The park has announced the closure of a 1.3-mile section of the Trillium Gap Trail between the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (which is closed during winter) and Grotto Falls due to falling rocks and potential mud slides.
Visitors accessing the Trillium Gap Trail from Cherokee Orchard Road will only be able to hike 2.3 miles east on the trail until they reach the closure. Therefore, visitors will not be able to reach Grotto Falls or continue to Mt. LeConte via Trillium Gap Trail. This is one of five trails leading to Mt. LeConte. The Trillium Gap Trail closure will be in effect until at least spring 2007.
Three large hemlock trees have fallen down a steep slope and have caused the hillside above the trail to become unstable, causing further erosion and making the area unsafe for public use. The slide area is one-quarter mile from the trailhead located off Roaring Fork.
“Although the trees have been removed from the trail by the park’s trail crew, rocks and more slide debris continue to come down,” said George Minnigh, the park’s backcountry specialist. “Winter weather’s freeze-thaw cycle and rain run off should bring down the remainder of the loose material; these three trees were the main reinforcement on the hillside. We hope to be able to restore public access to the popular Grotto Falls this spring, but the condition of the slope and trail will determine the extent of work necessary and the trail’s reopening date.”
Two other trails are still closed to horseback riders due to the October windstorm, which uprooted trees that tore away portions of the trails, posing hazards to horses and their riders – Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail and Gregory Bald Trail from campsite #13 to Parsons Branch Road. The trails are expected to reopen in the spring.
