Kick off the New Year outdoors with a First Day Hike in one of America's State Parks in all 50 states

What better way to kick off the New Year than by getting a jump start burning off those extra holiday calories in the great outdoors? On New Year’s Day, America’s State Parks have all 50 states offering free, guided First Day Hike Programs. These hikes provide a means for individuals and families to welcome the coming year in the outdoors, exercising and connecting with nature.

Last year nearly 55,000 people rang in the New Year, collectively hiking over 133,000 miles throughout the country on the guided hikes. Numerous others hiked state park trails throughout the day.

Norris Dam State Park

The guided First Day Hikes are led by knowledgeable state park staff and volunteers.The distance and rigor vary from park to park, but all hikes aim to create a fun experience for the whole family. People are invited to savor the beauty of the state park’s natural resources with the comfort of an experienced guide so they may be inspired to take advantage of these local treasures throughout the year.

America’s State Parks have been entrusted to preserve a variety of magnificent places from California to Maine. Hikers can experience a plethora of outdoor recreation activities including mountain and hill climbing, walks along lakes and beaches, exploration of trails through great forests, wildlife expeditions, bird-watching and much more.

Fort Loudoun State Historic Area

No matter where you are in the United States, you can find your park here! You can click here to find a First Day Hike near you. There's a First Day Hike for everyone, from easy to difficult.

One Knoxville-area First Day Hike will be at Fort Loudoun State Historic Park. Get more information here. Hikers will meet at the Tellico Blockhouse at 1 pm. Or, try Norris Dam State Park's First Day Hike. You can ring in the New Year on Norris Lake by moonlight with the 12:01 am hike that starts at the Tea Room at the East end of the park. The hike will end with a huge fire in the Tea Room with refreshments. Get more information here. 

Grandfather Mountain Mile High Swinging Bridge

Grandfather Mountain State Park in North Carolina is hosting a moderate hike starting on Holloway Mountain Road. Get more information here.

America’s State Park programs are committed to promoting outdoor recreation in hopes to help address obesity, especially in children. Furthermore, exercise and outdoor activities rejuvenate the mind and body, promoting overall mental and physical health and wellness. Many believe that time spent in nature enhances creativity and lifts our moods!

Take advantage of the resources that America’s State Parks have to offer and get connected to our country’s shared resources by finding a First Day Hike near you. Let this mark the beginning of a healthy lifestyle for the whole family!

Smokies Centennial Challenge - Hike 100

Program Overview
This year we are celebrating the Centennial of the National Park Service. To honor the first 100 years of the National Park Service and launch into the next century, the Park Superintendent has committed to hiking 100 miles of park trails during 2016 -- and he invites you to join in on this challenge!

Whether you are new to hiking in the Smokies or have seen most or all the trails in the park before, we encourage you to set a goal of reaching 100 miles during this special year of celebration, between January 1-December 6, 2016. You may hike any 100 miles of maintained trails in the park. Your miles can include everything from front country nature trails to the extensive trail network in the backcountry. You may hike the same trail repeatedly or different trails; and you may hike them solo, with a group or even with a guide. The goal is to inspire you to explore and enjoy the many benefits the park has to offer. More information.

Explore the park website for information about hiking safety, trail recommendations, weather, road and trail closures, and the park's trail map. If you plan to include overnight trips in your hiking plan, be sure to obtain a reservation and permit for all overnight stays in the backcountry.
When you are ready to take on this challenge, plan your hikes and get out on a trail! Download a mileage log that you may use to keep track of your miles. Or, you can purchase one from the Great Smoky Mountains Association here for $1.00.

After you have hiked 100 miles this year, send an email to let us know! You will then receive information about the Hike 100 Celebration on Thursday, December 8, 2016 to receive your commemorative "Smokies Centennial Challenge - Hike 100" pin!

Sample 100 Mile Hike Plan

Gatlinburg Trail - 4 miles

Little River & Cucumber Gap Trails Loop - 6 miles

Chimney Tops Trail - 4 miles

Porters Creek Trail - 8 miles

Ramsay Cascades - 8 miles

Abrams Falls Trail to the Falls - 6 miles

Gregory Bald Trail to the Bald - 9 miles

Trillium Gap Trail to Grotto Falls - 3 miles

Laurel Falls Trail - 3 miles

Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald - 5 miles

Big Creek Trail to Mouse Creek Falls - 5 miles

Smokemont Loop Trail - 7 miles

Noland Divide to Lonesome Pine Overloop - 7 miles

Deep Creek & Sunkota Ridge Loop - 13 miles
Cataloochee Divide Trail - 10 miles

Oconaluftee River Trail - 3 miles

Any 100 miles count! Superintendent Cash's 100 Mile Plan is subject to change due to all kinds of factors - like weather, trail conditions, and fitness level of those who hike with him. The important part is that the miles he will cover by the end of the year will be 100.

