Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
About the Authors Return to Hiking in
the Smokies |
2021
Trail and Campsite Closings Cooper
Creek Trail has been officially closed by the Park Service, and removed from
the list of trails for the 900-miler club. It is recommended that hikers
avoid this trail due to negative interactions with adjacent land owners. If you
have any edition prior to the 4th edition, updated (August 2020),
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). Alum Cave
Trail is closed M-F from Feb 8 – 25 for repairs. It will be open on weekends
and President’s Day. Porters
Creek Trail is closed due to the need to replace the footlog over Long
Branch. Additionally, the Greenbrier access Road from the picnic area to
Porters Creek trailhead is closed because due to raod work along the road.
The road will be closed from Jan 11 – Mar 26. Ramsey Cascade, Porter’s Creek,
and campsite 31 are closed during this time period. Old Settler’s, Brushy
Mountain, and Grapeyard Ridge trails are open but inaccessible from the Greenbrier
Road. Updated
List of Trail Closures (as of July 23, 2020): • Scott Mountain is still 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 Porters Creek Trail Deep Creek/Fork Ridge intersection Bear warnings
are in effect for Mt LeConte shelter, Laurel Falls Trail, and Campsite 90. |
|
|
|