Hiking Townsend – What to pack for a short jaunt in the Smokies.

Many people come to Townsend, TN and the Smoky Mountains to get into the Smokies’ more natural environment – to hike to some secluded destination or explore some far off mountain top. It’s trip that many of us have thought about, planned, or even just hopped in the car and begun. Whether you’re backpacking, or hiking, there are a number of things to take into consideration before starting out. One, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is made up of trails ranging from beginner to advanced. Like the Boy Scout motto says, “Be prepared” once you set out and choose wisely based on experience.

You’re sure to lace up your best hiking boots or trail shoes soon thereafter. But that’s it? Nope, there are number of other items to consider. Either way, whether you’re camping for a few nights or just hiking for a day, a backpack is a good thing to bring along. This will evenly distribute weight during the hike and maximize your comfort for the whole of the trip.

For short day hikes, these items are handy to pack for the trip:

  • Clothing. In the higher elevations, an extra layer can be a life saver, literally. A lightweight jacket with a hood will help combat the cool, windy air. Pack a hat and gloves if you think there’s a possibility you’ll really need them.
  • Weather protection. These days, sun protection is essential whether you’re at the beach or in the mountains. Pack some sunscreen as well as some Chapstick.
  • Hiking Safety. Pack a first aid kit. Just a small, portable first aid kit comprised of essential items is fine. Some of the items to include – band aids, blister pads, anti itch cream, tweezers, and antibacterial cream. Some bug repellant might come in handy too. This will ward off those irritating mosquitoes that come alive during the summer months. Pack a pocket knife as well. A compass and a trail map might help you as well. During the hike, it is vital that you stay on the marked trails, but if you should happen to get lost, a compass will help you find your bearings and get you back to the trail. As for hiking trail maps for Gatlinburg, TN you can pick some up at the Sugarlands Visitors Center just inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance.
  • Snacks. Be sure to bring some snacks and water for you and whoever else will be going on the hike. Keep yourself and remind others to hydrate whenever you get a chance. You might not feel like you are losing fluid, but you are, especially if you are hiking in the mountains! Bring a refillable water bottle that you can store in a side pocket of your backpack (one filled bottle per person). And pack lightweight snacks like granola bars or snack bags of GORP (raisins and peanuts), which will help you and your group refuel after a mile or two.
  • Fun stuff. The Smoky Mountains offer breathtaking vistas, so don’t forget your camera! You will want to photograph the views, flowers, wildlife, and document the fun times you are having on the trail! Another fun thing to take along is a small notebook and pen. Journaling can be a great way to remember your hike, the things you see, and even the conversations you have with your hiking party.

A day hike in the mountains and forests around Gatlinburg, TN is a fun and invigorating way to explore the area! You will see many beautiful and amazing sights! And if you plan ahead by packing your backpack with a few lightweight essentials, you can relax and enjoy your hike, no matter where the trail leads you!

Little River Trading Company

Hiking, Climbing, camping, biking, kayaking

Little River Trading Company (LRTC) is one of the best outfitters in the Smokies. And here is just one reason that you need a good outfitter close by:

You have come to the Smokies, ready to spend several days in the mountains, hiking and camping – roughing it.  You stop at a hotel for the evening before you start your adventure in the National Park.  You are repacking your gear for the hundredth time to make sure you have everything you need.  As you are going through the check list you find that you have left one of the sleeping pads at the house… 8 hours away.  What do you do?

You pay a visit to the Little River Trading Company in Maryville, TN – right outside of Townsend and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  They will have what you need so that you can start your adventure on time and with the knowledge of knowing that you have bought a quality product from a company that knows their gear.

Little River Trading Company covers almost every outdoor adventure that you can think of.  From kayaking to camping, mountain biking to hiking and climbing, they have gear and clothing for anything you have planned.  When you walk in the front door of their retail location you will be in one of the best outdoor adventure clothing shops that you will ever find.  At the back of the clothing area is their climbing shop and footwear.  Next to the clothing is a camping and hiking shop carrying all the gear you might need for a day or a week or a month on the trail.  Past that is the Cycology bike shop (opened in 2006), this is the premier mountain bike shop in the Smokies and though you can’t mountain in the Smokies, they good folks at Little River Trading Company can certainly set on the right path to finding trails to bike one.

