Great Smoky Mountains NP closes some roads, popular waterfall trail after strong storms
ASHEVILLE — Due to severe thunderstorms passing through Western North Carolina on Wednesday, a popular 4-mile trail leading to the tallest waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be closed over the weekend.
The Ramsey Cascades Trail, located in the Greenbrier, Tennessee, area, will be closed this weekend, May 10-12. Trail crews began work April 15 to finish a full-scale rehabilitation of the iconic Smokies Trail, and established weekday closures from Mondays to Thursdays to facilitate the construction.
"Due to weather conditions, trail crews were not able to complete planned work on a footlong bridge this week and need to keep the trail closed for visitor safety," a May 9 news release from the park said.
Severe weather in WNC: Power outages persist in Buncombe May 9, possible tornado east of Western NC
Following this weekend, the normal weekday closures will continue until November 14, except on federal holidays. The trail is the only access point to the 100-foot Ramsey Cascades, the tallest waterfall in the park, the release said.
"Hikers throughout the park should exercise caution in the coming days as there are downed trees and some flooding following heavy rain," the release said.
More: Great Smokies will have weekday closures of trail leading to park's tallest waterfall
Cades Cove Loop Road and Greenbrier Road are also currently closed due to high water and downed trees, according to the National Park Service.
Other Great Smokies road closures and warnings include the following:
Lead Cove Trail is closed to horse traffic due to trail damage.
Bullhead Trail is open but has many downed trees making the trail very difficult.
Lower Mount Cammerer Trail is open to hikers but is closed to equestrian traffic until trail repairs are completed.
Check current road, facility, and trail updates before you visit: Current Delays and Closures - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Great Smokies construction closure: NPS: Great Smokies roads to partially close for $19 million federally funded repairs
More Great Smokies closures for repairs: US Forest Service: Roan Mountain areas to close for $2.5 million federally funded repairs
Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Great Smokies closes some roads, waterfall trail after strong storms
