by Jim Matheny
Hello, Friends! To have this monthly newsletter delivered directly to your inbox, please sign up! We want to highlight some of the latest happenings in the park and the accomplishments you can take pride in as a supporter of Friends of the Smokies. If you’re already a Friend, thank you! If you’d like to learn how to help, visit our website for details on how to get a bear license plate or make a donation. As you can see below, every gift and license plate matters.
Cataloochee remains closed due to Helene damage
NPS crews continue taking stock of the damage from Helene. The photo above shows Caldwell Place during our staff field trip in May 2024 compared to the damage on October 9. Cataloochee Valley remains closed until further notice. Upper Cataloochee saw the worst damage. Nearly all foot-log bridges were washed away. There were downed trees, flooded campsites, damaged power lines, and the Caldwell Barn was impacted. Some swollen creeks totally realigned adjacent roads. Many of the repairs will require heavy equipment. As for when Cataloochee will reopen, the park does not know yet. We will certainly keep you updated on our social media pages, website, and this newsletter.
An ongoing concern for the park is preventing commercial drivers from using US 441 / Newfound Gap Road during the closure of Interstate 40. The park estimates checkpoints near the entrances in Gatlinburg and Cherokee have turned away more than 1,500 large commercial vehicles attempting to drive through the Smokies.
For the latest closures and announcements from the national park, be sure to check its Current Conditions page. It shows which roads and areas of the park are closed, along with a map highlighting closed roads.
“Strike Team” Boosts Historic Preservation
The Forever Places crew has some extra help this month, thanks to your support of Friends of the Smokies. Your gifts helped us provide $170,000 to the park to bring in a highly-skilled temporary ‘strike team’ from the NPS Historic Preservation Training Center. The three strike team members are providing an extra boost of power to rehabilitate the Noah “Bud” Ogle Cabin porch as well as the flume at Reagan Mill
Cades Cove Loop Lope this Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024!
We’re excited for the Cades Cove Loop Lope coming up this Sunday morning, Nov. 10. Thank you to all the runners and sponsors who made this another sold out event in 2024. The only organized footrace in the national park is presented by RT Lodge and helps us fund vital projects in the park. You can find full info on this week’s packet pickup, transportation, parking, and all our sponsors at https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Townsend/CadesCoveLoopLope.
REMINDER: The race will limit public access to Cades Cove the morning of November 10. Unless you have a parking reservation pass, you won’t be able to drive beyond the Townsend Wye on Sunday until 11 a.m. when the loop reopens team was recognized at the National Park Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., in August 2024.
Election Day stress? Here’s some Smokies scenery
Stressed? Here are a few moments of peace and tranquility, compliments of your Friends. Enjoy 42 seconds of glorious colors, sunny skies, and fluttering foliage near the Noah “Bud” Ogle Cabin. Take pride knowing your support of Friends of the Smokies helps our favorite national park bring together millions of people who unite to enjoy its natural wonders. See other videos on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/@smokiesfriends.
Ramsey Cascades Trail to reopen in November
The Trails Forever crew, funded by your gifts to Friends of the Smokies, is wrapping up work on Ramsey Cascades Trail. The trail is on pace to reopen in mid-to-late November. Until then, it remains closed Mondays through Thursdays for rehabilitation of the popular route to the park’s tallest waterfall.
Plein Air Smokies raised $45K to benefit the park
The final tally is in from Plein Air Smokies 2024. Thanks to the artists, sponsors, and supporters who purchased art, this year’s event netted more than $45,000 to benefit the national park! See a full recap of 2024 Plein Air Smokies at our blog.
Curriculum based on collaboration
National Park Magic is donating all profits from its $32.99 Friends of the Smokies ornament to help us help the park! Having one on your tree can help us protect and preserve the Smokies.
Speaking of trees, in 2024 your support of Friends of the Smokies provided the park with $60,000 to protect hemlocks from the hemlock woolly adelgid, $10,000 to fight the emerald ash borer, and $75,000 to remove hazardous trees in high-traffic areas in the Smokies. We’ll provide even more funding in 2025 ($155,000 for hemlock and ash trees) with your generous donations, license plate fees, and support of businesses that donate to Friends.
NPS Excellence in Education Award Winners
Congratulations to the team of Great Smoky Mountains National Park employees who received the Excellence in Education Award for 2023 (awarded in 2024)! In her latest post on our blog, writer Julie Dodd spoke to the team and shows how its curriculum integrates Cherokee culture and park themes with hands-on activities. Click here to read all about it!
As always, thank you for being a Friend of the Smokies!
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Visit these links for details on how to get a bear license plate or make a donation.
