NC,TN,VA – Hurricane Helene Conditions, Updated 7/9/25
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Current Conditions
07/09/2025, Updated at 9:15 a.m.
- The entire section has at least been “punched through,” meaning that the footpath itself is passable.
- Volunteers with the Carolina Mountain Club and Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club, along with ATC staff and the Konnarock Trail Crew, have been working throughout the storm-damaged areas this spring and summer. Work includes clearing debris and downed trees further back from the footpath, and repairing erosion and root ball craters (left from trees being ripped out by the roots).
- The Iron Mountain Gap detour remains in place and the storm debris removal project on the closed section of the A.T. at Iron Mountain Gap is still ongoing. The heavy equipment being used for the project is extremely dangerous, and it is very hard for equipment operators to see or hear hikers approaching. It is illegal to enter the closed section, and hikers may be fined by the Forest Service for entering the closed section.
- Please note that crews are closer to Iron Mountain Gap, so northbound hikers may not see or hear equipment when approaching the start of the detour. However, this does not mean it is safe to enter the closed section. Once past the detour, there is no safe way to bypass the work area.
- The storm debris removal project will reduce the risk of wildfire by removing fuel (downed trees). Storm debris removal will also make it easier for landscape rehabilitation work to begin after the project is complete. Anticipated project completion is Fall 2025.
- The burn ban for the Roan Mountain area remains in place.
- Since there is a high risk of wildfires in storm-damaged areas, the ATC strongly urges hikers to not have campfires from Davenport Gap to the New River at Pearisburg, VA (NOBO mile 239.4 to 637.8), regardless of whether there are official burn bans in place. All of the downed trees left by Helene create the perfect fuel for wildfires to spread quickly. Always follow instructions from official burn bans.
For information about what you may encounter in storm-damaged areas 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.
Closed Sections & Detours
| A.T. NOBO Mileage | Waypoint(s) | Detour? |
|---|---|---|
| 344.6 | Chestoa Bridge over the Nolichucky River. | Nolichucky Ferry. Alternative: Nolichucky River Detour. Use extreme caution when walking along roads. |
| ~360.6 to 366.1* | ~1 mile south of the destroyed Cherry Gap Shelter to ~1.3 mile north of Iron Mtn Gap | Iron Mountain Gap Detour Signs are on the Trail at either end of the detour. |
If there is a discrepancy between the map and this alert, this alert should be considered correct.
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:
- Pisgah National Forest (NC)
- Cherokee National Forest (TN)
- George Washington & Jefferson National Forests (VA)
For state roads:
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