SMOKIESThe official newspaper of Great SmokyGUIDE Mountains National Park • Fall 2019 In this issue Smokies Trip Planner • 2 Great Sights to See • 4 National Park News • 5 Park Etiquette • 7 Fall Driving Tours Map • 8 Black Bears’ Fall Foraging • 10 Ranger Programs • 11 Jr. Ranger Corner • 14 How to Help the Smokies • 15 Visitor Information • 16 Although the appearance of the Chimney Tops has changed since the 2016 fire, it’s a view to behold being one of the few instances of a bare rock summit in the Smokies. Image by Kristina Plaas Smokies Recovering Three Years After the Fire THRIVING IN YOUNG, Researchers are studying effects on everything from tall tree species to tiny fungi POST-FIRE FORESTS: Bats R n late November 2016, Great Smoky Nevertheless, nature marches on in a r n to Black bears g a Mountains National Park experienced these severely burned areas as well. Thou- e n I r P di a or the largest wildfire in the park’s history. sands of waist-high Table Mountain pine Bobcats and coyotes ul S Co uper, Science Exceptional drought and extreme seedlings—a fire-dependent species whose Foxes winds contributed to the spread of cones release their seeds only after exposure Mice and voles Words with a Ranger a human-caused fire, and about one to high temperatures—have risen from the Owls I’ve loved scientific investigation percent of parkland was burned. charred landscape. Some oak, maple and Rabbits since I was knee-high to a grass- Nearly three years later, fortunately mountain laurel have re-sprouted from Snakes and Lizards hopper. But I had a very hard time much of the burn zone—about 70 remaining root structures and are already six narrowing down what field to study. percent—is not apparent to the casual to eight feet tall. Certain birds like Prairie Turkeys So my job as the science coordinator observer because the larger trees and Warblers, Red-headed Woodpeckers and White-tailed deer for Great Smoky Mountains National shrubs of mixed hardwood forests mostly Indigo Buntings thrive in these young forests Indigo Buntings Park is perfect; it allows me to work survived the low-intensity flames in those and are not typically seen in other parts of Downy Woodpecker areas. In the other 30 percent of the the park. At the same time, park vegeta- with researchers who study every- Hairy Woodpeckers thing from beetles to bears to moss burn zone, many (if not all) of the trees tion crews are actively battling an influx of Prairie Warblers to air quality to weather to... you and shrubs were killed. These moderate- non-native, invasive plant species that spread name it. I also get to share what I and high-severity areas, which generally easily to disturbed areas like the burn zone. Red-headed Woodpeckers learn with park staff, partners, volun- were oak or pine forests before, may take These exotic plants will be a challenge to park Red-tailed Hawks teers, park visitors and neighbors. decades to recover and may never return managers for years to come. Yellow-breasted Chat Words with a Ranger continued on page 5 to their original forest type. Continued on page 6 SMOKIES TRIP PLANNER Maps and guides: SmokiesInformation.org Additional information: nps.gov/grsm Camping in the national park The list below shows the number of Bicycling Pets in the park The National Park Service maintains campground sites, elevations, camping Most park roads are too narrow and Pets are allowed in front-country camp- developed campgrounds at nine loca- fees and maximum RV lengths. For heavily traveled by automobiles for safe or grounds and beside roads as long as they tions in the park. Only Cades Cove and current dates of operation, visit nps. enjoyable bicycling. are restrained at all times. Pets are not Smokemont are open in winter. There gov/grsm. Call 877.444.6777 or contact However, from May 8 to Sept. 25, allowed on park trails, except for the are no showers or hookups other than recreation.gov to make reservations. on Wednesday and Saturday mornings Gatlinburg and Oconaluftee River trails. circuits for special medical uses at Cades from sunrise until 10 a.m., only bicycles Dogs on these trails must be leashed. Cove, Elkmont and Smokemont. • Abrams Creek 16 sites, elev. 1,125', and pedestrians are allowed on Cades Campsites at Abrams Creek, Balsam closes Oct. 21, $17.50, 12' trailers Cove Loop Road. Bicycles may be rented Special events Mountain, Big Creek, Cades Cove, • Balsam Mountain 42 sites, elev. 5,310', at the Cades Cove Campground store. September 21 Mountain Life Festival: Cataloochee, Elkmont and Smokemont closes Oct. 7, $17.50, 30' RVs Cades Cove Loop Road is an 11-mile, Mountain Farm Museum may be reserved. Sites may be reserved • Big Creek 12 sites, elev. 1,700', closes one-way, paved road providing excellent September 28 Cades Cove Old-timers’ up to 