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2024
Trail and Campsite Closings
Hurricane Helene hit the Great Smoky
Mountains on September 27, 2024, and wreaked an incredible amount of destruction.
Most of the damage occurred in the
Western North Carolina portion of the Park, but many other sections have
still to be assessed for damage and safety. The 900-miler club has provided a
notice of all the trails that are closed, and this list will be updated as
trails are cleared and bridges replaced.
From Eric Anderson, Co-director of the
900 Miler Club:
Many of you may have seen the latest report on trail/area
closures in the Eastern part of the GSMNP. I have just posted the following
on the 900 Miler Club FB page regarding trail closures and how they impact
the requirements for the 900 Miler Club. I am Co-director of the 900 Miler
Club and have made these determinations as they apply to our requirements for
membership into the 900 Miler Club after speaking with the Backcountry
Office. Please consider the following areas/trails closed for the foreseeable
future. They will not be required for the 900 Miler Club challenge at this
time.
All trails in Cataloochee are closed. This includes Cataloochee Divide as it
applies to the requirements of the 900 Mile Club (I am not sure if access is
open to Cove Creek Gap, but I would highly doubt it) .
All trails in Big Creek (Pretty Hollow Gap, Gunter Fork, Baxter Creek, Mount
Sterling Trail, Mount Sterling Ridge Trail, Long Bunk, Little
Cataloochee) should be considered closed with the following 2 exceptions. 1.
Access from Cosby for Low Gap I and Camel Gap, travel to Walnut Bottoms from
Cosby via Low Gap II and Low Gap I, and travel from Walnut Bottoms to Camel
Gap is allowed (Big Creek Trail from Walnut Bottoms to the Big Creek Ranger
Station is closed).
2. Access
to Chestnut Branchand Davenport Gap is open so
access to Chestnut Branch would be from Davenport Gap with either an out and
back from the AT, or a loop with the road walk to
the Chestnut Branch trailhead from Davenport Gap. There is no parking by the
trailhead by the Ranger Station as it is closed.
All trails off of Heintooga
Road/Balsam Mountain Rd are closed. This would include Hemphill Bald/Rough Fork access from Polls Gap,
Flat Creek, Spruce Mountain, and ALL of Balsam Mountain. Balsam from the AT
may be ok, but for now Backcountry says it is closed.
Straight Fork Road access is closed and Backcountry has asked for people to
not walk/ride bikes until they can further assess the damage. Access for Enloe/Hyatt Ridge is open from Smokemont
via Chasteen Creek. Both the 1.8 mile section of
Hyatt Ridge from Enloe Creek to Straight Fork Rd,
and both Beech Gap sections are technically open, but as Backcountry doesn't
want people walking Straight Fork Rd at this time, neither will be required
for the 900 Miler Challenge until Straight Fork is open.
Updates
to this information will be provided as the NPS clears any trails and reopens
them.
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