The U.S. Forest Service has rerouted a portion of the Rim Trail Clay County.

The Rim Trail is a 26-mile Forest Service trail that travels along the rim of the Fires Creek basin near Hayesville. The approximately 2.5-mile section of the Rim Trail located between the trail’s intersections with Phillips Ridge Trail at Will King Gap and Rockhouse Trail at Big Stamp has been closed because this section of trail crosses through private land.  

Hikers will now use the Phillips Ridge and Rockhouse Trails to connect the two sections of the Rim Trail. This reroute is approximately 7.1 miles. Maps of the trail re-route have been posted within the Fires Creek area and are also available from the Tusquitee Ranger Station or from www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/.     

“The affected section of the Rim Trail is located on private land that was recently posted by the landowners. We had to close this section of trail to avoid crossing the private tract,” according to District Ranger Steve Lohr. “The current reroute is a temporary solution as the Forest Service explores alternatives for a shorter, more convenient trail relocation which will keep hikers closer to the ridgeline.”  

Hikers are encouraged to be “good neighbors” and respect private property rights while visiting the national forest in this area.

For more information contact Lohr at 828.837.5152.