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GSMNP
Feb 23, 2019 9:13:22 GMT -8
Post by hikerchick395 on Feb 23, 2019 9:13:22 GMT -8
I have tentative plans to visit GSMNP for a bucket list trip. My husband has never seen fireflies so I thought I would try to provide the ultimate experience. I know this will also involve hordes of people, but I was wondering what dayhikes to include while there.
(I have been to Laurel Falls and to the NC/TN border with my sisters and mom March 2010. One of my sisters has a fear of heights, so the trail of Laurel Falls scared her and my mom carried her purse...ha.))
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kayman
Trail Wise!
Loving Retired Life
Posts: 200
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GSMNP
Feb 24, 2019 17:06:55 GMT -8
Post by kayman on Feb 24, 2019 17:06:55 GMT -8
You could drive the Cades Cove Loop. Can usually see deer and black bear there. I think a couple of days a week it's closed to cars for a few hours in the morning and it's a cool bike ride if that's an option for you. About halfway around the loop is a trail to Abrams Falls. Nothing scary about that hike. It's pretty flat but about 8 miles round trip. You should probably hike to Chimney Tops and to Charlies Bunion for nice views of the Smokies. I think the big place to see the fireflies is at Elkmont Campground though I've seen them on the total opposite side of the park at Smokemont Campground, It's pretty cool. At the back of the Elkmont Campground is the Little River Trail which is very beautiful. You just hike hike out it as far as you want to go and turn back.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,974
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GSMNP
Feb 25, 2019 10:26:31 GMT -8
Post by driftwoody on Feb 25, 2019 10:26:31 GMT -8
Uphill fairly steep all the way, and scary if you scramble to the top. Very nice 8 miles roundtrip to excellent views from the namesake rocky outcrop.
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FamilySherpa
Trail Wise!
Tangled up in Rhododendron
Posts: 1,791
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GSMNP
Feb 25, 2019 12:30:10 GMT -8
Post by FamilySherpa on Feb 25, 2019 12:30:10 GMT -8
Coming for the firefly show can be tricky to plan. The NPS doesnt really project the peak nights until about 6-8 weeks in advance. Its also a lottery system for the parking lot and shuttle now. Not sure how important all that is to you in actuality.
You can pretty easily just stumble upon the firefly mating season by accident.
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GSMNP
Feb 25, 2019 16:39:45 GMT -8
Post by kevinumberger on Feb 25, 2019 16:39:45 GMT -8
Uphill fairly steep all the way, and scary if you scramble to the top. the very top----at the rocks-----has been closed down since the fire.....
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,974
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GSMNP
Feb 25, 2019 16:42:36 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by driftwoody on Feb 25, 2019 16:42:36 GMT -8
In what way did the fire impact the rocks?
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GSMNP
Feb 26, 2019 7:05:19 GMT -8
Post by kevinumberger on Feb 26, 2019 7:05:19 GMT -8
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,974
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GSMNP
Feb 26, 2019 10:01:43 GMT -8
Post by driftwoody on Feb 26, 2019 10:01:43 GMT -8
link my station did that explains why the top of the chimneys is closed... Thanks, it refers to "shattered ground" -- which I assume means the heat of the fire was intense enough to negatively impact the integrity of the rock surface in the climb to the pinnacles.
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GSMNP
Feb 26, 2019 10:52:21 GMT -8
Post by kevinumberger on Feb 26, 2019 10:52:21 GMT -8
yeah........
and the plants and what not in that area need time to recover...
at one time, they were kinda worried about having a slide happen since the ground was unstable....
basically, the area is going to need a lot of time to recover...
think decades....
and sadly, people are ignoring the barrier and climbing on the rocks....
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GSMNP
Feb 27, 2019 8:43:40 GMT -8
Post by hikerchick395 on Feb 27, 2019 8:43:40 GMT -8
Let me clarify...my one sister was the one who was scared hiking on what was very easy trail for myself.
A crapshoot as far as the timing of the fireflies display, but I already got a campsite reservation in Elkmont by guessing the timing. That is the ONLY thing that I have planned so far. (I'm traveling from California.)
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GSMNP
Feb 27, 2019 10:43:42 GMT -8
Post by kevinumberger on Feb 27, 2019 10:43:42 GMT -8
A crapshoot as far as the timing of the fireflies display, but I already got a campsite reservation in Elkmont by guessing the timing. That is the ONLY thing that I have planned so far. (I'm traveling from California.) generally the middle two weeks of june is the peak of fireflies.... hopefully that is the time frame you guess.... and please feel free to bring us lots of goodies from california.....
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GSMNP
Feb 27, 2019 12:54:06 GMT -8
Post by jmitch on Feb 27, 2019 12:54:06 GMT -8
There are also synchronous fireflies in the Allegheny National Forest in PA. pafireflyfestival.blogspot.com/An option considering the crowds in the Smokies.
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