HIKING CHIMNEY TOPS TRAIL 4K | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NP - Hiking to where the fire started

#GSMNP900MILER MAP
TRAIL - CHIMNEY TOPS TRAIL
EPISODE 4 (of 4)
Video shows the entire trail, flashback to the Chimney Tops-Gatlinburg fires, & topical information regarding the fires.
Previously on Episode 1, 2, & 3 - Crow & I hike the Cataloochee Valley.
The highlight of episode 1 was the black bear encounter where we come upon a bear not once, but twice!
Make sure to watch episode 1 to see how it ends up!
The highlight of episode 2 is we wake up to a frosty morning at an Asheville, NC hotel with altered hike plans. We drive to the Catalooche Divide Trail and hike up to the Appalachian Science Center.
The highlight of episode 3, with this change in plans, we decide to hike a Boogerman Loop. We then drive to Gatlinburg and stay in a hotel with plans for the 4th day to go back to Sweet Home Alabama. However, before leaving, we hike the Chimney Tops Trail. This was a trail that I had not hiked before and needed to get for my GSMNP 900 Miler map. My thoughts were of the Chimney Tops II-Gatlinburg fires of 2016. This video will start with a flashback to disturbing images of Gatlinburg on fire. It was moving when it happened and moving to see the mountains rehabilitating themselves.
Thanks for watching....
Enjoy !
JBEN⚡️HIKES
#gsmnp #gsmnp900map #jbenhikes #jbenhikesyoutube #jbenhikesinstagram #asthecrowflieshiking #greatsmokymountainsnationalpark #chimneytopsfire #chimneytops #tennessee
Other KZbinrs in video - @ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING (Check out his channel !)
GATLINBURG FIRE (FLASHBACK) VIDEO FOOTAGE CREDIT - Sevierville Police Department Police cruiser dash cam (all footage is purely for reporting on historical events - no rights to footage is intended)

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Loved it!!! That was an epic trip. Appreciate you letting me tag along. Crow✌️

[@JBENHIKES]

Yes sir …anytime !

[@BeaglesBackcountryAdventures]

That is definitely a tough situation.. even more so with loss of lives. At least the healing has begun. Unfortunately we won't see the full recovery in our lifetime. Cool hike though, nice view from that vantage point.

[@Packsalot]

That was a great video and footage too. So this must be the fire that you were telling me about at camp. Sad about the destruction and loss of life. Nice hike and amazing views. Well done. Have a great day, Jeff.

[@JBENHIKES]

Yes it was the fire… thanks for the compliment…. See ya soon!

[@ervinslens]

Glamorous landscape scenery, and really touching shots.

[@JBENHIKES]

Thank you…. The Smokies are a favorite of mine… - JBEN

[@MinuteontheMountain]

Epic into, man. Beautiful scenery and thanks for sharing the details of the fire.

[@JBENHIKES]

I remember following it closely because the Smokies are my stomping grounds… it felt a little personal! Those Gatlinburg scenes were so impactful when I saw them. Thanks for watching & commenting!

[@channel_saigon]

Too nice video my friend

[@JenniferLupine]

Great hike! I didn’t remember about the Gatlinburg fires- really scary and sad. It’s amazing to see how forests will recover… though it takes some time. I feel bad for all the lost trees and for the animals, though I know it rejuvenates the forest. I enjoyed seeing the trail in winter, quite different than the spring! Nice to hike with Crow 👌👍🥾🥾

[@JBENHIKES]

