Morgan Simmons

• Obed program invites area students to discover what's in their backyard Published 05/12/2013 at 4:57 p.m.

  LANCING, Tenn. — One morning last week Cynthia Susak, a sixth-grader at the Petros-Joyner School near Wartburg, Tenn., discovered she has a knack for rock climbing.

• DNA study showing bear population booming in Big South Fork Published 05/05/2013 at 4 a.m.

  New population estimates of black bears in and around the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area are shining a positive light on an experimental reintroduction that took place in the park almost 20 years ago.

• 4,000-acre land deal links the Smokies and Cherokee National Forest Updated 05/06/2013 at 11:04 a.m.

  TALLASSEE — The overlook on U.S. Highway 129 was filled to capacity with motorcyclists from Texas, Florida and Louisiana. They had pulled off the Tail of the Dragon, an 11-mile stretch of highway in Blount County famous for its scenery ...

• Sweet 2.5-mile hike to Cummins Falls leads to a top 10 swimming hole Published 05/02/2013 at 5:56 p.m.

  COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Since we started this hiking column four years ago, Adam Brimer and I have visited some outstanding waterfalls. Laurel Falls and Abrams Falls, both in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, are postcard classics, while Wildcat Falls, in ...

• Controlled burns help save forests Published 04/28/2013 at 4 a.m.

  TELLICO PLAINS — One morning this spring, fire broke out at the southern end of the Cherokee National Forest in a remote area known as the Beaverdam Burn.

• Documentary on local wildflowers garners awards Published 04/25/2013 at 4 a.m.

  A small video production company in North Georgia has won top honors for a documentary featuring wildflowers and the passion they inspire.

• 'Walk Off the War' gives veterans a chance to heal Published 04/22/2013 at 5:30 a.m.

  Walk Off The War provides military servicemen and women returning from tours of duty in the Middle East the opportunity to hike the trail as a means of alleviating the negative effects of war. “All you have to think about ...

• Newfound Gap Road in Smokies opens a month ahead of schedule Published 04/15/2013 at 10:36 a.m.

  CHEROKEE, N.C. — Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park reopened at 10 a.m. today, only three months after a major landslide took out a 200-foot section of pavement six miles south of Newfound Gap.

• Smokies 2012 visits highest in decade Published 04/07/2013 at 4 a.m.

  Great Smoky Mountains National Park drew 9,685,829 visitors last year to maintain its title as the most visited national park in the U.S.

• Doe Mountain to develop first management plan Published 04/06/2013 at 4 a.m.

  Officials with the Doe Mountain Recreation Area in northeastern Tennessee are taking the next step toward turning the 8,600-acre tract into a top regional destination for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and off-highway vehicles.

View all stories for this staff member.