishing regulations. These special fishing regulations are limited to 2 bodies of water only in the Tremont Tennessee section of the Great Smoky Mountains national park and are only valid from 7 am - 7 pm June 2nd through June 14th 2008.

The only places where the special Rainbow Trout fishing regulations will take place where fisherman can keep as many Rainbow Trout as they catch regardless of size are an 8 mile stretch of the Lynn Camp Prong River and the Lynn Camp Prong River's tributary Marks Creek. Both of these bodies of water are located in Blount County inside the national park and can be accessed by taking Middle Prong Road located off Laurel Creek Road west of the Townsend Wye to the end where the Middle Creek trailhead is. At this time it does not appear that the other tributary of Lynn Camp Prong called Panther Creek is affected by these special temporary fishing regulations.

In order to help restore the native Brook Trout the non-native Rainbow trout must be removed. First the National park service is allowing anglers to get their fill of the fish and then come this September National Park Biologists will teat the water with the poison Antimycin A which will kill the remaining fish but does not harm non fish aquatic species such as the parks beloved salamanders and crawfish.

Once all the fish have been removed from the restoration area, a large cascade down stream will keep the non native Rainbow Trout from returning upstream to the area which will then be stocked with Native Brook Trout removed from another section of the park. The Brook Trout population will then be allowed to build by prohibiting fishing the area for a time period of between 4 to 7 years until the Book Trout's population is sustainable for harvest.

The special regulations require that you still have a valid Tennessee or North Carolina Fishing license which you will have to surrender for the day 1/4 mile up from the trailhead at the temporary National Park Service check-in station where you will receive at no charge a special daily fishing permit which you must keep visibly displayed at all times. You must check back in prior to 7 pm with all the fish you have caught to get your license back unless you are camping at the Tremont backcountry campsite #28.

You are still only allowed to use artificial lures with a single hook and normal Great Smoky Mountains National Park fishing regulations apply to fish such as Brook Trout or any other fish other than Rainbow Trout.

This is a great opportunity for fisherman to enjoy fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains national park while helping the park service and enjoying what can be a fantastic meal or 2 in the process!

All hiking trails and backcountry campsites open for Memorial Day in the Great Smoky Mountains national park

The national park service was able to open the Trillium Gap hiking trail in the Great Smoky Mountains national park which was closed due to a landslide as well as the Goshen Prong hiking trail and backcountry campsite which was closed due to tree blowdowns and the 2 trails Schoolhouse Gap and Turkey Pen Ridge which were closed due to aggressive black bear activity all in time for the for the Memorial Day Weekend.

With fantastic weather predicted for the weekend expect to see a lot of activity in the Great Smoky Mountains national park as well as enhanced traffic enforcement so enjoy the park but drive at the posted limits!

Cosby in the Park - Perfect weather and fun was had by all in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Cosby section of the Great Smoky Mountains national park was the place to be this past weekend with perfect weather, great music, events for the kids, demonstrations by local craftsman, story telling, guided hikes in the park and a little bit of local history.

Every event I attend in the park I become more impressed with the fine people in the park service as well as the incredible care and dedication of the thousands of volunteers who give their time to this very specials place.

After the local old time music 2 piece group named The Lost Mill String Band offered up so fun and foot tapping music at the Cosby amphitheater, there was a dedication to Mr. Grady Webb one of Cosby's long time residents of the with deep roots in the community who served the national park service for many years. He received this honor from Dale Ditmanson the supervisor of the Great Smoky Mountains national park and the Iliff McMahan Jr. the Cocke County Mayor.

After the dedication the Boogertown Gap Band played more old style music and while demonstrating old time dancing during what could only be described as a picture perfect day.

With so much going on between the picnic grounds and well as the amphitheater I found myself running back and forth and to hear the sound of music which walking along the nature trail with the winds in the trees and the sound of rushing water was so magical and precious.

Kids were enjoying crafts, demonstrations and sack races by the picnic grounds and it looked to me as if the volunteers were having as great a time as the children were.

Jordan Costner and some of his relatives we there at the pavilion with a display of items and memorabilia about their ancestor Ella V. Costner known as the Poet Laureate of the Smokies. Jordan gave a fine reading and described in detail the life of this wonderful lady of the Cosby area of the Smoky Mountains. After a ready he and the rest of the Costner family posed for the group picture below.

After the reading we took a leisurely 2 mile hike to her grave site which is just off of the Snake Den Ridge Hiking Trail being led by one of the shining stars of the Sugarlands Visitor Center Pam Rodgers. Some of Ella V. Costner's relatives also joined us on this hike making it even more special.

Upon returning back from this glorious jaunt in the woods we got to listen to 2 more bands David McClary and friends followed by Curtis and Lynn Osteen.

While I anticipated great music and southern style cooking in a beautiful setting, the surprise of the day was Faye Wooden with her fantastic Story Telling. The ease in which she slipped into characters and the style, grace and pace of her stories were captivating and extremely entertaining.

Faye Wooden's stories were humorous and brought me back to childhood memories of an old teacher of mine in grade school telling me old stories of the small country hamlet where she grew up.

A big thank you to all the performers, employees and volunteers that made this wonderful day possible - you surpassed my expectations.

Cosby is truly one of the best places to hike and spend time in the Great Smoky Mountains national park and for those of you who don't normally go there - do it - you won't be disappointed.

Road closure and construction to last longer then scheduled in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

The work needed to stabilize Indian Head Cliff on Little River Road in the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains national park is taking longer than it was scheduled keeping 8 mile section of Little River Road between the Metcalf Picnic area and the Townsend Wye closed for an additional day.

When Little River Road reopens Tuesday evening the 20th it will be reduced to 1 lane while the work will have to continue for at least another week.

Hopefully Little River Road will be open completely by Memorial Day weekend as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be busy especially between Gatlinburg and Cades Cove.

Parson Branch Road in Cades Cove already shows wear and tear

Parson Branch Road in the back end of Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was closed for years due to storm damage requiring the national park service to have a major overhaul done to the unimproved road which ends up on US 129.

While major work was done to this dirt and gravel road, there are already some serious pot holes and ruts that can do serious damage to a cars front end or make a car or motorcycle lose control if hit wrong. Most of the new damage to Parson Branch is in the upward grade and just after bridges and stream crossings.

Parson Branch Road is still a great way to see the Smokies up close without having to leave the car and allows you access to 2 trailheads of the Great Smoky Mountains national parks more quiet and secluded hiking trails - Gregory Bald Trail and the Hannah Mountain Trail.

Bikers - the motorcycle riding type in the Smoky Mountains - love Parson Branch road because it takes you out to the tail of the dragon - a road where high performance cars and motorcycle riders love the numerous hairpin turns and push their vehicles and driving skills to the edge.

