Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Trail Advisories and Backcountry Warnings

Backcountry Facilities

For current backcountry trail and campsite information call (865) 436-1297 or (865) 436-1234. Please note these numbers are for backcountry trail and campsite information only.

Bear Warnings - areas where bears are active. Please read What Do I Do If I See A Bear? for important safety information about bears.
• Abrams Falls Trail
• Laurel Falls Trail
• Bullhead Trail
• Backcountry Campsites 34, 35, 62, 113
• Cosby Knob Shelter
• Derrick Knob Shelter
• Mount Le Conte Shelter
• Russell Field Shelter
Areas Closed Due to Bear Activity• Backcounty Campsites 13, 21, 24

Backcountry Areas Closed Due to Storm Damage or Trail Rehabilitation• Chimney Tops Trail will be closed Mondays through Thursdays, April 30 - October 18, for trail rehabilitation. more information...
• Ace Gap Trail
• Beard Cane Trail and campsites #3 and #11
• Chestnut Top Trail
• Goshen Prong Trail and campsite #23
• Gunter Fork Trail
• Hannah Mountain Trail and campsite #14
• Hatcher Mountain Trail
• Rabbit Creek Trail and campsites #15 and #16
• Scott Mountain Trail (campsite #6 is open, but is accessible only from Crooked Arm/Indian Grave Gap)
• West Prong Trail from Tremont Road to campsite #18. The trail is open from Bote Mountain Trail to campsite #18.The campsite is also open.

Trail CautionsPlease note that the park's backcountry is managed as a natural area where the forces of nature determine trail conditions. The following list includes some conditions that the park is currently aware of. However, hikers may encounter trail conditions not listed below that require caution. Be prepared for swollen streams, bridge washouts, downed trees, and trail erosion when hiking in the park's backcountry.
• Middle Prong Trail - The first bridge on this trail has undergone temporary repairs. Stock users are advised to walk stock across the bridge.
• Trails throughout the park, especially those on the western end, have numerous downed trees due to severe storms. Please see the list of closed trails above. Other trails may have areas that are difficult to negotiate due to downed trees.
• Boat shuttles to and from Hazel Creek when lake levels are low are from the Ollie Cove Trailhead on the Hazel Creek embayment. Ask the shuttle service about this when making a reservation to be dropped or picked up. This is due to a bridge that is out of service on Hazel Creek and adds about 1/2 mile to the hike. Ollie Cove Trail is new - trail signs are in place to direct you from the Hazel Creek Trail and Lakeshore Trail intersection to Ollie Cove Trail that is one mile east on Lakeshore Trail from Hazel Creek.

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