The Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association has produced a new edition of its ever-popular guide, Hiking Trails of the Smokies. This major revision includes new trail profile charts, updated and expanded trail descriptions and improved trail measurements. The new book goes on sale Sept. 8.

First published in 1994, Hiking Trails of the Smokies has become an essential guide for recreationists in America’s most-visited national park. Over 40,000 copies have been sold by the nonprofit Natural History Association.

To celebrate the launch of the new edition, On Saturday, September 21, the Natural History Association will give away 40 copies of the new hiking book along one of the park’s trails. Information on the give-away will be announced in the “What’s New” section of the Association’s website www.smokiesstore.org one day prior to the event. In order to receive a free hiking book, hikers will need to know a password which will also be posted on the website.

Many of the changes in the second edition were made possible by park volunteer Robert Lochbaum. During the last six years, Lochbaum has pushed a calibrated, highly accurate measuring wheel along each mile of park trail (many trails were actually measured eight times.) His wheel is equipped with an altimeter so he can record changes in elevation as he hikes. His trail mileage measurements have been adopted by the National Park Service and are the official standard for new park maps and signs.

The second edition includes the newly-designated Mountains to Sea Trail which runs from Clingmans Dome, the highest peak, to the Atlantic Ocean at North Carolina’s Jockey Ridge State Park. Twenty-eight miles of the trail run through the Smokies, including a re-opened section of Mingus Creek Trail near the historic Mingus Mill.

Up-to-date information on the park’s 104 backcountry campsites and shelters is also featured.
Backcountry camping by free permit is a popular activity in the park with wilderness trips of five days or more possible. Advance reservations are required for the most popular sites and all shelters.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is famous for its wide variety of trails. One hundred fifty different paths crisscross the park offering more than 800 miles of backcountry opportunities. Among the park’s trails are the famous Appalachian Trail, which hugs the park’s highest peaks for 71.4 miles, and the Lakeshore Trail, which follows the contours of Fontana Lake for 41.9 miles.

Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association is a nonprofit organization which supports the educational, historical and scientific programs of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. All proceeds from the sale of Hiking Trails of the Smokies will benefit the park. The revised book will be available September 8th at park visitor centers in and around the park. It can also be ordered by phone at 865.436.0120, or on the web at www.smokiesstore.org The price of the 584 page book is $17.95 plus tax.

 

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The Smoky Mountain News