Even the latest guides and maps can't always keep up with quickly changing Trail conditions. Check here for information on current conditions, relocations, and other big changes along the Trail.

A.T. Thru-Hikers' Companion updates are also available here.

Have you noticed a problem on the Trail that requires attention?  Please contact us.

Local weather reports, including watches, warnings, and advisories, are available from the National Weather Service.

Notable recent posts:  Potomac River footbridge repair work (09/17/09)
                                     Weverton Rd. parking area closure (Maryland) (08/27/09)
                                     USFS Road 39 planned closure (Virginia) (08/24/09)
                                     Gov. Clement Shelter closed (Vermont) (08/11/09)
                                     Raven Rock Shelter (Maryland) (08/11/09)

North Carolina-Georgia

VANDALISM ALERT: Lake Winfield Scott parking area - In April, a hiker reported a slashed tire after parking overnight in the large lot across from the beach.  (Posted 04/30/09)

Tennessee-North Carolina

Great Smoky Mountains conditions and closures - Seasonal and temporary closures of park facilities and backcountry water source updates can be found on the Great Smoky Mountains NP website. (Posted 10/18/07)

Birch Spring Campsite, Russell Field Shelter temporarily closed - Great Smoky Mountains NP has closed these sites due to bear activity.  (Updated 08/19/09)

Bear activity at Silers Bald Shelter - Hikers have reported a problem bear frequenting the shelter site.  In addition, the bear cable system for storing food is reported to be unusable.  Hikers will need to make extra effort to hang food bags properly and keep the shelter site clean.  (Posted 06/24/09)

Southwest Virginia

Vehicle break-ins in Mt. Rogers area - Two vehicles were reportedly broken into at the VA 600/Elk Garden trailhead during May.  The section between Damascus and VA Rt. 16 (at Mt. Rogers NRA Headquarters) has a long history of vehicle break-ins and thefts.  Frequently targeted A.T. parking areas include US 58 at Straight Branch, VA 600 at Elk Garden, and VA 603 at Fox Creek.   Hikers should use caution when leaving vehicles at any local trailhead; suggestions for vehicle security can be found on Getting to the Trail.   Safer hiker parking is available at some locations in Damascus, as well as the Mt. Rogers NRA Headquarters.  (Updated 06/17/09)

Davis Path Shelter removal - In May of 2008, this shelter was converted to a tent platform by removal of the roof and walls.  During the 2009 season, tent pads will be constructed nearby (using logs from the shelter walls), and the platform will then be demolished.  (Updated 09/26/08) 

Laurel Creek footbridge closure - Located at VA 615 6.9 miles south of US 21/52 near Bastian, VA, the A.T. footbridge across Laurel Creek is closed for repairs.  A.T. now uses VA 615 bridge to cross the creek.  South of Laurel Creek, the A.T. has been rerouted onto former High Water Trail which descends onto VA 615.  Northbound hikers should make right turn to follow VA 615 Trail east (compass south) for about 0.5 miles to rejoin normal A.T. across the road from Laurel Creek footbridge location.  Southbound hikers should reverse those directions.  (Updated 04/09/09)

Central Virginia

VANDALISM ALERT: Dragons Tooth side trail parking area on VA Rt. 311 - Several cars reported vandalised here in late July 2009.  (Posted 07/28/09)

Forest fire damage north of Bearwallow Gap - During a wildfire in July of 2008, numerous trees were damaged over a 1.5 mile section of the A.T. starting roughly 1.5 miles north of Bearwallow Gap/VA 43.  This section is open for use; however, falling timber may present a safety hazard.  Camping is prohibited in the burned area due to the danger of falling timber.  Cove Mountain Shelter is slightly north of the burned area, and is not affected by the camping ban.  (Updated 12/30/08)

USFS Road 39 closure near Lynchburg Reservoir - On or about September 1, the USFS will close a portion of Road 39 to facilitate replacement of culverts at the crossing of Little Irish Creek.  The closure is expected to last about two months.  Hikers wanting to access the A.T. in the Lynchburg Reservoir/Pedlar Dam area should plan to use USFS 39 approaching from VA 607, as that section of road will remain open.  (Posted 08/24/09)

Relocation completed just north of Tye River (VA Rt. 56) - Tidewater A.T. Club volunteers, ATC Konnarock Crews, and a Student Conservation Association crew all contributed to this relocation of roughly one mile of the A.T.  Starting 0.5 mile north of the Tye River footbridge and ending at the southern Mau-Har Trail (blue-blazed side trail) junction, this relo increases the length of this section by 0.2 mile.   The section replaced by the relo was too close to private property boundaries and had erosion problems that made proper maintenance difficult.  The new section passes through two mountain laurel thickets along with the remnants of a long abandoned farm.  The current A.T. Guide to Central Virginia (first edition, revised 2001) and Central Virginia Map 5 still describe the former route.  (Posted 08/22/08)  

