Smokies Publishes List of Trails Damaged By Severe Storm

Smokies Publishes List of Trails Damaged By Severe Storm

Monday, July 9, 2012

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The Great Smoky Mountains just published the following press release, which includes a list of trails impacted by the Thursday's storm:

On Thursday July 5th, a line of severe and fast moving thunderstorm cells struck the western half of the park generating wind gusts in excess of 70 mph. Within minutes thousands (perhaps tens of thousands) of trees fell on the roads and trails in the park. Preliminary reports indicate that the hardest hit areas stretched from Metcalf Bottoms to Abrams Creek, including the Cades Cove area.

Park staff are still working to clear roads, and have begun assessing trails, but due to the extensive and widespread damage, it may be several weeks before a full trail assessment can be completed. Trail status will be changing frequently. Please check this page before planning a hike, or stop by a visitor center, ranger station, or the Backcoutry Office for the latest information. You may also call (865) 436-1231 or (865) 436-1297.

Do not endanger yourself or others by using any trails that have been closed. When hiking on open trails, please be especially observant to the hazards associated with fallen, broken, or weakened trees and damaged tread on all trails.

The following trails have been closed to all use:

• Scott Mountain Trail
• Chestnut Top Trail
• West Prong Trail
• Finley Cane Trail
• Rabbit Creek Trail (Cades Cove Trailhead to junction with Hatcher/Hannah)
• Ace Gap Trail

The following trails are closed to horse riding, but open to hikers:

• Rich Mountain Trail
• Indian Grave Gap Trail
• Rich Mountain Loop Trail
• Crooked Arm Ridge Trail
• Crib Gap Trail
• Turkey Pen Ridge Trail
• Lead Cove Trail
• Schoolhouse Gap Trail
• Bote Mountain Trail
• Cooper Road Trail
• Anthony Creek Trail
• Russell Field Trail
• Gold Mine Trail

Hikers have reported that the following trails have significant damage. Park staff have not been able to assess these trails yet, so these reports are unconfirmed. However hikers are advised to avoid these trails until they can be assessed:

• Twentymile Loop Trail with Wolf Ridge
• Eagle Creek Trail (from campsite #90 to Spence)
• Jonas Creek Trail
• Welch Ridge Trail
• Bear Creek Trail
• Deep Creek Trail and others in that area
• Laurel Falls (above the falls)
• Cove Mountain Trail
• Goshen Prong Trail
• Noland Creek area, including Springhouse Branch Trail
• Hazel Creek Trail, including campsite #82



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Chimney Tops Trail Closures / Other Trail Alerts

Chimney Tops Trail Closures / Other Trail Alerts

Thursday, March 1, 2012

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Managers for the Great Smoky Mountains posted an alert on their website stating that the Chimney Tops Trail is tentatively scheduled to be closed for trail rehabilitation on Mondays through Thursdays, from April 30 thru October 18, 2012.


They also posted these trail alerts:

• Caldwell Fork Trail - several footbridges along the trail are damaged. Hikers wishing to use the trail will need to ford the creek. The foot bridge located between the trailhead and the second junction with the Boogerman Trail is out and is scheduled for repair in May.

• Smokemont Loop Trail/Bradley Fork Trail - the foot bridge located at the junction of these trails is out and scheduled for repair in May.


And of course, these three trails remain closed:

• Beard Cane Trail closed due to tornado damage

• Hatcher Mountain Trail North of its intersection with Little Bottoms Trail closed due to tornado damage

• Gunter Fork Trail closed due to landslides

For more information on temporary road and trail closures, please click here.






Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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U.S. Postal Service Delays Closure of Post Offices

U.S. Postal Service Delays Closure of Post Offices

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

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Last July the U.S. Postal Service announced that they would be conducting a study to determine the need for some 3700 retail post offices. Potentially, the USPS was prepared to eliminate more than 10% of all their post offices around the country. Most of these closings were likely to occur in rural areas, such as those found along the Appalachian Trail.

This decision would have a significant impact on long-distance hikers. Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, and section hikers, use the services of post offices to forward, or pre-deliver, food, gear and other supplies as they proceed along the trail.

