A year in outdoors

Cars parked along the road near Laurel Falls Trailhead

damage the vegetation trying to grow there. NPS photo

BY HOLLY KAYS OUTDOORS EDITOR

From new parks to big birthdays to policy overhauls, 2022 has been a year of change and major milestones for the outdoors in Western North Carolina. Here’s my best stab at outlining some of the biggest news to enter the region’s outdoor world this year.

PARKING AT A PRICE

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park overturned decades of precedent when it announced a proposal in April to start charging visitors for parking. The new rules, which received official approval in August, set the price at $5 per day, $15 per week or $40 per year. The proposal was the subject of intense debate, with the park receiving 15,512 comments on the parking tag program and other fee increases. Many area residents think of the Smokies as their own local park, and because the terms of a 1951 deed transfer in combination with a 1992 federal law mean the park can’t charge an entrance fee, they had understood it would remain free to use forever. However, proponents of the fee say that park use has increased too sharply and with too little funding from the federal government for the Smokies to sustain its operations without the parking tag program. The new fees will become effective in March. The park is also taking measures against rampant roadside parking at popular trailhead areas, and those efforts have already begun.

FUTURE OF THE PISGAH-NANTAHALA

Ten years ago, the U.S. Forest Service started meeting with stakeholders to discuss a monumental effort to revise the forest management plan for the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. After dozens of meetings, multiple rounds of public comment and robust public debate, the Forest Service has released its final plan — almost. The plan, published in January, laid out the framework for management decisions on the 1-millionacre forest for the next two decades, but it also gave the public a chance to object before the new plan went into effect. And object they did. The Forest Service accepted 891 objections as meeting its criteria to participate in objection resolution meetings, which were held in August. Deputy Regional Forester Rick Lint is charged with crafting a written response to these objections, which may include instructions for changes in the final plan. Forest Supervisor James Melonas was expected to sign the plan into effect — with any required changes — this fall. As of press time, it looks like the final answer for the future of the Pisgah-Nantahala will wait until 2023.

LIGHTING UP THE CAPITOL

Each year, one of the country’s national forests supplies the towering tree that serves as a national symbol of celebration on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. For the first time since 1998 — and the third time in history — that tree comes from the PisgahNantahala National Forest. Specifically, from Haywood County. “Ruby,” a 78-foot red spruce harvested from the forest along N.C. 215, just before its intersection with the Blue Ridge Parkway, was cut down in a ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 2, and went on a tour covering much of the state before ending up in Washington, D.C., for the lighting ceremony Tuesday, Nov. 29. Coche Tiger, a fourth grader at New Kituwah Academy in Cherokee and a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, did the honors, also telling the Cherokee legend of the evergreen tree on national TV. Before she traveled north, Ruby’s cones were harvested and delivered to the Southern Highlands Reserve in Lake Toxaway, which will grow them into hundreds of red spruce seedlings to be replanted on the forest landscape. When Christmas is over, Ruby’s wood will be used to make musical instruments.

Rafters splash through a rapid on a blue-skied day. NOC photo

DEBATE OVER BEAR SANCTUARIES

When the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission proposed allowing limited hunting in bear sanctuaries, people turned out in force to oppose the measure. The Wildlife Commission said more hunting pressure was needed to curb the growth rate of the mountain bear population, which sits above 7,000 and is growing at an estimated 6% annually. The proposal stemmed from the U.S. Forest Service’s 2018 request to allow hunting in Panthertown Valley to reduce human-bear conflicts. However, of the 2,744 people who weighed in on the proposal, 86% opposed it, saying that education, not hunting, is the solution to reducing conflict. Though the Wildlife Commission voted unanimously to approve the rule anyway, the N.C. Rules Review Commission rejected it, saying it was unclear and ambiguous. While a revised version of the rule was later approved, it had already been flagged for legislative review due to the number of people who wrote the RRC requesting such a review. When the N.C. General Assembly convenes in January, legislators will have 31 days to introduce a bill disapproving the rule, which cannot go into effect until any such bill is defeated or until the General Assembly adjourns without ratifying it.

NEW TRAILS ABOUND

Coche Tiger tells the Cherokee legend of the evergreen trees during the Nov. 2 harvesting ceremony as EBCI Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Joey Owle looks on.