Shenandoah National Park

SNP facilities opening schedule - Spring opening dates for park facilities and commercial services can be on the SNP website.  (Posted 04/08/09)

VANDALISM ALERT: Rockfish Gap parking area (Skyline Drive MP 105) - In late July, a hiker's vehicle was reportedly broken into at this location on the Skyline Drive just north of I-64.  (Posted 08/05/09)

Byrd's Nest #3 shelter converted to overnight use - Located 3.2 miles south of Thornton Gap, this shelter was formerly for day use only.  PATC has added sleeping bunks, a food hanging pole (bear pole), and a privy to provide for overnight camping use.  (Posted 11/03/08) 

Northern Virginia and West Virginia

Ginger Spring (Tom Floyd Wayside) dry - Hikers have reported the spring at Tom Floyd Wayside (overnight shelter) is currently dry.  (Posted 09/08/09)

VANDALISM ALERT: Keys Gap parking area -This parking area, located on Rt. 9 at the Virginia-West Virginia state line, has a long history of break-ins and vandalism.  Leaving cars here overnight is not recommended; suggestions for vehicle security can be found on Getting to the Trail.  (Updated 04/08/09)

Overnight use closure at Keys Gap - Illegal activity in the Keys Gap area has not involved direct threats to hikers (only hikers' vehicles).  However, to promote the security of Trail users and assist law enforcement, camping is now prohibited within the 1.5 mile section from WV Rt. 9 north to the powerline cut, and within 0.5 mile south of Rt. 9.  (Posted 11/09/07)

Potomac River footbridge repair work - Harpers Ferry NHP has begun a project to replace the decking boards on the Goodloe E. Byron Memorial Walkway -- the A.T. route across the Potomac River.  The repair work is planned for the following days: Fri 9/18, Sat 9/19, Fri 9/25, Sat 9/26, Thurs 10/1, and Fri 10/2.  The walkway will be closed for no longer than one hour at a time as work proceeds, then a temporary walkway will be set up to allow pedestrians to cross the bridge before work resumes.  This will permit the repair work to proceed with as minimal inconvenience as possible to A.T. hikers.  (Posted 09/17/09)

Maryland

Weverton Rd. parking area temporary closure - On or about Sept. 14, the Maryland State Highway Administration will begin a project to upgrade and improve this parking lot.  Construction will last approximately two months, during which time hiker parking may not be available at the Weverton trailhead.  Recommended alternate parking areas include Keep Tryst Rd. (0.4 mile south, day parking only), Harpers Ferry NHP (3.4 miles south, overnight permitted), and Gathland SP (6.7 miles north, overnight permitted -- see vandalism note below).  The construction work will not affect the route of the A.T.   (Posted 08/27/09)

VANDALISM ALERT: Crampton Gap/Gathland SP - A hiking group's vehicle was vandalized (broken windows, slashed tires, etc.) here on the night of July 16.  This vehicle had been parked overnight at the northern parking lot, near the pavilion and close to Gapland Rd.  The south parking lot near the museum is recommended as a potentially safer place for overnight hiker parking, located up a short driveway from Gapland Rd.  Note that the south parking lot is behind a gate that is sometimes locked at night (dusk to dawn).  (Posted 07/21/08)

Crampton Gap Shelter spring dry - Reliable piped water source are the faucets/restrooms at Gathland State Park, 0.5 mile south of the shelter.  (Posted 08/05/09) 

Problem bear at Dahlgren Campground - 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.  (Posted 06/24/09)

New Raven Rock Shelter NOT open yet - Although listed in both the 2009 A.T. Data Book and 2009 A.T. Thru-Hikers' Companion, the Raven Rock Shelter has NOT been completed and is not yet open for use.  Hikers should use the existing Devils Racecourse Shelter (0.3 mi Trail east), which will remain open until the Raven Rock Shelter is completed.  PATC plans to complete the new shelter by summer of 2010.  (Updated 08/11/09)

Pennsylvania

Darlington Shelter spring unreliable - The spring serving as the water source near the Darlington Shelter is known to be unreliable. An alternate water source is a more reliable spring located 1 mile south of the shelter.

