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New Deep Creek Video
 Indian Creek Falls by Valerie Polk
Enjoy the water, wildflowers, and forests of the Deep Creek area and visit three different waterfalls in this new video by Valerie Polk.
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Stunning Park Photos
Sunrise from Oconaluftee Overlook by William Britten from our Facebook page You'll love the thousands of beautiful photos of the park on our Facebook fan page.  Join 155,900 park lovers on Facebook.
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Junior Rangers &
Not-So-Junior Rangers
Photo by Mary Ann Kressig Kids ages 5-12 can now become Junior Rangers and earn a very cool ranger badge. And parents can become "Not-So-Junior" Rangers and get a patch. Stop at a park visitor center and find out how! |
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Business Members
Wild Plum Tea Room
555 Buckhorn Road
Gatlinburg TN 37738
865.436.3808
plumchefs@comcast.net
Home made gourmet lunches in a log cabin Austrian style tearoom. Located in a beautiful mountain setting within the Arts and Craft Community.
Wine and beer are available as well as a child menu, free parking, and access to the trolley. Open Monday through Saturday 11-3, March through mid-December.
GSMA members in good standing receive a 10% discount on food
You can see all of GSMA's Business Members by clicking here.
To see the discounts offered to GSMA members, click here.
If you own a business and would like to be included in this newsletter and our website, contact Westy Fletcher at 423.487.3131 or
Westy@GSMAssoc.org
Townsend Gateway Inn
8270 State Hwy 73
Townsend TN 37882
tel: 865.238.0123 ext: 1
info@townsendgatewayinn.com
www.townsendgatewayinn.com
Lumberjack Feud
2713 Parkway
Pigeon Forge TN 37863
865.428.8688
info@lumberjackfeud.com
www.lumberjackfeud.com
Discounts to our upcoming show to GSMA members in good standing. Please contact us for further information.
River Rat/USA Raft
205 Wears Valley Road
Townsend TN 37882
865.448.8888
tubing8888@aol.com
www.smokymtnriverrat.com
GSMA members in good standing will receive $3 off rafting, $1 off tubing and $8 off a combination.
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Tornado Cleanup
Photo by Christine Hoyer, NPS
More than two months after a tornado tore it's way through the park, trail crews are busy clearing trails. See what it takes to clean up such a mess, and have a look at the Abrams Falls Trail now that it's reopened in this new video by Valerie Polk.
For official NPS updates about closures due to damage and cleanup from the tornado that struck the park on April 27 click here.
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Appalachian Bear Rescue
At Gatlinburg Welcome Center July 16 & August 6
Photo by Brian Shults
Appalachian Bear Rescue will be at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center on July 16 and August 6 from 10 am to 3 pm.
Bring the whole family and learn all about black bears from this wonderful wildlife organization.
"Like" them on Facebook. See their videos of bears on YouTube.
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If you want to receive one online newsletter a month and no spam. |
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Follow GSMA on Twitter. 
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Summer Fun in the Park
Camping at Elkmont by Hannah Schlicher Killgore
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Correction of Caption
In Last Month's Newsletter
This photo is of Pauline Huff and her son Philip Huff at LeConte Lodge. |
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Take Our New Quiz on Smokies Fire Towers
Test Your Knowledge and Win Free Prizes
GSMA photo of Mt. Cammerer Fire Tower
The first person to get all 12 questions right will win a packable first aid kit, Mt Cammerer hiking medallion, and a Mt. Cammerer patch. To take the quiz, click here.
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Hike to Spruce Flats Falls
What's Cooler on a Hot Summer Day?
Photo of Spruce Flats Falls by Ulrich Burkhalter
Take an educational hike to Spruce Flats Falls with former Great Smoky Mountains at Tremont teacher/naturalist Mike Matzko on Saturday, July 9th. A beautiful little known gem of the Smokies is located in the Tremont area of the park and consists of four cascades making up a 125 foot drop and a 320 foot run. A large plunge pool holds the water prior to it falling down to the Middle Prong of Little River. This region of the park was also one of the last logged by Little River Lumber Company. It's a 2-mile roundtrip, moderate hike. Wear good hiking boots, bring rain gear, water, and a light lunch to enjoy at the falls. Meet at 10:00 am in front of the Tremont office. Participation is limited to 20 with a registration fee of $10 per adult. Children 12 and under are free. To register call 865-436-7318, Ext. 222 or 254. |
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Quilts and Coverlets of the Smokies
New Book!
