4th of July Special
Posted By Blog Bear on June 27, 2011
Baskins Creek Cabin Rentals
In the mountains, in the city or in between – We have cabins in the locations that you want.
Chalet of the Month
Biscuits & Gravy
3 Bedroom Luxury Cabin in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Click here for info
Additional Trail Closures in Cades Cove Area
Posted By Blog Bear on May 17, 2011
Additional Trail Closures in Cades Cove Area due to April 27 Tornado.
Please note that the Cooper Road Trail from the Beard Cane/Hatcher Mountain Trails junction to the Cades Cove Loop Road is closed due to storm damage. The Wet Bottoms Trail is closed as well. We believe that this will now complete the list.
Rabbit Creek Trail from its trailhead at Abrams Creek Ranger Station to Hannah Mountain Junction (although campsite #16 remains open)
Rabbit Creek Trail from campsite #17 to the Hatcher Mtn. Trail Jct. (campsite #17 is open)
The 5.1 mile section of Rabbit Creek Trail between its trailhead at Cades
Cove and the junction with Hannah Mountain Trail is now closed. That also
results in the closure of campsite #15
Hannah Mountain Trail from Rabbit Creek Trail to Abrams Creek
Hatcher Mountain Trail – entire trail
Beard Cane Trail – entire trail (backcountry campsites #3 and #11 are closed)
Ace Gap Trail – entire trail
April 27 Tornado Prompts Closure of Seven Trails
Posted By Blog Bear on May 16, 2011
April 27 Tornado Prompts Closure of Seven Great Smoky Mountains National Park Trails
Officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the National Weather Service have determined that a severe EF 4 tornado swept across the northwestern corner of the Park last Wednesday causing extensive damage to seven park trails. The popular Abrams Falls Trail remains impassable due to numerous blow downs and over 40 areas where root balls were ripped out of the trail surface leaving hot-tub sized craters. Park managers hope to have Abrams Falls Trail reopened by Memorial Day.
After an inspection of other trails in the affected area, managers have announced the full closure of all or parts of seven trails totaling 22 miles. A survey by trail workers shows a total of over 4,500 trees down on the closed sections with some areas resembling jackstraws for over a mile at a time. They also counted over a thousand areas where trees were blown down and their roots tore gaps in the trail. In addition to all of the Abrams Falls Trail, the following trails are now officially closed to both hikers and equestrians until further notice:
Rabbit Creek Trail from its trailhead at Abrams Creek Ranger Station to Hannah Mountain Junction (although campsite #16 remains open)
Rabbit Creek Trail from campsite #17 to the Hatcher Mtn. Trail Jct. (campsite #17 is open)
The 5.1 mile section of Rabbit Creek Trail between its trailhead at Cades
Cove and the junction with Hannah Mountain Trail is now closed. That also
results in the closure of campsite #15
Hannah Mountain Trail from Rabbit Creek Trail to Abrams Creek
Hatcher Mountain Trail – entire trail
Beard Cane Trail – entire trail (backcountry campsites #3 and #11 are closed)
Ace Gap Trail – entire trail
Total closed trail mileage is now 27 miles.
"We have closed the trails because hiking or riding them involves picking your way through a huge number of hazardous obstacles." Park Chief Ranger Clay Jordan said, "But to make matters worse, our ability to send rescuers in to extract anybody who is injured is seriously compromised."
Park managers stress that no Park roads are affected by the storm damage, and that the remainder of the Park’s 800 miles of trails remain open. In the Cades Cove area visitors are encouraged to consider alternative trails such as Rich Mountain Loop, Cooper Road, Gregory Ridge, or Anthony Creek Trails. Access to Gregory Bald via Parson Branch Road is also unaffected. Visitors can stop at any Park visitor center for advice or access a pdf map noting affected trails by clicking the link below.
Smoky Mountain Field School
Posted By Blog Bear on April 6, 2011
The Smoky Mountain Field School is a great way to really get to know the Smokies. These classes are good opportunities for all ages and may provide some educational fun for your family during your vacation time.
The Smoky Mountain Field School mission is as stated:
The Smoky Mountain Field School enhances public appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the natural world while promoting the idea of learning as a joyful and enriching part of life.
Classes include:
- Hug a Tree and Survive
- Waterfalls and Your Children
- Amphibians & Reptiles of the Smokies
- Incredible Edibles & Traditional Medicinals
- Spring Wildflower & Nature Photography
- The Perfect Hike
- Wildness Wildflowers Day Hike
- Wildflowers and Trees
- Bears of the Smokies
- Mt. Leconte Hike and Overnight in the Lodge
Classes include:
- Geology of the Smokies
- Old Growth Forest Albright Grove
- Birding in the Smokies
- Exploring Stream Life in the Smokies
- The Walker Sisters of Little Greenbrier
- Writing on Nature
- Backpacking with Confidence
June Class ScheduleClasses include:
- The Light Show in the Smokies
- Bear Management in the Smokies
- Early Summer Wildflowers and Ferns
- Incredible Edibles and Traditional Medicinals
- Nature Sketching: Watercolor or Pencil
- Mt. Sterling Firetower BackPack Trip
- Basic Visual Tracking
- Wildflowers and Ferns of Roan Mountain
- Mt LeConte Hike & Overnight in the Lodge
- Day Hike to Mt. LeConte
- Fly Fishing in the Smokies
Family Travel Tips
Posted By Blog Bear on April 5, 2011
Like everything else, the more effort you put into your Smoky Mountain vacation, the more you get out of it. It’s still pretty easy to enjoy your time in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and beyond with a minimalist mindset, but those who venture further and take more time to plan will see their efforts pay off here in the mountains.
Here are some recommendations for things to keep in check as you make your way and make your stay here with us at Baskins Creek.
1. Get plenty of walking and exercise in. Children are naturally extremely excited in new areas with fun stuff all around them and that energy needs to go somewhere. Look for hikes or some of the city parks to let them run around and work off those desserts and treats and let them calm down naturally once it gets to be evening time.
2. Look for ways to make learning fun in the Smokies by making games out of educational opportunities here in the Smokies. Look for what your kids are focusing on and interact with that focus. If your child is watching a frog, ask him or her what they like about the frog and just ease into talking to them how the frog jumps and eats and lives, etc. Children are all about imagination, so use that as a springboard into learning.
3. Kids lose things – there is no getting around that. Keep a checklist of what you and your family brought and check it off every so often.
4. If you brought a large family as part of a reunion, check websites for group rates and keep an eye around town for coupon books that are helpful in several ways. Restaurants in town fill up quickly so PLAN AHEAD and make reservations for the best chance there will be ample seating.
5. It’s not always about planning, you know. A little bit of improvisation and spontaneity can go a long way on vacation; especially if plans don’t go right in the first place. Remember you’re on VACATION. You came here to get away from stresses and lighten up! Have fun and feel free to go a bit on the wild side (within reason) here in the Smokies.