Ranger Ricardo at Alum Cave 3

On October 5th of 2014, Rangers Ellen and Ricardo took a trip to the Sugarlands in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to hike the five mile round trip to Alum Cave Bluff on the flank of Mount Le Conte. Ranger Ricardo is seen descending a series of well placed boulders on a ledge. These rocks were installed here by the hard working members of the Volunteers In Parks and the Trails Forever programs, sponsored by the Great Smoky Mountains Association, Friends of the Smokies, and many other public contributions.

The stones help to stop erosion. Since the park receives around eighty-five inches of rain each year, the trails can become rivers where precious top soil is washed away to fill the rivers below with silt and pebbles. Many rivers have changed their courses after heavy storms. Entire trails have vanished in floods or become impassable with downed trees. Since a trail is not a natural feature of the land, its presence in the wilderness not only has to be maintained, but also upgraded to make it more lasting and durable for an ever increasing number of visitors, and less interfering with nature.