Hike Events with the Superintendent
In the spirit of the Centennial, many of Superintendent Cash's hikes will be with youth who may be experiencing their first such adventure in the park. There are also public events which will give you the opportunity to hike alongside the Superintendent. These include two front country hikes that are open to anyone who would like to attend and two backcountry hikes which are each limited to 20 hikers. This limit is due to our concern for the resources in the backountry, our attention to Leave No Trace and hiker safety. To reserve a space on one of these backcounty hikes, send us an email and we will contact you with further information.

Front country Hikes, Open to Everyone:

Saturday, August 20, 2016 - Gatlinburg Trail

Saturday, December 3, 2016 - Oconaluftee River Trail

* Check back for more details about these hikes *

Backcountry Hikes, Limited to a maximum of 20 hikers each:

Saturday, June 25, 2016 - a trail in North Carolina

Saturday, October 8, 2016 - a trail in Tennessee

* Email us if you are interested in a spot *

Latest Trail Adventures
Check here throughout the year to see pictures and read about some of the latest trails that Superintendent Cash has explored. You might see something you will want to add to your list!

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  Photo Collection: Smokies Centennial Challenge Hikes
  

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  Photo Collection: Smokies Centennial Challenge Hikes

Share your thoughts
We welcome you to share your comments and reflections about your hiking experiences as you cover your 100 miles. Email your thoughts to Superintendent Cash and he will reply to some of your messages throughout the year. You can also share you photos and reflections on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GreatSmokyMountainsNPS in the "visitor posts" section and/or on your own Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts and tag it with #Hike100. 

This is what that extra shoelace hole is used for. I wish I knew this earlier!

Have you ever wondered why there is an extra shoelace hole at the top of your shoe?  Many running and hiking shoes have the extra hole and most people don’t ever use it.  Instead, they skip threading the lace through the last top hole and tie them as usual.  After watching THIS VIDEO you will now know why they are there and how to use them to your advantage.

The extra holes can be used to prevent blisters on your heels and stop your feet from cramming forward into the front of the shoe.  When you tie laces using the “heel lock” or “lace lock” technique it creates more friction between the laces at the top of the shoe which are closest to your ankle.  This serves to make and keep the heel/ankle area tight and snug in place without having to re-tighten your whole shoe.  Even if you do not have the extra shoelace hole you can still use the method on the top hole instead.

Here is how to tie the “lace lock.”  Begin by inserting the lace in backwards through the top hole so that you create a small loop on each side of the shoe.  Cross your laces and insert them each into the loop on the opposite side then cinch them down.  Be sure to go down and not up because cinching upwards will leave the loop hanging out and that is not good.  By pulling down towards the shoe you end up creating a nice tight lock that will keep your shoe in place and snug.  Finish by tying your shoe as you normally would and you’re good to go!

It's hard to visualize without watching the video, so be sure to click the link in the first paragraph to see how it's done.

Appalachian Trail AT Founders Bridge Festival in Bryson City, NC April 3-4, 2015

Thru-hikers and casual adventurers will gather to celebrate the 2,181+ mile-long Appalachian Trail and support the Appalachian Trail Conservancy April 3-4, 2015 at Nantahala Outdoor Center, Bryson City, NC.

(Photo courtesy NOC)

Plan to join them for hiker-themed games, movies, lectures and prizes. And for anyone having trouble with their gear, check out the free gear repair area.

The movie on Friday night, April 3, is The Long Start to the Journey. In February 2013, filmmaker Chris Gallaway embarked on an Appalachian Trail thru-hike. With the traveling community of other AT nomads, he walked through a fierce winter blizzard, the epidemic Norovirus, monsoon summer rains and a resulting plague of mosquitoes. Gallaway presents his recently finished film, exploring the downsides as well as the rich rewards of walking for seven months on the Appalachian Trail ... and explains why anyone would want to do such a thing. Lots of fun activities planned. Check them out.  AT Founders Bridge Festival

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail to Close Oct. 31 for Bridge Repairs

If you have any plans to take a road trip on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail out of Gatlinburg, now's the time to do it. Roaring Fork will close for the season on the evening of Oct. 31, 2014 and will remain closed until April 30, 2015 to replace eight bridges along the roadway. The road will be closed to all public use, including hiking and biking.

