Three trails closed by April tornado reopen in Cades Cove

Three trails closed by April tornado reopen in Cades Cove

Monday, October 24, 2011

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According to the Great Smoky Mountains website, three trails that have been closed in the Cades Cove area as a result of last April's tornado have been reopened. There are still two trails that remain closed.

The Cooper Road Trail, Rabbit Creek Trail and the Wet Bottom Trail are all officially open as of today. Backcountry Campsites 15 has also reopened.

The Beard Cane Trail and the Hatcher Mountain Trail (north of its intersection with Little Bottoms Trail) remain closed. Backcountry Campsites 3 and 11 remain closed as well.

According to the park website: "Two trails and campsites on the western end of the park are closed until further notice due to extensive damage caused by a EF-4 tornado."

Other backcountry closures you may want to be aware of:

• The parking area at the Curry Mountain trailhead on Little River Road has been closed for safety and resource protection purposes. Hikers should park in the nearby Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area.

• Gunter Fork Trail closed due to landslides

• Laurel Gap Shelter is closed through November 13 for construction

• Backcountry Campsites 35 and 68 are closed due to bear activity


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Confirmed tornado closes numerous trails in Smokies

Confirmed tornado closes numerous trails in Smokies

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

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The Great Smoky Mountains website is confirming that the storms that ripped through the western end of the Park last Wednesday contained an EF-3 tornado (the National Weather Service, however, is stating that the tornado produced an EF-4, with maximum wind speeds ranging from 165 to 170 miles per hour. The path of the tornado began near Chilhowee Lake and moved northeast into the western portion of the National Park, and was on the ground for 20 miles. The maximum path width was one mile).

As more assessments of the extensive damage are being conducted, the Park has moved to close several more trails on the west end of Cades Cove. The trails will be closed until futher notice. Here's the current list of closures:

• Abrams Falls Trail

• Ace Gap Trail

• Beard Cane Trail

• Hannah Mountain Trail is closed from Rabbit Creek Trail junction to Abrams Falls/Little Bottoms Trails junction.

• Hatcher Mountain Trail

• Little Bottoms Trail is closed from Campsite 17 to Abrams Falls/Hannah Mountain Trails junction

• Rabbit Creek Trail is closed from Abrams Creek Campground to Hannah Mountain Trail junction

• All trails leaving from the Abrams Falls trailhead and Abrams Creek Ranger Station are closed to horse riding due to downed trees.

If you haven't seen this yet, here's a NPS photo of the damage on the Beard Cane Trail:



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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