GA-VA – Hurricane Helene, 1/15/25
ga
|nc
|gsmnp
|tn
|va
|hiking-safety
|weather
|Alert
Current Conditions
01/15/2025, Confirmed at 9:45 a.m. (no changes since 1/9/25)
Please see the table below for the most recent guidance from the ATC, National Park Service (NPS), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the latest information about Trail closures from USFS.
01/09 Update: Thanks to the good work of volunteers with the Carolina Mountain Club (CMC) and the Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club (TEHCC), we have updated information about Trail conditions in open sections.
See Table 1 for details on current official closures.
See Table 2 for reported conditions on open sections.
Just because an 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.
Table 1: Closed Sections*
| A.T. NOBO Mileage | Closed Sections |
|---|---|
| 327.7 to 333.4 | Bald Mtn Shelter to Spivey Gap |
| 344.6 | Chestoa Bridge over the Nolichucky River (gone) |
| 352.9 to 392.6* | Indian Grave Gap to Doll Flats, including Cherry Gap Shelter (which was destroyed)* |
| 414.0 | Moreland Gap Shelter (damaged) |
| 420.3 to 428.9 | Dennis Cove Rd to U.S. 321 |
| 433.3 to 444.8 | Wilbur Dam Rd to Iron Mtn Shelter, including Vandeventer Shelter |
If there is a discrepancy between the map and this alert, this alert should be considered correct.
Please note that the ATC has received confirmation that areas listed as closed are officially closed. Updates to USFS websites may be delayed because agency staff are focused on recovery and other parts of the forest.
Table 2: Conditions in Open Sections
| A.T. NOBO Mileage | Waypoints | Reported Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| 239.4 to 246.5 | Davenport Gap to Snowbird Mtn | Passable |
| 249.0 to 327.7 | Groundhog Creek Shelter to Bald Mtn Shelter | Passable |
| 333.4 to 344.6 | Spivey Gap to Nolichucky River | Generally clear except for ~4 areas 2.5 to 1.5 miles south of the river |
| 344.7 to 352.9 | Nolichucky River to Indian Grave Gap | Passable |
| 392.6 to 399.2 | Doll Flats to Jones Falls | Passable |
| 399.2 to 400.9 | Jones Falls to Sugar Hollow | Severe damage and impassable/very difficult to navigate |
| 400.9 to 420.3 | Sugar Hollow to Dennis Cove Road | Passable |
| 428.9 to 433.3 | U.S. 321 to Wilbur Dam Rd | Passable |
| 444.8 to 467.3 | Iron Mtn Shelter to TN/VA line | Passable |
*Important Notes:
- The A.T. generally follows the NC/TN for most of its length between Davenport Gap 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.
- The A.T. in Pisgah National Forest from Bald Mtn Shelter to Spivey Gap and Indian Grave Gap to Doll Flats remains closed to the public.
- The A.T. in Cherokee National Forest is open except for the sections listed above in Table 1.
- Since extended hiking trips are not possible between Indian Grave Gap and Doll Flats without crossing closed Pisgah National Forest land, backpackers and long-distance hikers should continue to postpone trips to this area. Day hikes may be possible on open Cherokee National Forest sections.
- 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 state road conditions, visit the following links. For conditions of Forest Service roads, visit the forest’s website listed in the table above.
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