The Roaring Fork area is a favorite side trip for many people who frequently visit the Smokies. It offers rushing mountain streams, glimpses of old-growth forest, and a number of well-preserved log cabins, grist mills, and other historic buildings. To access Roaring Fork, turn off the main parkway in Gatlinburg, TN., at traffic light #8 and follow Historic Nature Trail to the Cherokee Orchard entrance to the national park.

The Noah “Bud” Ogle self-guiding nature trail provides a walking tour of an authentic mountain farmstead and surrounding hardwood forest. Highlights include a streamside tubmill and the Ogle’s handcrafted wooden flume plumbing system.

Just beyond the Rainbow Falls trailhead you have the option of taking the one-way Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This narrow, but paved, road twists and turns for six miles beside rich forests, waterfalls, and mountain streams. Buses, trailers, and motor homes are not permitted on the motor nature trail. An inexpensive booklet available at the beginning of the motor nature trail details landmarks along the route.

“Roaring Fork” is the name of the stream which the road roughly parallels. It is one of the larger and faster flowing mountain streams in the park. Drive this road after a hard rain and the inspiration behind the name will be apparent.

Several homes and other buildings have been preserved in this area. And a “wet weather” waterfall called Place of a Thousand Drips provides a splendid finale to your journey.

According to smokiesadventure.com, the Place of a Thousand Drips is something you won't want to miss. Their website says it's a low-flow waterfall that can be seen from your vehicle.

It is located just before the one-way road comes out to Gatlinburg. The waterfall comes out of high rocks and a small cave and cascades down 20-30 feet.  Due to the small amount of water that flows over the falls the name "Place of a Thousand Drips" seems to be fitting. Since it is best viewed during rainy season, now should be a good time for a visit. The Place of a Thousand Drips is a must-see, however, because of the intricate pathways and carvings the water has created over time.

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/autotouring.htm
http://www.smokiesadventure.com/smokymountains/hiking/place-of-a-thousand-drips.htm

Gunter Fork Trail Reopened

The 4.1 mile Gunter Fork Trail has reopened following a landslide in May that closed the trail for repairs. Great Smoky Mountains National Park crews completed repairs that re-established the trail through the slide area. It passes through steep, rocky terrain, which complicated repairs. It was also closed in 2011 due to a slide in the same area. The Gunter Fork Trail takes hikers from the Walnut Bottoms area up to Balsam Mountain and Mount Sterling. It's on the east end of the park connecting Camel Gap and Balsam Mountain Trails.

For more information on closures, visit the Park's website at www.nps.gov/grsm or call the Backcountry Information Office at 865-436-1297.

Is Your Dog Welcomed on your Next National Park Adventure?

Taking a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains is a fun, family friendly activity enjoyed by over 9 million visitors each year. Camping, hiking, fishing, waterfalls, wildlife viewing and much more ... but are these activities really OK for the "whole" family? What about the family dog?

Photo by Candace West.

According to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are really very few places your dogs are welcomed or allowed if you plan on hiking on one of their 150 official trails. There are actually only two short walking trails where they are allowed: the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail.

Dogs are not allowed on any other trails in the entire Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including backcountry trails, and haven't been since the park was established in the 1930s.

Dogs are, however, allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas and along roads if they are on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and of course they can't be left unattended in vehicles or RVs and you must scoop the poop.

According to the Park Service, there are several good reasons your dog is not welcomed in the National Park:

• Dogs can carry disease into the park's wildlife populations.
• Dogs can chase and threaten wildlife, scaring birds and other animals away from nesting, feeding, and resting sites. The scent left behind by a dog can signal the presence of a predator, disrupting or altering the behavior of park wildlife. Small animals may hide in their burrow the entire day after smelling a dog and may not venture out to feed.
• Dogs bark and disturb the quiet of the wilderness. Unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells can disturb even the calmest, friendliest, and best-trained dog, causing them to behave unpredictably or bark excessively.
• Pets may become prey for larger predators such as coyotes and bears. In addition, if your dog disturbs and enrages a bear, it may lead the angry bear directly to you. Dogs can also encounter insects that bite and transmit disease and plants that are poisonous or full of painful thorns and burrs.
• Many people, especially children, are frightened by dogs, even small ones. Uncontrolled dogs can present a danger to other visitors.

