Winter 2019-20 in This Issue

Home , Natchez Trace Parkway, Newfound Gap, Snow Falls, Thunderhead Mountain

SMOKIESThe official newspaper of Great Smoky MountainsGUIDE National Park • Winter 2019-20 In this issue

Smokies Trip Planner • 2 Great Sights to See • 4 National Park News • 5 Jr. Ranger Corner • 7 Winter Driving Map • 8 Winter Wildlife Watching • 10 State of the Park • 12 How to Help the Smokies • 14 Park Etiquette • 15 Visitor Information • 16

Be sure to check the weather forecast and road conditions before traveling to the park. Image courtesy of NPS

Winter in the Mountains Brings Beauty, Snow and Ice Exploring the park this season is a delight made possible by Smokies road crews S t t o n n e inter in the Great Smoky Moun- 8–9). Other roads, like Newfound Gap e m OUR PARK y ip Mu u tains may not bring the celebrated Road (U.S. 441), are subject to extended lfo r Eq W ON SOCIAL MEDIA O rd, Enginee blooms of spring wildflower season, the weather-related closures and require a great pe sor rator Supervi long, warm days and lazy summer nights deal of work to reopen. of June and July, or the famously brilliant Newfound Gap Road stretches 33 miles Words with a Ranger colors of fall, but it possesses an allure that across the mountains to an elevation of As the roads supervisor on the Ten- can be observed in quiet forests, frigid 5,046 feet and connects Gatlinburg, TN, nessee side of the park, one of the rushing streams, frosty fields, and snowy to Cherokee, NC. When heavy snow falls GreatSmokyMountainsNPS best parts of my job is going up the mountain landscapes. Visitors who seek or slick conditions develop, it is a team mountain to Newfound Gap when these destinations are rewarded with fewer effort of crews coming from each side of U.S. 441 is closed after a snow event crowds compared to other seasons and a the mountain and meeting at the top to and experiencing how peaceful and unique beauty only this time of year offers. get the road cleared across its mountainous quiet it is. That’s not to say that winter is a time path. GreatSmokyNPS During winter storms, visitors may of inactivity. In fact, the park’s roads crews “As roads crews in the nation’s most and SmokiesRoadsNPS be disappointed to find that some park may be busier than ever responding to visited national park,” said North District roads are closed. What the majority winter weather events that close roads and Roads Supervisor Stoney Mulford, “it’s of people don’t realize is that we don’t disrupt travel. Many secondary roads in the important that we support visitor enjoy- use salt within the park because it can park are winding, high-elevation roads or ment and safety by providing well main- damage the plants and streams that gravel backroads and therefore are closed tained and safe roadways for travel. GreatSmokyNPS Words with a Ranger continued on page 5 during the winter season (see map on pages Continued on page 6 Maps and guides: SmokiesInformation.org SMOKIES TRIP PLANNER Additional information: nps.gov/grsm CADES COVE Camping in the national park Group sites must be reserved and may be year-round, $21-$27, 32'-35' RVs CLOSED The National Park Service maintains secured up to a year in advance. • Smokemont 142 sites, elev. 2,198', developed campgrounds at nine loca- The list below shows number of open year-round, $21-$25, 35'-40' RVs January 2 at 8 p.m. — tions in the park. Due to work on the sites, elevations, expected opening dates, • Look Rock closed in 2020 February 29, 2020 Bote Mountain Tunnel and no access nightly fees and maximum RV lengths. to Cades Cove this winter (see page 6), Call 877.444.6777 or contact recreation. To prevent the spread of destruc- Cades Cove Campground will be closed. gov to make reservations. tive insect pests, the NPS has banned See page 6 Elkmont and Smokemont campgrounds outside firewood from entering the park for more information. are open. • Abrams Creek 16 sites, elev. 1,125', unless it is USDA- or state-certified There are no showers or hookups opens April 24, $17.50, 12' trailers heat-treated wood. Campers may gather other than circuits for special medical • Balsam Mountain 42 sites, elev. 5,310', dead and down wood in the park for uses at Cades Cove, Elkmont and opens May 15, $17.50, 30' RVs campfires. Special events Smokemont. Campsites may be reserved • Big Creek 12 sites, elev. 1,700', opens Certified wood may be purchased December 14 Festival of Christmas Past: up to six months in advance. Reservations April 3, $17.50, tents only in and around the park. Sugarlands Visitor Center are required at Abrams Creek, Balsam • Cades Cove 159 sites, elev. 1,807', December 21 Holiday Homecoming: Mountain, Big Creek and Cataloochee closed Dec. 30, 2019–March 5, 2020, Accommodations Oconaluftee Visitor Center campgrounds. $21-$25, 35'-40' RVs • LeConte Lodge (accessible by trail April 21-25, 2020 Spring Wildflower Site occupancy is limited to six • Cataloochee 27 sites, elev. 2,610', only) provides the only lodging in the Pilgrimage: parkwide people and two vehicles (a trailer = one opens June 11, $25, 31' RVs park. 865.429.5704 or lecontelodge.com vehicle). The maximum stay is 14 days. • Cosby 157 sites, elev. 2,459', opens For information on lodging outside For rent Special camping sites for large groups April 2, $17.50, 25' RVs the park: The Appalachian Clubhouse and Spence are available seasonally at Big Creek, • Deep Creek 92 sites, elev. 1,800', • Bryson City 800.867.9246 or Cabin at Elkmont can be rented for Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep opens May 21, $21, 26' RVs greatsmokies.com daytime events starting in April. Contact Creek, Elkmont and Smokemont. • Elkmont 220 sites, elev. 2,150', open • Cherokee 828.788.0034 or recreation.gov. cherokeesmokies.com • Fontana 800.849.2258 or Visitor centers fontanavillage.com Winter hours of operation are: Cades • Gatlinburg 800.588.1817 or Cove: 9-4:30 in Dec.; closed Jan. and gatlinburg.com Feb.; 9-6 in March. Oconaluftee: 8-4:30 • Maggie Valley 800.624.4431 or in Dec.-Feb.; 8-5 in March. Sugarlands: maggievalley.org 8-4:30 in Dec.-Feb.; 8-5 in March. • Pigeon Forge 800.251.9100 or mypigeonforge.com Picnic areas • Sevierville 888.766.5948 or Picnic areas open year-round are: visitsevierville.com Deep Creek, Greenbrier and Metcalf • Townsend 800.525.6834 or Bottoms. All others are expected to open smokymountains.org in spring. Cades Cove is closed due to work on Bote Mountain Tunnel (see Pets in the park page 6). Picnic areas have a table and Pets are allowed in front-country camp- raised grill (charcoal fires only). See the grounds and beside roads as long as they map on page 16 for locations. Picnic During winter, wildlife is more visible because deciduous trees have lost their leaves. Use are restrained at all times. Pets are not pavilions may be reserved for $12.50– the rule of thumb (illustrated on the next page) to view all wildlife, including this bobcat. allowed on park trails, except for the $80 at recreation.gov. Image by Bill Lea Gatlinburg and Oconaluftee River trails. Dogs on these trails must be leashed. SMOKIES GUIDE Smokies Guide is produced five times per year by Publication dates are Autumn: mid-Sept. Writers Design Assistants Planning Committee Stephanie Sutton © 2019 Great Great Smoky Mountains Association and Great roughly as follows: Winter: mid-Dec. Valerie Polk Lisa Horstman Katie Corrigan Florie Takaki Smoky Mountains Smoky Mountains National Park. Spring: mid-March Aaron Searcy Emma DuFort Becky Nichols Association Editor Summer: early June Bill Stiver E Printed on P.O. Box 130 Frances Figart Lead Designer NPS Coordinator nps.gov/grsm Late Summer: Paul Super recycled paper Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Karen Key Susan Sachs mid-August SmokiesInformation.org

