A social network for lovers of the Great Smoky Mountains

All Blog Posts (866)

Mount peak identification

My wife & I hiked Mt LeConte via Alum Cave trail this past Thursday then over to Mrytle Point, one of our favorite views. We like to try to identify the different mountain peaks and other landmarks from there. Of course the easy ones are Newfound Gap parking lot, Clingman's dome observation tower, the Jumpoff, Charlie's Bunion, Brushy Mtn, Chimney's, etc. Here are some pics that I've attempted to identify several peaks. Maybe you'll find more that I didn't list and maybe you can correct my i… Continue

Added by Chad on November 7, 2009 at 12:00am — 1 Comment

'SMOKIES TROUBLES!!"

The online version of the National Geographic Traveler magazine rated 133 worldwide travel destinations and found the Smokies "a national treasure surrounded by a bathtub ring of ugly, unplanned development." The survey of 437 experts included travel writers, historic preservationists, ecologists etc., placed the Smokies in the next-to-worst category: "Places with Troubles". One judge said the mass tourist development of PF and G'burg are hurting the beauty of theSmokies, although G'burg has "sp… Continue

Added by frank and bonnie on November 6, 2009 at 7:05pm — 8 Comments

Photo Contest...caution

I went to check out the rules for entering the Autumn photography contest mentioned on the GoSmokies home page and found this provision: BY ENTERING, ENTRANT TRANSFERS ALL RIGHT, TITLE AND INTEREST IN THE ENTRY, INCLUDING ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, TO SPONSOR FOR ITS USE AT ITS SOLE DISCRETION. I would advise anyone entering the contest to carefully consider if the chance of winning a gift card is worth giving away all rights to your image. For some it may be, for others, like myself, it… Continue

Added by Gordon on November 6, 2009 at 5:22pm — 1 Comment

Rich Mountain Night of the Bears

Yes I can't resist being over dramatic with the titles of these blog posts sometimes. Got to keep it interesting but this post probably isn't that dramatic just an account of a backpacking trip that Amanda and I took to CS # 5 on September 12th. We got to the store at Cades Cove about 2pm and stopped to get some ice cream cones first in order to have energy for the hike ;). After parking at the orientation shelter and putting our packs on we crossed the big line of cars and headed up Rich mtn. l… Continue

Added by Adam Beal on November 5, 2009 at 8:00pm — 11 Comments

Hiking the Park (Outside the Park)

No, I haven't been in the sugar jars again. The National Park owns a lot of land between Gatlinburg and Newport that most folks don't know about and have never hiked. I think it's time for one of my Jedi secrets to be known and let you locals hike these areas as well. Where you talking about Mike? Think of the many times you have driven 321 between Gatlinburg and Cosby looking to your right at the Great Smokies. But, there is a lot of ridge top lands to the left that belong to the park across W… Continue

Added by Mike Maples on November 5, 2009 at 11:48am — 2 Comments

cades cove controlled burn

from the park---PARK TO CONDUCT CONTROLLED BURN OF CADES COVE MEADOWSFire managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park plan to conducta series of controlled burns of fields in Cades Cove on Wednesday, Thursdayand Friday, November 4-6, if weather conditions permit. Park managers planto burn several tracts west of Hyatt Lane on Wednesday and then burn theinterior of the Loop between Hyatt Lane and Sparks Lane Thursday andFriday.The selected fields which total about 450 acres are being burned as… Continue

Added by kevinumberger on November 3, 2009 at 6:33pm — 6 Comments

Just found this site

I just found this network site a couple of days ago. I like writing journals for my trips and thought that this would be a good place to post them for my friends to read. I'll be curious to see how well it works.We have been visiting the Smokies for over 30 years.We made our first visit in September 1976. We were visiting a relative in Florida. After deciding to cut our trip short, we had a day or so to fill in our schedule. It was suggested that we pass through the Smoky Mountains on our way ba… Continue

Added by Mike Lienemann on November 3, 2009 at 12:13am — 8 Comments

Morton Overlook

Does anyone know when the sunset is over Morton Overlook? I want that shot for my photo library and am going to be going to the Smokies soon. I appreciate any thoughts you may have. Thanks! Continue

Added by Kelly S on November 2, 2009 at 10:30pm — 6 Comments

Just Can't Get Enough of This Place!

