Posted by Josh Anderson on October 18, 2006 at 8:30 AM
As I was getting ready for work this morning our local news station (Columbus, Ohio) reported that a recent storm had knocked down several trees and a lot of the roads within the park were closed.
They also said there were very few visitors within the park, but the leaves were at their peak. I will be arrivng there tomorrow night and wanted to find out what is happening.
Josh, see the link in the fall colors update thread. I'm supposed to arrive Friday night and stay in Townsend, TN. I'm not sure what to do...I have to cancel reservations by 4:00pm today without getting charged, so if anyone has any updated info please advise!!!!
Posted by Josh Anderson on October 18, 2006 at 9:24 AM
My wife and I are staying in Townsend as well. We are still going (I think). May just have to do a little more driving.
Thanks Alice.
Posted by Bruce Painter on October 18, 2006 at 9:36 AM
That makes at least three of us. My wife and I are staying in Townsend also. We will be going up in the morning and only staying one night, so I hope they have a few of the roads open by then.
I decided to cancel my reservations. I was spending more $ than I wanted anyway, and I can drive from home to Big Creek and other NC side areas. I can probably make a day trip or 2 to other open areas in park and still get some good photography in.
Posted by Harry Davis on October 18, 2006 at 10:27 AM
Wednesday's report from the GSMNP website:
Roads that reopened late Tuesday afternoon included a portion of the Little River Road at its junction with Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) to the Elkmont Campground. The Gatlinburg Bypass, Greenbrier Road, and Cosby entrance Road are open.
Roads that remain closed are Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) between Gatlinburg, Tenn., and Cherokee, N.C. The Laurel Creek Road from the Townsend entrance to Cades Cove is closed and the Cades Cove Loop Road is closed. In addition, the Foothills Parkway East and West, Cherokee Orchard Road, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail are closed. Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area along Little River Road is closed due to down power lines and downed trees.
Park crews will continue clearing Park roads on Wednesday. Little River and Newfound Gap Road are the Park’s priorities. Preliminary indications are that crews will be able to clear these roads for reopening sometime Wednesday. Visitors can call the Park’s general information number at 865/436-1200 to check on the status of roads and facilities.
Posted by Josh Anderson on October 18, 2006 at 10:59 AM
Great news. Thanks so much Harry. Sounds like the storm may keep many people away leaving the beauty to a select few.
Posted by Thomas Biggs on October 18, 2006 at 12:52 PM
I'm with you Josh!!
Posted by Bruce Painter on October 18, 2006 at 4:13 PM
I hope you are right Josh. I'm still going too. If the worse happens then I wont get many pictures and my wife and I will still be getting away for a couple of day and I wont be at work.
Discussion
8 repliesThey also said there were very few visitors within the park, but the leaves were at their peak. I will be arrivng there tomorrow night and wanted to find out what is happening.
Thanks.
Thanks Alice.
Roads that reopened late Tuesday afternoon included a portion of the Little River Road at its junction with Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) to the Elkmont Campground. The Gatlinburg Bypass, Greenbrier Road, and Cosby entrance Road are open.
Roads that remain closed are Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) between Gatlinburg, Tenn., and Cherokee, N.C. The Laurel Creek Road from the Townsend entrance to Cades Cove is closed and the Cades Cove Loop Road is closed. In addition, the Foothills Parkway East and West, Cherokee Orchard Road, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail are closed. Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area along Little River Road is closed due to down power lines and downed trees.
Park crews will continue clearing Park roads on Wednesday. Little River and Newfound Gap Road are the Park’s priorities. Preliminary indications are that crews will be able to clear these roads for reopening sometime Wednesday. Visitors can call the Park’s general information number at 865/436-1200 to check on the status of roads and facilities.
Bruce