Winter 2016-17 BILL LEA PHOTO BILL LEA PHOTO

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THINGS TO SEE & The Official Newspaper of Great Smoky DO Pages 4-5 Mountains National Park PARK MAP Pages 8-9 Winter 2016-17 BILL LEA PHOTO BILL LEA PHOTO

NORTHERN CARDINAL

Northern Cardinals are Bobcats find shelter in hollow logs, rock outcroppings, and under rootballs. Though rarely seen, bobcats are quite numerous in the Smokies. common year-round resi- Newfound Gap Road may be temporarily closed due to snow and ice. Bobcats are Phantom dents in the Great Smoky Enjoy This Winter in Mountains. They sing loudly the Mountains Safely Felines of the Smokies and frequently. One of ou don’t see them, but tains. They have plenty of prey he 33-mile-long New- 15-20 times each winter. Ythey are here. When you and few if any enemies. About their more common vocal- Tfound Gap Road (U.S. Even though driving hike, they peer from rock the only thing that will de- 441) is the main automobile conditions may seem fine outcrops and tangles of brush. press a bobcat population is a izations sounds like “what, route through Great Smoky near Gatlinburg or Cherokee, As you drive, you pass them crash in the number of rabbits, Mountains National Park. It Newfound Gap Road con- dozing on hillsides in hollow their favorite prey. But even cheer, cheer, cheer, cheer, crosses the crest of the Smoky tains very steep grades and logs and under the rootballs if rabbits are in decline, they Mountains at Newfound Gap is often coated with snow of windfall trees. This writer have plenty of other animals cheer.” Unlike most other (elevation 5,046’) to connect and ice in winter. Salt is not once watched a bobcat sitting to pounce upon, including: the towns of Gatlinburg, TN used to treat roads in the park on a boulder beside the busi- m squirrels m mice m songbirds, both males and and Cherokee, NC. Driving because it damages the plant est road in the park in broad voles m shrews m birds m time is typically one hour. and stream life that the park daylight, while scores of cars groundhogs m insects m box females are strong singers. At Newfound Gap, where was created to protect. passed unknowingly. turtles m snakes m lizards the road reaches its highest When driving on At 20-25 pounds, bobcats m opossums m white-tailed point, temperatures are fre- snow-covered roads, reduce are not small mammals, nor deer (often sick, young, quently 10-15° F cooler than your speed and avoid sudden are they scarce in the Great or carrion) m in Cherokee or Gatlinburg. In braking. Use lower gears or Smoky Mountains. But they The mountain lion is about addition, the higher eleva- brake gently when you need are incredibly stealthy. They the only wild animal that tions receive considerably to slow down. can sit motionless for hours, preys on bobcats, and it has more precipitation than the For current conditions their thick, mottled coats been extirpated from the Great surrounding valleys. Annu- call (865) 436-1200 or check blending perfectly with the Smoky Mountains. ally, Newfound Gap records Twitter at www.twitter.com/ leaf litter and vegetation. Protected as they are by over five feet of snow. smokiesroadsnps. When they do move, they the national park, bobcats are This combination of low Winter hikers should be do so soundlessly. And most doing very well here. Some temperatures and high pre- prepared for cold and wet of their activity is at dawn or biologists believe they are cipitation results in periods of conditions, even if the day dusk, a time when few people as numerous in the Smokies hazardous driving conditions. starts warm. Always bring roam the park and when light today as they were when Eu- For the safety of motorists, the rain gear, hat, and gloves. conditions make their camou- ropean-American settlers first Park Service imposes certain Dress in layers with wool or flage even more effective. arrived in the late 1700s. Of restrictions on winter driving. fleece. Avoid cotton clothing Bobcats are well adapted course that still doesn’t mean Typically, Newfound Gap in winter because it loses for life in the Smoky Moun- that you will actually see one. Road is temporarily closed insulation value when wet. winter greens these plants keep the winter woods lush and vibrant

any off-season visitors to the Fraser Fir MGreat Smoky Mountains are These dense evergreens are native only surprised by how much green there is to the southern Appalachian Moun- in the winter forest. In fact, evergreen tains. In the Smokies, they are found at plants in the Smokies include every- elevations above 4,500’. For many years thing from ferns to shrubs to towering this species has been a favorite choice trees. for Christmas tree growers and buyers because the trees hold their needles and “Why We Have have a sweet, balsam scent. Evergreens” Rosebay Rhododendron from Cherokee “Rhodo” is one of the most common shrubs in the park. Its long thick leaves storyteller curl up like cigars when the weather is Freeman Owle: very cold. This action helps the plant conserve moisture. The Great Spirit made all the trees and the plants and the animals, Christmas Fern and he asked them to stay awake The common name for this fern comes and fast and pray seven nights, from the fact that it is still green at in reverence to the Creator. And Christmas time and throughout the the first night they all did, but winter. the second night some fell asleep, and the third night more dropped out, and so on. By the seventh night, only a few were still awake: the holly, the laurel, the cedar, the hemlock, and some others. And the Great Spirit, the Creator, said that they would be able to keep their hair—their leaves—all year round. And he gave them special power to be medicine for the Cherokee American Holly people. These evergreen trees are recognizable by their thick, spiny leaves and bright Red Cedar red berries. A century ago hollies were The eastern Cherokee hold popular as Christmas trees. Its very the cedar tree in particular white wood has been used to make reverence. Green twigs piano keys. from cedar trees are thrown on the fire for Pines their pleasing fragrance Six varieties of pines are native to the during special Cherokee Smokies, including the short-leaf, long- ceremonies. leaf, Table Mountain, pitch, eastern- white, and Virginia.

art by Emma DuFort

2 v smokies guide, Winter 2016-17 smokies trip planner to order maps and guides: www.smokiesinformation.org accommodations pets in the park

