A.T. Closure Due to Federal Shutdown - FAQs

Where are the 700 miles of NPS lands affected by the closure located?

In many locations, the Trail crosses through a patchwork of lands where land-ownership is not easily recognizable. The affected NPS lands include almost all of the A.T. in Maine, portions of the A.T. in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland (including but not limited to the C&O Towpath), West Virginia, Virginia (including most of northern Virginia, all of Shenandoah National Park, and the area between Daleville, Va., and Dragon’s Tooth centered on McAfee Knob), and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee-North Carolina.

Visitor centers and other facilities in all National Park units are closed. Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park is closed; other roads and parking areas in National Park units may be closed and gated. 

What about U.S. Forest Service lands?

U.S. Forest lands currently remain open, however, USFS buildings and facilities are closed. Parking areas, campgrounds, and roads may be closed or gated.

The A.T. is located on U.S. Forest Service lands in the following areas:

• White Mountain National Forest (all of the A.T. in New Hampshire--see additional closures affecting this area below)*
• Green Mountain National Forest (all of the A.T. in Vermont),
• George Washington and Jefferson National Forests (most of the A.T. from the southern end of Shenandoah National Park to the Virginia/Tennessee border, except for a 28-mile section near Roanoke from Daleville to Dragon’s Tooth)
• Pisgah and Cherokee National Forests (all of the A.T. in Tennessee and North Carolina from the Virginia/Tennessee border to the north end of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
• Nantahala National Forest (all of the A.T. from the southern end of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the North Carolina/Georgia border)
• Cherokee National Forest (all of the A.T. in Georgia)

*In the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF), all trails are open, however, roadside campgrounds, backcountry shelters and designated campsites are closed, including backcountry campsites operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). There are no caretakers at those sites. AMC huts in the WMNF remain open (the buildings are owned by AMC and operate under permit). Dispersed camping at nondesignated sites is allowed except in Forest Protection Areas, where it is never allowed. WMNF backcountry camping rules, which include a list of Forest Protection Areas, can be found here.  

Three designated campsites operated by AMC on Maine state land in the Mahoosucs are open (Carlo Col, Full Goose, and Speck Pond).

Are visitor centers, parking areas, and other facilities affected by the closure?

Visitor centers and facilities on federal lands are closed. Private concessions operated on federal lands are also closed. Parking areas and roads may be closed or gated. We do not have a comprehensive list of such closures.

What areas of the Trail are not affected by the closure?

Large areas of state lands unaffected by the closure include Maine’s Bigelow Preserve and Grafton Notch State Parks, Mt. Greylock State Reservation in Massachusetts, Housatonic State Forest on the A.T. in central Connecticut, Bear Mountain-Harriman State Parks in New York, and Michaux State Forest in Pennsylvania. Hikers are encouraged to contact those agencies for more information.

What about emergencies and trail hazards?

Law enforcement, fire suppression, and other essential services continue to be provided despite furloughs of most federal employees. However, emergency response on all A.T. lands is extremely limited during the shutdown and may be unavailable in some areas. Trail volunteers have been told not to perform their customary trail work due to a lapse in federal worker’s compensation and tort protections. Hikers may encounter downed trees, other hazards on roads and trails, and few people to assist in case of emergency.

How are thru-hikers affected?

Northbound thru-hikers who are currently in the final leg of their hike in Maine will not be asked to leave the Trail and will not encounter barricades. Those hikers should be mindful that Baxter State Park closes to overnight use October 15. More information on weather conditions and Baxter State Park policies can be found at www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/hiking/at.htm. ATC will maintain its canoe ferry operations at the Kennebec River through Monday, October 14 (See http://www.matc.org/for-hikers/kennebec-river-ferry/).

Depending on where they are in their hikes, southbound and flip-flop thru-hikers may have to skip areas of the Trail, but will not be disqualified from being recognized as 2,000-milers if they do so. More information about ATC's 2,000-miler recognition policies can be found at www.appalachiantrail.org/ATcompletion.

Is the ATC Visitor Center in Harpers Ferry open?

Yes. The private, nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy owns the land and the building housing the visitor center in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The visitor center is unaffected by the shutdown and remains open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week. More information can be found here.