Here are just some of the Brands that you will find at Little River Trading Company:

  • Asolo
  • Bluewater
  • Birkenstock
  • Camelback
  • Chaco
  • Columbia River Knife and Tool
  • Croakies
  • Five Fingers
  • Kavu
  • Kelty
  • Leki
  • Life is Good
  • Marmot
  • Merrell
  • Mountain Hardwear
  • Mountainsmith
  • National Geographic
  • Ocean Kayak
  • Old Town
  • Patagonia
  • Teva
  • Timbuk2
  • The North Face
  • Vasque
Here is the best reason to go to Little River Trading Company: the staff.  The guys and gals at LRTC use the gear that they sale.  They are outdoor enthusiasts.  They hike, they climb, they mountain bike.  You are not going to big box store to buy something from someone that has never spent even on night outdoors, you are buying from someone that spends their free time enjoying those outdoor activities for which they sale the gear.  They are experts and they can tell you what you actually need when you are backcountry camping or climbing because they have already been there and done that.

Little River Trading Company
2408 E Lamar Alexander Parkway
Maryville, TN
865-681-4141
Web

Townsend Winter Heritage Festival (Feb. 2-5, 2012)

The Townsend Winter Heritage Festival is a seasonal celebration of the natural beauty, heritage, and cultural traditions of Townsend, TN; Cades Cove; and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The event combines a number of the areas most renowned businesses and community groups in one large get-together.  It’s a FREE event, with the exception of lunches and dinners, where there are reservations required, with a charge for each meal.  Music workshops also require pre-registration.

So, whether it’s music and live performances that you like, or southern cuisine like some of the area’s best BBQ, or getting more familiar with nature and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Townsend’s Winter Heritage Festival really answers the call to the Smokies-lover in all of us. It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors, Townsend, and spend some time with the family.

Some of this year’s festival highlights include:

Festival Kick Off at the Blount Co. Historical Museum: Hear storyteller Charles Maynard, listen to live music with Pistol Creek Catch of the Day, view the various Civil War exhibits, and get refreshments at the kick-off celebration. Thursday, Feb. 2, 6-8pm.

Special musical guest:  Wayne Erbsen
Come listen to the sounds of Wayne Erbson on Saturday evening, Feb. 4. He will also be presenting an Appalachian music workshop that afternoon. Call 865-448-6134 to sign up.

Mountain Dulcimer Workshop with Sarah Morgan:  If you’ve ever had an interest in the dulcimer and its beginnings sign up for Sarah Morgan’s workshop Friday afternoon, Feb. 3.  Call 865-448-6134 for details and to sign up.  Limit 20.

Sarah Morgan holds her annual Mountain Dulcimer workshop.

Music of the Civil War: We know that there are always a number of Civil War enthusiasts among our visitors. It’s not always you get to hear the songs and music they went to battle to. This presentation includes tunes and songs with Conny Ottway at the Chocolate B’ar, Friday, Feb. 3.

Listen to a great Young Fiddler – Carson Peters
Carson will be fiddlin’ up a storm with his family at the Mountain Music Showcase on Saturday. It’s a performance not to be missed!

Cast Iron Cooking by members of the Blount County Fire Protection District will take place Saturday, Feb. 4.  Come by and taste some delicious cobblers, biscuits, beans and more!

Lunchtime Programs: at the Chocolate B’ar Cafe, with good food, talks, and music, both days. Friday: Conny Ottway, sponsored by Rocky Branch Community Club Saturday: Tommy and Tammi McCarroll with Bobby Fulcher, sponsored by The Chocolate B’ar.  Call for lunch reservations, 865-448-9432.

Friday evening at Dancing Bear Lodge, with supper and entertainment by flute player Randy McGinnis.  Reservations required.  865-448-6000.

