Smokies trails reopen after 2016 wildfires
Before rehabilitation (left) Sugarland Mountain Trail was an impassible mass of fallen trees and rocks. After weeks of work (right) Sugarland Mountain and Bull Head are now reopen. NPS photos
For the first time since wildfires ravaged the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in fall 2016, the Bull Head and Sugarland Mountain trails are open.
The trails reopened on Friday, Oct. 26, offering hiking routes that extend from the park’s lowest elevations to its highest peaks.
“The trail crews accomplished an amazing amount of work to safely repair and reopen these trails under very challenging conditions,” said Smokies Superintendent Cassius Cash. “We are excited to offer this opportunity to hikers, but also want to remind them to stay alert for trail hazards as they pass through the burned areas.”
The trails were closed due to damage following the Chimney Tops 2 Fire. Park trails crews spent several weeks this year repairing more than 500 feet of trail tread, cutting 758 downed trees, removing large root balls and boulders, and repairing and replacing 53 trail drainage structures. The area burned with high intensity in 2016, and even now hikers should remain alert for loose rocks and falling trees and limbs. Hikers should avoid hiking the trails during and after high wind and rain events as well as lingering around standing dead trees.
Friends of the Smokies provided $195,000 for the trail rehabilitation, a donation made possible thanks to donors across the nation who responded to help fund park recovery needs following the wildfire.