The ATC Mid-Atlantic regional office in Boiling Springs, PA (housed in a building owned by the National Park Service) is closed.

A.T. Closure Notice for Hikers

Due to the federal government shutdown, the Appalachian Trail on National Park Service lands is closed to public use.

National Park Service buildings, visitor centers, and other facilities, including the ATC Mid-Atlantic regional office in Boiling Springs, PA (housed in a building owned by NPS) are closed. Most private concessions operated on federal lands are also closed.

U.S. Forest lands and state lands crossed by the Trail remain open, however, USFS buildings and facilities are closed.

Emergency response will be extremely limited during the shutdown and may be unavailable in certain areas. Hikers should be aware of the restrictions on Trail use.

ATC regional offices may be contacted for information regarding closures in their regions. 

New England Regional Office: 413-528-8002
Mid Atlantic Regional Office: 717-580-4247 (for temporary use while building is closed)
Central and Southwest Virginia Regional Office: 540-953-3571
Tennessee/North Carolina/Georgia Regional Office: 828-254-3708

Government shutdown limits access and use of Appalachian Trail by hikers and volunteers
The Appalachian Trail is now officially closed across the approximately 700 miles managed by the National Park Service. Because of the government shutdown, all National Park Service – Volunteers In Parks (VIP) and USDA Forest Service - Volunteer In Forests (VIF) volunteer programs will be terminated. Therefore, for the duration of the shutdown, the ATC will not be able to engage with volunteers in activities on the Trail, Trail facilities, or Trail lands. We also are required to close our visitor center in Boiling Springs, PA. For more information CLICK HERE

Partial trail closure in vicinity of Watauga Lake, TN
Due to bear activity, a short section of the A.T. has been closed to overnight camping and picnicking. Hikers may walk through the area. For more information, see the Tennessee section below.

New Great Smoky Mountains National Park Permit Fee 
 As of February 2013, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park  implemented a new system for obtaining backcountry permits and also began charging fees for permits. See the Great Smoky Mountains National Park section below for more details. 

Reduced hours at Post Offices along the A.T - The U.S. Postal Service is cutting hours in many rural post offices, and several along the A.T. will be affected. Those known to have reduced hours already in effect or with proposed cuts to be announced early in 2013 are Suches, GA, Fontana Dam, NC, Troutdale, VA, Sugar Grove, VA, Atkins, VA, Montebello, VA, Glencliff, NH, and  Warren, NH and potentially others. For more information, visit  www.usps.com and check back here periodically. No post offices along the A.T. are expected to close in 2013 during the hiking season. Scroll down for more detailed information for each affected post office.

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The latest guides and maps can't always keep up with rapidly changing Trail conditions. Check this page regularly for information on current conditions, relocations, and other big changes along the Trail. More Trail conditions can be found on some local A.T. management partners' websites.  If you notice a problem on the Trail that requires attention please let us know at trailconditions@appalachiantrail.org.  

2013 A.T. Thru-hikers' Companion UPDATES: Click here to review the most recent updates to information about town services listed in the publication.

Vandalism - Before your hike, be sure to visit  the A.T. Shuttle List on our Parking, Shuttles & Transportation page for recent vandalism reports in the area you are planning to park your car. Vandalism reports are listed separately at the end of each state's section. 

Georgia

Post Office Changes - Suches, Georgia
Reduced hours: M - F 9 am - 1 pm. This change took effect Jan. 28, 2013.

Bear canisters seasonally required for camping between Jarrard Gap and Neel Gap
A new U.S. Forest Service rule requires approved bear-resistant storage containers for overnight camping on a 5-mile stretch of the A.T. in the Chattahoochee National Forest between Jarrard Gap and Neel Gap, between March 1 and June 1 each year. This stretch is located between points 26.7 and 31.7 miles north of the southern terminus of the A.T. at Springer Moutain, Georgia, and includes Woods Hole Shelter, Slaughter Creek Campsite, and Blood Mountain Shelter. “Bear canisters” should be used to store food, food containers, garbage and toiletries. For more information, call the Chattahoochee - Oconee National Forest at (770) 297-3000.

