Hiking in the
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About the Authors Return to Hiking in the Smokies |
2015
Trail and Campsite Closings Updated List of Trail
Closures (as of October, 2015): Alum Cave
trail will undergo major repairs through mid-November, 2015, and from May to
November, 2016. It will be closed to
the public from 7AM until 5:30 PM on Monday-Thursday of every week. The trail
will be open after November, and on weekends and Federal holidays. Volunteers
are being sought for every Wednesday during this time to help a “Trails
Forever” crew. Work involves rock and root removal and construction of waterbars and ditches. Whiteoak Sinks is a very popular wildflower
off-trail hike. However, Whiteoak Sinks has been
closed to protect bat populations residing there that have been affected by
white nose syndrome. It will be closed until March 31, 2016. Foothills Parkway (unfinished section) - the entire
unfinished section between Walland and Wears Valley
is now closed to all public use until 2017 due to construction. Fontana Dam
is closed to vehicle traffic until March 31, 2016 for maintenance and repairs.
Hikers can park at the Fontana Dam Visitor Center and walk across a marked
route to access the park trailheads, including that for the AT, the Lakeshore
Trail and the Benton Mackaye Trail. • 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. • Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail will be closed November 1,
2014 – April 30, 2015 to repair several bridges. Access to Grapeyard Ridge and Baskins
Creek trailheads is unavailable. Backcountry
Campsites closed due to bear activity – Campsites 38,
82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 88 Campsite 11 is closed, and the water source at Campsite 16 has
dried up, so campers must bring their own water. |