6 months in advance. Reservations Oct. 28, $17.50, tents only opportunities for wildlife viewing and Day: Cades Cove Visitor Center are required at Abrams Creek, Balsam • Cades Cove 159 sites, elev. 1,807', touring historic homesites. December 14 Festival of Christmas Past: Mountain, Big Creek and Cataloochee closes Dec. 30, $21-$25, 35'-40' RVs Helmets are required by law for Sugarlands Visitor Center campgrounds. • Cataloochee 27 sites, elev. 2,610', persons age 16 and under. However, December 21 Holiday Homecoming: Site occupancy is limited to six closes Oct. 28, $25, 31' RVs helmets are strongly recommended for Oconaluftee Visitor Center people and two vehicles (a trailer = 1 • Cosby 157 sites, elev. 2,459', closes all bicyclists. vehicle). The maximum stay is 14 days. Oct. 28, $17.50, 25' RVs Bicycles are permitted on park roads For rent Special camping sites for large groups • Deep Creek 92 sites, elev. 1,800', but prohibited on trails except Gatlin- The Appalachian Clubhouse and Spence are available seasonally at Big Creek, closes Oct. 28, $21, 26' RVs burg, Oconaluftee River and lower Cabin at Elkmont can be rented for Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep • Elkmont 220 sites, elev. 2,150', open Deep Creek/Indian Creek. daytime events. Contact recreation.gov. Creek, Elkmont and Smokemont. year-round, $21-$27, 32'-35' RVs Group sites must be reserved and may be • Smokemont 142 sites, elev. 2,198', Accommodations Visitor centers secured up to a year in advance. open year-round, $21-$25, 35'-40' RVs. • LeConte Lodge (accessible by trail Fall hours of operation are: Oconaluftee • Look Rock closed only) provides the only lodging in the and Sugarlands: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. in Sept. in 2019 park. 865.429.5704 or lecontelodge.com and Oct.; 8–5 in Nov. Cades Cove: To prevent the For information on lodging outside 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m. in Sept. and Oct.; spread of destruc- the park: 9–5:30 in Nov. Clingmans Dome 10 tive insect pests, • Bryson City 800.867.9246 or a.m.–6 p.m. in Sept. and Oct.; 9:30-5 the NPS has greatsmokies.com in Nov. banned outside • Cherokee 828.788.0034 or firewood from cherokeesmokies.com Picnic areas entering the park • Fontana 800.849.2258 or Picnic areas have a table and raised grill unless it is USDA- fontanavillage.com for cooking (charcoal fires only). Please or state-certified • Gatlinburg 800.588.1817 or see the map on page 16 for locations. heat-treated wood. gatlinburg.com Picnic pavilions may be reserved for Campers may • Maggie Valley 800.624.4431 or $12.50–$80 at recreation.gov. gather dead and maggievalley.org down wood in the • Pigeon Forge 800.251.9100 or Other services park for campfires. mypigeonforge.com There are no gas stations, showers or Certified • Sevierville 888.766.5948 or restaurants in the national park. wood may be visitsevierville.com Campsites book up fast in the fall! Make sure you plan ahead at recreation.gov. Image by Bill Lea purchased in and • Townsend 800.525.6834 or around the park. smokymountains.org SMOKIES GUIDE Smokies Guide is produced five times per year by Publication dates are Autumn: mid-Sept. Aaron Searcy Design Assistants Planning Committee © 2019 Great E Printed on Great Smoky Mountains Association and Great roughly as follows: Winter: mid-Dec. Sarah Shiver Lisa Horstman Beth Bramhall Smoky Mountains recycled paper Smoky Mountains National Park. Spring: mid-March Emma DuFort Bill Stiver Association Editor Lead Designer Summer: early June Paul Super P.O. Box 130 Frances Figart Karen Key NPS Coordinator Late Summer: Stephanie Sutton Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Writers Susan Sachs mid-August Florie Takaki Valerie Polk SmokiesInformation.org Smokies Guide Fall 2019 • 2 • Summer - By Fishing Fall hikers should be especially RULE OF THUMB mid-June, heat, Fishing is permitted year-round in aware of abrupt weather changes haze and humidity the park, and a Tennessee or North and the danger of hypothermia—the FOR WILDLIFE VIEWING are the norm. Carolina fishing license is required. lowering of body temperature. The Most precipitation Either state license is valid throughout combination of rain, cold and wind occurs as afternoon the park and no trout stamp is required. (especially at the higher elevations) is thundershowers. Fishing with bait is prohibited in extremely dangerous. the park. A special permit is required To prevent hypothermia, carry reli- • Autumn - In for the Cherokee Reservation and able rain gear at all times. Layer clothing mid-September, a Gatlinburg. Licenses are available in that provides warmth when wet (not pattern of warm, nearby towns. cotton). Be prepared for sudden and sunny days and A free fishing map with a complete drastic weather changes.