Le Conte Lodge (accessible by Pets are allowed in frontcoun-

BILL LEA PHOTO trail only) provides the only try campgrounds and beside lodging in the park. Call (865) roads as long as they are 429-5704. restrained at all times. Pets For information on lodg- are not allowed on park trails, smokies guide ing outside the park: except for the Gatlinburg Bryson City 1-800-867-9246 and Oconaluftee River trails. Smokies Guide is produced Cherokee 1-800-438-1601 Dogs on these trails must be Fontana 1-800-849-2258 leashed. five times per year by Great Gatlinburg 1-800-267-7088 Smoky Mountains Asso- Maggie Valley 1-800-624-4431 road closures ciation and Great Smoky Pigeon Forge 1-800-251-9100 The following roads close for Mountains National Park. Sevierville 1-888-766-5948 the winter. Listed below are Publication dates are roughly Townsend 1-800-525-6834 the estimated 2017 opening as follows: dates. This schedule is subject to change. SPRING: March 15 Clingmans Dome—April 1 Rich Mountain—April 7 SUMMER: June 1 BILL LEA PHOTO Roaring Fork —March 24 LATE SUMMER: August 10 Parson Branch—April 7 AUTUMN: September 13 Campgrounds at Smokemont and Cades Cove are open all year. WINTER: December 1 camping in the the national park special events December 10, 2016 Contributing Editor The National Park Service elevations, and maximum RV Festival of Christmas Past: maintains developed camp- lengths. For current camping Steve Kemp Sugarlands Visitor Center grounds at nine locations in fees and dates of operation, NPS Coordinator the park. There are no show- visit www.nps.gov/grsm. December 17, 2016 Nigel Fields ers or hookups other than ABRAMS CREEK 16 sites, Holiday Homecoming at Editorial Board circuits for special medical elev. 1,125’, 12’ trailers Oconaluftee Visitor Center Lynda Doucette uses at Cades Cove, Elkmont, BALSAM MOUNTAIN 42 Kristine Johnson and Smokemont. sites, elev. 5,310’, 30’ RVs April 11-April 15, 2017 Campsites at Elkmont, BIG CREEK 12 sites, elev. Mike Maslona Bicycling Cades Cove in winter. Spring Wildflower Pilgrim- Smokemont, Cataloochee, 1,700’, tents only Laurel Rematore age: parkwide Cosby, and Cades Cove may CADES COVE 159 sites, elev. Stephanie Sutton be reserved. For reservations 1,807’, open year-round, 35’- bicycling May 10, 2017 call 1-877-444-6777 or contact 40’ RVs Most park roads are too Start of bicycle mornings in Contributors www.recreation.gov. Sites CATALOOCHEE 27 sites, narrow and heavily traveled Cades Cove Lisa Horstman, may be reserved up to six elev. 2,610’, 31’ RVs. Reserva- by automobiles for safe or months in advance. Reserva- tions are required. Karen Key, Emma DuFort enjoyable bicycling. However, for rent tions are required at Cata- COSBY 157 sites, elev. 2,459’, Cades Cove Loop Road is loochee Campground. 25’ RVs an exception. This 11-mile, The Appalachian Clubhouse © 2016 Great Smoky Site occupancy is limited DEEP CREEK 92 sites, elev. one-way, paved road pro- and Spence Cabin at Elkmont Mountains Association to six people and two vehicles 1,800’, 26’ RVs vides bicyclists with excellent can be rented for daytime (a trailer = 1 vehicle). The ELKMONT 220 sites, elev. opportunities for wildlife events starting in April. Con- GSMA maximum stay is 14 days. 2,150’, 32’-35’ RVs viewing and touring historic tact www.recreation.gov. P.O. Box 130 Special camping sites for LOOK ROCK Closed homesites. large groups are available sea- SMOKEMONT 142 sites, elev. picnic areas Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Helmets are required by sonally at Big Creek, Cades 2,198’, open year-round, 35’- law for persons age 16 and Picnic areas open year-round Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, 40’ RVs under. However, helmets are are: Cades Cove, Deep Creek, Deep Creek, Elkmont, and The NPS has banned out- strongly recommended for all Greenbrier, and Metcalf Bot- Smokemont. Group sites must side firewood from entering bicyclists. toms. Please see the map on be reserved. Call 1-877-444- the park unless it is USDA Bicycles are permitted page 16 for locations. 6777 or contact www.recre- or state certified heat-treated on park roads but prohibited printed on recycled paper ation.gov. Group sites may wood. Campers may gather on trails except Gatlinburg, other services be reserved up to one year in dead and down wood in the Oconaluftee River, and lower advance. park for campfires. Certified Deep Creek/Indian Creek. There are no gas stations, The list below shows wood may be purchased in For biking in national showers, or restaurants in the number of campground sites, and around the park. forests, call (828) 257-4200. national park.

smokies guide, Winter 2015-16 v 3 park information for additional information, visit www.nps.gov/grsm

Gatlinburg, TN elev. 1,462’ Mt. Le Conte elev. 6,593’

Avg. High Low Precip. Avg. High Low Precip. DRIVING Jan. 49° 27° 4.0” 36° 18° 6.7” DISTANCES &

Feb. 53° 28° 4.1” 37° 19° 5.6” ESTIMATED PHOTO JIM MOWBRAY March 62° 35° 5.5” 44° 25° 7.0” TIMES April 71° 42° 4.5” 52° 31° 6.7” May 77° 50° 5.7” 58° 39° 8.0” June 82° 58° 5.8” 64° 47° 8.7” Cherokee, NC to: July 85° 62° 6.3” 67° 50° 9.0” Gatlinburg: 34 miles (1 hour) Aug. 84° 61° 5.3” 67° 49° 7.6” Cades Cove: 57 miles (2 hours) Sept. 79° 55° 4.7” 62° 44° 7.2” Newfound Gap: 18 miles Oct. 70° 43° 2.9” 55° 35° 4.7” (1⁄2 hour) Nov. 60° 34° 3.4” 46° 27° 6.8” Clingmans Dome: Dec. 51° 28° 4.6” 38° 20° 6.4” 25 miles (3⁄4 hour) The above temperature and precipitation averages are based on data for Cataloochee: 39 miles the last 20 years. Temperatures are in degrees fahrenheit. An average (11⁄2 hours) of over 84” (7 feet) of precipitation falls on the higher elevations of the Deep Creek: 14 miles (1⁄2 hour) Smokies. On Mt. Le Conte, an average of 82.8” of snow falls per year.

Gatlinburg, TN to: Primitive backcountry shelters are located along the Appalachian Trail park weather Cherokee: 34 miles (1 hour) and near the summit of Mt. Le Conte. Reservations are required. Cades Cove: 27 miles (1 hour) winter camping in the backcountry SPRING Newfound Gap: 16 miles

