Campsites and Bears in The GSMNP

CAMPSITES CLOSED DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:BC Sites: #35, and #68 USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:BC Sites: BC #18, #21, # 24, #28, #36, #37, #38, #61 and #85Shelters: Mt LeConte, Spence Field, Mt. Collins, Double Spring Gap,Laurel Gap, Cosby Knob, and Silers BaldTrails: Mt. Sterling Trail, Anthony Creek Trail & Horse Camp, Laurel Falls,Clingmans Dome Tower, Little River, Ramsey Cascades Trail, and Forney RidgeTrail (upper section). Old Sugarlands TrailShelter closed for Construction: Laurel Gap Closed Trails and BC sites:Due to recent storms, the following trails are closed: Gunter Fork Trail,Beard Cane Trail including Campsites 3 & 11, Cooper Road Trail fromjunction at Beard Cane to Cades Cove Loop Road, Hatcher Mountain Trailnorth of its intersection with the Little Bottoms Trail, Rabbit Creek Trailfrom the junction with the Hannah Mountain Trail east to the Abrams FallsTrailhead, including Campsite 15, and Wet Bottom Trail. USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALL BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES

Them Bears Out There

This young bear emerged from its winter resting a couple of weeks ago. That statement is based on reports from visitors and fellow Volunteer Interpretive Rangers who patrol the Laurel Falls trail in order to keep the bears safe from the visitors. No, really. S/he appears healthy and new to these long periods of sleep, and waking up from them, and all those "two legged animals" standing around staring and pointing. Maybe s/he's wondering "hmmmmm? wonder what they taste like, I'll ask mom when she gets up."