Unfortunately many thrill seekers have been injured or lost their lives doing this and as a result traffic speed limits enforcement has developed a no tolerance for speeding and regularly cruise this stretch cracking down on anyone breaking the limit even if it is only a few miles over the posted speed.

By all means, take Parson Branch Road out of Cades Cove when you have the time - especially in Rhododendron season - but take it easy!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Presents the 8th Annual Cosby in the Park Festival May 17th

Thanks to a partnership between the Great Smoky Mountains Association, the National Park Service and the Cocke County government this year the 8th annual Cosby in the Park festival held on Saturday, May 17, 2008 in the Cosby section of the Great Smoky Mountains national park should be fun and informative for visitors of all ages.

The Cosby in the Park festival is free to everyone and will include old time music, guided hikes, historical tales, storytelling and games for the kids and all sorts of activities and demonstrations for young and old alike.

Visitors can come to the national park from sunrise to sunset but the Cosby in the Park activities will take place from 10 am to 4 pm near the Cosby Campgrounds. You can bring your appetite too as a there will be a trailer from Angels Food Service selling traditional foods such as corn bread, pinto beans and tea. And for the kids there will be picnic style food such as hot dogs.

Beside the fun, games and food the 8th annual Cosby in the Park is meant to celebrate the cultural heritage of the Cosby area of the Great Smoky Mountains national park in Cocke County as well as demonstrating to visitors the recreational opportunities in the Cosby area.

If you are like me you will have a hard time choosing between the activities that will take place between the Cosby Picnic area and the outdoor amphitheater so I have a feeling I will be running back and forth between the 2 the whole day!

At the Cosby picnic pavilion there will be children's activates all day long which will include: Children's crafts and games, sack races and Crafter's Demonstrations: Bill Alexander, mountain berry baskets; Maria Holloway, quilting; Len Landrum, knife making and blacksmithing; Clayton Sharp, blacksmithing and mountain tools; Ellen Ogle, quilting; Connie Clabo, basket making; John and Sherry Holt, introduction to beekeeping; and Sherry Jennette and Sydney Fry, pine cone bird feeders.

Here is the schedule of events for the 8th annual Cosby in the Park festival broken down by location:

At the Cosby Amphitheater

• 10 am - 11 am Old time music performed by the Lost Mill String Band
• 11 am - 11:15 am Dedication of Cosby in the Park festival >
• 11:15 am - 12 Noon Old time music performed by the Boogertown Gap Band
• 12 Noon - 12:30 pm Hear Civil War Tales from Cosby by historian Duay O'Neil
• 12:30 pm - 1 pm Storytelling by Faye Wooden
• 1 pm - 1:45 pm Traditional bluegrass music performed by The Green Family Band
• 1:45 pm - 2 pm Fiddle music by Robby Land
• 2 pm - 3 pm Traditional old-time music performed by David McClary and Friends
• 3 pm - 4 pm Old time music performed by the Curtis and Lynn Osteen

At the Cosby Picnic Pavilion

• 1 pm Learn about the life of an extraordinary Cocke County mountain woman Ella V. Costner known as the Poet Laureate of the Smokies from Sheila Evans, Jordan Costner, and Claudia Konker
• 1 pm Hug a Tree and Survive with Joey Holt
• 2:30 pm Children's Storytelling with Faye Wooden

The guided hikes are:

• At 11 am a 1 mile hike at the Cosby Nature Trail led by Morgan Briggs. The nature trail is by the amphitheater and that where the moderate hike will begin.
• At 1:30 pm a 2 mile roundtrip hike starting at the Cosby picnic area pavilion to the Ella V Costner grave led by Judy McGaha, Shane McGaha and Pam Rodgers. There will be reading of poems during the moderate hike.

While I love hiking and generally hike 10 -15 miles day 7 days a week in the national park, I will sit this one out as I prefer the more challenging hikes Cosby offers. The guided hikes during the Cosby in the Park festival are great for beginners and those of you new to the Cosby area of the GSMNP.

Goshin Prong and Backcountry Campsite #23 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closed

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has closed the Goshin Prong Hiking Trail in Elkmont Tennessee from the trailhead at the Little River junction and at the junction at the Appalachian Trail near Clingmans Dome.

The trail was closed to numerous blowdowns and is expected to take quite a while to reopen due to the extensive amount of work required to make the trail safe again for hikers.

Goshin Prong is one of my favorite trails to hike in the area with wonderful river and waterfall views and is normally not crowded.

The backcountry campsite #23 along the trail is also closed and will remain closed as long as the trail is closed.

Landslide in Great Smoky Mountains National Park closes hiking trail to Mount Le Conte

The Great Smoky Mountains national park has received some much needed seasonal rain which triggered a landslide on the Trillium Gap Hiking trail to Mount Le Conte from the Bushy Mountain trailhead in the Roaring Fork area near Gatlinburg Tennessee.

This popular hiking trail is not only popular with hikers wishing to climb to the top of Mount Le Conte because of its relatively lower angle of elevation; it also is the main thoroughfare for Llamas which bring supplies weekly up to the Mount Le Conte Lodge.

We predicted considerable blow downs of tress and limbs in the park which turned out to come true so hikers and horseback riders in the Great Smoky Mountains national park can expect a large number of trails may have fresh downed trees requiring hikers to climb over or around them.

This week there have also been plenty of both small and large rocks that have fallen into the roadways. Drivers should use caution especially when driving in the early hours in the park before rocks have been cleaned off the road or at night when visibility is reduced.

It may take until sometime in June before the Trillium Gap hiking trail will reopen

Last of the hiking trails closed for prescribed burn in GSMNP Cades Cove/Abrams Creek section reopened

The April prescribed burn in the Cades Cove and Abrams Creek Section of the Great Smoky Mountains National park has kept hikers and campers from enjoying some of the GSMNP backcountry campsites and hiking trails for weeks.

Today the last hiking trail that remained closed from the burn - the Beard Cane Trail in the Abrams section has reopened as well as backcountry campsites #3 and #11 which have both been closed for weeks.

The prescribed burn in Cades Cove will help promote the growth of native yellow pine as well as reduce the ferocity of a wild fire in the area by reducing the potential fuel to feed the fire.

The picture above shows the immediate after effects of the prescribed burn on Cooper Road Trail near the Beard Cane junction.

Cades Cove seasonally closed to motorists Wednesday and Saturday Mornings

Bikers and hikers in the Great Smoky Mountains national park love this time of the year when the Cades Cove 11 mile Scenic Motor trail also know as the Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles until 10:00 am on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Bicyclists in Cades Cove increase number during the warmer months and it is a please to ride you bike or hike without worrying about traffic so the national park service keeps traffic of the road to the great pleasure of hikers and bikers.

Early mornings are magical in the Cades Cove section of the Great Smoky Mountains national park near Townsend Tennessee. Fog may settle in the valley slowly revealing the mountains as the sun comes up over the mountains. Deer, black bear and wild turkey roam in the fields of Cades Cove and along tree lines giving visitors a chance to see and hear the native wildlife.

