- ELIZABETH DUPREE PHOTO FUN RANGER-LED WALKS & TALKS—PGS 11-14 THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF GREAT SMOKY MOUntAINS NATIonAL PARK p LATE SUMMER 2015 BILL LEA PHOTO PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF GATLINBURG CITY OF GATLINBURG PHOTO COURTESY Families love Great Smoky Mountains National Park for its variety of hiking trails. To find other great national parks, visit www.nps.gov. TURK’S CAP LILY Mountain folk nicknamed red squirrels “Boomers” because they chatter Head Out to “Find loud and long whenever they feel their territory is being invaded. Your Park” this Year The bright orange blossoms Smokies’ “Boomer” of this exceptionally tall inety-nine years ago the forests, parkways, rivers, Lives Up to its Name NNational Park Service urban parks, or those “crown wildflower burst forth in was created to defend Yellow- jewels” of the national park f you have ever encoun- hickory nuts, beech nuts, stone and other sites against system like Grand Canyon, August and September. It is Itered a red squirrel (aka acorns, insects, and seeds wildlife poachers and artifact Mesa Verde, Everglades, “Boomer”) in the Great from the cones of pine, hem- collectors who were hauling Arches, Yosemite, Olympic, most often seen at the Smoky Mountains, you have lock, spruce, and fir trees. Red away pieces of our national and Gettysburg. probably been scolded by squirrels satisfy their sweet parks and monuments by the You might be surprised higher elevations, especially a red squirrel in the Great tooth by gnawing into the wagon load. how many Smoky Mountains. The red branch of a sugar maple tree Today the beautiful at places like Clingmans squirrel is a highly vocal ani- and licking the sap. same Service places are mal as well as a very territori- A mushroom dangling protects over preserved by Dome Road and along al one. Perched on a tree limb from a tree limb is a sure sign 400 parks, sea- the NPS, even just beyond your reach, a red that a red squirrel has chosen shores, historic in your own Thomas Divide Trail. An squirrel will chatter at you in- that branch for mushroom sites, battle- backyard. cessantly, determined to make storage. This unusual behav- fields, trails, lakeshores, and Here are just a few of the sites oversized member of the you aware of your trespass on ior is actually good for forest other national treasures in within 100 miles of the Smok- its territory. health because it spreads such a way as to “leave them ies: lily family, it can stand up to With 100 species of native beneficial fungi. unimpaired for the enjoyment •Andrew Johnson Na- trees and nearly 800 square Red squirrels are found of future generations.” tional Historic Site seven feet tall. miles of verdant forest, Great mostly at the park’s mid and In preparation for the • Appalachian National Smoky Mountains National higher elevations, especial- 100th birthday of the National Scenic Trail Park is the perfect habitat for ly in the Canadian Zone Park Service, the agency is en- •Big South Fork National an arboreal species like the spruce-fir forest. Unlike gray couraging everyone to “Find River and Recreation Area red squirrel. Almost every- squirrels, red squirrels are a Your Park.” Public lands • Blue Ridge Parkway thing a red squirrel needs can northern species that reaches belong to everyone, and this • Carl Sandburg Home be found among the limbs the southern edge of their is the perfect opportunity to National Historic Site and branches of a tree. Their range just south of the Smok- explore new places, wheth- • Obed Wild & Scenic preferred foods in this forest ies in the highlands of South er they are historic sites, River. buffet include tree buds, Carolina. 