James Edward Mills/Choose Outdoors photo

skills course Berm Park, which offers five trails of varying difficulties, as well as a 0.6mile hiking trail that climbs 350 feet to Berm Park and what will be the trailhead for more hiking and biking opportunities. A pedestrian bridge greets visitors at the parking lot off U.S. 23. The opening ceremony was a big deal, but less than a month later outdoor enthusiasts had something new to celebrate — the Fire Mountain Disc Golf Sanctuary in Cherokee. The 18-hole, championship-caliber course sits on 31 acres between Cherokee Central Schools and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In addition to enjoying the lofty canopy and mountain creek, players learn about the Cherokee culture while tossing discs. Each hole is named for an animal, historical figure or legendary entity, with signs at each tee pad describing the namesake’s role in Cherokee folklore and rendering its name in the Cherokee language. Trail lovers should watch out for more new opportunities in 2024. Also in Cherokee, plans for an expansion to the Fire Mountain trail system are underway, and the tribe continues to collaborate with the Town of Sylva on what are expected to be the highest trails open to mountain bikers east of the Mississippi River.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR EVERYBODY

This year was a milestone for a variety of organizations whose work has a big impact on the outdoors in Western North Carolina. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission turned 75, while the Nantahala Outdoor Center turned 50. September marked 45 years since the concept for the Mountainsto-Sea Trail was first proposed during the National Trails Symposium at Lake Junaluska, MountainTrue turned 40 and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation celebrated 25 years of supporting the National Park Service mission on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Today, more than 7,000 black bears are estimated to live in Western North Carolina.

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The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation marked its 25th anniversary with a celebration on Thursday, Nov. 17, at Highland Brewing Company in Asheville. More than 100 guests attended to mark the nonprofit’s years of support for projects and programs that enhance the country’s most visited national park.

The event also honored the leaders who have guided the organization since its start in 1997. Past chairs of the board of trustees were inducted into the newly created Abbott-Everhardt Society, named for the Parkway’s original landscape architect, Stanley Abbott, and late Director of the National Park Service and Parkway Superintendent, Gary Everhardt.

The society’s members are Ken Wilson of Waynesville; Lou Bissette and Bob Shepherd of Asheville; Houck Medford of Blowing Rock; Greg Brown of Fairview; Gary Stewart of Matthews; Harvey Durham of Boone; Alfred Adams, Pat Shore Clark, Linda Combs, Hobie Cawood, and Cynthia Tessien of WinstonSalem; Jack Betts of Meadows of Dan, Va.; Broaddus Fitzpatrick of Roanoke, Va.; and current chair John Mitchell of Hendersonville.

“It was so wonderful to join in celebration with our supporters and champions for the Parkway. Hundreds of projects were made possible over the last 25 years because of the dedication of our community. We look forward to the legacy impacts to come over the next 25 years,” said Carolyn Ward, of the Foundation.

Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout also addressed the guests, who enjoyed live music from John Herrmann & Friends, a special Anniversary Ale by Highland Brewing Company and hors d’oeuvres.

First Citizens Bank is the premier sponsor of the Foundation’s 25th anniversary events. Forever Mountain sponsored the Asheville celebration.

Since 1997, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has provided more than $20 million in support for the Parkway. A portion of that funding is made possible by sales of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation specialty license plate in North Carolina. The nonprofit is now accepting preorders for a new Parkway license plate in Virginia that will raise additional funds to enhance the national park. More information is available at gettheplate.org.

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Celebrating 26

Years

Affairs of the Heart

When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, the Year of the Trail will begin in North Carolina.

The General Assembly declared 2023 the Year of the Trail in 2021 when it passed a bill championed by Burke County Rep. Hugh Blackwell and the Great Trails State Coalition. The next 12 months will celebrate and draw attention to North Carolina’s vast network of trails, greenways and blueways. These trails showcase the state’s diverse landscapes — from grand mountain vistas to quiet rivers, vibrant urban greenways, coastal forests and the rolling hills of the Piedmont. North Carolina Year of the Trail is the largest statewide celebration of trails and outdoor recreation in state history and is expected to firmly establish North Carolina as “The Great Trails State.”

The bill makes law recognizing and celebrating North Carolina’s comprehensive network of public trails and greenways constructed and managed by local, state, and federal agencies and nonprofit partners. Trails and greenways are a vital part of community infrastructure, providing significant health, economic, and transportation benefits, and are the cornerstone of North Carolina’s $11.8 billion outdoor recreation industry.

Working collaboratively with N.C. State Parks, the N.C. Department of Transportation and other partners across the state, the Great Trails State Coalition has developed a campaign that will reach all of North Carolina through multiple communication channels, including social media, advertising, events and newsletters, delivering content and stories about the positive impacts of trails in communities across the state. The campaign aims to inspire people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to use trails, boost outdoor recreation tourism, advance inclusion and diversity on trails, promote safe and responsible use of trails and recognize the contributions of volunteers in building and maintaining trails.