This time of the year the birds are singing up a racket and blue and yellow butterflies will be fluttering in the wind. Beside the birds the other predominate sound of the Cades Cove valley before the traffic begins is the buzzing of bees flying from wildflower to wildflower which carpet the cove and fill the woods.

Hikers who start early enough just at the crack of dawn can make it to the back end of the Cades Cove Loop if not finish the 11 miles before the see or hear a single car.

This is my favorite time of the year in my favorite place in the Smokies!

High winds in the Smokies expected today can cause problems for hikers

The past few days storms and high winds have caused trees and branches to fall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park hiking trails and weakened others which may fall during today’s predicted high winds.

Hikers in the Smokies should keep their eyes open if hiking especially during the high winds by looking to see if there are snags above the trail and remain cautious or avoiding walking under or near snags, dead or damaged trees.

Wind gust speeds are expected to hit 30 mph or more on the Tennessee side and up to 40 mph on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Great Smoky mounatins National Park East - West road Little River Road reopens

Little River Road the main east west road in the Great Smoky Mountains national park reopened today in time for Mothers Day weekend.

Downed branches from last night storm have been cleared off of all of the major roads and all of the trails we have checked show only minimal damage.

As of Monday a section of Little River Road from the Metcalf picnic grounds to the Townsend Wye will be closed completely for the geologic repair to Indian Head Cliff.

Click here for further information about the Little River Road Closure and Indian Head Cliff repair.

Little River Road Closure in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Westbound drivers in the Great Smoky Mountains national park will have to exit Little River Road at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic area and go west via 321.

Plenty of tress branches and leaves are down so drivers must remain cautious.

Power outages and trees down in Sevier County Tennessee

Last night severe thunderstorms and hail storms pounded Sevier County Tennessee dumping plenty of rain and knocking down trees.

Currently the Your Smokies office in Sevierville just had power restored only minutes ago as we ready ourselves to survey damage in the national park and surrounding areas.

Drivers are asked to be very cautious as we expect trees, limbs and branches to be in roadway and fallen wet leaves may also present a hazard to drivers.

Hikers should also expect to possibility of newly downed trees to create potential hazards on hiking trails and we suggest allowing a day or 2 before taking a horse out in the park so that the trails can be surveyed for damage.

Hiking Trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Parks have reopened

The remaining hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National park other than Beard Cane Trail in Abrams Creek that were closed due to Aprils prescribed burn in Cades Cove have all reopened.

These trails are all quiet right now and offer hikers a chance to see what the prescribed burn has done along with plenty of peace and solitude.

Plenty of wild flowers and flowering bushes and trees can be seen on these trails as well.

The 2 hiking trails that are closed due to bear activity: Turkey Pen and School House Gap.

Fires on Shields Mountains are out in Sevierville

Residents and homeowners can breath a sigh of relief for now as both wildfires on Shields Mountains are out.

While fire officials still have not determined the cause of either fire, they are confident that both wildfires will now have to be continued to be monitored as they smolder.

Rain was expected today but so far Shields Mountain remains dry. A good soaking rain would help put out some of the remaining hot spots that are still left.

Fire officials stressed the fact that keeping at least a 30 foot defendable area around residences would help keep property damage to a minimum and clearing up bush and debris would also help keep the danger of wildfires reduced.

More information on fire safety as well as what you can do to reduce the danger to you business or residence can be found at the Firewise Web Site.

Shields Mountain wild fire burns more than 40 acres

More than 40 acres is already effected by the Wildfire on Shields Mountain as the winds are now kicking up.

Firefighters in sector 2 are now using hand tools descending down the mountain to make a scratch line to contain the the fire into a hollow.



It looks at this point as though everything will be under control shortly.

Wildfire on tower road still burning on Sheilds Mountain Sevierville

The sound of many fire engine sirens is echoing through Shields Mountain as the new wildfire on tower road belches even more smoke into the air.

While a few acres have already burned Pigeon Forge firefighters feel as though the brush is still green enough to keep the fire from getting out of control unless some of the larger trees flare up.


Tennessee forestry fire fighters or working the line near the Verizon Cellphone tower and power lines which as of yet are not in danger.

1 fire contained on Sheilds Mountain and another on started

Fire fighters from Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, English Mountain, Sevier County, Kodiak, Walden's Creek, Pitman Center and Gatlinburg worked all night and were able to contain a brush fire on Shields Mountain in Sevierville.

Fire crews left the still smoldering brush to respond to another fire on Shields Mountain on Tower Road.

Wildfire burning on Shields Mountain in Severville Tennessee

A small wildfire forced the evacuation of some residents of cabins by the Pigeon Forge fire department.


When we first arrived on the scene smoke was still filling the valley but flames are no longer visible. Minutes later brush flared up and fire fighters tackled the flames from the deck of 2 cabins and use the help of a wetting agent spraying down trees next to the cabins to keep them from catching on fire.



Since there is no city water or working fire hydrants up on this mountain fire crews are pulling water from homeowners holding tanks to fight the fire.

Black Bears are active in the Great Smoky Mountains national park prompting hiking trail closure.

Springtime in the Great Smoky Mountains national park means that the resident black bear have become more active and you can find mother black bears with their cubs which can be potentially dangerous of mother bear feels that you are a threat to her cubs.

During the winter months, black bear in the Great Smoky Mountains national park become far less active but since last months warming temperatures if you look careful you will find plant of bear through put the park.

As a result of a mother bear being protective of her young some popular hiking trails between on the north side of Laurel Road between the Townsend Wye and Cades Cove are now closed due to aggressive black bear activity.

The Schoolhouse Gap Trail shared by hikers and horses alike as well as the Turkey Pen Ridge trail are now closed and are not expected to reopen for at least a few weeks.

Hiking trails, backcountry campsites, Cades Cove still closed from Aprils prescribed fire

Some hiking trails and backcountry campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National park still remain closed more than a week after the controlled fire in Cades Cove.

Fire was used by the national park service to help promote the growth of yellow pine and by burning some of the dead brush now, reduce the risk of a wildfire by limiting the fuel the dead brush would provide.

Normally trails and backcountry campgrounds would reopen after a controlled burn with a few days after the park service confirms that all hot spots on the hiking trail that can rekindle a fire have been extinguished and that there is no danger to hikers from limbs and trees that may fall.

The following trails are still closed in the North West corner of Cades Cove:

• The Cooper Road hiking trail at the Wet Bottom Trail junction starting 0.2 miles from Cades Cove loop road all 5.3 miles to the to the Beard Cane Trail junction.
• The Beard Cane Trail for the entire length of 4.2 miles from Ace Gap Trail to the Cooper Road Hiking trail

The following backcountry campgrounds remain closed in the North West corner of Cades Cove:

• Backcountry camp site #3 on the North end of Beard Cane Trail
• Backcountry camp site #11 on the South end of Beard Cane Trail

Great Smoky Mountains National park cliff repair causes road closures and detours.

