A beloved volunteer from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has tragically been found dead after being reported missing during a hike.
Ann Houghton, 73, was last seen preparing for a hike in the park between January 28 and 29.
Her vehicle was found at the Smokemont Campground, and she was officially reported missing on Saturday, February 1.
Authorities, including local law enforcement and search-and-rescue teams, immediately began a search in the Smokemont area, focusing on the Bradley Fork, Chasteen Creek, Hughes Ridge, and Enloe Creek trails.
Despite the extensive search efforts, it wasn’t until Sunday, February 2, that Houghton’s body was discovered around a quarter-mile off the Enloe Creek Trail.
Houghton, a dedicated volunteer who had served at the park for over two decades, was known for her remarkable work with visitors, logging more than 4,000 hours as a National Park Service front-line representative.
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She was nominated for the NPS George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 2022, praised for her ability to connect with park visitors, especially children, and teach them about the park’s natural wonders.
In addition to her work with the NPS, Houghton served in various roles, including as a Trail Maintainer, Cemetery Assistant, and Native Plants Gardener.
She was also a staunch advocate of the “Leave No Trace” principles and spent much of her time helping to care for the park’s resources and maintaining trails.
Charles Sellars, acting superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, expressed condolences, saying, “Ann was an enduring and beloved member of our Smokies Community.
She was a dedicated volunteer and avid hiker who shared her passion for the park with many visitors.”