Georgia
North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
North Carolina & Tennessee Border
Tennessee
Southwest Virginia
Central Virginia
Shenandoah National Park
Northern Virginia
West Virginia
Maryland
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
New York
Connecticut
Massachusetts
Vermont
New Hampshire
Maine

NORTH CAROLINA

Long Branch Shelter Open
Construction of the Long Branch Shelter was recently completed by the Nantahala Hiking Club and is now open. It is about 2 miles north of Albert Mountain in the Nantahala National Forest. There are accessible eating shelves, accessible privy, and the site is laid out with interior trails at accessible grades.

Cold Spring Shelter under construction
The Cold Spring shelter, south of Wesser, NC, is closed while undergoing renovation by the Nantahala Hiking Club. 

Post Office Changes - Fontana Dam, North Carolina
Reduced hours: M - F 11:45 am to 3:45 pm. This schedule reflects a change that was implemented during November 2012. 

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

For a full list of road and facility closures and warnings throughout the park, click here. Weather-related road and facility closures may change throughout the day. For updated road and weather information please call (865) 436-1200. Once you hear a voice, dial extension 631 for road information or extension 630 for a weather forecast.  Click here  for more information about bears in the backcountry. 


Post Office Changes - Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Likely to change during 2013; no projected schedule at this time.

Icewater Springs Shelter - Bear activity
Hikers are cautioned about bear activity at this shelter. Hikers must use the food storage cables provided at all backcountry campsites in the park. (9/23/2013)

Peck's Corner Shelter - Bear activity
Hikers are cautioned about bear activity at this shelter. Hikers must use the food storage cables provided at all backcountry campsites in the park. (9/23/2013)

Cosby Knob Shelter - Bear activity
Hikers are cautioned about bear activity at this shelter. Hikers must use the food storage cables provided at all backcountry campsites in the park. (9/23/2013)

NORTH CAROLINA & TENNESSEE BORDER 

Post Office Changes - Hot Springs, North Carolina
Likely to change; no projected schedule confirmed.

Apple House Shelter – Removed
The Apple House Shelter, trail south of 19E between Overmountain Shelter and Mountaineer Shelter, has been removed. The Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club  worked with the USFS and ATC to coordinate the removal due to issues with its location and use.

Post Office Changes - Elk Park, North Carolina
Likely to change during 2013; no projected schedule confirmed.

TENNESSEE

Partial Trail Closure - Wautaga Dam area
U.S. Forest Service officials at the Cherokee National Forest announced that national forest lands within the corridor between the area known as Oliver Hollow north to Wilbur Dam are temporaily  closed to public entry except for through hikers on the Appalachian Trail.  The closure is being implemented because of  black bear activity in the area. 

National forest lands within the corridor are temporarily closed to public entry by land and water access. The Watauga Lake shelter on the Appalachian Trail is closed to camping but the trail is open to through hikers.

Oliver Hollow is located on Watauga Lake in Carter County on Oliver Hollow Rd off Highway 321 near Hampton, TN.  Wilbur Dam (TVA) is located on the Watauga River off Wilbur Dam Rd and Bishop Hollow Rd in Carter County near Elizabethton, TN. The corridor is within the   Cherokee National Forest’s Watauga Ranger District.

Oliver Hollow is a popular  dispersed camping and day use area on the western end of Watauga Lake.  Bears have recently been frequenting the corridor and Oliver Hollow. The U.S. Forest Service is working with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to address the concern.

Natural Resources Management Team Leader for the Watauga Ranger District, Alice Cohen said, “Bears are opportunists and become habituated to campsites and picnic areas where food has been improperly discarded or stored and is easily available. Though naturally shy of people, they learn to associate people with food.  Bears then learn to frequent the same areas where they may encounter humans.  This is when concerns arise.”

Forest Service officials say that in all outdoor recreation settings, you should always store your food and trash so it does not attract bears and other animals. Food should be properly stored in a vehicle, or hung from a bear pole or tree when in the back country. Trash should be placed in bear-resistant trash cans where available or packed out when you leave.  Do not discard watermelons or any other food scraps in picnic areas, shooting ranges or any other recreation site. Doing so can lead to temporary closure of the site if safety becomes a concern due to bear activity. Your cooperation with this and similar temporary closures may help break the cycle of bears returning to the same sites in search of human food, protecting you and the bears.