Smokies Guide Winter 2019-20 • 2 packers are often Fishing Winter hikers should be especially CADES COVE RULE OF THUMB caught off guard Fishing is permitted year-round in aware of the danger of hypothermia— when a sunny day the park, and a Tennessee or the lowering of body temperature. The CLOSED FOR WILDLIFE VIEWING in the 70s°F is North Carolina fishing license is combination of rain, cold and wind followed by a wet, required. Either state license is valid is especially dangerous. At the park’s January 2 at 8 p.m. — bitterly cold one. throughout the park, and no trout higher elevations, hypothermia can be a February 29, 2020 By mid- to late stamp is required. threat even during summer. April, the weather Fishing with bait is prohibited in the To prevent hypothermia, carry is milder. park. A special permit is required reliable rain gear at all times. Layer See page 6 • Summer - By for the Cherokee Reservation and clothing that provides warmth when for more information. mid-June, heat, Gatlinburg. Licenses are available in wet (not cotton). Be prepared for haze and humidity nearby towns. sudden weather changes, especially at are the norm. A free fishing map with a complete the higher elevations. Stay dry. Most precipitation list of all park fishing regulations is avail- occurs as afternoon able at visitor centers. thundershowers. Driving distances and • Autumn - In Camping in the backcountry estimated times mid-September, a Winter camping can be an exciting pattern of warm, adventure for persons properly equipped Allow for longer driving times sunny days and and informed. To facilitate this activity, during poor weather. crisp, clear nights the National Park Service maintains often begins. more than 800 miles of trails and more Cherokee, NC to: However, cool, than 100 backcountry campsites and Gatlinburg: 34 miles (1 hour) When viewing wildlife, hold your arm out straight rainy days also shelters throughout the park. One of Newfound Gap: 18 miles and, if you can’t cover the animal in your line of occur. Snow the greatest challenges for backcountry (½ hour) sight with your thumb, you’re too close! may fall at the campers is deciding where to go. Here Clingmans Dome: 25 miles higher elevations are some tools to help. (¾ hour) in November. 1. Get the map. Go online to view the Cataloochee: 39 miles Other services • Winter - Days park’s official trail map (nps.gov/grsm/ (1½ hours) during this fickle season can be sunny planyourvisit/maps.htm), which shows There are no gas stations, showers or Deep Creek: 14 miles (½ hour) restaurants in the national park. and 65°F or snowy with highs in the all park trails, campsites and shelters. 20s. At the low elevations, snows of Park rules and regulations are also listed Gatlinburg, TN to: 1" or more occur three to five times here. If you wish, you can purchase the Park weather Cherokee: 34 miles (1 hour) • Spring - March has the most change- per year. At Newfound Gap, 69" fall printed version of the trail map for $1 Newfound Gap: 16 miles able weather; snow can fall on any day, on average. Lows of -20°F are possible by stopping at any park visitor center or (½ hour) especially at the higher elevations. Back- at the higher elevations. calling 865.436.7318 x226 or shopping online at SmokiesInformation.org. Clingmans Dome: 23 miles 2. Plan your trip. Call or stop by the (¾ hour) These temperature park’s backcountry office, which is open Cataloochee: 65 miles and precipitation daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, for trip plan- (2½ hours) averages are ning help. The office is located in Sugar- Greenbrier Cove: 6 miles based on data for lands Visitor Center, two miles south of (¼ hour) the last 20 years. Deep Creek: 48 miles Temperatures Gatlinburg on U.S. 441. 865 436.1297. are in degrees 3. Get a permit. Make your reservation (1½ hours) Fahrenheit. An and obtain your permit through the average of over backcountry office at Sugarlands Visitor Townsend, TN to: 84" (7 feet) of Center (by phone or in person) or online Newfound Gap: 34 miles precipitation falls at smokiespermits.nps.gov. (1¼ hours) on the higher Reservations and permits are Gatlinburg: 22 miles (¾ hour) elevations of the required for all overnight stays in the Smokies. On Mt. Cherokee: 52 miles (1½ hours) Le Conte, an backcountry. The cost is $4 per person Look Rock: 18 miles (½ hour) average of 82.8" of per night. Reservations may be made up Cataloochee: 87 miles (3 hours) snow falls per year. to 30 days in advance.

Smokies Guide Winter 2019-20 • 3 GREAT SIGHTS TO SEE

1. Cosby The Deep Creek Highlights: hiking, waterfall, scenic drive, area is an off-the- mountain views beaten-path desti- BIG CREEK LAKEVIEW Cosby features hiking trails that nation in the Great DRIVE Smoky Mountains offer a little something for everyone.

