Nothing from mythology, this giant is actually a huge gantry crane used to transport sections of the 790-foot-long bridge being built on the Wears Valley side of the 1.65 mile “missing link” of the Foothills Parkway.

>> Read Complete Article

>> Read Complete Article

But that mantra had a mixed reaction Wednesday with the announcement by the National Park Service that those who camp in the Smokies backcountry will pay $4 a night.

>> Read Complete Article

Officials at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park said a new police radio repeater will be installed by the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. The upgrade will improve communication for the sheriff and local Emergency Management Services.

The paved trail that leads from the Look Rock parking area to the tower will also be closed during construction.

The name Cataloochee is derived from the Cherokee word, “Gadalutsi,” which means “standing up in a row” or “wave after wave.”

At 2,600 feet, the remote valley is surrounded by giant, rugged mountain peaks and is best known today as the location of the elk herds that began being re-introduced to the area in 2001.

Cataloochee Valley once belonged to Colonel Robert Love, a land speculator in the post-Revolutionary War years who granted homesteads to persons who would settle and improve the land.

The earliest known settlers in Cataloochee Valley was the Caldwell family in 1814. Others soon followed and by the mid 1800′s Cataloochee was well-populated. Many of the area’s earliest settlers are buried in the various small cemeteries found in the valley today.

In addition to being home to several preserved historic structures, Cataloochee is a prime location for hiking, fishing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. It is often described as Cades Cove without the crowds. A 27-space, primitive campground is also open from mid-March through October.

Directions to Cataloochee:  Cataloochee Valley is 65 miles from Gatlinburg and 39 miles from Cherokee, NC. From  interstate I-40, exit at North Carolina exit #20 and travel 0.2 miles on route 276. Turn right onto Cove Creek Road and follow the signs 11 miles into the Cataloochee Valley.

Little Cataloochee Valley Baptist Church

Hannah Cabin

The drama tells the story of the Cherokee nation beginning with the arrival of Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto in 1540. It culminates in 1838 when the Cherokee were  forcibly removed from their lands by the U.S. Government in the infamous event known as The Trail of Tears. Over 4,000 Cherokees died of hunger, disease and exposure to the elements on the forced march to Oklahoma.  Several Cherokee historic figures are featured in the play, including Sequoyah, Junaluska, and William Holland Thomas (the first and only white chief of the Cherokee).

Unto These Hills was originally written by Kermit Hunter, then a student at the University of North Carolina. The script has since undergone a couple of re-writes to address some historical inaccuracies along with some other issues.

Unto These Hills alumni include renowned actor Morgan Freeman as well as Michael Rosenbaum of Smallville fame.

The show is held each summer at the 2,800 seat open-air Mountainside Theatre in Cherokee. The 2012 show dates for Unto These Hills will be June 1 – August 18 with shows starting nightly at 7:30. Click here to purchase tickets.

>> Unto These Hill Official Site

For those wishing to remain in the frontcountry there are 10 campgrounds in the park all of which provide cold running water, flush toilets, grills and tables. The campgrounds at Cades Cove and Smokemont remain open year round but most of the others close by the first of November and re-open in early Spring.

The campsites at Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Elkmont, and Smokemont may be reserved online at the Recreation.gov website or by phone at (877) 444-6777. All of the remaining campsites in the park are first-come, first-served. For more information on frontcountry camping visit the Great Smokies official site.

Backcountry camping in the Smoky Mountains requires a free permit that is only available from one of the following locations. Permits cannot be obtained online.

• Oconaluftee Visitor Center
• Sugarlands Visitor Center
• Twentymile Ranger Station
• Fontana Marina
• Fontana Dam Visitor Center
• Deep Creek Campground Office
• Smokemont Campground Office
• Cataloochee Valley near campground
• Big Creek Ranger Station
• Cosby Campground Office
• Greenbrier Ranger Station
• Elkmont Campground Office
• Tremont Environmental Center
• Cades Cove Campground Office
• Abrams Creek Ranger Station.

You are also required to camp only at designated campsites or shelters. All shelters and several campsites require advance registrations. The backcountry campsites that require reservations are: 9, 10, 13, 17, 20, 21,  23, 24, 29, 36, 37, 38, 46, 47, 50, 55, 57, 60, 61, 71, 83, 84, 85, 86, 90, 113. To view a trail map showing the location of all shleters and campsites in the backcountry click here.

To make reservations call the Backcountry Reservation Office at (865) 436-1231. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. daily. Reservations may be made up to one month in advance of the first day of your trip and they can only be obtained by phone. They cannot be made online.

For more information on backcountry camping in the Great Smoky Mountains click here.