Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
About the Authors Return to Hiking in the Smokies |
2017
Trail and Campsite Closings Cooper Creek Trail has
been removed from the list of trails for the 900-miler club. Although it is
still maintained by the Park Service, it is recommended that hikers avoid
this trail due to negative interactions with adjacent land owners. You can combine Hike 5
in the Deep Creek area with Hike 14, starting and ending the loop with Mingus
Mill Trail (16.4 miles total). Updated List of Trail
Closures (as of October 8, 2017): Clingmans Dome Tower is
closed for repairs through the end of 2017. However, the parking lot and all
trails in the area remain open. Rainbow Falls Trail
Rehabilitation Begins May 8: The trail will be closed through November
16, 2017 on Monday mornings at 7:00 a.m. through Thursday evenings
at 5:30 p.m. weekly. It
remains open on weekends. Backcountry areas are still
unsafe for travel following the fire in the Smokies
near Chimney Top trail (known as the Chimney 2 fire). Chimney Tops Trail has
reopened, as of Oct 6, 2017, although one can no longer go to the end of the
trail. The following trails and backcountry campsites are closed until
further notice: Bull Head Trail and Sugarland Mountain Trail from
Mt. Collins Shelter to Huskey Gap trail. The Cosby
Knob shelter is closed due to bear activity. Also closed are Campsites 34,
35, 36, and 37 in the Cosby area. Campsites 17, 19, 21, 28, 90, and 92 are
also closed due to bear activity. There are bear warnings for Campsites 20, 24, 66, and 113. Additionally,
there are bear warnings for Russell Field and Mt LeConte
shelters, and Boulevard, Middle Prong, and Little River Trails. Ramsey Cascade Trail has reopened following
repair to a damaged foot log over Ramsey Prong. Foothills
Parkway (unfinished section) - the entire unfinished section between Walland and Wears Valley is now closed to all public use
due to construction. • Scott Mountain is closed due to storm damage, from campsite 6
to Schoolhouse Gap (campsite 6 open, accessible from Cades Cove area). It is
unclear at this time if the Park Service will repair and reopen this section
of trail, or leave it closed permanently. • Gunter Fork opened, but caution urged due to landslides. The following trails have had footlogs
washed out, and in times of high water, the crossings might be very difficult
and/or dangerous: Enloe Creek Rabbit Creek at Abrams Campground Boogerman/Caldwell
Fork Trails – there is no plan at present to replace these bridges Tom Branch Road is closed. Cataloochee Creek road is closed from the group
campground to the Palmer House. Parsons Branch Road is closed following a washout
near Sam’s Gap, and blockage by many downed trees. Standing dead pines along
the road need to be removed, and is prolonging the road closure. The road is
closed to vehicular traffic, but will be open to hikers and horseback riders
who should assess the risk for travel as they would in any area of the
backcountry. Due to the nature of wide corridor, bicyclists are allowed to
use the road during the closure. Dogs on a 6-foot leash will also be allowed. Campsite
11 is closed, but no reason is given. |
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