March has the most change- BILL LEA PHOTO (1⁄2 hour) Winter camping can be an ex- able weather; snow can fall Gatlinburg on U.S. 441. (865) citing adventure for persons on any day, especially at the Clingmans Dome: 436-1297. properly equipped and in- higher elevations. Backpack- 23 miles (3⁄4 hour) 3. Make your reservation and formed. To facilitate this activ- ers are often caught off guard Cataloochee: 65 miles (2 hours) obtain your permit through ity, the National Park Service when a sunny day in the 70s the backcountry office at Greenbrier Cove: 6 miles maintains over 800 miles F. is followed by a wet, bit- Sugarlands Visitor Center (by (1⁄4 hour) of trails and more than 100 terly cold one. By mid- to late phone or in person) or online Deep Creek: backcountry campsites and April, the weather is milder. at www.smokiespermits.nps. shelters throughout the park. SUMMER 48 miles (11⁄2 hours) gov. One of the greatest challenges By mid-June, heat, haze, and Reservations and permits for backcountry campers is humidity are the norm. Most Townsend, TN to: are required for all overnight deciding where to go. Here stays in the backcountry. precipitation occurs as after- Fishing for brook trout is now Cades Cove: 9 miles (1⁄3 hour) are some tools to help. noon thundershowers. allowed in most park streams. The cost is $4 per person per Newfound Gap: 34 miles 1. Go online to view the AUTUMN night. Reservations may be (11⁄4 hours) park’s official trail map In mid-September, a pat- fishing made up to 30 days in ad- (www.nps.gov/grsm/plan- tern of warm, sunny days Gatlinburg: 22 miles (3⁄4 hour) vance. Fishing is permitted year- yourvisit/maps.htm), which and crisp, clear nights often Cherokee: 52 miles (11⁄2 hours) Winter hikers should be round in the park, but a shows all park trails, camp- begins. However, cool, rainy Look Rock: 18 miles (1⁄2 hour) especially aware of the danger Tennessee or North Carolina sites, and shelters. Park rules days also occur. Snow may of hypothermia—the lower- fishing license is required. Cataloochee: and regulations are also listed fall at the higher elevations in ing of body temperature. The Either state license is valid 87 miles (21⁄4 hours) here. If you wish, you can November. combination of rain, cold, and throughout the park and no purchase the printed version WINTER wind is especially dangerous. trout stamp is required. A of the trail map for $1 by stop- Days during this fickle season At the park’s higher eleva- special permit is required for ping at any park visitor center can be sunny and 65°F. or tions, hypothermia can be a the Cherokee Reservation and or calling (865) 436-7318 x226 snowy with highs in the 20s. threat even during summer. Gatlinburg. Licenses are avail- or shopping online at www. At the low elevations, snows To prevent hypothermia, able in nearby towns. Fishing SmokiesInformation.org. of 1” or more occur 3-5 times carry reliable rain gear at all with bait is prohibited. 2. Call or stop by the park’s per year. At Newfound Gap, times. Layer clothing that A free fishing map with a backcountry office, which is 69” fall on average. Lows provides warmth when wet complete list of all park fish- open daily from 8-5:00, for of -20°F. are possible at the (not cotton). Be prepared for ing regulations is available at trip planning help. The office higher elevations. sudden weather changes, visitor centers. is located in Sugarlands Visi- especially at the higher eleva- tor Center, two miles south of tions. Stay dry.

4 v smokies guide, Winter 2016-17 places to go the national park encompasses over 800 square miles

To Knoxville 321 129 441 411 Pigeon Forge Exit 451 TN

GSMA PHOTO NC 321 NPS PHOTO 321 Maryville 129 Gatlinburg 321 411 40

GREENBRIER y

Parkwa Newf oun d. d . R tn ls M m a NEWFOUND ls Foothil Ga a GAP p B Exit 20 Rd . SMOKEMONT Heintooga Ridge CADES Rd. COVE 276 19 Blue Ridge DEEP CREEK

Cherokee w

y Fontana Lake 19 cades cove TN 441 newfound gap NC 129 23 28 Bryson 74 74 City highlights: historic buildings 28 highlights: mountain views f 06miles DD wildlife viewing snow? s greenbrier deep creek smokemont A Cades Cove is one of the most In southern Appalachian ver- popular destinations in the nacular, a gap is a low point highlights: walking trails Smokies because it offers an highlights: mountain bik- highlights: F walking trails F in a mountain ridge. New mountain biking unusual blend of both natural ing walking trails Dcamping, fhistoric buildings Englanders call such places and cultural resources. F “notches” while westerners Deer are often sighted in The Deep Creek area is an off- Smokemont Campground is refer to them as mountain the fields, and their breeding Greenbrier is a hiker’s de- the-beaten-path destination in open year-round. It is situated “passes.” season (or “rut”) continues light. Trails include Ramsey the Great Smoky Mountains, near the banks of the Oco- At nearly a mile high through early winter. Ob- Cascade, Old Settlers, Grape- celebrated for its rushing naluftee River, a major wa- (5,046’), Newfound Gap is servations of other wildlife, yard Ridge, Brushy Mountain, streams and waterfalls. Hik- terway acclaimed for its trout significantly cooler than the including bear, Wild Turkey, and Porters Creek. Ramsey ers enjoy the area because of fishing as well as its place in surrounding lowlands and and coyote are also possible. Cascade is a strenuous 8-mile the waterfalls and because 19th century Smoky Moun- receives much more snow. On Please use pullouts when roundtrip hike to the tallest there are several loop hikes to tain history. When Newfound average, 69 inches of snow viewing wildlife. Never ap- waterfall in the park. Moder- choose from. Mountain bikers Gap Road is closed because of falls at the gap each year. proach or feed animals. ate Porters Creek Trail leads can take advantage of one snow, this area is still acces- When there is snow on A wide array of historic 1.8 miles (one-way) past a of the few park trails where sible. the ground, and Newfound buildings, some dating back historic cemetery to Fern bicycles are permitted. A favorite hike in the Gap Road has not been closed to the mid-19th century, are Branch Falls. A short side Deep Creek area loop Smokemont area is the because of it, opportunities preserved throughout the trip takes you to the historic hikes include Juney Whank 6.1 mile Bradley Fork- do exist for snow sports in cove. These include a grist hiker club cabin and barn. Falls (0.6 mile), Three Wa- Smokemont loop hike. High- the area. Many people use mill, a variety of barns, three Brushy Mountain Trail can be terfalls Loop (2.4 miles), and lights of this strenuous route Clingmans Dome Road churches, and a renowned used for a 9.1 mile (one-way) Deep Creek-Indian Creek include the waters of Bradley (closed to vehicles in winter) collection of log homes. trek to the summit of Mt. Le Loop (4.4 miles). Longer loop Fork, and an historic ceme- for walking, snowshoeing, An 11-mile one-way loop Conte. hikes are also possible. tery. You can start the trail and cross-country skiing. The road takes you around the The roads in Greenbrier Bicycles are allowed on near campground D Loop. road starts 0.1 mile south of cove. A visitor center (open are mostly gravel and motor- Deep Creek and Indian Creek The Oconaluftee Baptist Newfound Gap. daily), restrooms, and the ist must travel at a slow pace. trails to the points where the Church is located near the A trip to Newfound Gap Cable Mill walking tour are This makes the area appealing old roadbeds end and the trail bridge between Newfound is a trip to the Canadian zone located halfway around. to some mountain bikers, treads begin. Gap Road (U.S. 441) and the spruce-fir forest. This fra- Numerous trails start in although bikes are permitted Deep Creek Picnic Area is campground. The church was grant evergreen woodland is the cove, including the 5-mile only on roads and not on any open year-round. The picnic built in 1896, although the similar to the boreal forests roundtrip trail to Abrams of the hiking trails. pavilion can be reserved at congregation dates back to of New England and eastern Falls and the 8.5-mile Rich Anglers have long fre- www.recreation.gov 1836. Canada. Mountain loop hike. quented the West Prong. Mileage from Cherokee—14 Mileage from Gatlinburg––16 Mileage from Gatlinburg––4 Mileage from Gatlinburg—28 Mileage from Townsend––9 from Gatlinburg—48 from Cherokee––18 from Townsend—24 from Cherokee—5 from Gatlinburg––27 from Townsend—65 from Townsend—34 from Cherokee—41 from Townsend—46