Little River Road on the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains national park connecting Gatlinburg Tennessee with Elkmont, Metcalf Bottoms, and Townsend Wye will be reduced to shortly to 1 lane and then have a section closed while rehabilitate construction will take place to Indian Head Rock cliff.

This construction and closure will be effecting through drivers attempting to traverse the park to get to Cades Cove and the Tremont sections of the national park whose best option would be to take 321 and avoid the whole mess.

The Indian Head Rock Cliff which is located between Metcalf Bottoms and the Townsend Wye was damaged during the heavy storm in October of 2006 that ripped through the park destroying much in its path.

Along with blowing down hundreds of large trees this storm damaged the Indian Head Rock Cliff rock face triggering a landslide which dumped debris and large boulders onto the Little River Road.

On April 3, 2008 the Great Smoky Mountains national park awarded a $386,360 contract to Rembco Geotechnical Contractors of Knoxville Tennessee to stabilize the rock face by using polyurethane resin to fill in the large cracks along with using rock dowels based upon recommendations by the Federal Highway Administration geological engineers.

As a result of the rehabilitation of the Indian Head Rock Cliff, drivers will find that the Little River Road lane and complete closures from May 5th to May 19th with a welcome break on Mothers Day weekend May 9-11 when no construction work will be conducted and Little River Road will be fully operational.

The following schedule is subject top change if the weather or if geologic rehabilitation does not go as planned:

• May 5th through May 8th. Traffic on effected area (see map) will be reduced to 1 lane controlled by flaggers. Drivers can expect delays.


• May 9th through May 11th. No construction. Both lanes on Little River Road will be open and there will be no delays.


• May 12th through May 19th. Both lanes of effected area (see map) will be closed to all traffic.
  
  Eastbound Detour
  Traffic headed eastbound from Cades Cove or Tremont must exit to the Townsend Wye and Detour via 321. Passenger cars and vans may reenter park at Wear Cove Entrance in order to get back onto eastbound Little River Road at Metcalf Bottoms to continue eastward. Larger Vehicles must reenter park Via the Spur.
  
  West Bound Detour
  Divers of passenger cars and vans coming from Gatlinburg or Elmont wishing to go west to Cades Cove or Tremont section of the Great Smoky Mountains national park must exit Little River Road at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic area and exit park at the Wears Cove entrance and reenter the park at the Townsend Wye. Larger vehicles must exit park at the spur and take 441 and then 321 to the Townsend Wye.
  
  During May 12th through May 19th Both pedestrians and cyclists will be allowed to go from Metcalf bottoms to the sinks. Little River Road from the Townsend Wye east is closed to all pedestrians and cyclists.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Junior Ranger Day

Saturday April 26th marks the 2nd annual Junior Ranger day special activities for kids to be held in all 3 Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitor centers from 11 am to 2 pm.

Children and their parents can join in fun filled and education activities such as searching for wildflowers and salamanders, toy making, weaving, even making dinner bells at a blacksmith shop.

According to Great Smoky Mountains national park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson "National Junior Ranger Day provides a great opportunity for children and families to spend time together learning about the Park that offers an array of educational experiences and recreational opportunities right in their own backyard." He went on to say "We hope that our local residents will take advantage of this program to interact with our staff and the resources, and, at the same time, plan a day doing activities in the Park."

The visitor centers in the Great Smoky Mountains national park where the junior ranger programs are taking place are:

• The Sugarlands Visitor Center near downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee
• The Cades Cove's Cable Mill Visitor Center at the back end of the Cades Cove 11 mile loop road near Townsend, Tennessee.
• The Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, North Carolina

Special age appropriate Junior Ranger booklets which were produced in cooperation with Great Smoky Mountains Association can be purchased for $2.50 each at park visitor centers and are available for ages 5- 6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12.

Cades Cove partially closed to cars, Hikers and Bikers

The tremendously popular Cades Cove 11 mile loop in the Great Smoky Mountains national park will be partially closed from April 28th until May 1st until 10:00 am each day to drives, Cades Cove bikers and hikers while construction will take place.

The national park service will be undertaking 3 projects at the same time, repairing the drainage as well as resurfacing the road at the Abrams Creek Trail at the far end of Cades Cove as well as working on the bridge that crosses Abrams Creek.

Both Sparks Lane and Hyatt Lane will also be closed during this construction period and will reopen at around 10:00 am.

This is not yet the project we are all waiting for - a complete repair and resurfacing of the entire Cades Cove 11 mile loop which is badly in need of repair.

This winter we observed surveyors already measuring the Cades Cove 11 mile loop as well as checking drainage areas. I was advised this week that repairs are expected to get underway next year to the entire road surface.

Next weeks closures will allow only hikers and bikers to hike and bike back and forth on a 5-mile portion of the road between the Cades Cove Loop Road entrance and the construction site.

Hikers will not be allowed past the bridge or on the south end of the loop road so that they will not hinder large construction vehicles or slow down work due to safety concerns.

That smoke coming from Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains Park is meant to be!

It looks as though the weather will hold up for today's prescribed burn in the NW corner of Cades Cove in the Tennessee section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Because of this controlled burn expecting to encompass 1,800 acres, the national park service is going to close several hiking trails for at least a few days to make sure that after the burn is complete snags (trees and branches hug up in other trees and branches) and hot spots (areas that might reignite again) will no longer endanger hikers.

Smoke from the fire in Cades Cove will affect the Cades Cove Valley as well as being visible from Townsend, US129, Walland and Happy Valley. I personally suggest that today is not the day to take a hike or tour in Cades Cove as I put off my hiking trip to the Cades Cove until this Sunday.

The prescribed burn has been ordered by the national park service to burn down some of the dead brush so that any wildfires which may occur will not be as unmanageable as well as allowing yellow pine trees to flourish which would naturally benefit from wild fires.

The fire will be set by and managed by between 25 to 30 firefighters using drip torches to ignite the dead brush and trees. The boundaries of where the fire is meant to be contained will be along the following hiking trails and creek beds:
Southern boundary: Cooper Road Trail
Western boundary: Beard Cane Trail
Northern and Eastern sides: Hesse Creek/Bark Camp

The following hiking areas and backcountry campsites will be closed until advised:

• Cooper Road Trail from the junction with Wet Bottom Trail
• Cooper Road Trail to the junction with Ace Gap Trail
• Cooper Road Trail to the junction Cane Creek Trail
• Hatcher Mountain Trail from the junction with Cooper Road Trail to the junction with Little Bottoms Trail
• Beard Cane Trail from the junction
• Ace Gap Trail from Beard Cane Trail junction to backcountry campsite 7
• Backcountry Campsite 3
• Backcountry Campsite 11

Chimney Rock State Park receives $4.5M for land acquisition.