Out of the destruction came new life thankfully. Fires were once common in the Smokies, but with modern fire suppression 70-80years of tender had built up creating a volatile situation when all of the right ingredients come together. I read about & watched a few documentaries where the University of Tennessee forestry department studied cross-sectional ring cuts of old growth trees harvested in the Smokies. The studied backed up the the commonality of fires previously in the Smokies, every 2-5 years there were smaller fires and the forest was actually healthier burning off destructive parasites and undergrowth. Unfortunately without those smaller fires, you get situations where the giant Eastern Hemlock and Fur trees were infested, causing them to die where they stand. Controlled burns have created some of the most beautiful forests in the eastern Appalachia. My state of Alabama does controlled burns all of the time and the flora & fauna thrive as a result. It was just sad in what came about in the Gatlinburg/Chimney Top fires and the lack of resolve by the Department of Interior. The State of Tennessee wanted to convict, but had no jurisdiction on Federal lands… so the US Government did nothing. As for hiking with Crow…. He’s a pretty cool old guy! Ha !!! Love that old guy !

[@JenniferLupine]

@@JBENHIKES I’ll read up more about the forests in Alabama- (and Alabama in general) thanks! I’ve driven through on Highway 10, but haven’t had any friends from there, and I don’t really know much about your state- will be fun to learn, thanks! I’m sure you know we’ve got huge wildfire problems in our forests out west. It’s bad for everybody and the forests- the air gets so bad that hiking and being outside gets limited. …. Near here there are some open prairie areas on Whidbey Island that the settlers found and thought were wonderful and natural, but it turns out the local native tribes had always kept them burned to keep them open. So, it seems we have lots we can learn and do better… thanks! 👌🌳🌳🌲🌲

[@lowermichiganadventures]

Absolutely gorgeous landscape

[@JBENHIKES]

The Smokies is a very special place ! - JBEN

[@BackpackingWithJason]

I remember those fires really well. It was a very sad situation for the Smokies and Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Loved your hike up there. The Smokies is such a beautiful area for outdoor fun.

[@JBENHIKES]

Very true… love the Smokies !

[@unpavedexplorer338]

It is unfortunate that forest fires occur. Loss of the forest and wildlife is devastating. In most cases the forest rebounds rather quickly. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@JBENHIKES]

Very true… thanks for watching & commenting! Hope all is well! - JB

[@MetroOnTheMove]

This place is beautiful! My wife and I have been going there for years and we love it. Its a shame that those two kids didn't get charged with the crime. I think one of the kids parents worked at the local Sheriff's office as well. Now you can't hike out to the tops...

[@JBENHIKES]

Those two juveniles lucked up that the local Sheriff’s dept and the Department of Interior’s lack of collaboration. The Sheriff and/or TBI could not pursue crimes committed in the Park. It came down to basically exclusionary jurisdiction issues. The Department of Interior dropped the ball by not pursuing conviction. This whole situation stunk to high heaven …

[@MetroOnTheMove]

@@JBENHIKES sad to see some of the area still impacted. Such a beautiful place!

[@SeniorHiker77]

👍👍✌

[@cottontalesfromthetrail5474]

How steep is the climb up Jeff? Happy Hiking

[@JBENHIKES]

It not too bad in re to steepness. Very doable for an average hiker. The park did a good job on the trail making it nice and hikeable. - JBEN

[@cottontalesfromthetrail5474]

@@JBENHIKES thank you for the information! Happy Hiking

[@infinitetrex1127]

Any idea when this will re open?

[@JBENHIKES]

The very top will likely not reopen due to the damage done to the landscape. Erosion would be prolific with people going up on it like before the fire.

[@infinitetrex1127]

@@JBENHIKES very sad. Always wanted to get to the tho of the chimneys

[@ghpatriot]

Dude fuck that trail. I can't believe that the NPS has it closed. If thats closed then they need to close about 100 other areas of the park that aren't safe for foot travel.

[@JBENHIKES]

There are a some trails that are dangerous….I’ve been on some that have been washed away by creeks. Have to bushwhack just to continue on! I don’t know, but maybe that danger kept me coming back ! 🤘🏽JBH⚡️

[@ghpatriot]

LOL you didn't even hike to the top, I can't believe you thought that was worth it, so lame that the NPS has that closed. A bunch of oberprotective helicopter parents run the NPS