Four fun St. Patricks Day things to do in the Smoky Mountains. You don’t have to kiss the Blarney Stone to have a great time this St. Patricks Day on Friday, March 17, 2017! Remember to wear green on St. Patricks Day or you may get pinched. But if you are in a pinch for ideas of what to do, look no further.
Smoky Mountain Brewery is always a great place to wet your whistle on this holiday. With locations in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg it’s your lucky day. Try a flight of sample beers or dive into a pint and enjoy some of the most flavorful beers in Smokies!
Want to really get traditional on the day of the Irish? No problem. Fox and Parrot Tavern has been hosting a great St. Patricks Day party every year since 1998. All your favorite Irish beers will available at this family oriented pub.
Go green in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is steeped in Scots-Irish heritage that you can discover! From music to culture these folks have left their mark on our land. Take a hike or visit the museum at Sugarlands Visitor Center and just enjoy the day.
Going green on the North Carolina side of the Smokies? This can be a delicious undertaking at Nantahala Brewing Company. Nestled in beautiful Bryson City, North Carolina this brewery never fails to satisfy. The selection of beers at this watering hole is the reason why folks come from far and wide. Enjoy!
Bonus fun – Green Man Brewery in Asheville, North Carolina has it going on. The legendary Green Man has existed for centuries but it’s no myth that he’s been brewing great beer in Asheville since 1997. As one of North Carolina’s original breweries, Green Man has been producing some of the beer scene’s most iconic ales.
The best thing about the Smokies is that every season of the year offers its own joys! Get out today, hike one of the park’s beautiful trails and get a taste of winter’s glory in East Tennessee or Western North Carolina. From frozen waterfalls to forests laced with light snow, everyone from beginners to experienced hikers will find winter hiking in the Smoky Mountains delightful! What’s more, local outfitters can get you the base gear you need to enjoy a day in the heart of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. A few of them share with us what you need to know and where to go for winter hiking fun in the Smoky Mountains!
Michael Shepperd of GSM Outfitters in Wears Valley enjoys hiking in winter for a number of reasons. “Oftentimes I like to hike the most popular trails in winter, mid-week, to have a quiet, peaceful hike that would otherwise be very crowded and congested. I hiked on a Wednesday in the beginning of December to Abrams Falls (in Cades Cove). Besides myself and my wife, we saw no one. I took long-shot photos of the falls without one person being in the frame. Hikes like Abrams or Ramsey Cascades are great to go to in the winter if you enjoy owning the falls. For photography, oftentimes these experiences are priceless!”
Shepperd, whose store offers hikers just about everything they need to stay comfortable on a chilly day, including base layers of clothing, great winter coats, hats, gloves, boots, Microspikes (to keep feet from slipping on icy trails), trekking poles and more, has plenty of other reasons for hitting the trails of the Great Smoky Mountains after the weather turns cold.
“Hikes like Bote Mountain, Rich Mountain, or any ridgeline hike are great in the winter. With dramatically reduced foliage, the views on these hikes are even more spectacular only during late fall, winter and early spring. Winter is also a great time to do waterfall hikes. Water tables are up, normally thirsty plants are not taxing ground water, and with most of the leaves gone there are vantages that are not available in the summer. Hikes like Mt. LeConte and Charlie’s Bunion will oftentimes render views of frosted peaks, dense clouds and land contours that are normally hidden under blankets of green,” Shepperd says. For more info, give GSM Outfitters a call at 865-366-2608.
John Northrup of the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Gatlinburg, says that if the area has recently been hit with decent snowfall or ice affecting roads, visitors still have options. “Odds are if the roads are icy or snow-covered, access to the heart of the park via US 441 will be prohibited until they are deemed safe for vehicular traffic. If that’s the case, one will be limited to the roads and trails that can be reached around the park’s perimeter. Depending on how low the snowline is, parking at the entrances to Cherokee Orchard or Greenbrier can afford visitors opportunities to walk the gravel roads or trails with comfort and ease. It doesn’t take long to achieve that sense of solitude in the woods and still be so close to Gatlinburg,” he says. For the more experienced hiker, there are even more exciting options under these conditions. “Take the drive east from Gatlinburg to I-40 and enter the park at Big Creek (exit 451). Park by the ranger station and walk the gravel road toward the campground or ascend any of the trails emanating from the ranger station that ascend Mounts Cammerer or Sterling. The views of snow-covered mountains on a clear day from either summit’s observation tower are breathtaking,” Northrup advises. For more info, call NOC in Gatlinburg at 865-277-8209.