smokies guide, Winter 2016-17 v 5 national park news connect to the park on Twitter: www.twitter.com/GreatSmokyNPS NPS News Briefs Funding Secured to Finish Parkway Total Solar Eclipse to Be tion is made possible through a $10 million federal trans- Visible from Park portation infrastructure grant and $25 million from the state THE WESTERN HALF OF of Tennessee and the National GREAT SMOKY Mountains Na- Park Service. Finishing work is slated to begin in early tional Park will offer viewers front NPS PHOTO BY HERB KUPFER 2017, and is expected to take row seats to the total solar eclipse 12-18 months to complete. on the afternoon of August 21, Two other sections of the 2017. There will be special events Foothills Parkway have been related to the eclipse both inside the park and in sur- completed and are open to the public: The six-mile-long rounding communities. eastern section between U.S. Because of the influx of eclipse viewers during 321 in Cosby and Interstate the already-busy season, the Park Service will need to 40 and “The Spur” between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. close or restrict certain areas to prevent gridlock. Eclipse Although the parkway viewers may need to make special plans to avoid view- runs outside the boundaries ing the rare astronomical event while caught in a traffic When complete in 2018, the new section of Foothills Parkway West of Great Smoky Mountains jam. Visit www.nps.gov/grsm for current information. will offer spectacular views between Walland and Wears Valley. National Park proper, the land is owned and admin- combined 33-mile-long currently enjoy on Newfound istered by the Park Service. GSMNP Wins $250,000 for Clingmans Dome Asection of the Foothills Gap Road (U.S. 441) through Examples of other NPS Observation Tower Improvements Parkway that offers motorists the center of the national parkways include the Blue jaw-dropping views of the park. Ridge, Natchez Trace, and the Great Smoky Mountains is The final work to open the George Washington Memorial THE VOTES ARE IN AND Great Smoky Mountains Na- now slated for completion Walland to Wears Valley sec- parkways. tional Park has finished in the top five of a nationwide sometime in 2018. When contest for funding to restore historic structures. Spon- finished, this western piece of the parkway will connect U.S. Two Year Rehabilitation of sored by American Express, National Geographic, and 129 at Chilhowee Lake (22 the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the contest miles from Maryville, TN), Alum Cave Trail is Complete with Wears Valley (6 miles urged fans to vote for their favorite national park and ehabilitation work on the Previous to the Alum from Pigeon Forge). its selected historic preservation project. The Smokies ever-popular Alum Cave Cave project, the crew recon- As it gracefully curves R Trail to Mt. Le Conte is now structed Forney Ridge Trail to finished second behind only Yellowstone. along the Smoky Mountain complete. The park’s Trails Andrews Bald and Chimney The Clingmans Dome tower work will include foothills, the parkway will Forever crew worked miracles Tops Trail. All three foot paths offer numerous pullouts and replacing damaged handrails and flagstones, repairing on the notoriously steep trail, are now examples of the best overlooks with exhibits on exterior surfaces, and dealing with settlement issues. transforming rutted gulleys in trail design, engineering, park natural and cultural into handsome native stone and construction. The tower was constructed in 1959. history. stairways. The crew, includ- A little more than half of ing volunteers, started work ABR Rescued 20 Bears Already in 2016 the 33-mile segment (Chil- in spring 2015 and worked howee Lake to Walland) was from April through November actually completed in 1969 during both years. APPALACHIAN BEAR RESCUE located in Townsend, and has been open since. But “This is the first major TN, has taken in a record 56 bears between 2015 and the Walland to Wears Valley rehabilitation of this trail since section was challenged by 2016. The nonprofit organization accepts injured, or- its original construction,” says extremely steep, unstable phaned, and malnourished black bears and keeps them Park Trails Manager Tobias slopes, requiring engineers Miller. “It is our hope that this until they are healthy enough to return to the wild. to design long cantilevered treatment will last for many While at ABR, bears are shielded from human contact so bridges similar to the Linn years to come.” Cove viaduct on the Blue they retain their wildness. Over the last two years, most Trails Forever, funded by Ridge Parkway. These extend- of the bears were malnourished cubs or yearlings suf- Friends of the Smokies, plans ed bridges, along with other Crews used native stone and to take on Rainbow Falls Trail fering due to the severe hard mast (acorns, nuts, seeds) features, will offer motorists timbers to replace muddy ruts as its next major project. failure in the late summer and fall of 2015. even more views than they with wide, graceful stairs.

6 v smokies guide, Winter 2016-17 www.SmokiesInformation.org winter see & dos This is one of the best times to visit the Smokies!

DRESS FOR WINTER SUCCESS Smoky Mountains National Park. High- Winter weather is extremely variable in the lights include artifacts from Great Smoky Smokies. Days may be sunny and 70° F or Mountains National Park. Visit gsmheri- well below 0° F (in the high country) with tagecenter.org for a list of special exhibits howling winds. In case you haven’t recently and events. needed to dress for chilly winter weather, here are some tips. Swain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum 1. Avoid wearing cotton, especially Located in downtown Bryson next to your skin (e.g. T-shirts, City, NC at the corner of Main & sweatshirts, socks). When Everett Streets. cotton becomes wet from Open 9-5, closed precipitation or perspiration Christmas Day. it will not keep you warm. Admission: Free Historic photo of Little Greenbrier School 2. Dress in layers. Avoid (865) 436-7318 x318 getting too warm or cold by The Heritage Museum covers the dramatic Little Greenbrier wearing several light layers history of Swain County, NC, including the story Between Elkmont and Townsend on Little River of clothing that can be easily of Cherokee Indian towns like Kituwha, Europe- Road, park at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and walk removed or added. Materials an-American settlers seeking a living from the across the bridge. Take the Metcalf Bottoms Trail 0.6 such as wool, polypropylene or rugged Smoky Mountains, Civil War battles, mile to the Little Greenbrier School. If you wish, you “fleece” are excellent for layering moonshiners, bear hunters, Fontana Dam, and can continue 1.0 mile from the school to the Walker because they provide warmth even the creation of the national park. The museum sisters’ farmstead. when damp. includes interactive exhibits just for kids. In the visitor center there is information about 3. Wear a hat, gloves, and warm WATERFALL WALKS socks. hiking, rafting, sightseeing, and riding the Juney Whank Falls: A moderate 0.6-mile round trip 4. Always carry rain gear. Getting Smoky Mountain Railroad. hike. The trail starts from the parking area at the wet can quickly lead to end of Deep Creek Road, (past the side road to Deep hypothermia. Rain gear also makes Creek Campground). a good windbreaker. Indian Creek Falls: An easy 2.0-mile roundtrip hike. THE GREAT INDOORS Take the Deep Creek Trail, which starts at the end of Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center Deep Creek Road (past the side road to Deep Creek Located on Hwy 73 in Townsend, TN. Campground), to Indian Creek Trail. Open 10-5, closed most Sundays. Admission: $7 adults, $5 seniors, $5 Hen Wallow Falls: A moderate 4.5-mile round trip kids 6-17, free for kids 5 and under hike. Take the Gabes Mountain Trail, which begins (865) 448-0044. from the parking area at the entrance to Cosby The center is located on six acres and Campground. Beyond the falls, Gabes Mountain Trail offers both indoor and outdoor exhibits. leads to rich, old-growth forest. Subject matter includes east Tennessee American Indian history and the lives of Hen Wallow Falls Euro-American settlers from the early 1800s to the establishment of Great Swain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum

Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend, TN HISTORY HIKES Kephart Prong The trailhead is located at the foot- bridge over the Oconaluftee River 7.0 miles north of Oconaluftee Visitor

BILL LEA PHOTO Center on Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441). The first 0.25 mile of trail passes by the site of an old CCC camp and fish hatchery.

