Trail Updates
Trail Updates are listed below east to west.
September 2011 - Hurricane Irene badly damaged Section 36: The Neusiok Trail, and it will be closed until the boardwalk can be repaired and downed trees removed. The damage is extensive enough that FMST volunteers are estimating that the trail may not reopen until next spring. Here are east-bound directions to help thru-hikers complete the trail:
- After getting off the Minnesott ferry at Pinecliff, follow NC 306 until it deadends at NC 101.
- Turn left at NC 101.
- Where Old Winberry Road intersects NC 101, you will be back on the original MST route.
- Stay left on NC 101 and continue over the Harlow Canal Bridge.
- Look at the google interactive map on this website to get your bearings.
August 2011 - The FMST Board approved new hiking directions from Greensboro's Bryan Park (Section 25) to the Falls Lake dam north of Raleigh (Section 27) so that hikers can start using much of the new trail that has been built along the Haw and Eno rivers and on the western end of Falls Lake. In October, the interactive google map on this website will be updated to show this new route.
September 2011 - The Sauratown Trail has been rerouted on to backroads while new trail is constructed to take the place of a portion of the trail that was closed by the landowner.
September 2011 - A five-mile portion of the MST between Brinegar Cabin and Devil's Garden Overlook in Section 17: Laurel Springs to Devil's Garden Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed due to rock work on the parkway. This road work blocks access between the MST and Stone Mountain State Park. The parkway staff recommends that MST east-bound thru-hikers detour around the closed trail by heading south (downhill) on Cedar Ridge Trail at Brinegar Cabin. Follow the Cedar Ridge Trail to Longbottom Road. Turn left on Longbottom Road and follow it to Traphill Road (in MST Section 19). If you are interested in visiting Stone Mountain State Park, turn left (north) onto the John P. Frank Parkway near the intersection of Longbottom and Traphill roads. See FMST's interactive google map and the map of Blue Ridge Parkway trails in Doughton Park for more information. West-bound hikers should hike the same route in reverse. Primitive camping is available at Basin Cove near Longbottom Road. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 336-372-8568. Camping is also available at Stone Mountain State Park. Online reservations are required.
September 2011 -- Based on a request by staff of the Blue Ridge Parkway, FMST has rerouted the current trail for thirty miles after it leaves the Great Smoky Mountain National Parkway headed east. The new route is documented as Sections 2-3: Oconaluftee River to Balsam Gap South.
This section of the current MST route was entirely on the Blue Ridge Parkway and required hikers to pass through five tunnels. Unfortunately, determining the ultimate route for the trail in this area is challenging in this rugged terrain which is home to many rare species of plants and wildlife and many political jurisdictions. FMST continues to work with State Parks, the national parks and national forests, local governments and the Cherokee to find a final off-road route.
Check back for updated information.
Disclaimer: FMST does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, quality, suitability of any information provided on the website, or linked from or to it.
