Beginning Aug. 24, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close Abrams Falls Trail from Monday through Thursday each week to replace aging footlog bridges and improve visitor safety. The work is expected to be completed by Oct. 1. The trail will open to hikers Fridays through Sundays and on Labor Day during construction.
The project includes replacing four aging footlog
bridges and handrails. The trail crew will also build new stairs at a steep, slick rock section to improve footing near Abrams Falls.
Replacement of the footlogs will require the use of rigging equipment throughout the trail, supply delivery by the park’s animal packer team and removal and replacement of the footlogs. To ensure the safety of visitors and employees during these operations, the trail will be closed while work is underway.
The hike to Abrams Falls is a five-mile roundtrip hike through rhododendron, hemlock and pine-oak forest to a 25-foot (7.6-m) waterfall that flows over a ledge of sandstone into a deep, picturesque pool.