The mile-long Cosby Nature Trail is a celebrated for its

good way to stretch your legs and get rushing streams and CATALOOCHEE MIDDLE LOOK ROCK acquainted with the area. The 4.2-mile waterfalls. Hikers PRONG round-trip hike to Hen Wallow Falls, enjoy the area because one of the park’s highest waterfalls at of the waterfalls and to ed os cl hicles 95 feet tall, is moderate and extremely because there are r ve Roadto popular. Sutton Ridge Overlook and its several loop hikes to mo impressive views are accessible from the choose from. Bicy- Waterrock Knob Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail. It’s 2.5 miles clists can take advan- out and back. tage of one of the few A 6-mile section of Foothills Parkway park trails where bikes between Cosby and I-40 provides stellar are permitted. views of the majestic Smokies and is well Deep Creek area worth the drive. loop hikes include Mileage from Gatlinburg––20 Juney Whank Falls (0.6 mile), Three Built in 1896, the Smokemont Mileage from Gatlinburg––7 from Townsend—40 Waterfalls Loop (2.4 miles) and Deep Baptist Church is located near the bridge from Townsend—15 from Cherokee—53 Creek–Indian Creek Loop (4.4 miles). between Newfound Gap Road (U.S. from Cherokee—39 Longer loop hikes are also available. 441) and the campground. 2. Middle Prong Bicycles are allowed on Deep Creek Mileage from Gatlinburg—28 6. Look Rock Highlights: scenic drive, hiking trails, and Indian Creek trails to the points from Cherokee—5 Highlights: mountain views, short hike, waterfalls where the old roadbeds end and the trail from Townsend—46 scenic drive, observation tower This small area of Great Smoky treads begin. Look Rock, named for a natural rock Mountains National Park features a Deep Creek Picnic Area is open 5. Old Elkmont Town ledge, is the highest point on the western scenic road that is open year-round but year-round. Highlights: historic buildings, walking portion of Foothills Parkway. It is located may close periodically due to winter road Mileage from Cherokee—14 trails, camping between the Walland and Chilhowee conditions. from Gatlinburg—48 The Elkmont area was once a entrances to the parkway. This area is From Laurel Creek Road, Tremont from Townsend—65 logging boomtown and a bustling subject to weather-related closures. Please Road follows the lovely Middle Prong enclave of summer vacation homes. check road conditions before travel. of Little River and transitions to a gravel 4. Smokemont Today, the National Park Service has A half-mile trail from the Look Rock road. Continuing on the gravel road for Highlights: camping, historic church restored the Appalachian Clubhouse, parking area to the top of the ridge three miles to its end makes a beautiful Open year-round, Smokemont Spence Cabin and several other historic provides access to Look Rock Tower, streamside drive. The road traces the Campground is situated near the buildings that offer a glimpse into the with a 360-degree panoramic view of path of a railroad used by the lumber banks of the Oconaluftee River, a summer resort era. the Smokies and neighboring foothills. company operating in this area from major waterway acclaimed for its trout Elkmont also has a variety of easy- Thunderhead Mountain and Gregory 1926 to 1939. At the road’s end, an easy fishing as well as its place in 19th-cen- to-moderate hiking trails, including Bald are among the landmarks that can walk across a footbridge and up Middle tury Smoky Mountain history. When the Cucumber Gap loop (5.5 miles), be viewed from this vantage point. This Prong Trail leads to a cascade where Newfound Gap Road is closed because Elkmont Nature Trail (0.8-mile round- location makes a particularly good spot benches provide a relaxing vantage point. of snow, this area is still accessible. trip), Jakes Creek Falls (3.2 miles round- for stargazing. Mileage from Townsend—9 Bradley Fork–Smokemont Loop (6.1 trip) and Huskey Branch Falls (4.3 miles Nearby Look Rock Picnic Area from Gatlinburg––26 miles) is a strenuous route featuring the round-trip). Little River Trail makes a has recently reopened with limited from Cherokee—55 waters of Bradley Fork and a historic pleasant streamside stroll. services after the first phase of a cemetery. You can start the trail near Because of the closure of Cades Cove rehabilitation project. 3. Deep Creek campground D Loop. Smokemont for the Bote Mountain Tunnel repairs (see Mileage from Townsend—16 Highlights: walking trails, waterfalls, Nature Trail is a .75-mile introduction to page 6), Elkmont campground remains from Gatlinburg––38 bicycling the area. open for campers this winter. from Cherokee—68

Smokies Guide Winter 2019-20 • 4 Words with a Ranger PARK NEWS Great Smoky Mountains National Park news briefs continued from page 1 are protected here. We use The Park Welcomes Lisa McInnis ‘chat,’ a mixture of sand and Lisa McInnis is the park’s new chief State. She got her PhD in forestry with fine gravel, to improve traction of resource management and science. a fire ecology emphasis from Stephen F. on roadways and reduce the She comes to the Smokies from the Austin State University. impact on the wildlife and other Natchez Trace Parkway in Tupelo, “As an undergraduate, I took a botany species that inhabit the park. Mississippi, where she held a similar class and began to learn about the inter- In order to get closed roads position. McInnis specializes in prairie relationships between plants and fire, and open again in the winter, it takes restoration and fire ecology of south- I was blown away,” she said. “I knew then a combination of plowing, sand- eastern forests. that I wanted to learn more.” ing and waiting for temperatures “I became interested in public lands In school, McInnis said she didn’t fully to rise to help with the melting when I learned about the mission of the appreciate the challenges land managers process. If temperatures will be NPS during college,” she told Smokies face in a park setting. “We are dealing below freezing for several days, Guide. “I remember thinking it was one with critical environmental issues such as we monitor road conditions and of the most noble missions I had ever air and water quality, impacts to soils and add additional chat as needed. heard—and I still think that to this day.” vegetation, and the detrimental effects of Before opening any road after a McInnis received a bachelor of arts nonnative animals, plants and diseases on closure, our priority is to make degree in biology from Centenary Col- natural and cultural resources,” she said. sure it is safe for visitor travel— lege, a master of science in biology from “Using the best available science to guide with the realization that some of Louisiana Tech University and a master of management decisions represents an ongo- our visitors have never driven in business administration from Mississippi ing challenge for land managers.” Lisa McInnis is Great Smoky Mountains snow or ice before. National Park’s new chief of resource I am responsible for all of the management. Image courtesy of NPS paved and unpaved roadways in the North District, including Volunteer Jim Goddard Cades Cove and the Tennessee Receives Regional Recognition portion of Newfound Gap Road. Dedicated park volunteer Jim Goddard tural resources. Goddard’s craftsmanship This work involves roadside is the recipient of the National Park Ser- has been applied to one-of-a-kind replicas mowing and string trimming, vice Southeast Regional Hartzog Award of church benches, school desks and tub litter removal, hazard tree for Enduring Service, a recognition of mills. He has continued to contribute to removal, roadway and shoulder the significant skills, talent and time he the park community and visitor experi- repairs, road signage, clearing has shared with the park for more than ence by helping to plan, coordinate and rock slides and downed trees, two decades. facilitate popular special events. Goddard snow and ice removal, mainte- “Jim has provided a tremendous was an ambassador for the 75th anniver- nance of bridges and gates, and service to the visitors of the Smokies,” sary of Great Smoky Mountains National supervising the maintenance said Superintendent Cassius Cash. “He Park and for the National Park Service personnel who service and has been instrumental in ensuring that centennial celebration. repair more than 200 vehicles visitors are able to safely navigate the Great Smoky Mountains National and other equipment assigned park trail system and in the preserva- Park recognizes three additional VIPs to the park. tion of the park’s cultural history. His for their outstanding service contribu- I am proud of all of the hard legacy will live on for generations to tions: Clyde and Deborah Whitaker work my employees do and come, and it is an honor to recognize for their work as campground hosts at their dedication to take care him for his contributions.” Cosby, Elkmont and Cades Cove; and of this natural resource that Goddard has served continuously as Janie Bitner for serving as inventory and provides for visitor enjoyment. a Volunteer-In-Park (VIP) for more than monitoring assistant at Twin Creeks. The When you see crews working Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s 23 years. In addition to creating the icon- park has well over 2,800 volunteers who on or near the roads, please Superintendent Cassius Cash (left) and ic wooden trail signage that marks the perform a wide variety of important work slow down and remember Backcountry Management Specialist Smokies’ 850 miles of backcountry trails, and provide valuable service to the park that they have loved ones who Christine Hoyer (right) present Jim he has performed trail maintenance and and its visitors. want to see them come home Goddard (center) with his Hartzog Award. Image courtesy of NPS helped restore and preserve fragile cul- at night.