Saturday night BBQ Supper at The Barn Event Center: with Wayne Erbsen concert sponsored by Great Smoky Mountains Association, and called country dance with live band “The Truffle Hounds”, sponsored by Big Meadow Campground. Saturday evening, Feb. 4.  Reservations required. 865-448-3812.

Book-signing: Appalachian Tales and Heartland Adventures, Bill Landry; Noon to 3:00pm both days at the Townsend Visitors Center.

“Precious Memories” Homecoming with the Cades Cove Preservation Association on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 5. Location to be announced.

Full Winter Heritage Festival Schedule Day by Day:

Schedule subject to changes and for updates call 865-448-6134.

(Events with a * require pre-registration and those with meals have a charge.)

 

Thursday, Feb. 2: 

 

At Blount County Historical Museum and Cades Cove/Thompson Brown Museum:

– 6-8pm: “Festival Kick-Off”, Blount County Historical Museum and Cades Cove/Thompson Brown Museum.  Civil War Exhibit, refreshments, and 6:30pm storytelling by Charles Maynard, plus music by Pistol Creek Catch of the Day.

 

Friday, February 3:  Events take place at several locations.

 

At Townsend Visitors Center:

– 9-9:45am:  “Cora’s Story”, Cherel Henderson, East Tennessee Historical Society.

– 10-10:45am: “Preserving our Heritage-The Foothills Land Conservancy”, Elise Eustace, Foothills Land Conservancy.

– 11-11:45am: “Thomas Sumter”, Charlie Rhodarmer, Sequoyah Birthplace Museum.

– Noon-3pm: Book-signing by Bill Landry, Appalachian Tales and Heartland Adventures.

– 2-3pm: “Mountain Dulcimer Workshop” * with Sarah Morgan. To register, call 865-448-6134. (Free) Limit 20.  Sponsored by Friends of the Smokies.

– 3:15-4:15pm: “Music of the Mountains”, Lisa Free.

– 4:30-5:15pm: “Black Leaders of Blount Co. during Reconstruction”, Robert Glenn Slater, University of Tennessee.

 

At Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center:

Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4:

– 9am-5pm: Cades Cove Preservation Association talks and Families of Cades Cove exhibits.

_______________

– 9-9:45am:  “Bear Creek Tales”, Lonnie McMillan

– 10-10:45am:  “A Cades Cove Long Rifle”, Stephen Weber

– 11-11:45am:  “Horace Kephart-The Back of Beyond”, Butch McDade

– Noon  (Lunch break)

– 1-1:45pm:  “Living in the Cove”, Bernard Myers

– 2-2:45pm:    “Sacred Places of the Smokies”, Gail Palmer

– 3pm: Panel Discussion, Cades Cove Preservation Association

 

At Little River Railroad Museum:

– 3-4pm: “Walking Tour of Townsend”, Don Headrick.

 

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park-Cades Cove:

– 1-3pm:  “Hike to Gourley Pond” *, Ranger Mike Maslona.  Meet at the Lequire family cemetery on the far side of the Cades Cove Loop Rd.  *Call 865-448-6134 to sign up.

 

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park-Tremont:

– 9-11am: “Waterfall Hike”, Dawn Dextraze.  Meet at the Tremont Visitors Center (office).

 

At The Chocolate B’ar:

– 11am-12pm: “Music of the Civil War”, Conny Ottway. Sponsored by Rocky Branch Community Club. Followed by lunch.

Call for lunch reservations * : 865-448-9433 or 865-448-9895.

 

At Townsend Artisan Gallery:

– 4-6pm: “Open House and Artist Reception”

 

At Dancing Bear Lodge:

– 6:30-8:30pm: Dinner and entertainment by Native American flute player Randy McGinnis.  * Reservations needed:  865-448-6000.

 

Saturday, February 4: Events take place at several locations

 

At Townsend Visitors Center:

Mountain Craft Showcase:

– 9-9:45am: “Dollmaking”, Carolyn Gregory.