Steve Ellis, owner and chief guide at Hike the Smokys, a company offering guided hikes in the GSMNP, doesn’t let a little cold weather keep him from hitting the trails. In an email interview with HeySmokies, Ellis says “for me, the ‘best’ winter trails are the trails that foliage has restricted my ability to see historic structures, artifacts and views during the warm weather months. These trails are often in the lower altitudes, where you have easier access, and where communities once existed, such as Greenbrier, Old Settler’s Trail, Porter’s Creek, and the Old Sugarlands Trail, where the CCC Camp and the Old Stone House remain. I also like Baskins Creek (you’ll need to hike in from Cherokee Orchard Loop Road as the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is closed from November 28 – March 24) and the Elkmont area, which is also a great place to find hidden and not-so-hidden ruins.”
Ellis, like Shepperd and Northrup, also enjoys grabbing some altitude on a cold day in the Smokies. “The higher altitudes are fun to explore, and see even greater views than in the warmer seasons, due to the incredibly clear visibility on clear days. I really enjoy a day hike on the Appalachian Trail heading east from Newfound Gap Park area to ‘The Jumpoff,’ located on the Boulevard Trail, and Charlie’s Bunion, further east on the Appalachian Trail,” he says.
Several trails that have been closed due to the Chimney Tops 2 Fire have re-opened say Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials. Hikers are asked to stay on established trails and be cautious of trail hazards, such as overhead limbs, throughout the park.
The popular Gatlinburg Trail, which allows dogs, is again open. Also re-opened are Sugurlands Valley Nature Trail, Huskey Gap Trail, Backcountry campsite #21, and the quiet walkways along Newfound Gap Road between Sugarlands Visitor Center and Newfound Gap.
Please be aware that the following trails and campsites are currently closed due to fire or storm damage: Chimney Top Trail, Ramsey Cascades Trail, Road Prong Trail, Cove Mountain Trail, Sugarlands Mountains Trail from Mt. Collins Shelter to Little River Road, Rough Creek Trail, Old Sugarlands Trail, Twin Creeks Trail, Bull Head Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail, Trillium Gap Trail, Baskins Creek Trail, Grapeyard Ridge Trail from Campsite #32 to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Noah Bud Ogle Nature Trail, Cove Hardwood Nature Trail, the Sugarlands Horse Concessions Trails, backcountry campsite #11, and Scott Mountain Trail from campsite #5 to Schoolhouse Gap (campsite #6 is open.)
Please note that there is still a burn ban in effect not only for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but also for Sevier and Blount Counties. Campfires nor open grills are allowed in the national park until further notice.
As the Great Smoky Mountains wildfire relief effort continues, we wanted to give everyone a progress update and let you know of some current needs as of December 8, 2016. We are happy to announce the following areas will re-open to the public on Friday, December 9th: City of Gatlinburg, The Spur, Gatlinburg By-pass, Sugarlands Visitor Center, Newfound Gap Road, Little River Road.
We cannot begin to express our gratitude for the many folks who’ve come to the aid and rescue of Sevier County, TN and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Firefighters, families, and good people from across the country have made an everlasting impact on the people who live and work here.
Local Rotary Clubs have joined forces and are now managing the two Pigeon Forge Distribution Centers and In-Kind Donations. The Distribution Center at Boyd’s Bears is at capacity and no longer taking donations. Donations (small pick-up trucks or less) can be made at the former Smoky Mountain Jubilee Theater located at 2115 Parkway in Pigeon Forge. The Smoky Mountain Jubilee Donation Center is open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Please note that the donation center is not accepting any more used clothing or bottled water. What is still needed is NEW CLOTHING: winter coats of all sizes, warm gloves for all ages and sizes, athletic shoes in all sizes, men’s work boots in all sizes, men’s underwear in Large, XL, XXL, and men’s and ladies’ work gloves along with duffle bags, and suitcases.