Smokies Guide Winter 2019-20 • 5 Winter in the Mountains Brings Beauty, Snow and Ice Exploring the park this season is a delight made possible by Smokies road crews continued from page 1 Responding to winter’s challenges is a big part of that.” For current park road conditions call 865.436.1200 or follow Smokies- RoadsNPS on Twitter.

CADES COVE CLOSED January 2 at 8 p.m.–February 29, 2020

The road leading in to Cades Cove will be closed for part of this winter. Crews will be working to repair the Bote Mountain Tunnel, an iconic passageway on Laurel Creek Road that provides A warm winter day at lower elevations can be a snowy day high the only vehicle access to this part of in the mountains. Newfound Gap, the highest point on Newfound the park. The road will be closed to all Gap Road (U.S. 441) is frequently 10–15° cooler than Cherokee motorists, cyclists and pedestrians starting or Gatlinburg. Higher elevations also receive more precipitation— just beyond Tremont Road. The full sometimes an annual total of five feet or more of snow. These chal- closure is necessary to allow for the repair lenging weather conditions make road closures necessary until the of the internal drainage system in the park’s road crews can clear them. Images by Bill Lea except for snow walls and ceilings of the 121-foot-long plow, courtesy of NPS. tunnel. Crews will enclose and heat the tunnel, allowing temperature-sensitive repairs to be conducted during this time. Intermittent single-lane closures will Salt brine and chemicals are not used on roads within the park. These traditional treatments can occur between March 1 and June 15 to attract wildlife that may ingest these substances complete the tunnel repairs and repave because they think they are natural salt. Animals the tunnel area. can become sick and even die as a result. Such Due to this roadwork, Cades Cove treatments can damage vegetation and streams Campground will be closed December near the road as well. So, instead, the park uses a 30, 2019, through March 5, 2020. mixture of sand and gravel to reduce the effects on Elkmont and Smokemont campgrounds the surrounding environment. will remain open to accommodate winter campers. Bote Mountain Tunnel was constructed in 1948 and has not had any significant rehabilitation work since. When driving on snow-covered roads, reduce your Without these important repairs, leaks speed and avoid sudden braking. Leave extra space could result in a compromised structure between you and the vehicle in front of you. Use lower gears or brake very gently when you need to and ice hazards during the winter months. slow down. Bote Mountain Tunnel image by Bill Lea

Smokies Guide Winter 2019-20 • 6 What THIEF! cheer THIEF! cheer THIEF! cheer! Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you c all? a

Phee-bee phee-bee d matching! BIRDS Many birds in the forest are most easily identified by the songs they sing. Some people make up word phrases to help them remember the songs. Can you Drink your Teakettle match each bird to the bird song? teeeeeea! teakettle teakettle! The Blue Jay thinks he’s been robbed:____ b e The Carolina Wren likes to make tea: ___ f The Eastern Towhee is bossy about tea: ___ The Northern Cardinal is a bit of a cheerleader: ___ The Eastern Phoebe says her own name: ___ At night, the Barred Owl asks this question Illustrations by Lisa Horstman about food preparation: ___

TREE LEAVES Match the drawing of d. sycamore b. dog hobble the leaf with the tree (and clue). You can make maple sugar from this tree:____ This tree has tiny red flowers in early spring and it’s leaves turn bright red in autumn: ___ a. red maple The seeds of this tree are called acorns: ___ c. white The trunk of this tree loses some of its oak bark and looks kind of sick: ___ This tree has bark, but doesn’t bite: ___ Hunting dogs are said to have a hard time

f. sugar maple running through masses of this shrub: ___

f, a, c, d, e, b e, d, c, a, f, d e, a, b, f, c,

ANSWERS ANSWERS TREE LEAVES: TREE e. dogwood BIRDS:

Smokies Guide Winter 2019-20 • 7 To Knoxville To I-40 To Newport 321 SEVIERVILLE ay w Exit rk Pa 443 Hartford 32 lls CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST hi ot Cosby Fo Be Aware Park View Exit 447 129 416 411 of Closures TENNESSEE 441 Exit 451 32 NORTH C MARYVILLE AROLIN PIGEON FORGE Cosby A Pittman Mount Center Cammerer Cades Cove closed Jan 2. at 8 p.m. – Feb. 29, 2020 321 321 73 Hen Wallow Falls Mount 321 Gatlinburg Welcome Center Cammerer Trail 40 il National Park Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail a 321 r T Information Center Ga n closed for winter bes Mounta i ek Tra Cre il

n addition to regular seasonal closures, park visitors should be ig Big Creek Lo B Greenbrier w Ga Mouse Tr aware of upcoming work that will prevent access to Cades Cove. 129 ay ai p Creek I 411 Walland Parkw l s Falls This closure also affects park service access and assistance to hikers ill th GATLINBURG o Wears Valley es Trail y Fo Red light cad in this area. wa msey Cas To Chattanooga rk #8 Ra Ramsey Pa Mount Guyot Metcalf Bottoms Cataract Cascades Little Brier Noah ‘Bud’ Ogle Place ls Gap Trail Falls il Townsend Fighting Creek Porters Laurel Creek Road leading to Cades Cove will be closed to all h t Visitors Center 321 Little Trail Sugarlands Flat o Greenbrier Laurel Visitor Center Grotto o School P traffic from January 2 at 8 p.m. through February 29, 2020, to F o Falls Laurel Falls T Falls r R r t Trail Road a illi e 73 in um r s Fern Branch repair the Bote Mountain Tunnel. The tunnel was constructed in bo Tr Ga w ail p Rich Mountain Rd Townsend r Maloney T C Trail Rive ra Fa re Falls Meigs Carlos il lls ek Heritage Point T n 1948 and has not had any significant rehabilitation work since. closed for winter ra ia l Little Campbell i d Center Trai Falls l h a t Top Rainbow Mount c o nu Overlook a Cataloochee R st l PISGAH The work will involve replacing nine draining structures within T he Elkmont Le Conte a C Falls r L p Valley e itt Alum Cave in m le p Cataloochee NATIONAL a R Overlook the tunnel wall, patching the concrete liner, replacing the underd- Schoolhouse o i Trail A t v K C e n Gap Trail n uc r Alum Cave R Bo FOREST u t u T nd tt Look Rock o GSM Institute mb r u o R er Ga a A Ro m p Tra il a/

M d il Blu s Charlies rain, and sealing concrete cracks. Repaving will be completed at a l R P Tower at Tremont i og a to d

r h Bunion in . T e c i k H Lynn Camp e Boogerman R e later date. See page 6 for more information. r L Loop s C A C Prong e o k Chimney N Trail ve a Cascades J O R Cr Newfound I o e Tops a Chimney Tops T d ek A Trail A br Middle Prong N am Gap s Trail F Abrams a ll Abrams s

T Kephart Straight Fork Rd r Roads: Note that all park roads, including Newfound Gap Road Creek Falls a Oconaluftee Exit 20 i l Prong G closed for winter REAT Valley Trail (U.S. 441), may close temporarily for snow or other inclement SMOKY MOUNTAINS Overlook Chasteen Cades Cove r T

k Creek Falls weather at any time. Visitor Center r o Smokemont Clingmans F H e ti Loop i To a n 276 n Trail t Heintooga Ridge Rd Cades Cove Dome Ka o Asheville o

closed for Winter

closed 1/2/2020

Many secondary and higher elevation park roads are closed to motor Chilhowee Thunderhead R

i Smokemont Balsam d

Mountain g

at 8 p.m.– 2/29/2020 d e

a Mountain

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vehicles in winter. These include: Clingmans Dome Road, Forge i

e a r d

d T v a

o o R Creek Road (closes December 31), Heintooga/Round Bottom Road, ) C Mingo h es l k c icl i e n h a Andrews Bald Clingmans Dome Rd e ig ra e r r Falls B v T C B r Heintooga Ridge Road, Little Greenbrier Road, Rich Mountain n to closed o o Park rs m p w

a o e Mingus ge ay Maggie

P t n e id Dellwood

R D d a 12/2/19–3/29/20 Mill e Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, and Straight Fork Road. e i lu os Oconaluftee B Valley cl h Restrooms are available ( c Visitor Center a Parson Branch Road is closed indefinitely due to hazardous trees. l Bone Valley 19 129 a Trail at visitor centers, Elkmont and Smokemont

p campgrounds, Deep Creek and Greenbrier

Mountain Oconaluftee River A

picnic areas, Newfound Gap and Great Trail Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Farm Museum Soco Gap Vault toilets are also available at Rainbow CHEROKEE INDIAN RESERVATION Twentymile Hazel Creek 441 Hiking Trails: Hiking trails are open in winter. However, some Trail Falls and Abrams Falls trailheads. Calderwood Loop Trail Cherokee Museum Wolf l CHEROKEE Lake i Loop Picnic Areas trailheads will be inaccessible to motor vehicles because of road Ridge a Indian r CHEROKEE Trail T Trail Deals ile Creek Falls m WAYNESVILLE closures. Walking on seasonally closed roads is permitted unless NATIONAL enty Goldmine Juney Whank Falls Camping Gap Tw Loop Tom Branch Falls 19 Juney Whank FOREST Twentymile Trail La snow plowing or construction work is underway. Fontana ke Falls Trail Major Hwys Lake Cascade F vie Cheoah Dam ontana w Lak Dr E e Major Roads E SS A Deep 441 E IN N L BRYSON N O Twentymile Creek Paved Roads E R Snow Seekers: For people seeking a place to play in the snow, T A CITY C A Swain County Gravel Roads H FONTANA pp 28 Clingmans Dome Road (closed in winter) is popular with walkers T al Visitor Center B R ac 74 l O VILLAGE h u N ia Trails e

n and crosscountry skiers. There are no areas suitable for sledding in

Roads closed for g the park; snow-tubing slopes may be available locally.

JOYCE T e r the winter KILMER - SLICKROCK a P i 23 (highlighted in purple) a WILDERNESS AREA l r 74 k 129 w ay Santeetlah Great Mountain Views Lake SYLVA

28 NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST ©GSMA2019 143 441 23 To Knoxville To I-40 To Newport 321 SEVIERVILLE ay w Exit rk Pa 443 Hartford 32 lls CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST hi ot Cosby Fo Be Aware Park View Exit 447 129 416 411 of Closures TENNESSEE 441 Exit 451 32 NORTH C MARYVILLE AROLIN PIGEON FORGE Cosby A Pittman Mount Center Cammerer Cades Cove closed Jan 2. at 8 p.m. – Feb. 29, 2020 321 321 73 Hen Wallow Falls Mount 321 Gatlinburg Welcome Center Cammerer Trail 40 il National Park Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail a 321 r T Information Center Ga n closed for winter bes Mounta i ek Tra Cre il

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Roads closed for g the park; snow-tubing slopes may be available locally.