For more information about safety around bears visit the website, Safety in Bear Country link at: http://fs.usda.gov/cherokee, or Outdoor Safety in the South link at: http://fs.usda.gov/r8.  For local recreation information call the Watauga Ranger Station at (423) 735-1500. For a map of the closure area, click here.

 
Post Office Changes - Shady Valley, Tennessee
Hours expected to be cut back to four hours per day during 2013; no specific schedule confirmed yet.

CENTRAL VIRGINIA

Va. 621, Craig Creek Valley north to Dragons Tooth – Fire Damage
Fire damage from the February 2011 Pickle Branch Fire may be visible in this area. As always, hikers are encouraged to stay on established trails, particularly in the burned areas.

USFS 35, Petites Gap; Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 71 south to approximately milepost 74.9
Fire damage from the November 2011 Boom Axe Fire may be visible. As always, hikers are encouraged to stay on established trails, particularly in the burned areas.

As always, hikers are reminded to follow good Leave No Trace practices and minimize your campfire impacts: www.appalachiantrail.org/lnt. 

Post Office Changes - Montebello, Virginia
Reduced hours:  Monday through Friday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm; Saturday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

Straight Branch footbridge washed out - Detour in place
The trail bridge over Straight Branch east of Damascus, VA was washed out by recent high water.  As of May 23, 2013 a detour for hikers is in effect and posted. This bridge is just “trail north” (cardinal direction south) of US Hwy 58. This trail detour will continue indefinitely.

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK

Click here for the Park's most updated facility schedule. 

Little Calf Mountain; Beagle Gap, Skyline Drive mile 96.9 - Relocation opened
The Potomac Appalachian Trail club opened a relocation on Little Calf Mountain, just north of Rockfish Gap. The relocation turns trail west in a field a few hundred yards north of the parking area at Beagle Gap on Skyline Drive, curls around Little Calf Mountain while climbing to its summit, then rejoins the existing A.T. a few hundred yards north of the Little Calf summit.

Bearfence Mountain Hut – Access trail relocated The access trail to Bearfence Mountain Hut (p. 137 in the A.T. Guide to Shenandoah National Park) has been relocated from a direct spur from the A.T. to the shelter. It now utilizes two existing woods roads. The old blue blazed (mile 9.0 on page 137) access trail has been completely brushed in and access to the shelter is now utilizes the yellow and blue blazed Slaughter Trail (mile 9.2 on page 137). In 0.1, turn right on blue blazed trail on woods road (yellow blazed Slaughter Trail continues straight ahead, generally downhill). Go 0.1 to Bearfence Mountain Hut.  

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Post Office Changes - Bluemont, Virginia
Reduced hours: M - F 10 am - 1 pm, 2 pm - 5 pm; Saturday 8:30 am - 12 pm. This change took place Jan. 12, 2013.

WEST VIRGINIA

Harpers Ferry – temporary re-route of side trail to ATC 

Construction starting October 7 in the parking lot below Cook Hall along the blue-blazed route to ATC will require a detour. The temporary reroute will increase the distance from ATC to the A.T. southbound by 0.4 mile; the distance to the A.T. northbound will be 0.1 shorter. The reroute from the junction of the A.T. and the side trail to ATC follows the A.T. northbound (compass east), ascends the steps to Lockwood House, crosses Camp Hill, and follows Fillmore Street west to Storer College Place. The detour is expected to be in place for approximately 1 month.  (9/28/2013)

MARYLAND

Gathland State Park – Water available
Water is available at Gathland State Park from a spigot by the restrooms, 0.4 south of the Crampton Gap Shelter side trail.

Dahlgren Campground – Bear activity
Hikers have reported food supplies stolen by a bear at the Dahlgren Backpacker Campground. South Mountain SP has also noted other reports of bear problems in the area. Although black bears have not historically posed much of a problem to hikers in Maryland, they are out there and are now being seen more frequently. Read our recommendations for wildlife safety.