The campaign kicks off on January 1st with “First Day Outdoors” — an invitation for everyone to find a trail to walk, run, hike, bike, paddle or ride. Visit a State Park

for a First Day Hike or explore one of the countless trails across North Carolina.

During 2023, the Great Trails State Coalition will share videos and content telling stories about trails and people in North Carolina, and giving examples of how trails are impacting local communities and changing lives for the better — along with how trails are built and how to get more trails where you live.

Look for events in every county, including special events in State Parks, guided trail experiences, clean-ups, celebrations and more.

For more information, visit greattrailsnc.com and follow on social media @greattrailsnc.

Duke grants fund EMS projects

A recent round of grants from Duke Energy will include $75,000 in funding to support emergency management services in Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties.

Totaling $750,000 in awards, the Emergency Preparedness Grant aim to reinforce communities’ ability to help residents prepare for and recover from severe weather events.

Local awards include: ■ Jackson County will receive $25,000 to upgrade the technology at its emergency operations center, facilitating better coordination and response. Funding will provide for essential command staff equipment, including an interactive mart board and four laptop computers supporting EMS, fire, law enforcement and other state and local agencies. ■ Haywood County will receive $25,000 toward a utility terrain vehicle, or UTV, to be used in search and rescue efforts for lost or injured hikers and during snow and high-water events to access stranded residents in need of medical care. ■ Swain County will receive $25,000 to improve ArcGIS capability. Duke’s contribution will go toward an in-house advanced mapping tool to boost the county’s ability to respond to high-water events, wildfires and wilderness search and rescues.

“Emergency preparedness and storm recovery begin at the local level,” said Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “Households and businesses across our state have endured a number of significant and costly storms in recent years. These grants will help our communities by giving our first responders the tools and training they need to tackle whatever Mother Nature throws our way.”

Race Cataloochee

The racing season is back at Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley, starting in January for ages 8 through adult. ■ Middle school racing will be Tuesday nights at 6 p.m., with categories for ages 811 and 12-14. Races will be held weekly Jan. 10 through Feb. 28. High school racing will be at 6 p.m. Wednesdays Jan. 11 through March 1. All races will be a modified giant slalom using Nastar software for timing. Participants must register and sign a waiver at Nastar.com. Cost is $130 to race for the season, or $269 including lift tickets. The price for racing, lift and rentals all season is $349. Coaches at each area school are the best point of contact. Email racing@cataloochee.com if you are unsure whether your school has a race program. ■ NASTAR Public Racing will be held on Sundays Jan. 8, 22 and 29 and Feb. 5, 12 and 26. This fun, competitive and easily accessible racing program allows racers of all ages and abilities a means to compare themselves with one another, regardless of when and where they race, using a racer handicap system and establishing the National Standard on each NASTAR course. At each race, participants can win a platinum, gold, silver or bronze medal based on their handicap. Pre-register at Nastar.com. Cost is $11 for two runs or $22 for unlimited runs. A lift ticket or season pass is required. ■ Open to racers 18 and older the Thursday Nigh Adult Race League will be held at 7 p.m. Thursdays Jan. 12 through Feb. 23. All racers have two runs or until 8:30 p.m., whichever comes first, with awards given to the top male and female racers as well as to the top overall team. Teams may have up to four members, one of which must be female, and three members of the team must attend each race. Courses will be set as a modified GS course, with participants racing for the better of 2 runs. Helmets and goggles are required, and helmets are available for rental. Cost is $16 to race or $51 for racing and a night lift ticket, good for 6-10 p.m.

For more information, visit cataloochee.com or call 828.926.0285.

Cataloochee offers special rate for homeschoolers

Starting Tuesday, Jan. 3, homeschoolers will get special rates at Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley any Tuesday through the end of the season.

These rates on lift tickets, lessons and rentals will be available when homeschool credentials are presented at the ticket center on the lower level of the lodge. No signup is required.

Rates are $32 for a lift ticket, $50 for a lift ticket and equipment rental, and $66 for a lift ticket, lesson and rental. The package is for day skiing from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit cataloochee.com.

TU talks trout — in the classroom

Shannon Messer will speak on his years running the Trout in the Classroom program at the Sylva Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the United Methodist Church in Sylva.

Messer’s presentation will offer an opportunity to learn about an innovative conservation project for schools. The classes raise trout from eggs to release in local rivers and learn chemistry, biology and conservation on the way.

The meeting will include food, raffles and more, with non-members welcome. For more information, contact tu.sylva.373@gmail.com.

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