From the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC)
Current Conditions 10/3/2024, Updated at 2:42 PM.
National Forest lands in North Carolina, Tennessee, and southwest Virginia that the A.T. passes through are closed. The states of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia have declared a state of emergency. The entire Blue Ridge Parkway is closed (the parkway provides A.T. access in several places in central Virginia).
The ATC and National Park Service (NPS) recommends that hikers should postpone their trips to the southern A.T. until further notice (Georgia to Rockfish Gap, VA; NOBO miles 0.0 to 864.6). Although not all areas in this section are officially closed, there is still a risk of landslides in many areas, much of the A.T. in the south is inaccessible due to road closures, and emergency responders are at max capacity. There also may be dangers on the Trail from the storm like downed trees, severe erosion, washed out bridges, and swollen creeks and streams. Many devastated towns along the A.T. also have emergency orders in place excluding visitors so they can prioritize recovery.
The ATC is a private nonprofit and does not have the authority to close sections of the A.T. However, for the reasons above, we are urging hikers to avoid the entire A.T. from Springer Mountain to Rockfish Gap (NOBO miles 0.0 to 864.6), regardless of formal closures.
Please postpone your A.T. hike until the situation improves and damage can be assessed.
Update for SOBOs, Flip Floppers, and section hikers: We have received reports that shuttles around Rockfish Gap are booked or unavailable, and that some roads nearby are closed. Hikers heading southbound (SOBO) who are planning to exit the Trail should consider leaving at Front Royal, VA instead (at the northern end of Shenandoah National Park).
Please note that the ATC has received confirmation from federal partners that areas listed as closed in the link below are officially closed. Updates to agency websites may be delayed because agency staff are either themselves in disaster zones or are focused on recovery.
More updated information can be found at this link:
GA-VA – Hurricane Helene UPDATED 10/3/24 | Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Current Conditions 10/3/2024, Updated at 2:42 PM.
National Forest lands in North Carolina, Tennessee, and southwest Virginia that the A.T. passes through are closed. The states of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia have declared a state of emergency. The entire Blue Ridge Parkway is closed (the parkway provides A.T. access in several places in central Virginia).
The ATC and National Park Service (NPS) recommends that hikers should postpone their trips to the southern A.T. until further notice (Georgia to Rockfish Gap, VA; NOBO miles 0.0 to 864.6). Although not all areas in this section are officially closed, there is still a risk of landslides in many areas, much of the A.T. in the south is inaccessible due to road closures, and emergency responders are at max capacity. There also may be dangers on the Trail from the storm like downed trees, severe erosion, washed out bridges, and swollen creeks and streams. Many devastated towns along the A.T. also have emergency orders in place excluding visitors so they can prioritize recovery.
The ATC is a private nonprofit and does not have the authority to close sections of the A.T. However, for the reasons above, we are urging hikers to avoid the entire A.T. from Springer Mountain to Rockfish Gap (NOBO miles 0.0 to 864.6), regardless of formal closures.
Please postpone your A.T. hike until the situation improves and damage can be assessed.
Update for SOBOs, Flip Floppers, and section hikers: We have received reports that shuttles around Rockfish Gap are booked or unavailable, and that some roads nearby are closed. Hikers heading southbound (SOBO) who are planning to exit the Trail should consider leaving at Front Royal, VA instead (at the northern end of Shenandoah National Park).
Please note that the ATC has received confirmation from federal partners that areas listed as closed in the link below are officially closed. Updates to agency websites may be delayed because agency staff are either themselves in disaster zones or are focused on recovery.
More updated information can be found at this link:
GA-VA – Hurricane Helene UPDATED 10/3/24 | Appalachian Trail Conservancy
RSS Feed