Fall glamping eco-adventure supports biodiversity nonprofit
As the lush green hues of summer fade, yielding to the crisp crimson colors of autumn, the Great Smoky Mountains undergo a breathtaking transformation. Under the canopy, golden sunlight filters through a kaleidoscope of leaves, casting a warm, ethereal glow on the landscape. Small animals ‘shuffle-crunch-snap’ through the leaf litter, gathering fallen nuts and overripe […]
“The Green Tunnel” through the Smokies
The Appalachian Trail (AT) is an iconic American long-distance path. In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it runs over 70 miles along the park’s high ridges and gaps, including Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the AT. For many hikers, it’s the premier trail in the park. And while the trail runs predominantly along the […]
Carolina Mountain Club celebrates 100 years
As temperatures neared 90 degrees on the sunny afternoon of Sunday, July 16, the forested Carolina Mountain Trail offered a shady respite for the 20 people joining Tom Southard for a 2.1-mile hike through the woods of the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. Southard, a volunteer with 13 years of experience leading walks at the […]
A glamping Eco-Adventure for Smokies biodiversity
As the weather warms in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the fragrant aroma of spring wildflowers fills the air. Northern cardinals sing in short bursts from the canopy, and robins flutter through the underbrush, calling out in search of a mate. Among the blooms, the distinct drone of insects joins the chorus as pollinators buzz […]
How to conquer a winter hike
Winter hiking can be intimidating, but don’t let the cold stop you. There’s nothing like the peace and solitude of the Smoky Mountains in the quiet season. With some careful route planning and a little judicious flexibility, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying that sense of accomplishment that comes with getting out in […]
Hike offers reminder to explore at own pace
As much as I love seeing rainbows, I hadn’t intended to hike to Rainbow Falls, where, according to Waterfalls of the Smokies, the afternoon sun can create a wondrous rainbow effect. For some reason, I’d gotten it into my head that the trail would be more strenuous than this 2022 Steve Kemp Writer in Residence […]
Ridgerunners: Stewards of the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies
There are many jobs that contribute to the preservation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park for future generations, like rangers who oversee backcountry campsites, park biologists who study the flora and fauna of this amazing region…
The slowest mile I’ve ever hiked
I have the curious distinction of being able to pinpoint precisely the slowest mile I’ve ever hiked: March 18, 2017, on Alum Cave Trail from the trailhead to Arch Rock. My oldest son, who had turned five the previous day, had requested to “climb a mountain” for his birthday. His mother and I decided to […]
Trailside Talk: Alum Cave Trail—heart of the Smokies
On any given day, and particularly on weekends, the trailhead parking area for Alum Cave Trail is among the most crowded in the Smokies…
Summer hiking tips: Part two
There are common scenarios hikers might face during the summer months: storms, ticks, and heat, to name a few. Preparing for these can help keep you safe as you explore all the beauty and wonder the Smokies have to offer…
