As most of you know, this past Wednesday major storms passed through the southeast with devastating effects that have been felt in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and more. Our heart and prayers go out to those affected.
For those planning on trips to our area for hiking, camping, and other outdoor related activities, you may want to consider the following and alter plans in case these closures affect them.
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area:
Big Creek Road is closed to vehicular traffic until further notice. The road is unsafe for use due to a landslide caused by Wednesday's storms. The park is already working with a contractor to make necessary repairs with hopes to have the road re-opened by sometime next week.
For more information and updates check out their websites current news releases here: http://www.nps.gov/biso/parknews/newsreleases.htm.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park:
Abrams Falls Trail and Beard Cane Trails are closed until further notice. Significant windfall and washouts have made the trails unsafe for hiking at this time. Abrams Falls Trail is closed from it's trailhead inside Cades Cove to the intersection with Hatcher Mountain Trail, but is expected to be re-opened by May 6. Beard Cane Trail is closed from Cooper Road Trail to Ace Gap Trail. There is no estimate as to when the trail will be re-opened. In addition Campsites 3 and 11 are also closed until further notice as well as Rich Mountain Road and Parsons Branch Road all in the Cades Cove area of the park.
For more information on road and trail closures and conditions in the park check out the following page on the parks website: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm.