If including your dog on your next hiking adventure is important to you and the rest of the family, here is a list of nearby dog-friendly alternatives from the National Park website:

• Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (423) 286-7275
• Chattahoochee National Forest (770) 297-3000
• Cherokee National Forest (423) 476-9700
• Mount Rodgers National Recreation Area (800) 628-7202
• Nantahala National Forest (828) 257-4200
• Pisgah National Forest (828) 257-4200

Keep Cool on Your Next Warm-Weather Hike

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” - John Muir

Temperatures are heating up on the trails this summer and many hikers are asking themselves what to wear for maximum protection and comfort. I did a little research to see what really works best and what's most affordable, especially for infrequent hikers and bargain shoppers like me.

Footwear: Whether you're going on a short hike or a long trek, boots are hands-down the recommended footwear. They give better ankle support for varying or rugged terrain and protect you from ground-level threats like thorns or snake bites. If you're going to be doing any rock climbing, you might consider hiking shoes for improved flexibility and grip. You can find hiking sneakers or boots at Walmart from around $30 and places like Bass Pro for $30 to $100+.

Since larger snakes can realistically bite through most hiking boots and shoes, you may want additional protection from snake bites. You can buy Whitewater snake proof gaiters from places like cabelas.com for around $50 that fit over your boots to provide maximum bite protection or $48 from forestry-suppliers.com for Rattlers snake gaiters.

Pants: Recommendations vary, but most seem to prefer lightweight pants or shorts for summertime hiking. If you're worried about insect protection, you can get Mossy Oak Rynoskin for under $20 at Walmart. They come in pants, gloves, shirts, etc. As for pants, Bass Pro has some Ascend Timberline 90% nylon/10% spandex pants for $36.75 and Walmart has polyester waterproof pants for around $37.00. These are men's pants but they have similar products for women and children, too.

The overwhelming majority of hikers say not to wear jeans or anything cotton since cotton soaks up sweat, doesn't dry out quickly and keeps you wet. This can cause hypothermia since temperatures can drop significantly at night, not to mention it's uncomfortable to wear a wet shirt or pants all day.

Shirts: Believe it or not, many hikers prefer lightweight merino wool shirts for hiking. They're expensive but they provide sun protection and make a great base layer underneath a lightweight shirt or can be worn by themselves. They're breathable, lightweight and odor-resistant. It's renewable, biodegradable and keeps you cool in the heat and warm in cool temps. So, if you don't mind dropping about $80 bucks on a shirt, that's probably your best bet. You can find an affordable merino wool/polyester blend short-sleeved shirt on Amazon.com for under $35 from Outdoor Research. The Icebreaker brand is also popular but a little more expensive.

As for the question of long-sleeved or short, most seem to prefer short sleeves to let your skin breath and prevent overheating, but many do opt for long sleeves for insect and sun protection.

Socks: Again, merino wool seems to be the preferred sock. Many hikers will pair wool socks with silk or thin polyester liners, even in summertime. One of the biggest pros for wool socks is blister prevention, which I'm all for, along with moisture prevention, breathability and odor prevention. You can get merino wool socks on Amazon.com from $8 and up or a Rocky wool-blend sock at Walmart for around $10.

Headgear: A light cap or hat will shield your face and neck from the sun. Boonie hats, nylon sun caps or lightweight bill flap hats range from $20 and up on Amazon.com or from $10 on tacticalgear.com and from $10 at Bass Pro Shops.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is at our doorstep and offers an abundance of hiking trails in every level from easy to difficult, short to long. Check out their website to get inspired, pick a trail, get geared up and get hiking.

"Only by going alone in silence, without baggage, can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness. All other travel is mere dust and hotels and baggage and chatter." - John Muir's letter to wife Louie, July 1888, Life and Letters of John Muir (1924).

Elijah Oliver Place

This is the Elijah Oliver place, one of many short hikes along the Cades Cove Loop Road. It's only a mile round-trip and an easy hike or walk for anyone wanting to get out and enjoy the fresh air. The cabin is huge and there are several outbuildings to explore, along with a large barn along the way. You can also take the Rabbit Creek Trail, another .6 miles.