Trail and road closures in The Great Smoky Mountains NP, A report on trails and roads etc....

 

Due to some extensive storm damage to the trail and visitor safety hazards (a root ball tore out a large section of trail tread, 3 large hazard trees overhanging the trail), the plan is to close Laurel Falls trail on Monday. Tomorrow morning we will have Trails do an assessment to determine how long the closure and repair will take.

This just in from the folks at the GSMNP
Here is a quick take on the weekend's activities, as well as where we are as of Monday morning

Sunday, 11/2/14 – Storm Damage

·         Cades Cove Loop Road cleared and opened.
·         Laurel Creek Road cleared and opened.
·         Little River Road cleared and opened.
·         Cherokee Orchard Road cleared and opened.
·         Cades Cove campground cleared
·         Gatlinburg Bypass cleared and opened
·         Elkmont campground cleared (not open – downed power lines/waiting on Sevier Co Electric)
·         Elkmont Entrance Road cleared (not open – downed power lines/waiting on Sevier Co Electric)
·         Newfound Gap Road clearing – in progress.
·         Foothills Parkway East & West – in progress.

 

Monday, 11/3/14 – Objectives:

·         Clear and Open Newfound Gap Road (early)
·         Clear and open Elkmont Road
·         Clear and open Clingmans Dome Road (mid-day)
·         Close Laurel Falls Trail for repair.
·         Foothills Parkway West open by COB.
·         Foothills Parkway East open by mid-day.
·         Begin High Priority Trails assessments.