Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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About the Authors Return to Hiking in
the Smokies |
2019
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 March 16, 2019): Trillium
Gap Trail will be closed on Mondays – Thursdays from May 13 – November 15 for
repairs. The 2-mile section from Cherokee Orchard Road and Roaring Fork Motor
Nature Trail will also be closed. Foothills Parkway (unfinished section) – construction on the
entire unfinished section between Walland and Wears
Valley is now complete and the road is open to all public use. • 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: Rabbit Creek at Abrams Campground Boogerman/Caldwell Fork Trails – there is no plan at present to replace
these bridges 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. Laurel Gap
shelter, and Campsites 36 and 37 are closed due to bear activity. |
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