Greenbrier area closed for flood repairs
Heavy rains in July washed out culverts in the Greenbriar area. NPS photo
Access to the entire Greenbrier area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be closed from Feb. 13 until at least March 31 for flood damage repairs.
The road at the Greenbrier Ranger Station has been closed to vehicle traffic since July after flooding and rockslides made the road unstable and unsafe. Flooding also washed out culverts at Porters Creek beyond the Ramsey Prong Road intersection. Federal Highway Administration awarded a $410,000 contract to Bryant’s Land Development Industries, Inc. out of Burnsville, to complete the road repairs and culvert replacements.
During this time, the road, trails and campsites in the Greenbrier area will be closed to all use. The closure area includes Greenbrier Road, Grapeyard Ridge Trail, Porters Creek Trail, Brushy Mountain Trail, Ramsey Cascades Trail, Old Settlers Trail and backcountry campsites 31, 32 and 33. Once the area reopens, Ramsey Cascades and Porters Creek Trail will remain closed until footlog bridges damaged in the flood can be replaced and other trail damage can be assessed for visitor safety. Messer Barn will also remain closed until structural repairs can be made following wind damage that compromised the roof.