Storied Stitches: Quilts and Coverlets of the Smokies
Practical arts of quilting and weaving in the Great Smoky Mountains are celebrated in this richly illustrated book by Rose Houk.
From the early 19th century to today quilting and weaving have been joyful ways for women (and some men) to express their artistic talents and provide their families with beautiful, functional necessities for their homes.
On the wilderness frontier and in the rural farmsteads, quilts and coverlets brought color, inspiration, and art to an otherwise mostly drab existence.
Filled with contemporary and historical photos. Also includes patterns for making six traditional quilts, so readers can try their own hand! 68 pages. Click here to learn more.
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Summer Flowers
Hike of the Month
Purple fringed orchids are blooming now on Clingmans Dome
Bee-balm and Catawba rhododendron are also decorating the park's highest elevations.
Suggested Hike of the Month
July is an excellent time to visit the park's higher elevations where you can enjoy summer wildflowers and escape the sultry weather of the lowlands.
Starting at Newfound Gap and hiking to Charlies Bunion on the Appalachian Trail makes for an 8-mile round trip outing. Along with the wildflowers, the route offers superb mountain views. However, if there are thunderstorms in the forecast, save this ridgetop hike for another day.
Summer Wildflowers Tour
The Blue Ridge Parkway and Balsam Mountain Road offer exceptional summer wildflower viewing. Jump on the parkway near Cherokee, NC and drive 11 miles to Wolf Laurel Gap and the turn off to Heintooga Ridge Road and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Follow the mile-high Heintooga Road to Heintooga Picnic Area, a great place to pause for a snack and stretch your legs. Then it's on to the gravel, one-way Balsam Mountain Road, a great place to slow down and smell the flowers. After 13 miles on the Balsam Mountain Road, turn left onto Big Cove Road (which is paved) and follow it 12 miles back to Cherokee. All in all it's about 45 miles round trip from Cherokee or the new Oconaluftee Visitor Center. |
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Jeff Alt Book Signing
Tuesday, July 5
 Sugarlands Visitor Center 9-11 am
Oconaluftee Visitor Center 2-4 pm
Jeff Alt takes you along on his 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail adventure filled with humorous, frightening, and inspirational stories including: bears, bugs, blisters, skunk bedmates, mice, and hilarious food cravings. Alt tells how he saved a dog from drowning, was chased by a bull, and how he came across a moose; all for a noble cause.
As Alt walked on through freezing temperatures, driving rain, and sunny skies, he met walking buddies and obnoxious individuals, endured sprained ankles, and swarms of insects, focused more on food than his future wife, and watched others who had trudged hundreds of miles decide to quit.
Alt was constantly buoyed by the knowledge that his walk was dedicated to his brother who has cerebral palsy. Alt lived in the woods for 147 days, inspiring an annual fundraiser which has raised over $100,000 for the Sunshine Home, the facility where his brother lives.
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Living the High Life
Meet the Staff of Clingmans Dome Information Center
GSMA Sales Assistant Randy Slate and Park Volunteer Joan Nelson pose by the one-year-old visitor information center
It has now been one year since the Clingmans Dome Information Center opened. The unusual conversion of a CCC-built restroom into a park information center was spurred by the failure of the site's septic system. "Vault" toilets replaced the restrooms and the Information Center was born to fill the vacated space. Clingmans Dome Information Center was an immediate hit. Somewhere near 1,000 people a day visit the facility during summer. And the GSMA and Park Service staff who work there truly love their jobs. What's so great about working at an elevation of 6,300 feet, near the top of the third-highest peak east of the Mississippi River? "We meet people from all around the world," said David Florea, a GSMA Senior Sales Assistant. "When we get a break, it's fun to walk along the trail a little ways and talk with visitors," he added. "I love the ever-changing views and weather," said Randy Slate. "You might get ice, sunshine, and thunderstorms, all on the same day." And what are the top 10 questions that visitors ask Clingmans Dome staff? 1. Where are the bathrooms? 2. How far to the tower? 3. What's the temperature at the top? 4. What killed all the trees? 5. Is it going to be foggy all day? 6. What's the elevation gain to the tower? 7. Do you have to drive to work here every day? 8. What's the flower with all the bees on it? 9. Will I see any bears? 10.When was the tower built? |
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Melissa Cobern
New Backcountry Ranger
Melissa Cobern is a GSMNP backcountry ranger. She coordinates the park's 89 backcountry campsites and 15 backcountry shelters. She also works closely with several park partners and dozens of volunteers on backcountry issues.