Woody House In Cataloochee Valley, follow the Rough Fork Trail from the end of Cataloochee Road 1.0 mile to the Woody place and its 1880s home. BYRON JORJORIAN PHOTO BYRON

7 v smokies guide, Winter 2016-17 Winter Opportunities and Fire Area Map Note that even within the fire area shown, large sections of forest are untouched while others were intensely burned. This patchwork mosaic is typical of wildland fires.

To Knoxville To I-40 To Newport ay SEVIERVILLE 321 w k r) Exit ar te s P in 443 ill w CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST 32 th in o ed Fo os Cosby (cl Park View

129 416 411 TENNESSEE 441 Exit 451 32 NORTH C MARYVILLE AROLIN PIGEON FORGE Cosby A Pittman Mount Center Cammerer 321 321 73 Hen Wallow Falls 321 Gatlinburg Welcome Centernter 40 National Park Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail il 321 ra T Information Centerter Ga n closeclosed for winter bes Mounta i ek Tra Cre il

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Falls Laurel Falls Falls r t Rich Mountain Rd Trail Road e 73 r s Fern Branch closed for winter Townsend Maloney TrilliTrillium Gap C Trail River re Falls Meigs TTrail ek Heritage Point T an Carlos CampbellCampbel ra i Look Rock d Center rail Falls Little Mount il h a t Top T c o u OOvvererlooklook a Cataloochee R stn Le Conte l PISGAH Che T Elkmont a r L p Valley e it Alum Cave n m tl p NATIONAL i e Cataloochee Overlook a Schoolhouse R Trail A t o iv K e n Gap Trail n r Alum Cave R FOREST Look Rock u t T o R GSM Institute ra A i Blu s M d l P

Tower at Tremont h c i Boogerman R L Lynn Camp ChimneyChimney A Loop N Trail Prong Cascades Tops O Road Prong Newfound TI Trail A Ab N ra Middle Prong Gap m Trail s Abrams Fa Abrams lls T Kephart Round Bottom Rd Creek Falls ra Oconaluftee Exit 20 i l Prong G closed for winter REAT Valley Trail SMOKY MOUNTAINS Overlook

Cades Cove r T

k Visitor Center r Smokemont o Clingmans F Loop Cades Cove ti Trail 276 To Dome na Ka Balsam Heintooga Ridge Rd Asheville Mountain Chilhowee Thunderhead Smokemont closed for winter Mountain d

Clingmans Dome Rd oa

l R

a e Parson Branch Rd d r v a closed T

o o R C Mingo closed for winter ch il k n a Andrews Bald 12/01/16 – 03/31/17 e ig ra r re Falls B T C B

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ar e Mingus e a e Maggie P n idg y Dellwood

a D Mill ue R i Oconaluftee Bl Valley h c Visitor Center a l Bone Valley 19 129 a Trail

p Mountain Oconaluftee River A Farm Museum Trail CHEROKEE INDIAN RESERVATION Soco Gap Twentymile Hazel Creek 441 Trail Calderwood Loop Trail Cherokee Museum

Wolf l Lake i CHEROKEE a Loop Indian Ridge r CHEROKEE Trail T Trail Creek Falls ile WAYNESVILLE m NATIONAL enty Goldmine Juney Whank Falls Tw Loop Tom Branch 19 Juney Whank FOREST Twentymile Trail La Falls Fontana ke Falls Trail Lake Cascade F vie Cheoah Dam ontana w Lak Dr Fire Area E e E SS A Deep 441 E IN Major Hwys N L BRYSON N O Twentymile Creek E R T A CITY Major Roads C A Swain County H FONTANA pp 28 T al Visitor Center Paved Roads B R ac 74 l O VILLAGE h u ia e N n

Gravel Roads R

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JOYCE T Trails e r KILMER - SLICKROCK a P i 23 a WILDERNESS AREA l r 74 Great Mountain k 129 w Views ay Santeetlah Lake SYLVA NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST ©GSMA2016 143 28 441 23

8 d smokies guide, Winter 2016-17 smokies guide, Winter 2016-17 d 9 Winter Opportunities and Fire Area Map Note that even within the fire area shown, large sections of forest are untouched while others were intensely burned. This patchwork mosaic is typical of wildland fires.

To Knoxville To I-40 To Newport ay SEVIERVILLE 321 w k r) Exit ar te s P in 443 ill w CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST 32 th in o ed Fo os Cosby (cl Park View

Cades Cove r T

k Visitor Center r Smokemont o Clingmans F Loop Cades Cove ti Trail 276 To Dome na Ka Balsam Heintooga Ridge Rd Asheville Mountain Chilhowee Thunderhead Smokemont closed for winter Mountain d

Clingmans Dome Rd oa

l R

a e Parson Branch Rd d r v a closed T

o o R C Mingo closed for winter ch il k n a Andrews Bald 12/01/16 – 03/31/17 e ig ra r re Falls B T C B

n o Pa s p rkw

ar e Mingus e a e Maggie P n idg y Dellwood

a D Mill ue R i Oconaluftee Bl Valley h c Visitor Center a l Bone Valley 19 129 a Trail

p Mountain Oconaluftee River A Farm Museum Trail CHEROKEE INDIAN RESERVATION Soco Gap Twentymile Hazel Creek 441 Trail Calderwood Loop Trail Cherokee Museum

Gravel Roads R

i d

JOYCE T Trails e r KILMER - SLICKROCK a P i 23 a WILDERNESS AREA l r 74 Great Mountain k 129 w Views ay Santeetlah Lake SYLVA NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST ©GSMA2016 143 28 441 23

8 d smokies guide, Winter 2016-17 smokies guide, Winter 2016-17 d 9 2016 wildfire! Visit nps.gov/grsm for current information

Clockwise from top left; Fire threatened the park’s Noah “Bud” Ogle Place on November 28, 2016, before the firestorm broke out in Gatlinburg and other nearby communities. Crews used foam and backfires to save the invaluable historic structures. The windstorm and fires created unsafe conditions along many park trails, leading to the temporary closures of the following trails: Chimney Tops, Road Prong, Huskey Gap, Rough Creek, Old Sugarlands, Twin Creeks, Baskins Creek, Bull Head, Rainbow Falls, Trillium Gap, Cove Mountain, and portions of Sugarland Mountain and Grapeyard Ridge trails. Special crews assess the impacts of the fire from Carlos Campbell Overlook on Newfound Gap Road.

