Where to go. What to See. Things to Do.
Wissinger the New Deputy Superintendent for GSMNP Patricia M. Wissinger has been selected as the next Deputy Superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She replaces the retired Kevin Fitzgerald. Wissinger is currently the superintendent of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Atlanta. She is scheduled to start her new assignment in mid-September.
Fall Foliage 2013 Show and Rain Effects On Color All the rain in western North Carolina this summer may have an effect on the fall foliage 2013 show this autumn in the NC mountains. For a nice fall color show sunshine is needed, not rain. More rain in September would have a negative impact also. The weather just prior to the leaf change season is important. Bright sunshine in September would help make a more vibrant showing of colors.
Friends of the Smokies Help with Bear Problem Cables are being repaired thanks to the Friends of the Smokies and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Park staff are repairing the cables used to hoist food high off the ground at the trail shelters at Mollie’s Ridge and Cosby Knob. Having food high and out of reach of bears at the shelters will hopefully increase the safety of backpackers.
Black Bears and Visitors Too Close For Safety 1,500 black bears live in the GSMNP and roam free but problems from tourist getting too close for pictures or to feed the bears present a huge problem. Feeding them will make the bears depend on close human contact for food and leads to problems. Fed bears keep coming back to humans for more food and thus pose a potential risk. Bears that get used to close human contact must be relocated into other more remote locations in the park for their safety. When they become so comfortable they repeatedly approach people…
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