Disclaimer / Privacy Policy / Affiliate Disclosures (effective 6/4/18)
All forms of outdoor recreation have a higher level of risk than most ordinary activities, and therefore can be potentially hazardous and/or dangerous. This includes hiking and backpacking. Risk is always a factor in backcountry and high-mountain travel, especially when weather is adverse or unpredictable, or when unforeseen events or conditions create a hazardous condition. There are many other risks, both natural and/or man-made, that could lead to injury or death while traveling in backcountry wilderness.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of the users of this website to learn the necessary skills for safe hiking and backcountry travel, have the proper physical conditioning, and carry the proper gear, including a good trail map, while hiking any trail. All users of this website must assume full responsibility for their own actions and personal safety while hiking on any trail. All users of this website must also exercise sound judgment, be prepared for all weather and wilderness conditions, and seek advice from a local park or forest ranger on current trail conditions and wildlife warnings before venturing out onto any trail. Hiking trails and backcountry conditions change from day to day, and from season to season, therefore rendering any information on this website subject to change without warning.
Hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in particular presents visitors with a number of potentially dangerous and lethal hazards, including extreme heat, lightning and snow storms. The park is also home to black bears, among many other potentially dangerous wildlife. Our Hiking Safety Tips page points out many of the hazards that hikers could potentially encounter, with links to more detailed information.
Although the authors and publishers of HikingintheSmokys.com try to make the information contained on this website as accurate as possible, as well as to point out some of the potential hazards on some of the trails, they disclaim any liability for accident, loss, injury, inconvenience, or any other damage that may be sustained by anyone using the information contained on this website. Those who use this information, and those who venture into backcountry wilderness, do so at their own risk. You are solely responsible for using your own judgment in interpreting and using this information to safely enjoy your own outdoor pursuits.
The information contained on this website is not to be considered a guide. Instead, it is available so that you may have a general idea of what to expect on the hikes listed on this site. We take no responsibility, nor assume any liability for inaccuracies, errors, omission, or incompleteness of any information. HikingintheSmokys.com, its sponsors, its advertisers, and/or anyone contributing information to this site shall not be held liable for any inconvenience, accidents, rescues, injuries or loss of life should you undertake any of the hikes listed on this website.
Indemnification: The authors of this site provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided on this site is accurate or reliable. By using HikingintheSmokys.com you agree to indemnify and hold harmless HikingintheSmokys.com (its owners) and its affiliates with respect to any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and all costs and expenses of defense, including but not limited to attorneys' fees, resulting directly or indirectly from a claim by a third party that arises in connection with your use of this website.
Copyright: This copyrighted website is the exclusive property of HikingintheSmokys.com. It has been provided for personal and non-commercial use only. You may not copy, modify, excerpt, distribute, transmit, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer, or sell any text, photos or any other content obtained from this website.
HikingintheSmokys.com has also made every attempt to comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding content and copyright. Please notify us immediately if you are aware of any copyright issues related to HikingintheSmokys.com.
Although HikingintheSmokys.com has made every attempt to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, HikingintheSmokys.com shall not be held liable for any content or copyright regulations regarding any other website reached via this website.
Privacy policy: In order to help support this website, HikingintheSmokys.com uses third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisement about goods and services of interest to you. For additional information about this practice and to learn about your choices with regards to not having this information used by these companies, please click here. You can also click here to learn how Google uses information from websites and apps that use their services.
This website doesn't use cookies. However, third party websites, such as Standard Google Analytics and AddThis do use them. Additionally, Google Adsense, Amazon, Avantlink and AccuWeather also use cookies when you click on any of their banner ads or links.
This website doesn't collect, store, use or sell any of your personal information to any third parties. This includes IP addresses from Standard Google Analytics, or names and email addresses from website visitors who send us emails.
Affiliate Disclosures: Website users should also note that we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are also a participant in the AvantLink Affiliate Marketing Platform, a network of merchants that also provide a means for us to earn commissions by linking to certain affiliates within their network. This includes merchants we've established affiliate relationships with, such as REI, Patagonia and Trivago. By clicking on a link or banner ad from any of the affiliates on this website, we may receive a commission if you purchase a product or service.