Thanks to the NC Natural Heritage Trust Fund, the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation will be able to acquire another 212 acres of land to add to the Chimney Rock State Park.

Chimney Rock state park which is still in development was authorized for creation in 2005 and started with almost 1,000 acres of what was previously a private park purchased by the state of North Carolina for approximately $24 million.

This new land to be added to the park is now privately owned and will include Bottomless Pools near Lake Lure.

Clingmans dome road reopened inteh GSMNP

Clingmans Dome road in the Great Smoky Mountains national park just reopened and visitors to Clingmans dome will be able to see spectacular views with an almost perfect blue sky with some mountain peaks dusted with snow.

Falling temperatures tonight may cause this road to close again.

Clingmans Dome Road in the Great Smoky Mountains nation park is Closed

The road to Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains national park remains closed due to snow and ice.

This road is normally closed during the winter and just opened April 1st.

Newly opened Newfound Gap Road is free of ice but drivers must remain cautious as there is still plenty of slush on the road which may refreeze tonight.

Newfound Gap Road has just reopened in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Snow and ice have Newfound Gap Road (US 441) which runs through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park closed from Cherokee North Carolina to Gatlinburg Tennessee to all traffic.

It is possible that this road will close latter today if the roads refreeze.

I- 40 East Bound reopend to traffic in all lanes.

Now that the overturned tractor trailer is cleared all lanes are now open on I-40 and traffic is starting to flow.

Music of the Mountains this Saturday in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Mountains and music come together this weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the forth annual "Music of the Mountains" festival on Saturday, March 29 from 10 am - 5 pm at the Park's Sugarlands Visitor Center next to the Gatlinburg Tennessee national park entrance.

Although there will be musical programs throughout the day at the Sugarlands Visitor center that to the park service, the City of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains Association, it is suggested that you get there early as seating is limited to the capacity of the indoor theater which is only 160 persons.

7 Free concerts will be performed in the theater:

• 10:00 am Tony Thomas: Introduction to old-time banjo and fiddle tunes
• 11:00 am The Lost Mill String Band: Claw-hammer banjo and acoustic bass played by Joan and Jerry Paul
• 12 Noon Matt Morelock and Brian Vollmer: Old-time songs using claw-hammer banjo and fiddle
• 1:00 pm Matt Morelock and Brian Vollmer: Repeat performance
• 2:00 pm Bobby Fulcher: Appalachian and Cumberland Mountains songs and tunes played with the claw-hammer banjo and guitar
• 3:00 pm Boogertown Gap: Traditional tunes and songs played with claw -hammer banjo and guitar performed by Barber and Keith Watson
• 4:00 pm Sparky and Rhonda Rucker perform Appalachia and the Civil War period Folk songs, ballads, and tunes

For performances held in the evening at the WL Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee featuring Jimbo Whaley and Friends you must purchase tickets which are $20.00 online or $25 at the door. Doors open at 6:00 pm and the performance begins at 7:00. Not only will you be in for a night of great music, all ticket holder will also receive a free CD of Jimbo Whaley's newest gospel recording, you will also have the chance to win the door prize and other giveaways during the concert.

According to said Kent Cave, North District Supervisory Park Ranger of the Great Smoky Mountains: "Music of the Mountains" is a celebration of musical traditions of the southern Appalachian Mountains, showcasing the evolution of mountain music over time. The festival is one of several special events the Park has developed to tell the story of the people who lived here prior to the Park's establishment in 1934. Musical expression was and still is often a part of daily life in the southern mountains, and mountain music is tied to Smokies history like no other part of our culture".

According to me: "You will never be let down with any of these performances in the park and that's to Sevierville local legend Ray Ball, I myself drive around with a Jimbo Whaley CD in may car and not only love the local flavor of his music but the outstanding musical talent as well."

Don't miss these performances of you are in town!

I 40 East blocked in Cocke County Tennessee

An overturned truck at mile marker 445 in Cocke County Tennessee has all lanes of I-40 blocked and will stay so for at least another hour according to officials at the scene near the NC border.

The driver of the ill fated truck was airlifted by Lifestar to a nearby hospital.

Cave Rescue in Great Smoky Mountains National Park brings unneeded attention to environmentally sensitive area.

While I personally find the Whiteoak Sinks in the Great Smoky Mountains national park one of the most interesting areas of the park, I am dismayed by how many people now trample through this unique area with its unique geological and biological characteristics.

Not only are some of these unique plants and animals in the Whiteoak Sinks in danger with this unwelcome intrusion, people who explore this area by climbing on the rock faces or even taking the extremely steep and dangerous trail down by rainbow cave to the sinks floor are also putting themselves at great risk.

Rainbow Cave in Whiteoak Sinks

Last weeks rescue of 4 amateur spelunkers by the national park service in Rainbow Cave in Whiteoak Sinks brought major attention to an area of the park we at Your Smokies really mention in order to keep visitors to a minimum to lower the impact to the area.

One of the most common questions I am asked is: "What cave do the bears hibernate in during the winter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?"

Beside a small cave in Cades Cove off of the beaten path (Gregory Cave), the only other caves in the national park are located in the Whiteoak Sinks so no - the black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park do not hibernate in caves!

Blowhole cave located in Whiteoak Sinks plays host to the endangered Indiana Bats and is blocked by iron bars so no one could enter the cave to disturb the hibernating bats.

Rainbow cave is by far the most impressive cave from the outside and is at the far south end of the Sinks where a small waterfall unusually flows year round into the mouth of the cave. The flowing water into the limestone base is part of the geophysical action as to what has formed the cave.

Cave exploration can be dangerous and difficult and to enter rainbow cave you have to enter the main section via small holes at the base of the waterfall which always wet and very cold.

Further into this cave there is plenty of running water which keeps the temperature quite cold year round and spelunkers can easily succumb to exhaustion and hypothermia.

The four individuals who were rescued from the cave were young and fairly inexperienced in cave exploration and were poorly equipped. Wisely they advised someone of where they were going, but foolishly the lacked proper equipment as well the proper clothing for such an environment.

Once these amateurs realized that they were to cold and tired to climb back up the last 50 foot decent, they were smart enough to go deeper into a warmer area of the cave where they huddled together for warmth.

Fortunately the park service was called in time in order to be able to extract them from the cave prior them suffering any serious injury or hypothermia.

The park service does have rangers that have some caving experience and the Knox County Rescue Squads experienced Cave Rescue Team is also able to assist when a cave rescue is required in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Another cave in the Whiteoak Sinks requires a permit form the national park service.

2 Wears Valley cabins destroyed and 2 damaged by a brush fire

Despite firefighters best efforts a fast moving brush fire in the Mountain Preserve community of Wears Valley near Pigeon Forge Tennessee end up destroying 2 log cabins yesterday as wall as damaging 2 more neighboring cabins.

