In thinking of things to be thankful for this holiday season Friends of the Smokies, and any hiker who has hiked the Chimney Tops trail to the spectacular mountain ridge views, are thankful to Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) for helping fund the work of the Smokies Trails Forever program. REI donated $5,000 to support the Trails Forever crew and 106 dedicated volunteers to preserve and protect this iconic trail.
Over the history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s much loved Chimney Tops trail, the combination of heavy use, abundant rainfall, and steep terrain turned the trail into a badly eroded obstacle course of slick broken rock, exposed tree roots, and mud. The Trails Forever crew, along with volunteers, re-constructed the trail using sustainable materials to preserve the trail ...