Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Things to Be Aware of When Visiting

If you are planning to visit the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina, you may want to do some research before going straight to your destination. Parts of the park are being closed due to aggressive bears.

Right now Abrams Falls Trail is closed completely due to an aggressive bear that has actually been getting too close to people.

Backcountry Campsites 10, 15, 40, and 93 are also closed.

Warnings about aggressive bears have been posted at the following:

• Backcountry Campsites 6, 13, 21, 24, 29, 35, and 38
• Cosby Knob Shelter
• Double Spring Gap Shelter
• Icewater Spring Shelter
• Mt Leconte Shelter
• Mt Collins Shelter
• Tricorner Knob Shelter
• Trilliam Gap Trail (Grotto Falls area)
• Little River Trail
• Laurel Falls Trail
• Pecks Corner Shelter
• Crooked Arm Ridge Trail (lower portion)

These are the places that are having the most problems with bears showing aggression towards people. At each place there are signs telling "What Do I Do If I See A Bear". Make certain to read this information as it could mean a pleasant day or stay in the mountains or disaster.

Cautions which have been posted on trails are things such as foot bridges being washed out, downed trees, swollen streams, and trail erosion. Most of these things have not closed the trails, but could pose a hazard if you run upon one of these problems.

The park is currently aware of two such problems and they are:

• From Forney Creek Trail the access to backcountry camp #70 there has been a foot bridge washed out over Forney Creek.

• Due to a bridge being out of service on Hazel Creek you are looking at an extra ½ mile added to your hike. If desire to take a boat shuttle to and from Hazel Creek, make certain to check with the shuttle service about times of pickup and drop off to make sure you are not left behind.

Right now there is absolutely no entry into any caves or mineshafts due to a disease called white nose disease in bats and the spread of it.

Road construction can also put a damper on your day in the mountains. Be aware that on US- 441 (Newfound Gap Road) there is road construction between the border of Cherokee North Carolina to south Collins Creek Picnic Area. This will continue until September 2010.

From May 6 through September 23 Cades Cove Loop Road will close to all traffic until 10:00 A.M. every Wednesday and Saturday. This is so people can walk and bicycle to enjoy the park.

These are just a few things to be aware of if you are going to be visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is always a good idea to check with the local Visitor's Stations, the locals, and the Park Officials for any and all updated closures and warnings. Always obey the rules and heed to warnings on the signs, and you can have some of the most fun of your life in the Smoky Mountains.

Source:

Person experience

www.nps.gov (June 23, 2009)