Monthly Archive: September 2013
GSM Guide
September 27, 2013
Officials at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are expecting “fabulous fall” colors this autumn. The fall foliage color changes occur from early to mid- October in the higher elevation. The lower elevations peak color show are typically in the third and fourth week of October. The weather in mid-Oactober is responsible for the color intensity. Park spokeswoman Dana Soehn stated “We’re staring to get the right conditions. We’re all hopeful for a beautiful display of color this year”.
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fall foliage, fall foliage 2013
GSM Guide
September 25, 2013
The Great Smoky Mountains is home to an amazing diversity of plants, animals, and invertebrates with over 17,000 species documented and possibly an additional 30,000-80,000 species. The diversity is the result of climate and mountain terrain. Elevation levels range from 875 to 6,643 feet. Plants and animals common in the southern United States thrive in the lower elevations while species common in the northern United States thrive at the higher elevations. The amount of rainfall and the high summertime humidity also provide excellant growing conditions.The average annual rainfall varies from about 55 inches in the valleys to over 85 inches…
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United States
GSM Guide
September 24, 2013
A ceremony at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Headquarters took place last Friday when the GSMNP established its first Sister Park Arrangement with Khao Yai National Park in Thailand. Many National Park Service sites have established a “sister park” relationship with national parks in other countries.These sister park relationships provide a sharing of information and park to park contact to work on common park issues.
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GSMNP, National Park, Sister Park Arrangement
GSM Guide
September 20, 2013
The fall foliage show may be better than first expected due to a month of fairly dry weather in the mountains. After record rainfall this past summer conditions have dried out now. This should enhance leaf color, said Kathy Mathews, associate biology professor at Western Carolina University.“I’m much more optimistic now than I was in August that we’ll have a good color season,” Mathews said. “I think it (drier weather) will help with the development of red pigment in particular.”
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fall foliage 2013, Kathy Mathews, Western Carolina University
GSM Guide
September 20, 2013
Townsend in the Smokies Fall Heritage Festival and Old Timer’s Day is next week Sept. 27 and 28, 2013. The festival has bluegrass music, clogging and square dancing, arts and crafts booths, demonstrations , an antique tractor display and lots of good food. Other events are also held in the community including the Blue Ribbon Country Fair at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center and Railroad Days at Little River Railroad & Lumber Co. Museum. There will be a free shuttle from 10:30 to 6 p.m. each day. For the full schedule and band lineup go to www.smokymountains.org/do/events_festivals/fall_heritage_festival
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cades cove, heritage festival, old times's day, townsend
GSM Guide
September 15, 2013
Gatlinburg will celebrate the Ole Smoky Moonshine Appalachian heritage September 26-28, 2013. There will be authentic moonshine stills, bootlegger cars, moonshiner stories and law enforement officers stories. Mountain music, a corn hole toss tournament and a Moonshine Run will also be taking place. Great fun for all at ole Smoky Moonshine, 903 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN. For more info follow this link www.olesmokymoonshine.com
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gatlinburg, Moonshine Run, ole smoky moonshine, Smoky Moonshine, TN
GSM Guide
September 13, 2013
The Blue Ridge Parkway is open without any road closures. A Blue Ridge Parkway is a slow-paced and relaxing drive with stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway meanders for 469 miles, providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country so special. And with the fall foliage season fast approaching it will offer and even more beautiful view of the colorful trees, mountain views and clear blue Carolina skies!
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Appalachian Highlands, Blue Ridge Parkway, fall foliage
GSM Guide
September 11, 2013
Black Bear in Gatlinburg Causes Excitement Using Pedestrian Cross Walk Downtown Video of a bear crossing the street in downtown Gatlinburg goes viral. A black bear in downtown Gatlinburg made quite a spectecle as it roamed the streets recently.It was spotted making its way from the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park and into downtown Gatlinburg. It tried to get into the Gatlinburg Convention Center and then it ran down the Parkway and used the cross walk to get back to the National Park. No one was injured nor was the bear. Bear sightings are not unusual for Gatlinburg. The…
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black bear, Convention Center, gatlinburg, Gatlinburg Convention Center, great smoky mountains, National Park
GSM Guide
September 7, 2013
Alum Cave Trail Parking Improvements Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced the partial closure of Alum Cave Parking Area beginning Monday, August 26 through Friday, September 13 to complete parking area improvements. The popular parking area will get much needed improvements that include better drainage and expanded parking spaces. Access to Alum Cave Trailhead and half of the parking area will remain open at all times during the construction process. Due to the partial closure, park officials caution visitors that the parking lot will likely reach maximum capacity during peak hours and weekends. Hikers should consider other routes to Mt. Le…
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alum cave, Alum Cave Trailhead, great smoky mountains, Le Conte
GSM Guide
September 4, 2013
Cherokee Man Dies in Crash James E. Bigmeat Jr, 44, of Cherokee., was killed Friday in a single vehicle wreck in front of park headquarters near Gatlinburg. His wife, 34-year-old Angie Murphy, also of Cherokee, was transported by Gatlinburg EMS to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. She was listed in fair condition as of Tuesday. The SUV was traveling northbound on Newfound Gap Road when Bigmeat ran off the roadway in front of Park Headquarters near Gatlinburg and hit a tree.
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Angie Murphy, Bigmeat Jr, Cherokee man dies, Newfound Gap Road, Park Headquarters