n late November of 2016, the Chimney Tops 2 fire, one burned areas even before the fires were extinguished. of the largest wildfires in the history of Great Smoky I Q: Were any of the park’s Mountains National Park, raged across the drought-strick- visitor centers, historic log cabins, churches, or other en landscape. When this fire combined with other blazes buildings burned? sparked by downed power lines in nearby communities, A: No. Firefighters were they created one of the most devastating firestorms the re- able to save several historic and new structures in the gion has ever experienced. Cherokee Orchard area. And because the Chimney Tops Q: Where did the Chimney A: Approximately 11,000 2 fire tended toward jump- Tops fire start, and how? acres in the park, which is ing from ridge to ridge, and about 2% of the total park mountain farmers built their acreage. However, within the PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRUCE McCAMISH A: The Chimney Tops 2 fire homes in sheltered coves started at the summit of the 11,000 acre wildfire area, some and valleys, many invaluable north (second) Chimney Top. sections are unburned, some historic structures were never That is the rocky spire north of are severely burned, and some threatened. A few buildings the first Chimney Top; beyond are lightly affected in a typical received minor damage from the terminus of Chimney Tops forest fire mosaic. the winds and falling trees. Play it Safe Trail. Authorities have charged two juveniles with intentional- Q: Was wildlife killed by Q: How did such a big fire Due to the extraordinary number ly starting the fire. the fire? ever happen in the normally of windfall and damaged trees An earlier fire, the Chimney soggy Smoky Mountains? throughout the park, hikers and Tops fire, was started in the A: At least one bear is re- motorists should be on guard same vicinity, but was on a ported to have died, but all of A: Although 2016 started for falling branches and trees. slope that was more accessible the bears that are collared and out with near normal precip- Conditions can be especially to firefighters. That fire was tracked by wildlife biologists itation, the usually abundant dangerous when it’s windy or extinguished by park crews survived. Some small, slow Smoky Mountain rains just heavy snow is falling. Hikers on November 16. The Chim- moving animals likely per- stopped falling in mid sum- should be prepared to climb over ney Tops fire was also human ished. Fortunately most wild mer. The weather was also large trees across trails. Likewise, caused and burned ¼ acre. animals are adapted to avoid abnormally sunny and warm some footbridges have been wildfires, either by fleeing or through the fall. While these destroyed by falling trees and Q: How many acres were burrowing deep in the ground. unusual circumstances lead hikers need to be prepared to burned by the Chimney Tops 2 Wild turkey, bear, and squir- to a long and gorgeous fall safely ford mountain streams. fire? rels were observed foraging color season, they also creat-

smokies guide, Winter 2016 • 10 The Chimney Tops 2 fire burned approximately 11,000 acres in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Crews from as far away as Arizona, California, and Alaska were called in to extinguish the blaze and clear roadways. The severe windstorm on November 28-29 accelerated the blaze and downed hundreds of trees along roads and trails.

torists on Newfound Gap Road Tennessee, north Georgia, and were stunned to see a massive western North Carolina from Q: Who is paying for the twin prop helicopter hover October into December. massive fire fighting effort? over tiny Road Prong and repeatedly fill its bucket from Q: What will happen to the A: The costs have been deep pools in the creek. areas burned by the fires? shared by Great Smoky However, when the hu- Mountains National Park, midity dropped and southerly A: No one knows exactly the National Park Service winds picked up on November because such hot, intense fires headquarters in Washington, 27, the fire jumped its con- are rare in the southern Appa- D.C. and the Tennessee state tainment line and continued lachian Mountains. In some division of forestry. to spread by lofting burning areas of the park, the fires embers into the air that landed burned through the duff on the Q: Has Climate Change as far as a half mile away. forest floor and incinerated the made catastrophes like this The winds and dense organic matter in the soils. more frequent? smoke also forced all aircraft to The Park Service has already be grounded, a serious setback completed a few re-vegetation A: Scientists confirm that ed forest conditions that were in excess of 85 mph were re- to the firefighting and recon- projects on some burn areas fire seasons and wildfire se- tinder dry. The recently fallen corded in and around the park. naissance efforts. As darkness that may be susceptible to land- verity is increasing across the autumn leaves that piled These winds toppled thou- fell on November 28, the fire slides, but for the most part, na- U.S. The five months prior to up on the forest floor also sands of trees, downed power had reached historic and terri- ture will be allowed to take its the Chimney Tops 2 fire were contributed to the dangerous lines, and stoked the wildfires fying proportions. And it was course. In this resilient, vibrant, the driest on record, dating situation. in the same way a blacksmith’s being blown straight north by diverse ecosystem, it’s likely back to 1895. The third factor was bellows stoke a forge. They hurricane force winds toward that even the most severely the mountain wave winds transformed a relatively small, the drought-stricken town of burned areas will be sporting Q: Where can I see evi- that typically pummel the slow moving forest fire into a Gatlinburg. green foliage and wildflowers dence of fire in the park? Smokies in November and raging inferno. They also start- The rain so sorely lacking in a short time. December, but can occur any- ed many new fires as broken from the region for so many It will be interesting to ob- A: Please see the map on time from October through power lines and exploding months finally began to fall serve how some fire dependent pages 8-9. Some of the trails February. These mysterious, transformers sprayed sparks early on the morning of No- habitats, like lower elevation impacted by the fire may hurricane-force winds are across the parched landscape. vember 29. The same weather pine-oak forest, will respond to remain closed for an extended similar to the Santa Ana systems that cause mountain the catalyst. Such habitats may period of time. For current winds along mountain ranges Q: How did the National wave winds also bring rain, present a profusion of wild- information, visit www.nps. in California. Weather sys- Park Service respond to the eventually. Over the next flowers over the next few years. gov/grsm. tems approaching the Great forest fire? week, more than three inches Smoky Mountains from the quenched the dry landscape. What Happens Next? west may be accompanied by A: Park fire fighters were The more than 600 fire fighters strong winds out of the south. the ones who first sighted by then on the scene were able Certain ecosystems in the Great Smoky Mountains have suffered These winds are intensified smoke from the Chimney Tops to contain the fire, but not be- for many years from lack of fire. For example, Table Mountain when they are forced up and 2 fire on November 23. They fore its rampage had devastat- Pine trees need fire to help their seeds spread and germinate. over the east-west trending were on the scene in less than ed so much. Some wildlife will benefit from the standing dead trees and Great Smoky Mountains. an hour. Unfortunately, the more open forest environment, possibly including the endan- Mountain wave winds of terrain there is dominated by Q: Were there other fires gered red-cockaded woodpecker and Indiana bat. Other habitats well over 100 miles per hour sheer cliffs and such dense outside the Smokies? like cove hardwood forest and northern hardwood forest are have been clocked in the vegetation that it is a danger- usually too damp to burn but did experience some wildfire in foothills of the Smokies. From ous environment even when A: Yes, hundreds of small- this extreme incident. Scientists will be studying how these envi- November 28-29, 2016, gusts not on fire! Many passing mo- er wildfires had burned in ronments respond and sharing their discoveries with the public.

smokies guide, Winter 2016 • 11 smokies guide, winter 2016-17 • 12

2016 SPECIAL REPORT State of the Park

WILDLIFE STREAM LIFE

The food storage cables at backcountry campsites and shelters have proven to be very successful at keeping bears and people-food apart. Funding has been secured this year to repair some damaged systems. • The non-native wild hog population appears to be relatively low. The drop is likely due to low reproduction and consistent control efforts by park staff. Since 1959, more than 12,000 invasive wild hogs have been removed from the park. • A new program allows researchers to track radio-collared bears to areas inside and outside the park where they may be obtaining garbage or other human-related food. Wildlife staff can pinpoint the trouble WILSON GARY Certain brook trout populations in the park will likely decrease in 2017 due to drought. spots and take action to clean them up.

