The trail’s closure, between Big Stamp and Will King Gap in the Valley River Mountains, was the result of a 50-acre private inholding within the Nantahala National Forest. The trail crossed private property at the headwaters of Laurel Creek and was closed.

However, on Nov. 20 Mainspring Conservation Trust acquired the inholding from the Laurel Creek Property Owners Association with plans to eventually convey it to the U.S. Forest Service. The public is now allowed to resume use of the trail segment that crosses the property.

The 25-mile foot and horse path traverses the rim of the Tusquitee Mountains and the Valley River Mountains, which forms the Fires Creek watershed. The route was used for hundreds of years to travel between Cherokee towns in the area. The Forest Service acquired the land in 1937.