Mountain Facts and Fun » Activities

Wilderness Wild Life Week in the Smoky Mountains

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:31:52 +0000

January 9th – 16th

Wilderness Wildlife Week in the Smoky Mountains
By Bennie McCann © 2009, All Rights Reserved

If you look at statistics from years past, January is not
traditionally a month when people travel. After having spent a
great deal of money during the preceding months, most folks
mistakenly believe they can’t afford a getaway. When you visit
the Smoky Mountains this January, however, you’re headed for a
great time that’s extremely affordable.

It’s called Wilderness Wildlife Week and for twenty years people
from across the country have headed to Pigeon Forge in the Smoky
Mountains to take part. Over 100 experts offer more than 175
seminars and hands-on workshops pertaining to plant and animal
life, Smoky Mountain history, photography, outdoor activities and
more. The best part is that these activities are not only
informative, they’re completely free. Take a look at some of
the classes that will be offered.

Professional Photography Classes

If you like to shoot, photographs that is, there’s plenty to
keep you busy. Classes will be taught on taking pictures
outdoors, including macro (close up) photography. In addition,
you can learn about building web pages for photographers. Where
else can you find this kind of instruction and not pay a cent?

Wilderness Survival Seminars

Numerous classes are available for those who like to camp, hike
and fish. Learn to interpret the signs of changing weather so
you can avoid being caught outside unprepared. Your chances of
getting lost will quickly diminish when you listen to experts
discuss the proper ways to use a map and compass. Other topics
include visual tracking, unique camping tricks and fishing in the
Smokies.

History and Music

History buffs will want to attend lectures on the Civil War in
the Smokies. You can also hear stories about Native Americans in
this area as well as the early settlers of Pigeon Forge. These
mountains have lots of stories to tell.

Music has always been an important part of the Smoky Mountains.
Look for classes on mountain music, gospel music and storytelling
that are native to this area. You can also get instruction on
playing the acoustic guitar and banjo. Whether you opt to attend
clogging classes or concerts by local musicians, get ready to
move your feet.

For the Kids

This event sounds great for adults, but what about the kids?
There’s plenty to keep them entertained as well. Start with the
Animal Olympics where kids will compare human senses to the
senses of wild animals. For the budding musicians, there’s a
hands-on class about mountain music and instruments designed just
for children. They will also get to see live animals and look at
hidden treasures from around the world.

Guided Hikes & Tours

Are you the type that would rather be doing something outside
than learning about it inside? With more than 50 guided walking
tours and hikes categorized from easy to strenuous and ranging
from one to 13 miles, there’s something for every interest and
fitness level. What’s more, you can’t find better scenery than
the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With its breathtaking
waterfalls, mountains, plants and wildlife, you’ll find the
perfect combination of beauty and exercise.

Log Cabin Bargains

Concerned about the cost of lodging? Don’t be! Many log cabin
rentals in the Smokies cost less than hotel rooms and offer more
space and better centralized locations.

Don’t spend this January stuck at home. Wilderness Wildlife
Week is an inexpensive way to learn about one of the most
beautiful areas of our country. Rent a cabin and enjoy an
extremely affordable – and well-deserved – break after all the
holiday hustle and bustle.

Bennie McCann is Reservations Manager of Volunteer Cabin Rentals
specializing in Smoky Mountain rental cabins in Gatlinburg and
Pigeon Forge, TN. Visit them today at
http://www.volunteercabinrentals.com to book cabins for weddings,
vacations, reunions and other special events.

Snow Skiing cool Flips

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:51:32 +0000

Pixelit has produced this video at the Ski Resort at Sapphire, NC – The snow ski flips took place near Cashiers and Highlands on the Smoky Mountains

Duration : 0:2:21

Technorati Tags: cashiers, cool, flips, mountains, pixelit, pixelivideos, rey, sapphire, ski, skiing, Smoky, snow, soares, whiteside

Pigeon River Rafting with NOC

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:29:34 +0000

Raft the Big Pigeon River near Gatlinburg, Tennessee! NOC rafts the fun whitewater of the Pigeon River all summer long. The Pigeon River offers Smoky Mountain Scenery and roller-coaster wave trains and rapids for the whole family!

Duration : 0:1:49

Technorati Tags: Gatlinburg, Nantahala Outdoor Center, NOC, pigeon river, TN rafting, whitewater rafting

Fly fishing the Smoky Mountains Part 1

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:52:26 +0000

Fishing the Chimney Tops picnic area in April

Duration : 0:3:7

Technorati Tags: fishing, fly, Great, mountains, National, Park, Smoky

Hike to Mt. Rogers in Virginia

admin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:46:11 +0000

I love hiking the balds in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Gregory, Andrews and Rocky Top are some of my favorite hikes in the Smokies. Roan Mountain and Max Patch are also notable destinations. However, my absolute favorite hike in the Southern Appalachians is along the Appalachian Trail to the summit of Mt. Rogers in southwestern Virginia.

Nearly the entire length of the four-mile (one-way) hike passes through open country, offering sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness as far as the eye can see. With the rocky outcroppings and the open views, it seems more like hiking in some places out west rather than in the Appalachian Mountains.

The summit of Mount Rogers also happens to be the highest point in Virginia. While a handful of peaks in the Appalachians are higher, Mount Rogers lays claim to being the highest state highpoint, east of South Dakota, that doesn’t have a road to its summit.

My wife and I had the pleasure of hiking to Mt. Rogers on two fairly recent occasions. Both times we started our hike from Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park, which borders the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Jefferson National Forest.

To reach the summit from Massie Gap (elevation 4650 feet) we took the Rhododendron Trail. At first the trail leads across a field and then follows an old wagon road over a hillside. On both of our hikes, it was in this area that we began to see some of the wild ponies for which this area is famous for. In addition to mechanical clearing with chainsaws, grazing cattle, and use of carefully controlled fires, the US Forest Service uses the ponies to keep the popular balds open.

After about a half-mile we turned onto the Appalachian Trail, which led us up the rugged, rocky outcrops of Wilburn Ridge and then through Rhododendron Gap. From Rhododendron Gap, it’s an easy 1.5-mile hike to the short spur trail to the summit, located just past the Thomas Knob Shelter. This section of trail is just spectacular. The best views and the most beautiful scenery can be had here.

Upon turning onto the half-mile spur trail to the summit, we finally reached the tree-line. Unlike most mountains, the forest in this area of the highlands still claims the highest elevations. The 5729-foot summit of Mount Rogers is covered by a thick spruce-fir forest, which means that you won’t have any views at the summit, and is the only place on the entire hike where you hike amongst trees.

The first time we visited the Mount Rogers area we stayed in Abingdon, about 32 miles west of the park. For anyone who likes history, this is great place to spend a day or two. I also highly recommend having dinner at The Tavern. Built in 1779, it’s the oldest building in town and has played host to notable guests such as Andrew Jackson and King Louis-Phillipe of France.

The following year we stayed in Damascus, which is a little closer to the park. Traversed by the Appalachian Trail, the Virginia Creeper Trail, the Trans-America National Bicycle Trail, the Iron Mountain Trail, and others, Damascus is known appropriately as Trail Town, USA. Additionally, the town holds a big festival each May that’s known as Trail Days. It attracts over 15,000 people – mostly hikers – in one weekend. That number is significant because there are only 1000 people that live in the town.

Mt. Rogers (via Massie Gap)
RT Hike: 8 Miles
Elev Gain: 1079 Feet

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

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