Great Smoky Mountains National Park managers report that the Abrams Falls Trail and the Beard Cane Trail near Cades Cove are closed due to extensive damage from the wind and rain during Wednesday evening’s storms. The trails are blocked by scores of downed trees and also have areas where the trail surface was washed out.
Abrams Falls Trail is closed from its trailhead at Cades Cove to the Hatcher Mountain Trail junction. The Park estimates the popular Abrams Falls Trail will remain closed through Friday, May 6. There is no reopening estimate for Beard Cane which is closed from Cooper Rd. Trail to Ace Gap Trail. The trail blockages also result in the closure of backcountry campsites 3 and 11.
The Park’s acting Chief Ranger Steve Kloster said, “The west end of the Park in Blount County, Tenn. was hit hard by the storms. At this point we have not had the chance to assess the condition of the trails in the western end of the Park, so hikers and, especially equestrians, may want to consider planning their routes in other areas of the Park.”