This past weekend will certainly go down as one of my favorites Smokies trips. The amazing beauty of the fall color surpassed my expectations, and it felt so good just be back on the trails again. I was able to tackle some great new hikes, mostly inspired by what I've seen from pictures and read in stories from those of you on here, and for that I thank you! Every time I visit, I gain a greater appreciation for such a wonderful place that we all have the privilege of sharing. Here's a little bit… Continue

Added by Johnno on November 2, 2009 at 1:51pm — 19 Comments

Wilderness Wildlife Week 2010 schedule posted

The hike and class listings for Wilderness Wildlife Week 2010 are now online at http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events_winterfest_wilderness.aspx The hike page still says 2009 at the top, but I contacted mypigeonforge.com and they confirmed that these are the hikes for 2010 (the individual days have the correct dates shown). I've missed the last 2 years, but I hope to make it for at least a few days this time...hope to me… Continue

Added by Ron Raymond on November 2, 2009 at 1:27pm — 10 Comments

Rocky top

is it true theirs a rocky top in smoky mtns article knox news and where is thunder mtn Continue

Added by gary on October 30, 2009 at 8:50pm — 5 Comments

Any fall color left?

Just wondering where the best place is to see any fall leaves that have not fallen off yet. It seems like so many places the trees are pretty bare already. What is the best place any of you know of in the Smokies, preferably the West side (Townsend, Cades Cove, Tremont etc) that still has color on the trees? Thanks, Tony Continue

Added by Tony Phillips on October 30, 2009 at 5:59pm — 5 Comments

Happy Halloween my fellow ghostsmokians!

while i have not been active hiking the smokies lately, i have been rather active with october festivities(october is always a busy month for me). they have taken me to haunted houses in talbot and louisville, KY....which the drive up 75 was very pretty next to BSF. i won't be doing any hiking this weekend except hiking the neighborhood with my lil man. i want to wish everyone a safe and fun halloween, no matter what you will be doing. anyone dressing up? handing out candy? going somewhere? have… Continue

Added by MountainGirl aka "Footbridge" on October 30, 2009 at 11:24am — 10 Comments

Remarkable Gigapan image of G'Burg and mountains

I met a fellow shooting a Gigapan image while shooting rom the Gatlinburg overlook. He was kind enough to send me a link to the finished image. Gigapans are panoramas shot with a special camera mount that automatically shoots hundreds of images that are then stitched together with special software. The resulting image is huge, often several gigabytes large. At first glance it looks like a normal panorama. But since it is composed of hundreds of full-resolution images you can zoom in to the tinie… Continue

Added by Gordon on October 30, 2009 at 10:30am — 10 Comments

The Smokies This Decemeber

Hello Friends! Well it's been a while since I've checked in here... Hope all of you are having a great Autumn! Summer is gone, went by way too fast, and now this Fall, going by quickly.... Now "Falling Back" is at my door, on the clock that is, as well as the Falling of leaves in my yard... all pretty too. Any way, this morning I made some travel arrrangements. We're going to be in Pigeon Forge, and the Smoky Mts. for our 38th wedding anniversary, in Dec. We usually go each year, for our spec… Continue

Added by Sandy on October 29, 2009 at 10:00pm — 5 Comments

Double Springs Shelter from Clingman's Dome

October 17th, 2009 Micky said, "Look! There's snow up there!" I was driving the car and watching the people a head of me. On the way up to Newfound Gap Micky and I talked about how nice it would be to be hiking in the snow. I didn't expect the view to be like this!

… Continue

Added by Michelle on October 29, 2009 at 8:50pm — 10 Comments

Any word on Little River Road?????

We are coming to camp at Elkmont tomorrow, I'm trying to find out if the slide closure has been re-opened on Little River Road. We usually enter the park at Townsend but need to take the detour if the road is still closed. Anybody heard any updates? Continue

Added by Judy T on October 29, 2009 at 10:02am — 2 Comments

another rock slide----little river road

(this just came down from the park's pio)Little River Road is currently closed between Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and Elkmont Junction. The slide is about 2 miles west of Elkmont Junction. That means that any visitors going between gatlinburg and Cades Cove will need to leave the Park and take U.S. 321 from Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge and then either stay on US 321 all the way into Townsend and then re-enter the Park via the Townsend Entrance OR get off US 321 in Wears Valley onto Lyon Springs R… Continue

Added by kevinumberger on October 28, 2009 at 1:50pm — 11 Comments

Trail up to Mt. Cammerer

Wow...I hate to be an idiot but I need to know what trail to take up to Mt. Cammerer. I'm looking on an old map I guess and I'm not seeing a direct route.My wife needs this one to complete her 75 mile thing.Could you tell me the trail and where it starts? We're going to knock it out either at Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays.Thanks, Beck Continue

Added by Beckman Bryant on October 28, 2009 at 11:32am — 9 Comments

Deep Creek to Clingman's Dome

Sorry folks this isn't really a story, just wondered if any of you have hiked the trail from Deep Creek Camp Ground to Clingman's Dome? My husband and I have walked part of it, but did not go prepared that trip for such a long hike. Just wondering, thanks for any info. Leeta Continue

Added by Leeta A. Pearson on October 26, 2009 at 4:28pm — 9 Comments