JOYCE T e r the winter KILMER - SLICKROCK a P i 23 (highlighted in purple) a WILDERNESS AREA l r 74 k 129 w ay Santeetlah Great Mountain Views Lake SYLVA

28 NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST ©GSMA2019 143 441 23 Winter Wildlife Watching: Not (Just) for the Birds Colder months in the Smokies offer opportunities to contribute to valuable citizen science

Right: The unmistakable Blue Heron can be seen year-round near waterways in the park. Below: The Yellow-rumped Warbler is one songbird that spends its winters in the park. Images by Warren Lynn. Bottom: The Eastern Screech Owl stays warm in winter by hunkering down in tree hollows. Image by Joanne Redwood

fter Great Smoky Mountains National Birds aren’t the only animals still visible APark’s black bears have ambled off to after the leaves fall. White-tailed deer undergo their winter rest and most wildflowers have their rut (mating season) from October long since wilted, many park visitors wonder through January. Even mammals that hiber- what’s left to see out on the landscape. The nate, such as the eastern chipmunk, are some- answer: more than you’d think! In fact, the park times active on warmer days. serves as a valuable “rest stop” for a number of Another citizen science initiative, Discover migrating birds, as well as a winter home for Life in America’s SnapIt and MapIt, aims to about 60 species. Every year, National Audubon track the activity of less-documented species Society’s Annual Christmas Bird Count in the park. It’s easy to contribute: the free includes sites in GSMNP, like Cades Cove iNaturalist app will allow you to snap a photo, and the Gatlinburg area. The count provides identify the species in question (or make important data for studying habitat change and an educated guess for you), and upload the ultimately supports long-term bird conserva- observation to a database. You can find more tion. For more information on how you can get detailed instructions, as well as a list of possible involved, visit christmasbirdcount.org. winter sightings, on the following page.

Smokies Guide Winter 2019-20 • 10 Species SnapIt and MapIt Cataloging the 20,000 (and counting) species of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is no easy feat, but that’s A Few SnapIt & MapIt Priorities: the goal of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, a project • Mallard (duck) managed by park partner Discover Life in America. For- • Eastern Screech Owl tunately, the advent of smartphone apps allows everyday • American Woodcock park visitors to both figure out What was that thing I saw • Yellow-rumped Warbler on my hike? and submit their observations to pool with • Mourning cloak butterfly other users’ data. Collectively, these observations allow • Great Blue Heron park biologists to better understand the habitats of these • Nine-banded armadillo species and decide where their conservation efforts will • Eastern chipmunk have the greatest effect. Want to help out? Here’s how:

1. Download the iNaturalist app on your smart device (App Store or Google Play). 2. In the app, go to Menu > Guides and search “snapit.” The guide lists species of importance at the moment, with photos and descriptions (like a digital field guide). 3. Take a hike in the park! Observations from North Carolina are especially needed. 4. In the app, go to Menu > New observation and upload your photo(s). Tapping “What did I see?” will allow the app to identify the specimen (data connection required). Make sure location services are enabled, and under “Project,” search for “atbi.”

Visit dlia.org/snapit-mapit for more tips and information.

Be an Otter Spotter! Winter’s frigid temperatures mean the occasional freezing of the park’s mountain streams—excellent opportunities to see river otters, animals that tend to spend more time in the water than out of it. Reintroduced to the park in the late 1980s, otters are elusive in nature, and more data is needed to understand their distribution in the park. Following the instructions above, you can join Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont’s “Otter Spotter” iNaturalist project to report any sightings or signs (tracks, scat) of otters.

Image by Barta IV

Smokies Guide Winter 2019-20 • 11 State of the Park 2019

AIR QUALITY PLANT LIFE

Good news Good news Ozone pollution, acid deposition, particulate matter Balsam woolly adelgid densi- and regional haze levels at the park have all improved ties affecting Fraser fir remain very dramatically since the late 1990s thanks to cleaner power low at monitor sites, and many areas plants and motor vehicles. of fir forests show robust regeneration The entire park and nearby cities (Knoxville and Asheville) already producing cones. are meeting all federal air quality standards for public health Outstanding old-growth ash trees and welfare. have been treated for emerald ash Visibility (as visual range) on the haziest days has improved borer as well as hundreds of trees in from nine miles in the late 1990s to 44 miles in 2017. campgrounds, picnic areas and road- sides. Bad news The Tennessee Stream Mitigation Because of sulfur and nitrogen air pollution, park Program partnered with the park to rainfall is five times more acidic than natural rainfall, causing restore Chilogate Branch near Chil- some park streams to become too acidic to meet Clean howee Lake, repairing stream diver- Water Act standards. sions and wetlands to create excellent On a few days each year, ground-level ozone pollution new habitat. and particulate matter can make air in the park unhealthy to breathe for park visitors and staff. This is also impacting Bad news streams, soils, vegetation and ecosystems. The disease known as laurel wilt has been documented severely impacting sassafras in upper central Tennessee, and the disease is likely to HISTORIC PRESERVATION spread to the park area within several years. Loss of sassafras and related Good news species will impact insects, birds and The park’s historic preservation crew continued work many mammals that eat the fruit and on Elkmont area cabins in 2019. This year staff focused on other parts of the plants. the Swan, Higdon and Sneed Cabins. Delayed mortality is apparent Work began on the Noah “Bud” Ogle Cabin that includes now in many maple, birch and beech repairs to the damaged chimney as well as addressing trees that originally survived the drainage around the cabin foundation. 2016 Chimney Tops 2 fire but are Resource management and science staff have developed now breaking and falling due to trunk an interdisciplinary preservation program for historic ceme- damage and subsequent decay. teries and began work at test sites in late 2019. Kudzu is spreading into the park from boundary-adjacent private Bad news lands, especially in fire-damaged The park’s cabins, churches, barns and historic rock areas where abundant sunlight and walls are being permanently damaged by vandals carving or reduced competition contribute to writing their names on them. If you witness vandalism taking its dominance. place, please call 865.436.1230 to report it.