Both high winds and a lack of running water hampered the firefighters in their fight against the blaze.

As with many communities in the mountains because of poor planning there were no fire hydrants in the area and although firefighters had to struggle getting the blaze under control by tapping pools and storage tanks, luckily no one was injured.

As a resident of a mountain community in the Smoky Mountains myself, I am deeply bothered that my community does not have fire hydrants. Since I am halfway up the mountains and more than 1 mile from the closest source of city water, the prospect of a brush fire causes great concern with my neighbors and me.

The cause of this fire is still under investigation

Weather related road closures in the Great Smoky Mountains national park

The national park service still has roads closed in the Great Smoky Mountains national park due to winter conditions some of which will take days to reopen.

While most roads in the Smoky Mountains are open in North Carolina, Newfound Gap Road (US 441) which connects Cherokee NC to Gatlinburg TN is now closed to all traffic.

The following roads are also closed in the national park: The Roaring Fork Nature trail in Gatlinburg, and in the Cades Cove area the following unimproved roads are closed Parsons Branch Road, Forge Creek Road and Sparks Lane.

Cold weather is predicted to continue throughout the day in the Smoky Mountains - it's snowing now in areas in Bryson City North Carolina, it may take until tomorrow warming weather for some roads to be opened back up. For roads such as Forge Creek which is closed due to muddy conditions it may take a few days until all roads will be reopened.

The national park service is advising drivers that the Spur connecting Pigeon Forge with Gatlinburg Tennessee still has active ongoing construction and that drivers must obey posted speed limits as there have been numerous accidents in the construction zones.

Parsons Branch Road reopening in Cades Cove Delayed

Parsons Branch Road located off of Forge Creek Road in the far western section of the Cades Cove 11 mile loop road will not be opening for the season on time due to washouts and fallen trees from this past week's stormy weather.

This recently renovated unimproved roads reopening last year was highly anticipated as it was closed for years after a storm created massive damage due to flooding requiring extensive repairs which included better drainage and vegetation cutbacks.

Parsons Branch is an 8 mile one way gravel road which takes you along stream beds, and woods and hollows with a few large growth trees visible from the road. This road passes by one the trailheads leading to Gregory Bald and eventually takes you to 129 where you can go to Fontana North Carolina or Maryville Tennessee.

Parsons branch road is now slated by the national park service to reopen on Tuesday March 11th and in my opinion is one of the best unimproved roads to drive on and experience the Smokies.

Few roads reopen in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after winter storm

Most major roads such as the Newfound Gap Road - US 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains national park still remain closed due to snow and ice, but a few roads have been opened to traffic.

The Spur connecting Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge still remains open and now the Gatlinburg bypass is also open to drivers.

On the West end of the national park on the Tennessee side divers can now drive from Townsend to Cades Cove and around the 11 mile loop road as Laurel Creek Road between the Townsend Wye and the Cades Cove loop road as well as the Cades Cove Loop Road have just been reopened.

Tremont Road just west of the Wye off of Laurel Creek Road and the Western Foothills Parkway just outside Townsend has also opened.

As we learn of more roads that open in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park we will post updated reports.

Most roads closed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to winter storm

Old man winter blew in hard and with high elevations in the Great Smoky Mountains National park measuring as mush as 17 inches of new snow accumulation the major roads in the national park are all closed including Newfound Gap Road (us 441) a major through road connecting Cherokee North Carolina and Gatlinburg Tennessee.

The following roads are closed due to snow and ice the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

• Newfound Gap Road (US 441) TN to NC
• Foothills Parkway East in Cocke County Cosby / Newport area
• Foothills Parkway West in Blount County west of Townsend
• Gatlinburg Bypass in TN
• Little River Road in TN
• Laurel Creek Road in TN west of the Tremont Road Junction
• Cades Cove Loop Road in TN
• Greenbrier Road TN
• Cataloochee Entrance Road NC
• Old Route 284 (Big Creek to Cataloochee)

Even though there was a minor accident on the spur connecting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Tennessee as of now the road remains open. Driver who wish to use the Spur are cautioned that there are still slushy spots even though the road has been heavily salted and drivers should use extreme caution.

Best advice when there is accumulation on the roads is to only drive when absolutely necessary.

Many being sick in Knox County closes schools.

Knox County is now closing schools both Thursday and Friday due to that fact that more than 10% of the teachers in the system were out and there are not enough substitutes to make up the shortage.

Also canceled Thursday and Friday will be after school activities such as band practice and performances.

The following schools will also be closed Thursday and Friday: Claiborne County, Concord Christian, Monroe County and Union County.

Newfound Gap Road (US 441) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Has Reopened

Newfound Gap Road running through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has just reopened even though there are still a few patches of ice an snow on the roads.

Drivers are urged to use caution and it is possible that Newfound Gap Road may be closed again.

Newfound Gap Road US 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National park is closed

The Great Smoky Mountains 2 lane road which connects Gatlinburg Tennessee with Cherokee North Carolina Newfound Gap Road (US 441) running through the Great Smoky Mountains national park is now closed due to ice and snow.

This beautiful steep winding road cuts right through the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains national park and is often closed in the winter due to ice and snow as the higher elevations tend to freeze quickly and make the road unsafe for travel.

Today weather forecasts for the Smoky Mountains call for freezing weather in upper elevations but the park service may be able to scrape enough snow ice of Newfound Gap Road and drop enough sand to make it safe for travel shortly. The predicted warming trend should make Newfound Gap Road safe for travel this weekend but watch Your Smokies News for the latest updates on road and weather conditions.

Sparks Lane and Forge Creek Road in Cades Cove Remain Closed

Due to muddy conditions both Sparks Lane and Forge Creek Road remain closed in the Cades Cove area the of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

In the winter months 3 unimproved roads normally remain open in Cades Cove, Sparks Lane, Hyatt Lane and Forge Creek Road while the 2 roads that lead out of the national park Rich Mountain Road and Parsons Branch Road close for the winter.

Forge Creek Road can be found by the Cades Cove Visitor Center and takes visitors to one of the Gregory Bald trailheads, Parsons Branch Road and passes by one of the finest examples of transitional architecture: The Henry Whitehead Place.

Sparks Lane is the first bypass shortcut for drivers, bikers and hikers who take the 11 mile Cades Cove Loop Road. While Sparks Lane remains closed, if you do not wish to take the whole tour your first opportunity to exit the loop will be Hyatt Lane which remains open at this time.

Dues to today's damp weather Cades Cove and tonight's and tomorrows predicted participation, don't expect either road to be open shortly. Forge Creek Road has been closed for what seems like most of the winter season this year due to poor road conditions.

Sevier County Schools close tomorrow due to high rate of illness

Seems that more than just the staff of Your Smokies is feeling under the weather as Sevier County Schools are reporting an absentee rate of more than 15% today promoting closures for the remainder of the week of county school.

