Chimney Tops Trail Closures / Other Trail Alerts

Managers for the Great Smoky Mountains posted an alert on their website stating that the Chimney Tops Trail is tentatively scheduled to be closed for trail rehabilitation on Mondays through Thursdays, from April 30 thru October 18, 2012.


They also posted these trail alerts:

� Caldwell Fork Trail - several footbridges along the trail are damaged. Hikers wishing to use the trail will need to ford the creek. The foot bridge located between the trailhead and the second junction with the Boogerman Trail is out and is scheduled for repair in May.

� Smokemont Loop Trail/Bradley Fork Trail - the foot bridge located at the junction of these trails is out and scheduled for repair in May.


And of course, these three trails remain closed:

� Beard Cane Trail closed due to tornado damage

� Hatcher Mountain Trail North of its intersection with Little Bottoms Trail closed due to tornado damage

� Gunter Fork Trail closed due to landslides

For more information on temporary road and trail closures, please click here.






Jeff
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U.S. Postal Service Delays Closure of Post Offices

Last July the U.S. Postal Service announced that they would be conducting a study to determine the need for some 3700 retail post offices. Potentially, the USPS was prepared to eliminate more than 10% of all their post offices around the country. Most of these closings were likely to occur in rural areas, such as those found along the Appalachian Trail.

This decision would have a significant impact on long-distance hikers. Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, and section hikers, use the services of post offices to forward, or pre-deliver, food, gear and other supplies as they proceed along the trail.

As for now, however, rural post offices have received a stay of execution. The USPS recently made this announcement on their website:

The U.S. Postal Service, in response to a request made by multiple U.S. Senators, has agreed to delay the closing or consolidation of any Post Office or mail processing facility until May 15, 2012. The Postal Service will continue all necessary steps required for the review of these facilities during the interim period, including public input meetings.

The Postal Service hopes this period will help facilitate the enactment of comprehensive postal legislation. Given the Postal Service�s financial situation and the loss of mail volume, the Postal Service must continue to take all steps necessary to reduce costs and increase revenue.

This is partial good news for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers. Most northbound hikers will have already made it through the Smokies by the time that deadline rolls around. At least up until that point they'll be able use the postal service for their supply drops.

As I mentioned in a posting back in July, I believe the private sector will step-in and continue to offer re-supply services to hikers in the event of any closures. However, things might be a bit confusing for hikers already on the trail this year.


Jeff
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Bear warnings posted on several trails in Smokies

In keeping with today's theme, I thought I'd bring to the attention of hikers that there are several trails that now have bear warnings posted on them in the Smokies. These warnings have been posted due to bear activity in the area, which likely is a result of a lower than usual soft mast crop. Great Smoky Mountain biologists have stated that the park's cherry, blueberry and blackberry crop was poor this summer.

Below is the current list of trails, campsites and shelters with posted warnings. Further down is the list of bear closures:

� Alum Cave Trail
� Clingmans Dome Trail
� Trillium Gap Trail - Grotto Falls parking area to Grotto Falls
� Laurel Falls Trail
� Little River Trail
� Pretty Hollow Gap Trail
� Rainbow Falls Trail
� Upper Forney Ridge Trail
� Backcountry Campsites 18, 28, 36, 37, 38, 61, 85
� Double Spring Gap Shelter
� Laurel Gap Shelter
� Mount Collins Shelter
� Mount Le Conte Shelter
� Spence Field Shelter

Bear Closures:

� Backcountry Campsites 21, 24, 35, 68
� Cosby Knob Shelter
� Silers Bald Shelter


To stay up to date on all the latest closings, please click here.


Jeff
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