"The park's backcountry is extraordinary," says Melissa, "and to have a role in its protection is truly a privilege."
Originally from central Alabama, Melissa comes to GSMNP after serving at Dinosaur National Monument (Colorado/Utah), Golden Spike National Historical Site (Utah), and Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado). She replaces long-time backcountry ranger George Minnigh, who retired.
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Smokies Quiz
Winner! |
Answers to Last Month's Quiz on Waterfalls of the Smokies:
1. Rainfall in GSMNP has a direct influence on the amount of water in streams and the amount of water seen at waterfalls and cascades. The annual rainfall in the park is: - Under 20 inches
- About 40 inches
- About 60 inches
- About 75 inches
- Over 85 inches
2. A waterfall is described as: - Water passing over rocks in a stream
- Water spreading out at the confluence of a river
- Water in a vertical or "free fall" over a cliff
- Water falling from a height of 100 feet or more
- Falling water with a minimum diameter of 20 feet
3. How many miles of streams are there in the Great Smoky Mountains: - 500
- 900
- 1300
- 1700
- 2100
4. The Cherokee, who lived here before the white settlers arrived, believed the waters of the mountains were inhabited by Nunne'hi, meaning: - Woodland gnomes
- Creatures that fall from the sky
- Falling star people
- Water spirits
- Witches of the underworld
5. A cascade is different from a waterfall in that: - The volume of water is much less
- The water rushes over rocks and ledges
- The water erodes the banks
- The water collects in a pool
- Only the distance from cliff top to the base is measured
6. This falls, actually a cascade, is located outside the park boundary. It has a 180 foot drop: - Mingo Falls
- Hen Wallow Falls
- Spruce Flats Falls
- Indian Flats Falls
- Chasteen Creek Falls
7. Tom Branch Falls, Juney Whank Falls, and Indian Creek Falls can be seen in this area of the park: - Greenbrier
- Cosby
- Cades Cove
- Deep Creek
- Cataloochee
8. This falls, consisting of four cascades, has a 125 foot drop, a 320 foot run, and is located in the Tremont area of the park. It is a valuable tool in the Institute's educational programs: - Noisy Creek Cascades
- Spruce Flats Falls
- Twentymile Cascade
- Jakes Creek Falls
- Meigs Falls
9. This delightful cascade is aptly named. It is located on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and is highlighted by luscious mosses and "light dances" when viewed from different vantage points: - Cataract Falls
- Ramsey Cascades
- Fern Branch Falls
- Baskins Creek Falls
- Place of a Thousand Drips
10. With a 105 foot drop and a 122 foot run, this waterfall is the tallest in the park: - Rainbow Falls
- Laurel Falls
- Juney Whank Falls
- Ramsey Cascades
- Abrams Falls
11. This falls is named for the cave-like appearance of the rocks behind the falls. On a hot summer day you can refresh yourself by walking behind the falls: - Laurel Falls
- Grotto Falls
- Midnight Hole
- The Sinks
- Cataract Falls
12. With only a 25 foot drop, the large volume of water coming over this falls makes this a popular visitor destination. This falls is thought to be named after a Cherokee chief whose village was located several miles downstream: - Juney Whank Falls
- Crooked Arm Cascade
- Tom Branch Falls
- Abrams Falls
- Indian Creek Falls
And the winner is: Eric Ramsey, Kentucky |
| Any Questions? | For questions about online purchases, click here and the Mail Order department will help you.
For questions about membership, click here and Judy or Marti will help you.
For questions about business membership, click here and Westy will help you. |
Join
Us! | Become a member of Great Smoky Mountains Association today. You'll receive discounts at our park stores of up to 25% and receive premiums like Smokies Life magazine and the Bearpaw newsletter. Most importantly, you'll be helping protect nature and history in the Smokies. |
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