Smokies Guide Winter 2019-20 • 12 WILDLIFE VISITOR EXPERIENCE STREAM LIFE

Good news Good news Good news A collaborative project to Little River Road received a much-needed Recent water quality accurately estimate elk populations pavement preservation treatment from Sugar- monitoring indicates moderate is off to a good start with GPS radio lands Visitor Center all the way to the Townsend improvements in stream acidity collars deployed throughout the Wye, making this driving experience smoother and in mid- to low-elevation streams. region and the first round of sampling safer for all. These improvements are attributed to start this winter. Restoration work on the enormously popular to reductions in acid rain (from The food storage cables at back- Trillium Gap Trail to Mt. Le Conte is underway and power plants and factories) in the country campsites and shelters have slated to be completed by the end of 2020. The last decade. proven to be very successful at keeping park’s Trails Forever crew and many volunteers are Trout populations in the park bears and people-food apart. behind the successful project. are healthy, despite the significant Wildlife staff are working with bear drought of 2016. All park streams biologists throughout the Southeast to Bad news are now open to fishing and harvest educate people on how to live respon- Increasing congestion at some of the more for the first time since the park was sibly with black bears. Check it out at popular destinations for hikers and motorists established in 1934. bearwise.org. created some challenges for visitors including long Monitoring of three species of wait times for restrooms, lack of available parking endangered and threatened fish Bad news and heavy traffic. To help prevent congestion, visi- indicates there are now viable Although elk populations tors are reminded to consider less-traveled trails reproducing populations in the continue to expand, several adult or roads and mid-week, early mornings for their park. Banded sculpin and greenside elk have died this year as a result of visits. In 2020, park management will be asking darters recently introduced into vehicle collisions. This should serve as a visitors and residents for ideas in helping provide lower Abrams Creek are thriving reminder to obey park speed limits and better visitor experiences. and should help native mussel keep alert for wildlife along the road- reproduction over time. ways at all times. Aquatic insect populations, A recent study determined that which are also good indicators of more than 90 percent of male black stream health, generally remained bears and 50 percent of female bears diverse and abundant according to traveled outside the park into areas 2019 sampling in the park. with unsecured garbage and other human-related food. Bad news Wild hogs in the park continue Twelve park streams (41 to test positive for pseudorabies, a miles) remain officially listed as significant disease for the domestic impaired by acid deposition. Water swine industry. quality improvements are occur- White-nose syndrome has deci- ring very slowly in high-elevation mated a number of bat populations streams because soils there are in the park. The fungal disease affects saturated with decades of acids these bats while they are hibernating from airborne pollutants. Research in caves. indicates it will take more than 60 years for most of the park’s sensitive streams to recover.

Smokies Guide Winter 2019-20 • 13 IF YOU LOVE THE SMOKIES Join the park’s partners in helping to protect this place for ourselves and future generations Winter Trekking: The Essentials of Preparation Great Smoky Mountains adults who long to get out and explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park support critical park projects and Association the park accompanied by expert guides. understand and conserve its incredible programs including: Great Smoky Mountains Association has Field School programs are offered by abundance of biodiversity. • Management and research of supported the educational, University of Tennessee Non-Credit DLiA’s flagship project, the All Taxa bears, elk, native scientific and historical Programs and GSMNP and include Biodiversity Inventory, aims to catalogue brook trout and efforts of the National workshops on black bear and other wild- all the plants, animals and other life in other wildlife Park Service through life, edible plants, nature photography, the park. DLiA has worked with leading • Intensive cash donations and animal tracking, salamanders and moun- biologists from around the globe for rehabilitation in-kind services since tain cooking. One-day programs start at more than 20 years to accomplish this projects on the its launch in 1953. as little as $69. Contact: 865.974.0150 monumental task. In that time, more park’s most By the end of 2019, the or visit smfs.utk.edu. than 20,000 species have been recorded impacted hiking association will have provided more than in the park, including more than 1,000 trails like Alum $44 million in assistance that includes Great Smoky Mountains that are new to science (first discovered Cave, Chimney saving hemlock trees, living history Institute at Tremont in the park)! Tops and Rainbow Falls demonstrations, environmental educa- Tremont is celebrating 50 years of In addition to managing the ATBI, • Hands-on, curriculum-based tion programs, historic preservation, and providing powerful residential environ- DLiA works to educate the public on environmental education for school- salaries for wildlife personnel. mental education the importance of biodiversity in our children in Western North Carolina Become an association member programs in Great lives and to engage volunteers to become and East Tennessee today and receive a number of benefits, Smoky Mountains ‘citizen scientists’. • Facilities and improvements to including information about special National Park. DLiA is supported by donations maintain a world-class visitor experience events in the park and issues affecting GSMIT hosts from individuals and institutions as well • Historic preservation of cabins, the Smokies. Members also: more than 5,000 as funding from other nonprofit partners churches and mills in Cades Cove and • receive a subscription to the semi- students and of Great Smoky Mountains National Cataloochee Valley annual, full-color magazine Smokies Life adults annually, opening their eyes to Park. Learn more at dlia.org or by calling Your support of Friends of the • get digital access to the award-win- the wonder and beauty of the natural 865.430.4757. Smokies makes these projects and much ning quarterly park newspaper, Smokies world through school programs, teacher more possible. Join today, purchase Guide, and the association’s e-newsletter, training, and adult enrichment programs Friends of the Smokies a specialty license plate at BearPlate. The Cub Report such as our Southern Appalachian Natu- Friends of the Smokies is an official org, or join FOTS for one of its special • earn 15–20 percent discounts on ralist Certification courses and photog- nonprofit partner of the National Park events like the Evergreen Ball or Smok- books, music, gifts and other NPS- raphy workshops. It achieves its mission Service and Great Smoky Mountains ies Stomp Barn Party. Your donations approved products sold at park visitor through residential programs, advo- National Park that helps to raise funds help preserve and protect Great Smoky centers and via GSMA’s web store cacy for outdoor learning, community and public awareness and provide Mountains National Park for genera- SmokiesInformation.org engagement, and research that comple- volunteers for park projects. tions to come. For more information, • learn about exclusive GSMA group ments its learning laboratory. Since 1993, Friends of the Smokies visit FriendsOfTheSmokies.org or call hikes, backpacking excursions and Tremont also offers a variety of has raised more than $66 million to toll-free 800.845.5665. educational sessions led by experts on summer youth and family camps in natural and cultural history in Great the national park lasting from two to Smoky Mountains National Park. Check 11 days. All programs include meals, GSMA MEMBERS SIGN ME UP! out GSMA’s Branch Out events at lodging and professional instruction: Get Rooted in the Smokies! Name(s) ______SmokiesInformation.org/events. Firefly Camp (ages 4–9), Discovery q Acorn (youth) Membership $15 ______Join today using the coupon to the Camp (ages 9–12), Wilderness Adven- right, visit SmokiesInformation.org, or ture Trek (ages 13–17), Girls in Science q Buckeye Annual Membership $35 Address ______call us at 888.898.9102 x222. Member- (ages 12–15), and Teen High Adventure q Chestnut Annual Membership $100 ______ships start at just $35 per year. (ages 13–17). Visit gsmit.org or call q Dogwood Membership $200 865.448.6709 to learn more. Email (for Cub Report) ______q Smoky Hemlock Lifetime Membership $1,000 ______payable in 5 installments Mountain Discover Life Phone # ______q Lookout League Business Memberships Field School in America Please include your check with this form. An exciting variety Discover Life in $250-$10,000 Mail to: GSMA, P.O. Box 130, of adventures awaits America helps Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Smokies Guide Winter 2019-20 • 14 Winter Trekking: The Essentials of Preparation Tips from the insiders on how to treat the park and stay safe at the same time