– 9:45-10:30am: “Pottery”, Carol Ware.

(Break)

– 11-11:45am: “The Forgotten Baskets of the Mountains”, Bill Alexander.

– 11:45am-12:30pm: “Blacksmithing”, Hugh Bowie.

Mountain Music Showcase:

– 1:30-2:30pm: “Appalachian Music Workshop”, Wayne Erbsen. * Call 865-448-6134 to sign up (free)

– 2:45-3:45pm: “Fiddlin’ Carson Peters Band”, Carson Peters and family

– 4-5pm: “The Mountain Dulcimer”, Sarah Morgan

The Mountain Craft and Mountain Music Showcases are funded by an Arts Build Communities Grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission and a sponsorship from Great Smoky Mountains Association for Wayne Erbsen.

– 11am for White Oak Sinks Hike, Butch Mcdade.  11am-3PM.  Meet on Townsend Visitors Center front porch and carpool to trailhead.

– Noon-3pm: Book-signing by Bill Landry, Appalachian Tales and Heartland Adventures.

– 11am-5pm: Cast Iron Cooking Demonstration with members of the Blount County Fire Protection District.

– 10am-5pm: Cherokee Finger Weaving by Charaity Hubbard and Historic Weapons Display with David Hubbard.

 

At Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center:

Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4:

– 9am-5pm: Cades Cove Preservation Association talks and Families of Cades Cove exhibits.

Saturday, Feb. 4:

– 9-9:45am: “Smoky Mountain Bears, Bucks, and Wildflowers-A Video Presentation”, Kate Marshall

– 10-10:45am: “Bloomery Forge in Cades Cove”, David Ledbetter

– 11-11:45am:  “A Park by Any Other Name”, Kent Cave and Raymond Palmer

– 12:00  (Lunch break)

– 1-1:45pm:  “Noah and Sarah Brown Burchfield of Cades Cove”, Larry Sparks

– 2-2:45pm  “Photographers and Photos of Cades Cove”, Missy Green

– 3pm: Panel Discussion, Cades Cove Preservation Association

 

At Little River Railroad Museum:

– 10am-12pm: “Tremont Walking Tour”, Ron Briggs.

– 3-4pm: “Logging Railroads of the Smokies” Rick Turner.

 

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park-Tremont:

– 10:30am-12:30pm:  “Winter Tree ID Hike”, Ken Voorhis.  Meet at the Tremont Visitors Center (office).

 

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park-White Oak Sinks Hike:

– 11am-3pm:  “Hike to White Oak Sinks”, Butch McDade.  Meet on the front porch of the Townsend Visitors Center and carpool to trailhead.

 

In Great Smoky  Mountains National Park-Little Greenbrier/Walker Sisters:

– 11am-2:30pm: “Hike to the Walker Sisters Family and Friends Homesites”, Mark and Janet Snyder.  Bring a sack lunch, drink, raingear, and good hiking shoes.  There will be off-trail walking.  Meet at the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area.

 

At The Chocolate B’ar:

– 11am-12pm: “Old Time Mountain Music”, Tommy and Tammy McCarroll and Bob Fulcher. Sponsored by The Chocolate B’ar.  Followed by lunch.

Call for lunch reservations *: 865-448-9433 or 865-448-9895.


At Townsend Artisan Gallery:

– 9am-4pm: “Open House and Demonstrations by Artists”

 

At The Barn Event Center:

– 6pm:  Doors open; 6:30pm: BBQ Supper.  * Call 865-448-3812 for reservations, $25.

– 7-8pm: Wayne Erbsen Concert. Sponsored by Great Smoky Mountains Association.

– 8-9pm: Country Dance with caller and live band, “The Truffle Hounds”. Sponsored by Big Meadow Family Campground.

 

Sunday, February 5

At Location to be announced:

– 2-4pm: “Precious Memories-Cades Cove Homecoming”, Cades Cove Preservation Association.  Refreshments and sharing time.  865-448-6134.