http://www.hikinginnationalparks.com All about hiking in our national parks Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:00:15 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en History Yellowstone National Park, the world's first national park, was established on March 1, 1872. In the park's early years, a civilian staff (with limited financial and human resources) was in charge of running and protecting the park. However, the civilian group was unable to protect the park's natural features and ... http://www.hikinginnationalparks.com/fort-yellowstone/ In the northwest corner of the park there is a large hot spring complex near Fort Yellowstone called Mammoth Hot Springs. Mammoth is a large hill of travertine that has been created over thousands of years as hot water from the spring cooled and deposited calcium carbonate (over 2 tons ... http://www.hikinginnationalparks.com/mammoth-hot-springs/ Gregory Bald (Google Map) is a mountain on the western fringe of the Great Smoky Mountains. It has an elevation of 4,949 feet (1,508 meters) above sea level. The mountain's majestic summit makes it a popular hiking destination. Gregory Bald is located along the Tennessee-North Carolina border, between Blount County and ... http://www.hikinginnationalparks.com/gregory-bald/ Mount Kephart (Google Map) is a mountain in the central Great Smoky Mountains, located in the Southeastern United States. The Appalachian Trail crosses the mountain's south slope, making it a key destination for thru-hikers. The Jumpoff, a 1000-foot cliff on the northeast side of the mountain, allows for spectacular views ... http://www.hikinginnationalparks.com/mount-kephart/ Silers Bald (Google Map) is a mountain in the western Great Smoky Mountains, located in the Southeastern United States. Its proximity to Clingmans Dome and its location along the Appalachian Trail make it a popular hiking destination. Silers Bald is located on the crest of the Smokies with Thunderhead Mountain to ... http://www.hikinginnationalparks.com/silers-bald/ One of the park's shorter loops, this moderate 5 mile trail begins at Clematis Gulch between Liberty Cap and the stone house. Offering a scenic hike with little change in elevation, hiking this trail has a good chance to see some of Yellowstone's larger animals such as elk, deer, moose ... http://www.hikinginnationalparks.com/beaver-ponds-loop/ The Trillium Gap Trail is an American hiking trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in Sevier County, Tennessee. The trail ascends Mount LeConte, the tallest[1] (and sixth highest) mountain east of the Mississippi River and passes both Grotto Falls and Trillium Gap before reaching the LeConte Lodge, near ... http://www.hikinginnationalparks.com/trillium-gap-trail/ Cades Cove is an isolated valley located in the East Tennessee section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The valley was once home to numerous settlers before the formation of the national park around it. Today Cades Cove is the single most popular destination for visitors to the park, which ... http://www.hikinginnationalparks.com/cades-cove-2/ Offering some of the most spectacular views of the park, this strenuous 5 mile roundtrip trail starts at the west end of Eleanor Lake and climbs 1,800 feet within 2.5 miles. It passes through a forested area into an avalance slide area and continues through a whitebark pine forest to ... http://www.hikinginnationalparks.com/avalanche-peak/ The Bullhead Trail is an American hiking trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in Sevier County, Tennessee. The trail ascends Mount Le Conte, the tallest [1] (and sixth highest) mountain east of the Mississippi River and offers outstanding views before joining the Rainbow Falls Trail before terminating near ... http://www.hikinginnationalparks.com/bullhead-trail/