What's open and Where can I hike?
"What's open?" and "Where can I hike?" are two questions that I've been asked several times over the last few days. With no end in sight for the Federal Government shutdown, I thought I would offer some suggestions for hikes in the Smokies area:
* It appears that most of North Carolina is open for hiking, this includes the Blue Ridge Parkway, all of the NC State Parks, as well as the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests.However, you should that none of the facilities on the BRP or in the national forests will be open.
* All of the State Parks in Tennessee are open as well.
* Hiking in Cherokee National Forest is open.
As far as specific hikes or locations are concerned, here are a few options:
* Grassy Ridge Bald on Roan Mountain is an outstanding hike.
* The Art Loeb Trail in the Shining Rock Wilderness is an excellent choice for both hikers and backpackers. As is Cold Mountain.
* Linville Gorge is another great location for hiking and backpacking.
* Max Patch heading towards Asheville on I-40.
* Both Mt. Mitchell and Chimney Rock State Parks in NC have great hikes. Here are a few other options .
* Mt. Rogers in Virginia is one of my all-time favorites.
If anyone has any other options during the closure, please feel free to leave a comment.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
* It appears that most of North Carolina is open for hiking, this includes the Blue Ridge Parkway, all of the NC State Parks, as well as the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests.However, you should that none of the facilities on the BRP or in the national forests will be open.
* All of the State Parks in Tennessee are open as well.
* Hiking in Cherokee National Forest is open.
As far as specific hikes or locations are concerned, here are a few options:
* Grassy Ridge Bald on Roan Mountain is an outstanding hike.
* The Art Loeb Trail in the Shining Rock Wilderness is an excellent choice for both hikers and backpackers. As is Cold Mountain.
* Linville Gorge is another great location for hiking and backpacking.
* Max Patch heading towards Asheville on I-40.
* Both Mt. Mitchell and Chimney Rock State Parks in NC have great hikes. Here are a few other options .
* Mt. Rogers in Virginia is one of my all-time favorites.
If anyone has any other options during the closure, please feel free to leave a comment.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