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 facility rentals ciation and Great Smoky Pigeon Forge 1-800-251-9100 Mountains National Park. Sevierville 1-888-766-5948 The historic Appalachian Clubhouse and Spence Cabin Publication dates are roughly Townsend 1-800-525-6834 at Elkmont are now accepting as follows: reservations for day-use rent- als. Picnic pavillions are also SPRING: March 15 available for $10-$20 per day SUMMER: June 1 at Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep LATE SUMMER August 10 Creek, Greenbrier, Metcalf Bottoms, and Twin Creeks. AUTUMN: September 15 Abrams Creek and Balsam Mountain campgrounds are open this year. To make a reservation, call MARY ANN KRESSIG PHOTO MARY WINTER: December 1 camping in the national park 1-877-444-6777 or visit www. recreation.gov. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR The National Park Service The list below shows Steve Kemp maintains developed camp- number of sites, elevations, special events grounds at nine locations in fees, approximate 2015 opera- NPS COORDINATOR the park. There are no show- tion dates, and maximum RV September 5 (1-3 p.m.) Elizabeth Dupree ers or hookups other than lengths. Dates are subject to Back Porch Music Jam at Oco- EDITORIAL BOARD circuits for special medical change. Visit www.nps.gov/ naluftee Visitor Center Karen Ballentine uses at Cades Cove, Elkmont, grsm for current information. Coralie Bloom and Smokemont. ABRAMS CREEK 16 sites, September 19 Mountain Life Festival at Lynda Doucette Campsites at Elkmont, elev. 1,125’, $14, open May 22- Bicycle morning in Cades Cove Smokemont, Cataloochee, Oct. 13, 12’ trailers Oconaluftee Visitor Center Kristine Johnson Cosby, and Cades Cove BALSAM MOUNTAIN 46 Terry Maddox may be reserved. For reser- sites, elev. 5,310’, $14, open bicycling December 12 Mike Maslona vations call 1-877-444-6777 May 22-Oct. 13, 30’ RVs Most park roads are too Festival of Christmas Past at or contact www.recreation. BIG CREEK 12 sites, elev. narrow and heavily traveled Sugarlands Visitor Center Contributors gov. Sites may be reserved 1,700’, $14, open April 10-Oct. by automobiles for safe or picnic areas JOEY HEATH, LISA HORSTMAN, up to six months in advance. 31, tents only enjoyable bicycling. However, Reservations are required at CADES COVE 159 sites, elev. KAREN KEY, ROSE HOUK Cades Cove Loop Road is Please see pages 8-9 for lo- Cataloochee Campground. 1,807’, $17-$20, open year- an exception. This 11-mile, cations of picnic areas. All pic- Other park campgrounds are round, 35’-40’ RVs one-way, paved road pro- nic areas have charcoal grills © 2015 Great Smoky first-come, first-serve. CATALOOCHEE 27 sites, vides bicyclists with excellent for cooking. Mountains Association Site occupancy is limited elev. 2,610’, $20, open opportunities for viewing to six people and two vehicles April 3-Oct. 31, reservations wildlife and historic sites. visitor centers GSMA (a trailer = 1 vehicle). The required, 31’ RVs Helmets are required for maximum stay is 14 days. COSBY 157 sites, elev. 2,459’, August: Oconaluftee & Sug- P.O. Box 130 persons age 16 and under and Special camping sites for $14, April 10-Oct. 31, 25’ RVs are strongly recommended for arlands: 8-7:30; Clingmans Gatlinburg, TN 37738 large groups are available sea- DEEP CREEK 92 sites, elev. all bicyclists. Dome: 10-6:30, Cades Cove: [email protected] sonally at Big Creek, Cades 1,800’, $17, open April 10-Oct. From May 6-Sept. 23, 9-7:30. September: Oconaluft- Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, 31, 26’ RVs on Wednesday and Satur- ee & Sugarlands: 8-6:30; Deep Creek, Elkmont, and ELKMONT 220 sites, elev. day mornings from sunrise Clingmans Dome: 10-6, Cades Smokemont. Group sites must 2,150’, $17-$23, open March to 10:00 a.m., only bicycles Cove: 9-6:30. be reserved. Call 1-877-444- 13-Nov. 28, 32’-35’ RVs and pedestrians are allowed other services 6777 or contact www.recre- LOOK ROCK Closed on Cades Cove Loop Road. ation.gov. Group sites may SMOKEMONT 142 sites, elev. Bicycles may be rented at the There are no gas stations, be reserved up to one year in 2,198’, $17-$20, open year- Cades Cove Campground showers, or restaurants in the advance. round, 35’-40’ RVs store. national park. 2 v smokies guide, Late Summer 2015 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” (½ hour) Nov. 60° 34° 3.4” 46° 27° 6.8” Clingmans Dome: Dec.