Other needs are personal hygiene items, OTC cold medicines, laundry detergent, non-perishable food items, paper bowls, plastic wear, can openers, scissors, school supplies, brooms, mops and buckets, rakes and shovels, and water hoses. Food items needed are flour, sugar, cereal, and instant coffee and creamer. The donation centers/shelters are serving about 3,000 people a day.
By the Numbers Update
2,460 structures have been destroyed or damaged in the wildfires; 191 injuries and illnesses; 14 confirmed fatalities.
406 members of the Type 1 Federal Incident Management Team are still fighting the Chimney Top 2 Fire. This includes 8 crews, 34 engines, 3 helicopters, and 1 dozer. The Chimney Top 2 Fire is estimated at 82% containment. The Cobbly Nob Fire is estimated at 89% containment. The Incident Management Team remains confident that their containment lines are very secure in all areas near homes and businesses.
2 teenagers from Tennessee, but not Sevier County, have been charged with aggravated arson for the Chimney Top 2 Fire. The public responding to the National Park’s tip line was crucial in making the arrest. The investigation is still active and ongoing according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Sevier County government agencies have organized a website, www.mountaintough.org to provide up-to-date information on a variety of topics related to the recent wildfires. They’ve also set up the call center hotline, East Tennessee 211, to connect local residents with a full-range of community services and agencies of United Way. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. EST. Those outside the local area may each the call center at 865-215-4211.
December 1, 2016 VISITOR ALERT – Some areas are now open, like Cades Cove Loop Road, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Downtown Gatlinburg Parkway and River Road hope to be open back to the public by Wednesday, December 7, 2016. This visitor alert report comes from this morning’s press conference in Gatlinburg along with local reports and information from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC has re-opened; however, Sugarlands Visitor Center and Clingmans Dome remain closed due to wildfires and smoke. Highway 441, Little River Road, Cherokee Orchard Road, and Parsons Branch also remain closed.
For the latest information on what trails and areas are closed in the national park, visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the latest from the National Park Service. The threat of fire in the area is still extremely high despite recent rainfalls, all visitors and residents alike are asked to please exercise caution.
In Gatlinburg, from the post office, located on Highway 321 East, to city limits on the east side of town is now open to the public. Even though city officials hope to have both the Gatlinburg Parkway (Highway 441) and River Road open to the public by Wednesday, December 7, the side streets will remain closed until deemed safe.
Many roads within Sevier County should be open by the weekend according to County Mayor, Larry Waters. Areas in the county that will not open are Wiley Oakley/North Chalet Village, Westgate Resort area, and Beech Branch/Walker Trail area.
Wildfire Search and Recovery Efforts Ongoing in Gatlinburg and Sevier County
Reports today increased the wildfire coverage to over 17,000 acres with the damage half in the National Park and half in Sevier County.
Officials stated that three people were rescued yesterday. Two people were rescued from an elevator in Westgate Resort and another rescued at a home on Ski Mountain. About 70% of the affected area still needs to be checked by rescue teams. The number of wildfire victims remains at seven with the number of injured people treated at LeConte Medical Center up to 53. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) still cannot release the identities of victims. Approximately 240 people remained in the two area shelters overnight.
A Facebook Page, Chimney Tops 2 Fire has been set-up to act as a general clearinghouse for both residents and visitors seeking information on property. Officials are currently setting up a GIS mapping system so that home owners can check on their properties; there will be a link on the Facebook page to the map. The map will be updated on a regular basis.
The Sevier County Humane Society is working with animal control officers and others to check homes for pet owners whose pets are missing. If you have a missing pet, please visit the Humane Society’s Facebook Page and give a detailed description with your street address.
How You Can Donate To Smoky Mountains Wildfire Relief Efforts
The amount of in-kind donations has been so overwhelming that officials have asked for a halt on all in-kind donations at this time. For those wishing to make donations, a donation clearinghouse of sorts has been set up at Rocky Top Sports World in Gatlinburg to help direct your donation to the appropriate agency; you may call them at 865-430-7384 or 866-586-4483.
The Dolly Parton Foundation has also stepped up to serve the community by organizing the My People Fund where each family in Sevier County who’s lost their home will receive $1,000 each month for six months to get back on their feet. Dolly Parton is asking her fans world-wide to donate and make this big dream come true for her beloved people in the Smoky Mountains.
Another press conference will be held at 4:00 p.m. today. We’ll keep you posted on the latest news at HeySmokies.com.