Illustration by Emma DuFort A: First and foremost, never hike cell service. Carry a park map and Old Settlers Trail with Great Smoky alone or split up from your partner or compass and track your location on the Mountains Association’s archivist and party. Remain on established trails. Carry map as you progress. Knowing where librarian Mike Aday. During our last adequate food and, if camping, stove and you are can expedite rescue. Share your stream crossing, I saw Mike slip and fuel—and budget an extra day of food planned itinerary with friends or family plunge feet-first into the water, and his and fuel in case you become stranded. members and advise them to call the awkward efforts to self-extract provided Carry a pack cover, rain jacket and pants, backcountry office (865.436.1297) if the first clue that something was multiple layers of insulating synthetic you fail to exit the park on schedule. seriously wrong. As he pulled himself (non-cotton) clothing and a headlamp or Q: What are some other items you up onto the flat plane of a card table- other light source and, when planning to should have along to ensure safety when sized rock, it became obvious that his hen it comes to getting out on camp, a shelter and synthetic-fill sleeping camping? leg was broken. Wthe trails during winter, adequate bag (down is useless when wet). A: It’s a good idea to carry a filter or Q: Based on your experience, what planning and preparation greatly increase Q: Some folks consider time spent in the other purification system for producing should hikers do in case of an emergency the chances for a safe and successful woods as an opportunity to unplug. safe drinking water. I also like to carry with an injury? adventure. No one knows this better A: If you can acquire a cell phone than AT thru hiker and Smokies signal, call emergency dispatch Life contributor David Brill, who (865.436.9171) or dial 911. authored the GSMA title Into the Remain with the injured party until Mist: Tales of Death and Disaster, help arrives. Remain calm and focus Mishaps and Misdeeds, Misfortune on actions that will help speed the and Mayhem in Great Smoky rescue and ensure the comfort and Mountains National Park. survival of the victim. Keep the Q: What inspired you to write victim warm and hydrated. a book about death and disaster in Avoid liquids that contain alcohol the Smokies? or caffeine. Issue a series of three A: I wrote Into the Mist to spaced blasts on the emergency educate and inform visitors with the whistle every few minutes to alert hopes of preventing future deaths. the rescue crew of your location. The opening chapter recounts the If you are in an open area visible death from hypothermia of John from the air, display brightly Mink, a graduate student from colored clothing or gear. Finally, Indiana who entered the park’s use what basic first-aid techniques backcountry in February 1984 and you know, but do not attempt hiked into the teeth of a blizzard. invasive intervention unless you are The chapter retraces the actions medically trained. that proved decisive in the outcome, To read more about mishaps including the decision to hike alone and misdeeds in the park, pick up in winter, failure to turn around Into the Mist in any Smokies visitor when snow began to accumulate, center bookstore, where you can also failure to pack a shelter, and the choice But should they carry their cell phone just an emergency whistle and basic first-aid read about the outcome of David and to wear cotton jeans and down parka, in case? kit, because you never know when Mike’s adventure in the Fall 2018 issue of both of which proved vulnerable to the A: Yes, I recommend someone these will come in handy. Smokies Life magazine. wet snow. on the trek pack a fully charged cell Q: You had an experience not long ago All backcountry campsites require Q: With that gruesome scenario in phone and enter the park’s emergency where you did need these extra emergency permits. Visit the park’s backcountry mind, what are some of the basic guidelines dispatch number (865.436.9171) items, right? Can you tell us about that? camping page to acquire a permit and Please include your check with this form. Mail to: GSMA, P.O. Box 130, hikers should follow when planning any before heading out. But be aware that A: On April 25, 2018, I was on review rules and regulations nps.gov/grsm/ Gatlinburg, TN 37738 winter trip? much of the park is out of range of an overnight backpacking trip on the planyourvisit/backcountry-camping.htm.

Smokies Guide Winter 2019-20 • 15 VISITOR INFORMATION For more information, go to nps.gov/grsm

Primary Alt. Rt. Secondary Alt. Rt.

Heintooga/ Round Bottom Road

) vehicles

(closed to motor

SWAIN COUNTY VISITOR CENTER

Information Emergencies Hospitals Haywood County All-access Avoid the fine General park info: For emergencies after hours: Le Conte/Sevier County 828.456.7311 Restrooms at park visitor Picking or digging plants is prohibited in the park. 865.436.1200 • nps.gov/grsm Park Headquarters 865.446.7000 Waynesville, NC centers (Cades Cove, Backcountry information: Middle Creek Rd., Oconaluftee and Sugarlands) Persons feeding wildlife 865.436.9171 Swain County are subject to a $5,000 fine. 865.436.1297 Sevierville, TN are fully accessible. 828.488.2155 Pets are only permitted smokiespermits.nps.gov Cherokee Police Sugarlands Valley all-access 828.497.4131 Blount Memorial Bryson City, NC on the Gatlinburg and To order maps and guides: 865.983.7211 nature trail is on Newfound Oconaluftee River trails, 865.436.7318 x226 Gatlinburg Police U.S. 321, Maryville, TN Gap Road just south of which allow dogs on SmokiesInformation.org 865.436.5181 Sugarlands Visitor Center. a leash.