Recent water quality monitor- • Monitoring of four species of endan- ing data indicate slight im- gered and threatened fish indicates there are Wild hogs in the park provements in stream acidi- now viable reproducing populations in the continue to test positive for ty in mid-elevation streams. park with some populations expanding their pseudorabies, a significant These improvements are range. disease for the domestic attributed to reductions in swine industry. acid rain (from power plants • White-nose Syndrome and factories) in the last decade. Twelve park streams (41 miles)

has killed 98% of the Eastern Backcountry campsite food storage cables in action. • Research indicates that brook trout remain officially listed as pipestrelle bats and 95% of the little brown populations in the park are healthy, although impaired by acid deposi- bats in the park. The fungal disease usually the extended drought will likely result in poor tion. Water quality im- affects bats while they are hibernating in caves. year classes in 2017. Brook trout and rainbow provements are not being • A bear seriously mauled a backcountry trout produced two healthy year classes of seen in the high elevation camper in the Hazel Creek area this year. The young fish in 2014 and 2015, which means streams yet as there is a lot of 16-year-old camper is expected to recover there will be good numbers of adult fish in nitrate and sulfate to flush from these soils. from most of his injuries, but the incident is a 2017. All park streams are now open to fishing Research indicates it will take more than 50 reminder that park animals are wild and can be and harvest for the first time since the park years for 57% of the parks sensitive streams dangerous. was established in 1934. to recover enough to support brook trout. PLANT LIFE HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Park management decided to re- The non-native emerald ash borer Construction is now complete peted for a $250,000 Partners in Preservation strict outside firewood from en- beetle continues to spread. on the Collections Preserva- grant which will allow for preservation work tering the park. Only heat-treat- Hundreds of ash trees inside tion Center which shelters the on Clingmans Dome Tower, which is listed ed firewood is now allowed. the park have been affected park’s historic artifacts and on the National Register of Historic Places. Heat treatment kills insects and and park crews are treating as other items. This facility will • Historic Structure Reports have been diseases that may be in wood many trees as possible. house not only all of the Smok- prepared to guide the park’s care of all of the and reduces the chance that a new • New exotic plant species are ies’ historic and archaeological 18 historic buildings being preserved at Elk- pest could be introduced into the park. still finding their way into the park. Three new collections, it will also protect historic items mont. Restoration of the Spence Cabin and • Park vegetation management crews have exotic plants were identified this year: Callery from several other regional National Park Appalachian Club House is already complete removed over 6,000 non-native mimosa trees “Bradford” pear (Pyrus calleryana), helleborine Service units. and work will soon begin to restore four already this year. All told, crews worked 426 orchid (Epipactis helleborine), and mock-orange • Friends of the Smokies successfully com- more of these buildings. individual exotic plant sites removing invasives (Philadelphus virginalis). like kudzu, garlic mustard, princess tree, privet, and multiflora rose. The park’s cabins, • Fraser fir trees are re-growing in some ar- churches, and other eas where mature trees were killed by the balsam historic buildings woolly adelgid. are being perma- nently damaged by vandals carving or AIR QUALITY writing their names on walls. If you witness vandalism taking place, please call (865) 436- Ozone pollution, acid rain, par- emissions and improving air quality. Additional- 1230 to report it. ticulate matter, and regional ly, TVA plans to install more scrubbers on other haze levels at the park have all nearby smokestacks. The recently completed improved dramatically since Collections Preservation Center 1999. Cleaner power plants shelters the park’s historic artifacts and other items. and cleaner motor vehicles are Because of sulfur and nitro- the reasons. Visibility on the worst gen pollution, park rainfall is days has improved from 9 miles in the 1990s to 39 five times more acidic than miles in 2014. natural rainfall, causing VISITOR EXPERIENCE • Nearly 12,000 customers have signed up for streams to become too acidic the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA’s) Green for Clean Water Act standards. To celebrate the centennial of • Over 21,000 students benefited from the Power Program. On some summer days, ground the National Park Service, Smokies “Parks as Classrooms” programs • Since December of 2008, TVA has installed level ozone pollution can make air in the park the Smokies and its partners in which participants visit the park and sulfur dioxide scrubbers on the nearby Bull Run unhealthy to breathe. collaborated to blanket Knox- learn about its natural and cultural resources and Kingston coal-fired power plants, reducing ville’s airport with murals through curriculum-based programs. In ad- celebrating parks within 200 dition, over 500 members of local Boys and miles of that city. • Park Super- Girls Clubs were able to take field trips to the intendent Cassius Cash led an effort to encour- Smokies. age hundreds of school kids and adults to hike 100 miles in the park and earn a commemora- tive patch. • Great Smoky Mountains Associ- Visitation to Great Smoky ation published special centennial editions of Mountains National Park Smokies Life Magazine including a feature that is up another six percent