As for now, however, rural post offices have received a stay of execution. The USPS recently made this announcement on their website:

The U.S. Postal Service, in response to a request made by multiple U.S. Senators, has agreed to delay the closing or consolidation of any Post Office or mail processing facility until May 15, 2012. The Postal Service will continue all necessary steps required for the review of these facilities during the interim period, including public input meetings.

The Postal Service hopes this period will help facilitate the enactment of comprehensive postal legislation. Given the Postal Service’s financial situation and the loss of mail volume, the Postal Service must continue to take all steps necessary to reduce costs and increase revenue.

This is partial good news for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers. Most northbound hikers will have already made it through the Smokies by the time that deadline rolls around. At least up until that point they'll be able use the postal service for their supply drops.

As I mentioned in a posting back in July, I believe the private sector will step-in and continue to offer re-supply services to hikers in the event of any closures. However, things might be a bit confusing for hikers already on the trail this year.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Bear warnings posted on several trails in Smokies

Bear warnings posted on several trails in Smokies

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

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In keeping with today's theme, I thought I'd bring to the attention of hikers that there are several trails that now have bear warnings posted on them in the Smokies. These warnings have been posted due to bear activity in the area, which likely is a result of a lower than usual soft mast crop. Great Smoky Mountain biologists have stated that the park's cherry, blueberry and blackberry crop was poor this summer.

Below is the current list of trails, campsites and shelters with posted warnings. Further down is the list of bear closures:

• Alum Cave Trail
• Clingmans Dome Trail
• Trillium Gap Trail - Grotto Falls parking area to Grotto Falls
• Laurel Falls Trail
• Little River Trail
• Pretty Hollow Gap Trail
• Rainbow Falls Trail
• Upper Forney Ridge Trail
• Backcountry Campsites 18, 28, 36, 37, 38, 61, 85
• Double Spring Gap Shelter
• Laurel Gap Shelter
• Mount Collins Shelter
• Mount Le Conte Shelter
• Spence Field Shelter

Bear Closures:

• Backcountry Campsites 21, 24, 35, 68
• Cosby Knob Shelter
• Silers Bald Shelter


To stay up to date on all the latest closings, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Forest Fire in Shenandoah causes Trail and Skyline Drive Closures

Forest Fire in Shenandoah causes Trail and Skyline Drive Closures

Monday, February 21, 2011

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A fire in the North District of Shenandoah National Park has resulted in closures of several trails and portions of Skyline Drive.

As a result of what is now known as the Smith Run Fire, Skyline Drive between Front Royal and Rt. 211 is now closed. The following trail closures are also in effect until further notice:

* Mt. Marshall Trail from Skyline Drive to the intersection at the Bluff Trail

* Appalachian Trail between Compton Gap and the Browntown Trail

* Lands Run Gap Fire Road

* Jenkins Gap Trail

The fire, located near Jenkins Gap near Milepost 12 on Skyline Drive, has burned approximately 1800 acres in the north district of Shenandoah National Park. It started on private property outside of the park boundary and was first reported at approximately 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 19. The fire's cause is currently unknown. The fire is moving on the surface of the forest floor where hardwood leaf litter and down trees have accumulated.

Beginning this morning, the interagency Southern Area Type 1 "Red" Incident Management Team will take over management of the fire. Roughly 78 fire personnel from a variety of state and federal land management agencies are currently fighting the fire. Along with the Smith Run Fire, the Red Team will also be taking over three fires now burning on the neighboring George Washington and Jefferson National Forest: the Pickle Branch Fire (325 acres) and the Coffman and Chestnut Ridge Fires (approximately 2,700 acres together). All four fires together will be managed as the Valley Complex.

The Smith Run Fire is estimated to be 15% contained. Fire managers will continue to build line and mop up with some burnout operations.

The rest of the park including the Skyline Drive from Thornton Gap (Rt. 211) south to Rockfish Gap (Rt. 250) remains open.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Single lane closures on Newfound Gap Road

Single lane closures on Newfound Gap Road

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

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The Great Smoky Mountains announced today that there will be single lane closures between mile marker 13.5 and 14.2 on Newfound Gap Road (US-441) for almost 3.5 months this coming spring.

The closures will be in place for construction work on retaining walls along the road. During the closures, from March 1st to June 10th, traffic through the construction zone will be managed by traffic signals and flaggers.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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