Raven Rock Shelter – Shelter open
Raven Rock Shelter is OPEN. Access to the new shelter is on the west side of the A.T., just a few feet south of the access to the old Devil’s Racecourse Shelter. The water source is a spring located 0.3 miles east from the A.T. (on the blue-blazed trail to the old shelter/Ritchie Road).

Pennsylvania

Pine Grove Furnace State Park – New parking rules
Pine Grove Furnace State Park requires that hikers check in with the park office before leaving a vehicle in the park and that vehicles be left for no more than one week.

Caledonia State Park – New parking rules
Caledonia State Park now requests that those parking overnight at the parking area on Rt. 30 register at the park office. For more information, contact the park at (717) 352-2161. (4/22/2013)

The Ironmasters Mansion hostel - Reopened for business
Note that the doors are locked from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.

Rausch Gap Shelter – Now open
The Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club has completed the shelter renovations and it now open for overnight use.

Hamburg - Parking limited
Parking at the end of Reservoir Road is limited due to construction associated with Hamburg Watershed facilities.

Lehigh Gap to Little Gap – CAUTION - Remedial activities in progress
Remedial activities associated with the revegetation of Blue Mountain are currently being conducted near the A.T. between Lehigh Gap and Little Gap as part of the Palmerton Zinc Pile Superfund Site. The Appalachian Trail and blue-blaze Winter Trail will remain open during these activities.  Frequent truck traffic will occur on the administrative access road that parallels the A.T.  Hikers are advised to stay on the A.T. and not use the road. (July 19, 2013)

NEW JERSEY

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - Road Reopened
Blue Mountain Lakes Road west of the trail has been repaired and reopened.

Sunfish Pond - Relocation opened
From the A.T. - Garvey Springs Trail junction north to a stream near the Upper Yards Creek Reservoir, a distance of about one mile, the trail has been relocated several hundred yards to the west. It now follows a contour just to the west of the height of land of the ridge. Just before rejoining the existing trail, the relocation provides an extensive up-river view of the Delaware River valley

NEW YORK

Bellvale Mountain (Warwick/Greenwood Lake) - Fixed ladder removed
A temporary replacement has been installed. As it's aluminum, care should be used, particularly when descending in wet weather. A more permanant solution is still being planned.

Post Office Changes - Unionville, New York
Reduced hours: M - F 8 - 11:30 am, 1 - 5 pm; Saturday 8 am - 12 pm.

Little Dam Lake – Little Dam Bridge collapsed
Little Dam Bridge, just south of Little Dam Lake, 3 miles west (or Trail south) of NY 17 and the NY Thruway, collapsed. A crew from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference has installed step stones.

Post Office Changes - Southfields, New York
Scheduled to change in late May or mid June 2013; no projected hours or date confirmed yet.

West Mountain - Relocation
Heading southbound, after crossing Seven Lakes Drive, the Trail meets and is co-aligned with the 1777W trail for 0.1 mile, then the new route turns left. After another 0.1, the trail meets and turns right on an old woods road. After about 0.2 miles, it turns left off the woods road and climbs for about 0.4 miles, where it rejoins the old A.T. at an open area with good views. The relocation is about 0.85 miles, roughly 0.2 longer than the old route. Refer to page 113 in the NY-NJ A.T. Guide.

Bear Mountain – Relocation
Parts of a planned three-mile relocation of the A.T. over Bear Mountain have been opened to the public. Hikers should pay close attention to blazing in the area. Work on the remainder of this relocation and restoration of the old route and social trails in the area will continue.

CONNECTICUT

Post Office Changes - Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut
Reduced hours: M - F 8:30 am - 1 pm, 2 pm - 5 pm; Saturday 9 am - 12 pm.

Post Office Changes - Sharon, Connecticut
Reduced hours: M - F 9:30 am - 4:30 pm; Saturday 9:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Guinea Brook (just north of Conn. 4/Cornwall Bridge) – Stepping stones washed away
The rock stepping stones across Guinea Brook are no longer safe to use.  Crossing Guinea Brook requires fording or utilizing the blue blazed bypass trail. Use the “high water bypass” or the Mohawk Trail, or continue S on RT 4 to the Breadloaf Mountain parking area and take the blue trail to rejoin AT. The bypass is strongly  recommended during periods of high water or icing. 

