August Is Here

8/1/2011

A lone cone flower.

I am ready for a full day of sunshine. It seems to be the trend that we wake up to a blue sky and then the clouds roll in around noon. I know I should not be complaining when so many areas are hurting for rain. I just need one day of vitamin D to get back on track. Maybe August will bring the sun with it. I know all of the moisture will make for a great berry season. The crew has been dreaming of all the treats I can make with blackberries. Notice I said "I"! It won't be long now. The park has issued bear warnings. I have noticed a lot of photos on facebook. My fellow Gatlinburg neighbors have been seeing a lot of larger bears around town. That is not good. I am sure we will have a few bears coming through wanting to share the berries.

Jacque J

8/1/2011 01:52:52 am

Good morning to everyone. Thanks for all the nice photos of the mountain flowers! We are hiking up the end of August and was wondering if any trail is more active with bears than others? We have hiked up Alum before and loved it but would like to experience another trail.Eventually we would love to do them all! We love it up on Mt. LeConte !

Denise

8/1/2011 01:57:11 am

Ditto what Jacque said...we've hiked Alum several times and have a trip planned up the Boulevard and down Trillium. Wondering if we should stay on Alum because of the bear warnings? We're heading up next Sunday.

Paul B

8/1/2011 02:53:58 am

Denise, how do you get from Trillium back to your car. We are coming up in 3 weeks and would like to do Alum and Trillium but am stuck w the car logistics.
Also, I read an article in SI about a group of mountain climbers struck by lightening on the Grand Titon. Curious about this hazard at LeConte. Assume it is a real concern.

Denise

8/1/2011 03:03:24 am

We're still working on the car details, haven't done this before either. We're hoping our hotel in Gatlinburg will let us keep a car overnight in the parking garage and find a cab service to take us to Newfound Gap for the Boulevard trailhead and then hoping to have cell service at the Trillium trailhead to call one when we get back down. Anyone else have suggestions?

Rachel

8/1/2011 03:51:04 am

Look up A Walk In The Woods...they provide shuttle service. Park your car at your departing trailhead, and they will drop you off where you want to start.

Denise

8/1/2011 04:01:21 am

Found it...thanks! For others it's

www.awalkinthewoods.com

Now to decide about the bear activity:-/

Jacque J

8/1/2011 05:37:11 am

Thanks for the information on the shuttle service. We were also wondering how to do that. And Denice your trip is a few weeks before ours so keep us posted on any bear activity on your trail! Hopefully there will be none to report! Have fun.

Juanita

8/1/2011 07:14:35 am

We have had a lot bears here in Asheville too. Frank says it is because all the dry weather has caused their food sources to dry up in the mountains, so they come down into town to forage. Don't worry though, we have not been slathering beer cans with bacon grease like we used to do for entertainment. LOL. Bears drinking beer sure was funny though! LOL.

Denise

8/1/2011 07:48:44 am

Unfortunately, this behavior leads to dead bears and concerned hikers...not amusing...hope you realize that now.

http://www.themountainpress.com/view/full_story/7458280/article--Park-likely-to-euthanize-bear-that-attacked-

Doug Y.

8/1/2011 10:16:44 am

Bears drinking beer from cans smothered with bacon grease !? "Un thing si extrement irresponable pour faire !" Never in the fifty-plus years I've hiked in the Smokies have I ever had a problem with a bear, and believe you me I've been about as close as one can get to them !! No wonder these magnificent creatures have to be destroyed ! And what for ? Someone's entertainment ? No, that is NOT funny. Yes, hikers should be concerned, but not about the bears.

Scott Guthrie

8/1/2011 11:47:21 am

I had overnight hiked in the Smokies at least a dozen times prior to this weekend without ever seeing a bear. Then, Sunday I saw FOUR of them. First one was up on Gregory Bald enjoying the berries and then saw 3 cubs just below Shuckstack later in the day.

chris and tonya courtney

8/1/2011 01:31:31 pm

we stayed the night yesterday and hiked down today! it was amazing up top and the sun did feel amazing! we hiked down bullhead and we saw a bear on the trail, not gonna lie it kinda freaked us out but it was awesome! bears are definately out! i wish i was at the lodge, i miss it already!

hclark

8/1/2011 03:21:41 pm

Completed a hike today from Newfound Gap to Kephart Prong via the AT, Dry Sluice Gap, Grassy Branch Trail and Kephart Prong. Some several fresh bear or wild hog signs on the Grassy Branch Trail but no animals.

Jerry

8/2/2011 02:35:52 am

My wife and just got back from hiking the Grand Tetons. In one week there were a group of climbers hit by lightning, a man drown in the Snake River when the raft flipped, a man was attacked and killed by a grizzly bear in Yellowstone and we were chased up a rock slide on Granite Canyon Trail by a very mad moose...point is...it is called the "Wild" for a reason...BE CAREFUL!!!

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