smokies guide, winter 2016-17 • 13 named the 100 most influential people in park through the first nine history. • Nationally-acclaimed musicians like months of 2016 and will Dolly Parton and David Holt collaborated to likely top 11 million this create “On Top of Old Smoky,” a CD featur- year. Although it’s good news ing modern recordings of traditional Smoky that so many people are enjoying their Mountain music. national park, the high visitation is testing Thanks to reductions in coal-burning power plants and vehicle emissions, air quality in the Smokies is improving. • Restoration work on the enormously the limits of the park’s staffing and infra- Still, sulfates from power plants and factories are reducing mountain views from 80 miles (historically) to 39 popular Alum Cave Trail to Mt. Le Conte was structure, including roads, parking areas, and miles today. completed by the park’s Trails Forever crew. restrooms during the peak months. if you love the smokies... help protect and preserve a true American masterpiece become a support the member friends Friends of Great Smoky Since 1953, Great Smoky JOHN DICKSON PHOTO Mountains Association Mountains National Park has sup- is a nonprofit organization ported the that assists the National Park educational, Service by raising funds and scientific, public awareness and pro- and histori- cal efforts of the National Park Ser- vice through cash donations and in-kind services. In 2017 alone, the association plans to provide more than $1.3 million in assistance that includes saving hemlock trees, restoring historic buildings, environmental education pro- viding volunteers for park grams, backcountry staff, and projects. historic preservation. Since 1993, Friends has Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the few large national parks without an entrance fee. Most Association members raised over $53 million for parks now charge $30 per vehicle. Without this supplemental income, it is difficult for the Smokies to ade- park projects and programs. receive a number of benefits quately protect wildlife, preserve historic areas, and provide educational opportunities. You can help by using These donations help: to keep them informed about some of the money you saved at the entrance to support the park partners on this page. special events in the park and • protect elk, bear, brook issues affecting the Smokies: field school gsmi at tremont discover life... trout, and other wildlife • Subscription to the semi-an- • improve trails, campsites, nual, full-color magazine and backcountry shelters An exciting variety of adven- Great Smoky Mountains We all know that the Great Smokies Life • support educational pro- tures await adults who long Institute at Tremont provides Smoky Mountains are famous • Exclusive digital access to grams for school children to get out and explore the residential environmental for their diversity of life, the award-winning quarter- • improve visitor facilities park accompanied by expert education programs in Great but how much do we really ly park newspaper, Smokies • fund special educational guides. Programs are offered Smoky Mountains National know about all those plants Guide, the association’s news- services like the park movie by the Smoky Mountain Field Park. Up to 5,000 students and animals? Well, before the letter, The Bearpaw, and many • preserve log cabins and School and include Mt. Le and adults annually attend nonprofit Discover Life in other members-only features other historic structures. Conte overnights, wildlife workshops, summer camps, America launched its biologi- • A 15-20% discount on Your donation can help workshops, edible plants, and school programs at the cal inventory of the park, not books, music, gifts, and other make these projects a reali- wildflower photography, Institute. Tremont’s adult a whole heck of a lot! Now products sold at park visitor ty. Put a few coins or a few animal tracking, bird watch- workshops include birding, that’s all changed. DLIA has centers and at our web store dollars in one of the dona- ing, salamanders, mountain backpacking, environmental documented over 19,000 dif- • Discounts up to 20% at tion boxes located at visitor cooking, and more. One day education, naturalist week- ferent species in the Smokies, more than 400 national park centers, roadsides, and other programs start at as little as ends, and photography. Con- nearly 1,000 of those new to bookstores across the country locations around the park. $79. Contact: (865) 974-0150 or tact (865) 448-6709 or www. the science books. To learn • Special discounts at area Buy the Smokies license plate smfs.utk.edu gsmit.org more: www.dlia.org rental cabins, inns, restau- for your car (available in Ten- nessee and North Carolina). rants, shops, and attractions “Get Rooted in the Smokies” • And most importantly, YES, I WANT TO JOIN GSMA! However you choose to the satisfaction of helping to Choose Your Membership Level: Name(s) ______give, your donation will really help protect the Great Smoky preserve nature and history ______in Great Smoky Mountains q Acorn (youth) Membership $15 Mountains for many years to Address ______National Park. q Buckeye Annual Membership $35 come! ______Join today using the cou- q Chestnut Annual Membership $100 Friends of the Smokies pon to the right or visit www. q Dogwood Membership $200 Email (for Cub Report) ______P.O. Box 1660, SmokiesInformation.org, Or Telephone # ______q Hemlock Lifetime Membership $1,000 Kodak, TN 37764 call us at 1-888-898-9102 x222. Please include your check with this form. Mail to: GSMA memberships start at q Annual Business Membership $250 (865) 932-4794 GSMA, P.O. Box 130, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 just $35 per year. 1-800-845-5665 www.friendsofthesmokies.org

14 v smokies guide, Winter 2016-17 Technology A new app shows what lives where Where the Wild Things Are

ave you ever wondered where to Hlook for a Canada Warbler in the Smokies? Or a painted trillium? Now you can get some amazing help from an app created through a partnership between Great Smoky Mountains National 1 Park and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) and the School of Arts at the University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville. The name of the web-based application is Species Mapper. Everyone from park managers to school groups can use Species Mapper to explore habitats for over 1,800 plant and animal species. The application can be found at https://science.nature.nps.gov/ parks/grsm/species.

Species Mapper uses locations where species have been previously documented to help predict additional places where they may occur in the park. These predictions, or models, are based on observations made during ongoing wildland monitoring as well as during science studies conducted by researchers from all over the world. The result of the model is a detailed map showing where each species is likely to live in the park. “This application allows park managers to 2 use the vast amount of biological data collected over the past three decades to protect park resources,” said Inventory and Monitoring Program Manager Tom Remaley. “Visitors can use this site to explore what lives in the park and what they might see during their visit.” The model uses supercomputers managed by the UT/Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Joint Institute for Computational Sciences to analyze the location of observations as well as the characteristics of the environment such as slope, to the application making it recorded in the park, thanks to Top, Step 1: Selecting Canada Warbler from forest type, geology, elevation, temperature, more accurate and comprehen- the project. the species selector shows its likely locations as and sun exposure. Faculty and post-doctoral sive. Many of the observations For more information about purple areas in the park. researchers from UT’s national Institute for will come from the All Taxa biological diversity in the Bottom, Step 2: Choosing a second species—in Mathematical and Biological Synthesis have also Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI), park, visit www.nps.gov/grsm/ this case, Dark-eyed Junco—shows its locations contributed to the scientific analysis of the data which is a park-wide biological learn/nature/index.htm and in blue-green in addition to the purple Canada and the models. inventory of all life forms. Over the Discover Life in America Warbler habitat sites. Park managers will continue to add observations 19,000 species have now been website at www.dlia.org.

smokies guide, Winter 2016-17 • 15 winter travels for more information: www.nps.gov/grsm 441 snow routes emergencies hospitals regulations accessibility

For periods when Newfound Listed below are some num- Le Conte/Sevier County Picking or digging plants is Restrooms at all park visitor Gap Road (U.S. 441) is closed bers to call for emergencies (865) 446-7000, Middle Creek prohibited in the park. centers (Cades Cove, Oco- because of snow, alternate that arise after hours. Rd., Sevierville, TN. Persons feeding wildlife naluftee, and Sugarlands) are routes around the Smokies Park Headquarters Blount Memorial (865) 983- are subject to a $5,000 fine. fully accessible. The Sugar- are shown below. Commercial (865) 436-9171 7211, U.S. 321, Maryville, TN. Pets are not permitted lands Valley all-access nature traffic must use “Primary” Cherokee Police Haywood County (828) 456- on most park trails. Only the trail is located on Newfound routes. “Secondary” routes (828) 497-4131 7311, Waynesville, NC. Gatlinburg and Oconaluftee Gap Road just south of Sugar- are shorter but the roads are Gatlinburg Police Swain County (828) 488-2155, River trails allow dogs on a lands Visitor Center. steeper and more winding. (865) 436-5181 Bryson City, NC. leash.

Exit 417

SWAIN COUNTY VISITOR CENTER