GA-VA – Hurricane Helene, 2/12/25

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Alert

Current Conditions 

02/12/2025, Updated at 10:30 a.m.

See the table below for details on current official A.T. closures from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and for information about detours. Please note that these closures have been confirmed with USFS.  

2/12 Update: Officials with the Cherokee National Forest have reopened the sections of the A.T. that pass through wilderness areas in Tennessee. The A.T. from Dennis Cove Road to U.S. 321, and from Wilbur Dam Road to Iron Mtn Shelter are now open. See the table below for sections of the Trail that remain officially closed.  

However, reports indicate that the section from Wilbur Dam Rd to Iron Mtn Shelter, which is in the Big Laurel Branch Wilderness, still has severe storm damage. This section may be difficult to navigate or impassable. All other open sections of the A.T. are now passable. 

Please remember, too, that just because a section is open and reported as passable does not mean it is safe and returned to pre-Helene condition. Storm-damaged areas are dynamic: trees will continue to fall, and ground will continue to move. For information about what you may encounter and how to stay safe, visit our blog post about hiking the A.T. in 2025. See also ATC’s Hurricane Helene’s resource page

Hiking & Helene Guidance

Table 1: Closed Sections*

A.T. NOBO MileageWaypoint(s)Detour?
344.6Chestoa Bridge over the Nolichucky River.
Nolichucky River Detour.

Use extreme caution when walking along roads.
352.9 to 374.2*Indian Grave Gap to Hughes Gap, including Cherry Gap Shelter (which was destroyed)*No – hikers should plan to skip around this section.
414.0Moreland Gap Shelter (damaged)N/A

SEE A MAP

If there is a discrepancy between the map and this alert, this alert should be considered correct.

 *Important Notes: 

  • The A.T. follows the NC/TN border for most of its length between Davenport Gap, at the northern end of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Doll Flats, just south of U.S. 19E outside the towns of Elk Park and Roan Mountain.   
  • Pisgah National Forest land is on the NC side and Cherokee National Forest land is on the TN side. The state line is not clearly marked on the Trail. It is not possible to do an extended hike in this section without crossing from one forest to another, and back again. So, a closure in this section of the Trail on one National Forest should be treated as a complete closure. Hikers should stay out of closed sections. 
  • Day hikes may be possible on open Cherokee National Forest land. It is up to you to know whose land you are on. Official maps will show National Forest boundaries.   

Road Conditions 

Access roads for the A.T., many of which are Forest Service roads, may be damaged or closed. For Forest Service road conditions:

For state roads:

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