GSMNP Trail Update....This just in

A SECTION OF ABRAMS FALLS TRAIL REOPENS FOR
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
A popular portion of the Abrams Falls Trail from Cades Cove to the waterfalls has been repaired and reopened today after an EF4 tornado extensively damaged it and 8 other trails in the northwestern portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in late April. Visitors are now able to access the trail from the Cades Cove trailhead and hike 2.5 miles to the waterfalls.
The trails from the falls to Abrams Creek campground via Rabbit Creek, Hannah Mountain and Little Bottoms Trails remain closed.
Over 33 miles of trails were severely impacted from the tornado’s effects where thousands of trees were blown down and their roots upended tearing huge gaps in the trails. The Park has hired a number of local people and is receiving assistance from 23 trail workers from six western parks to help support Park efforts to clear and rehabilitate trails.
The trails that are officially closed are: Ace Gap Trail; Beard Cane
Trail; including Campsites 3 & 11; Cooper Road Trail from junction at Beard Cane to Cades Cove Loop Road; Hatcher Mountain Trail; Little Bottoms Trail from Campsite 17 to Abrams Falls/Hannah Mountain Trails junction (Campsite 17 is open); Hannah Mountain Trail from Rabbit Creek Trail junction to Abrams Falls/Little Bottoms Trails junction (Campsite 16 is open); Rabbit Creek Trail, including Campsite 15; Wet Bottom Trail; and Abrams Falls beyond the waterfall.

Abrams Falls Trail Update

The Abrams Falls Trail is now open from the Loop Rd to the Falls.
It is still closed past the falls to the junction of Hannah Mtn. and Hatcher
Mtn. Trail.

From Breaks Interstate Park

This state park sits on the line with Virginia and Kentucky and is 4000+ acres of awesome beauty. The terrain is of one I am not familiar with and was pretty rugged as you may be able to tell from the pictures.

That is the trail going between the rock.

Walking with The Mysterious One

The sky was pretty much overcast, temps in the low 70's maybe, with the walk quiet except for the birds and sounds of water sliding through the rocks of the several streams we crossed and traveled beside. This path OTG continues to receive more traffic, to a point, from folks fishing and some of the lucky ones who just know of the route. We were among the lucky ones today who enjoyed the shades of green cast amongst the different plants in this forest. How many more beautiful places have been destroyed via MTR? Hmmm?

The Spring Around Here

The picture of the Falls is from an overnight excursion the Mysterious One and I took a few weeks ago in north Georgia, Crockford-Pigeon Mtn, I believe. The others are from here and there and in between.

Trail Closures

Officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the National Weather Service have determined that a severe EF 4 tornado swept across the northwestern corner of the Park last Wednesday causing extensive damage to seven park trails. The popular Abrams Falls Trail remains impassable due to numerous blow downs and over 40 areas where root balls were ripped out of the trail surface leaving hot-tub sized craters. Park managers hope to have Abrams Falls Trail reopened by Memorial Day.
After an inspection of other trails in the affected area, managers have announced the full closure of all or parts of seven trails totaling 22 miles. A survey by trail workers shows a total of over 4,500 trees down on the closed sections with some areas resembling jackstraws for over a mile at a time. They also counted over a thousand areas where trees were blown down and their roots tore gaps in the trail. In addition to all of the Abrams Falls Trail, the following trails are now officially closed to both hikers and equestrians until further notice:

Rabbit Creek Trail from its trailhead at Abrams Creek Ranger Station to Hannah Mountain Junction (although campsite #16 remains open)
Hannah Mountain Trail from Rabbit Creek Trail to Abrams Creek
Hatcher Mountain Trail – entire trail
Beard Cane Trail – entire trail (backcountry campsites #3 and #11 are closed)
Ace Gap Trail – entire trail
Little Bottoms Trail from campsite #17 to the Hatcher Mtn. Trail Jct.
(campsite #17 is open)
“We have closed the trails because the tangled trees and damaged
surfaces make them extremely hazardous.” Park Chief Ranger Clay Jordan said, “But to make matters worse, our ability to send rescuers in to extract anybody who is injured is seriously compromised.”
Park managers stress that no Park roads are affected by the storm damage, and that the remainder of the Park’s 800 miles of trails remain open. In the Cades Cove area visitors are encouraged to seek alternative trails. Access to Gregory Bald via Parson Branch Road is unaffected. Visitors can stop at any Park visitor center for advice or check the Park’s website at:
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

Laurel Falls Trail Clean up!

Some park staff and volunteers spent Tuesday the 19th cleaning up and repairing the Laurel Falls Trail. About half a dumpster of trash, a large portion of which was plastic and aluminum beverage containers, was picked up this day by volunteers, while trail maintenance staff repaired portions of the trail worn from time, use, and misuse. This annual effort gathers lots of garbage, much of which is recyclable, and it is a sad statement on those who leave the trash and their lack of understanding or caring for some of the things which make our human existence possible, (i.e. water, plants).
Thanks to all the GSMNP staff and volunteers who helped make a positive difference on this day.