VANDALISM ALERT: Swatara Gap (PA Rt. 72) parking area - A vehicle break-in was reported here in mid-October.  (Posted 10/16/08)

VANDALISM ALERT: PA Rt. 309 parking area - Two attempted vehicle break-ins have been reported for this parking lot: one in June 2008, and more recently in July 2009.   Suggestions for vehicle security can be found on Getting to the Trail.  (Posted 07/28/09)

Temporary relocation at Palmerton remediation project - Zinc smelting plants (now shut down) in Palmerton have left Blue Mountain nearly devoid of vegetation in the Lehigh Gap area.  A long-term remediation project was begun in March of 2008.  As part of this project, 4 miles of the A.T. has been temporarily relocated between the east end of the Winter Trail (at the top of Lehigh Gap) and Little Gap, and no longer follows a dirt road across the top of the ridge.  This relo is marked with normal 2 x 6 inch white A.T. blazes.  Since part of the relo'd trail follows a Pennsylvania Game Commission boundary, hikers should be aware that PGC boundaries are also marked with white paint blazes -- but those blazes are generally less defined (not as square shaped and varying in size).  At the west end of the relo, the Trail follows a grassy haul road built during earlier remediation activity on private land below.  Land below this haul road is private property -- hikers should not attempt to descend to the valley through it.  The old ridgetop road formerly used by the A.T. will be used for vehicle access during upcoming remediation activity.  (Updated 09/04/08)

New Jersey

New York and New Jersey updates - The NY-NJ Trail Conference website contains info on current Trail Conditions.  (Updated 04/10/08)

Four hikers injured: Beware of danger from lightning - A lightning strike along the A.T. just south of Sunfish Pond injured four hikers on May 24.  A local media article about the incident can be found here.  To minimize your risk from lightning strikes, read our recommendations on avoiding lightning danger.  (Posted 05/27/09)

Illegal ATV activity near Unionville and Vernon - Hikers can assist Trail-corridor law enforcement by reporting any illegal all-terrain vehicle (ATV) usage observed along the A.T. in the Unionville, NY and Vernon, NJ area.  This section includes the Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge and the Pochuck boardwalk.  If possible, note numbers of riders, model and color of ATVs, places where tire tracks enter/exit the Trail, damage, etc.  Do not be confrontational -- just make notes, take photos if possible, and report your observations when you return home.  E-mail to incident@appalachiantrail.org.  (Updated 04/08/09) 

Relocation near Wawayanda Shelter - The route of the A.T. was recently changed through the area around Wawayanda Shelter, just south of Warwick Turnpike.  The Trail now passes compass south of the shelter; the blue blazed side trail now turns Trail west to reach the shelter, not east as described in the current A.T. Guide to New York-New Jersey (and other A.T. guides).  More details and a map showing the new route can be found on the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference website. (Updated 04/30/08)

New York

Relocation south of Telephone Pioneers Shelter - Volunteers from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference have recently completed a short relo between Cat Rocks and Telephone Pioneers Shelter.  This relo adds switchbacks to a steep hill, and has increased the distance of this section by 0.2 mile.  (Updated 08/22/08)  

Massachusetts

Bascom Lodge open for business - Bascom Lodge reopened in early July.  After a two-year closure, both Rockwell Road and Notch Road have also reopened to provide access to the summit of Mt. Greylock.   (Updated 07/09/09)

Vermont

VANDALISM ALERT: USFS 10/Danby-Landgrove Road parking area - A vehicle break-in and theft of items was reported at this location in late July.  Suggestions for vehicle security can be found on Getting to the Trail.  (Posted 08/11/09)

Lost Pond Shelter replaced - This shelter was recently rebuilt by Green Mountain Club.  The previous structure was destroyed by a fire in 2006.   (Updated 08/11/09)

Gov. Clement Shelter closed for repairs - Shelter will be closed to hiker use during August while a stone mason repairs the walls of the structure (built in 1929).  Green Mountain Club volunteers will then rebuild the sleeping platform and re-shingle the roof.  (Posted 08/11/09). 

Thundering Falls accessible section completed - In 2007, Trail Crews from the Green Mountain Club along with Vermont Youth Conservation Corps relocated a section of the A.T. just north of Gifford Woods State Park, eliminating a 0.5 mile roadwalk on Thundering Brook Road to cross the Ottauquechee River.  The A.T. now crosses the Ottauquechee River floodplain on an 850 foot long wheelchair accessible boardwalk.  Additional work completed in 2008 has provided wheelchair accessible connections north to a parking area on River Road and south to the base of Thundering Falls (via a side trail).  (Updated 10/16/08)