Iron Bridge, Housatonic River - Closed to motor vehicles
The Iron Bridge across the Housatonic River at Fall Village near the power plant  has been closed to motor vehicles by the Town of Salisbury.  Pedestrian use is allowed at this time, but eventually the bridge will be closed  to hikers when renovations begin.  A relocation marked by orange blazes,  involving a road walk on RT 128 and Dugway Road, will be instituted when the bridge officially closes during construction. (9/10/12)

VERMONT

In September 2011, Hurricane Irene caused damage all along the A.T., but Vermont was hit hardest - extensive damage to the footpath, bridges, and access roads is still being addressed. Some bridges are still out so be careful when crossing streams; river crossings can be deceptively hazardous. Read  Safety Tips for Fording Streams and Rivers for more information. 

For a list of extensive road and facility closures and other updates, visit the Green Mountain Club's Trail Updates page.

Post Office Changes - Danby, Vermont
Hours likely to be reduced to six hours each day; no specific schedule confirmed yet.

MASSACHUSETTS

Tyringham Fire Company Pavilion: Hikers are again being allowed to camp at the pavilion in the center of town.  From the Jerusalem Rd crossing hike downhill to the center of town, then left on Tyringham Main Rd just past the Fire House to the pavilion.

Upper Goose Pond Cabin Opening
The cabin will be opened on Saturday, May 18th for hikers to stay with a caretaker present until closing on October 20th (last night to stay in the cabin Saturday, October 19th).  Hikers are advised to use the bear boxes to store their food as bears are active in the area.  Also, no cooking is allowed on the porch. Please use the cook table under the pavilion roof behind the cabin or the picnic tables at the tent sites.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Post Office Changes - Lyme, New Hampshire
Hours likely to change; projected schedule unknown at this time. 

Post Office Changes - Wentworth, New Hampshire
Reduced hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 am - 11:00 pm, 2:45 pm - 4:45 pm; Saturday, 7:15 am - 12:00 pm.

Ore Hill Shelter –  Burned down 
The Ore Hill Shelter, along Dartmouth Outing Club's section (NH/VT guidebook section 7) burned down sometime in late October 2011. ATC, DOC and Forest Service partners are investigating the cause and local situation.  There are no current plans underway to replace it; however, as many A.T. club maintainers know, our system of continuous overnight shelters, lean-tos and campsites requires continuity. ATC will inform the public about the club's and partners' plans as soon as they are known.

Post Office Changes - Warren, New Hampshire
Reduced hours: M - F 7:30 am - 9:30 am and 3 pm - 5 pm; Saturday 7:30 am - 11:30 am. This change took affect Jan. 12, 2013.

Post Office Changes - Glencliff, New Hampshire
Current hours are Monday - Friday 7 am - 10 am; 2 pm - 5 pm; Saturday 7 am - 1 pm. Projected hours (tentative) will be 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. 

MAINE

Post Office Changes - Oquossoc, Maine
Expected to be reduced; no projected schedule confirmed.

Access to Mt. Abraham - The Rapid Stream road damaged
It is being repaired only to the last house which is 3 miles short of the trailhead. 

Kennebec Ferry Service – 2013 Schedule
May 24 – July 11: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. only
July 12 – September 30: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
October 1 – October 14: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. only
Click here or contact David P. Corrigan, ferry contractor, at (207) 672-4849 for details and current information regarding the ferry service.

Post Office Changes - Monson, Maine
Tentative projected schedule: M - F 8 am - 12 pm, 2:15 pm - 4:15 pm; Saturday 7:30 - 11:00 am. Date to take place not confirmed - likely fall 2013.

Gulf Hagas side trail – Footbridge washed out
The Gulf Hagas Brook bridge was washed out by spring high water. This does not affect the A.T. itself, but does affect access to a popular side trail. A replacement bridge will likely not be installed until fall (at the earliest). Until the bridge is replaced, hikers using the Gulf Hagas side trail will need to wade across the brook. Please cross at the designated ford rather than trampling brush up and down the banks of the stream.

Baxter State Park 
Visit www.baxterstateparkauthority.com for closures and important information.