The closure adds 2 more days onto the student's winter break vacation which was already scheduled for this Friday and next Monday. The closures will also affect the Kodak Christian Academy.

Rest, drink plenty of fluids, wash your hands frequently and please try to stay away from others while you are sick.

Newfound Gap Road, US 441 is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park now open

The Great Smoky Mountains national parks main road connecting Cherokee North Carolina with Gatlinburg Tennessee is open now that Fridays' rock slide has been cleaned up and official say the road is safe.

Unfortunately while a woman from Florida was taking a photographs of the rockslide on Friday, additional rock fell and stuck her causing her serious enough injuries to require surgery to her back and leg at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.

After heavy rains or melt it is common to have rock and mud slides in the Smoky Mountains and drivers should always use extreme caution especially when vision is limited at night or due to fog.

Unfortunately the women who was injured did not realize that after slides are common and before approaching an area that just had a rock fall or when a tree has split or partially fallen and is hung up in other trees you should stay clear of the area unless told by a professional that it is safe to approach.

Newfound Gap Road US 441 partial closure in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Newfound Gap Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires a cleanup and safety evaluation after a rock and mudslide triggered by melting ice and snow and heavy rains made the road unsafe for motorists.

The North Carolina side is closed up to Newfound Gap. Drivers can still use Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg Tennessee all the way up to the Newfound Gap parking area.

Updates will follow as information becomes available.

Flooding and downed trees in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was pounded by wind and rain last night leaving downed trees and branches on roads and trails, swollen rivers and streams and some flooding.

All major roads are still open in the park but some local roads in near the park in Tennessee still have downed power lines and trees making driving hazardous.

Hikers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park need to be cautious of slippery trails, washouts, trees and branches blocking trails and stream crossings that may now be hazardous due to high swift moving water.

Numerous power outages been reported in the areas including our office in Sevierville - but thanks to Blazer Construction of Sevierville our electrical service was restored within hours.

Pigeon Forge Spur Accidents Causes Crackdown on Speeders in Construction Zones

Due to ongoing construction on the spur connecting Pigeon Forge Tennessee with Gatlinburg Tennessee there have been numerous accidents in and near the northbound tunnel.

Drivers have exceeded speed limits in the construction zone as workers and even though the lane closure is clearly marked, many drivers have failed to move over ahead of time or yield to merging traffic.

In response to the accidents, local enforcement will be cracking on speeders so drivers are cautioned to not exceed the posted limits or you may be looking at a $340 fine.

While most days the traffic has flowed smoothly despite the construction, we have encountered a few frustrating delays that have added as much a s 20 minutes more commute time on the Spur. Southbound the delays are far less than northbound on the spur so drivers may wish to take alternate routes to avoid delays.

Roads open in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The park service opened some major roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park now that the ice and snow are at manageable conditions.

Newfound Gap Road (US 441) connecting Cherokee NC and Gatlinburg TN has just opened but there is fog and ice still on the road so drivers should be cautious.

Also just opened is Little River Road which also is socked in with fog.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park closes many roads due to ice

Today's freezing rain and cold weather caused many road closures in the Great Smoky Mountains National park which will remain closed for at least the rest of the night.

The roads currently closed in the Great Smoky Mountains national park due to ice are:

• Newfound Gap Road (US 441) from NC to TN
• Little River Road (73)in TN
• Wears Cove Road in TN
• Foothills Parkway East in TN
• Cherokee Orchard Road in TN
• Lakeview Drive in NC
• Old 284 in NC

Freezing rain makes numerous roads in The TN Smokies extremely hazardous

This morning's freezing rain in the eastern Tennessee Smokies has turned numerous roads into virtual skating rinks for cars causing dozens of wrecks.

Most predictions call for the high possibility of freezing rain until 10:00 am or later this morning so travel is strongly advised until late this afternoon.

Freezing rain has caused roadways in Newport, Knoxville and Maryville and throughout the entire region to ice not just bridges and underpasses which high a higher likelihood of icing up during the winter.

Newfound Gap Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National park closed due to Snow and Ice

Newfound Gap Road also know as US 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains is now closed due to snow and ice from today's snow storm.

Further complicating matters this road which connects Cherokee NC to Gatlinburg TN will probably be closed for at least the balance of the day if not the Martin Luther King Holiday weekend as cold temperatures and significant accumulation will keep this steep winding road treacherous.

It is also possible as the snow keeps falling that Laurel Creek Road, the Spur connecting Gatlinburg with Pigeon Forge TN, Cherokee Orchard Road and Little River Road may also close if the snowfall keeps up at its current pace.

For now significant accumulation is only at the higher elevations which are now inaccessible with the closure of Newfound Gap Road. Prior to the road being closed families and kids were making the best of the snow make snow men and sledding today as seen in the photo above.

Snow falling in NC side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Snow is now falling on the NC side of the Great Smoky Mountains and Newfound Gap Road (US 441( and although the road is now clear expect it to close today.

Snow fall is quickly spreading on the Tennessee side and up to 4 inches of accumulation is expected and bitter cold weather predicted for the next few days can keep snow and ice in upper elevations for days.

Winter storm road closures in the Great Smoky Mountains national park

The Smoky Mountains had its share of cold weather; snow and freezing rain the past few days prompting road closures in the Great Smoky Mountains National park. Driving the steep winding roads in the GSM national park is enough of a challenge without snow and ice on the road.

Fortunately the main thoroughfare Newfound Gap Road (US 441) is now safe for travel and has now been opened again so drivers can drive through the national park from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC.

The Cataloochee section of the park near Maggie Valley North Carolina is completely shut off however as both the main entrance road to Cataloochee and Old 284 connection Big Creek to Cataloochee are both closed due to snow and ice.

Forge Creek Road in Cades Cove Tennessee remains closed due to hazardous conditions.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Weather Related Roads Closings

Newfound Gap Road (US 441) in the Great Smoky Mountains national park is closed from Cherokee North Carolina to Gatlinburg Tennessee due to last nights snow and freezing rain.

Bad weather is expected for the balance of the day with sporadic freezing rain and snow so it is unknown if Newfound Gap will be opened today by the park service.

Forge Creek Road in the far end of Cades Cove remains closed due to muddy conditions and is not expected to reopen for the next few days.

Current conditions at 1,600 feet of elevation in Sevierville are extreme fog and freezing rain with slush on the ground at exactly 32 degrees.

This is winter in the Smoky Mountains?

Winter in the Smoky Mountains is full of surprises and beauty - especially in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

A few days ago we all woke up to snow on the ground all throughout the Smoky Mountains and now for the 2nd day in a row I am hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains national park in a tee shirt and shorts.

I just returned from hiking the Cove Mountain trail near the Sugarlands visitors center and on the entire hike did not see a single person!

