Author: Kenneth Wise
Author info: Professor, UT Libraries
Publication Date: August 2014
Publisher: University of Tennessee Press
Synopsis: This book is an essential guide to one of America’s most breathtaking and rugged national parks. The second edition is completely updated, giving outdoor enthusiasts the most current information they need to explore this world-renowned wilderness. Included are facts on more than 125 official trails recognized by the National Park Service. Each one has its own setting, purpose, style, and theme, and Wise describes them in rich and vivid detail. For every route, he includes a set of driving directions to the trailhead, major points of interest, a schedule of distances to each one, a comprehensive outline of the trail’s course, specifics about where it begins and ends, references to the U.S. Geological Survey’s quadrangle maps, and, when available, historical anecdotes relating to the trail. His colorful descriptions of the area’s awe-inspiring beauty are sure to captivate even armchair travelers. Both experienced hikers and novices will find this newly revised edition an invaluable resource for trekking in the splendor of the Smokies.