When driving through the main roads of 441 and 321 in Gatlinburg there were only few people walking around town and the weather was marvelous.

This is one of my favorite times to be in the Smokies when the crowds are few and the air is crisp and fresh and the visibility is great. Remember they are called the Smoky Mountains and the views in the winter are the best all year.

The picture above was taken this afternoon from the Cove Mountain trail. What a day in the smokies with a picture perfect blue sky, warm breeze and the peace and tranquility of the great Smoky Mountains National park!

Little Greenbrier Gap Hiking trail reopened since black bear activity declined

Previously closed little Greenbrier gap hiking trail in the Little Greenbrier section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near the Metcalf picnic grounds has been reopened as black bear are no longer active in the area and a potential threat hikers.

The little Green Brier Gap hiking trails is 2.8 miles round trip and starts near the Little Greenbrier School and takes hikers to the Walker sisters cabin and ends at the Little Greenbrier hiking trail which runs from Wear Gap road to the Laurel Creek Falls Trail.

The unimproved road that from Wears Gap Road to the Little Greenbrier Gap Hiking trail trailhead is closed for the winter, but hikers can park near the roads entrance (do not block the gate) and walk the 1/2 mile to the trailhead or park by the Little River over the bridge at the Metcalf picnic area and walk .6 miles up from the lower trail that runs to the trailhead.

Besides the trail now being opened, the Little Greenbrier School has had new wood shakes installed on the roof of the school.

This is one of the quieter sections of the Great Smoky Mountains national park and the hike is not very strenuous so now that the trail is open I would suggest it to anyone looking to hike in the GSMNP.

Some roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park remain closed due to weather

Closures of roads in the Great Smoky Mountains due to snow and ice still remain in effect for a few select roads in both North Carolina and Tennessee sections of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The following roads are closed in the GSMNP due to snow and ice:

• Forge Creek Road in Cades Cove TN with access to the Gregory Bald Trail
• Foothills Parkway East connecting 321 to I40 near Cosby TN
• Old 284 connecting Big Creek with Cataloochee in NC

Major thoroughfares that were previously closed such as all of Newfound Gap Road (441), Little River Road (73), Laurel Creek Road and the Gatlinburg bypass remain open.

The current warming trend in the Smokies weather could open some if not all the closed roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National park by the end of the weekend.

Newfound Gap Road (US 441) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Reopens

Minutes ago the National Park Service reopened the main road Newfound Gap Road (US 441) between North Carolina to Tennessee.

Thanks to park service crews sanding icy spots on the road and plenty of sunshine, despite the bitter cold Newfound Gap Road (US 441) is open but is likely to be closed late in the afternoon or early this evening as wet areas on the road will refreeze.

Road Closures in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Currently Newfound Gap Road (441) which runs through the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park connecting Cherokee NC and Gatlinburg TN remains closed due to snow and ice and is may not reopen today due to exceptionally cold weather that is expected all day.

There are some additional roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park that just closed which are:

• The Foothills Parkway East connecting 321 to I40 in Cosby TN
• Cherokee Orchard Road in the Roaring Fork area adjacent to the city of Gatlinburg TN
• The Cataloochee Entrance Road - Maggie Valley North Carolina
• Old Route 284 connecting Big Creek and Cataloochee

Some roads that are still open in the Great Smoky mountains National Park and the surrounding areas have light snow and ice and we urge all drivers to be extremely careful.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Closes Newfound Gap Road, Laurel Creek Road and the Gatlinburg Bypass

The park service closed major roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to ice and snow including Newfound Gap Road (441) from Gatlinburg Tennessee to Cherokee North Carolina, Laurel Creek Road in Tennessee ending up in Cades Cove Tennessee as well as the Gatlinburg Bypass which connects Gatlinburg Tennessee and Pigeon Forge TN.

The weather in the Smoky Mountains is expected to remain below freezing for the balance of the day and a winter storm warning remains in effect until 4:00 pm today. Tomorrows predicted high of 34 degrees will probably not be enough to melt any of the Ice and snow that has already accumulated and today's predicted snow may keep these roads closed for days.

Smokemont Campgrounds and access to Hiking Trails temporarily closed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Smoky Mountains National Park is closing the Smokemont Frontcountry campgrounds, the Tow String Horse camp and access to hiking trails in the area from January 2nd until at least the end of February while water and sewer lines are installed in the area.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Utility Department workers in cooperation with the national park service bringing in almost 3-1/2 miles of new water lines and sewer lines that will be connected to the existing Cherokee, NC water and sewer lines already in service.

In what can be described as a win win scenario this construction project in the Great Smoky Mountains national park will save the park service from having to update the terribly outdated sewer plant and water treatment facility within the park serving the area while also allowing residents of the Qualla Cherokee Reservation the ability to connect to municipal water and sewer lines.

The projected cost of this project is around $2.4 million to be split between both the Great Smoky Mountains national park which will provide approximately $1.5 Million and the Eastern Band of Cherokee will provide the remaining $900,000. It has not been released by the park service as to who will foot the bill for any cost overruns.

Winter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park sees far fewer visitors in the park and even fewer campers who are willing to brave the cold weather. Even though Smokemont is one of the only 2 frontcountry campgrounds that remain open year round, there were less than a dozen campsites being used this weekend. For those who brave the cold, the peace and quiet and additional privacy that camping on the winter provides are well worth bundling up.

While the Smokemont campgrounds remain closed, campers who wish to stay in developed campgrounds may still camp in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Cades Cove Campgrounds. For those who wish to camp in Smokemont in early March, it is advised to check with the park service ahead of time as any construction delays most likely due to bad weather.

The Great Smoky Mountains national park service press release started that Deputy Superintendent FitzGerald said, "While we regret having to shut down the campground this winter, we are very eager to get out of the water and waste water-treatment business. The Smokemont Sewer plant is old and would need substantial work to meet current water quality standards, so we can save money now, and over the long term, by connecting to municipal services."

Construction will begin shortly and you can already see markings on the pavement and stakes along Newfound Gap Road. In order to run the new water and sewer lines the park service is going to block off the bridges that take vehicles from Newfound Gap Road (441) over the Oconaluftee River to the Smokemont area. As a result of the bridge closing both hikers and equestrians will find that they will no longer to be able to reach the Bradley Fork or Tow String Trails via the Smokemont campgrounds.

The other bridge nearby along Newfound Gap Road to the Tow String area will have to remain open so that residents on the Tow String area of Qualla Cherokee Reservation can still enter and leave their community which has no other access to the outside.

Smoky Mountains Christmas from Your Smokies

After seeking large growth trees for weeks in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park I was moved by this tiny evergreen so weighed down by what was barely a finger nail size clump of snow I found on the top of Mount Le Conte in and area predominantly dominated by pine trees.

May we all remember the small tender one born on this day and those who celebrate him.

Merry Christmas,

Chris Hibbard
Your Smokies