Trail Updates

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

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

Updates to the A.T. Thru-Hikers' Companion -- a guidebook of hiker services along the Trail -- are also available. Copies of the Companion are available from the Ultimate Trail Store.

Prefer listening to Trail condition reports?  Download our "State of the Trail" podcasts. 

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

More Trail conditions info can be found on some local A.T. management partners' websites.

Current Trail Updates (listed from south to north)

All regions – Dry conditions

Reduced summer rainfall has resulted in dry conditions in many places along the A.T., further increasing the potential for wildfires and leaving many water sources for hikers dwindling or dry. Hikers should be prepared for water sources referred to as seasonal in guidebooks, and even some referred to as reliable, to be dry. The best way to prepare is to study maps and guidebooks carefully, identifying developed water sources (not always shown on maps), and carry plenty of water. Hikers also should be alert for signs of dehydration and avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day. On hot days, hikers may need as much as one liter of water per hour. Backpackers should keep in mind they will need to consume more water than day-hikers and will need water for cooking and other activities.

Current reports:

Pennsylvania water sources (PDF), courtesy ATC's Mid-Atlantic Regional Office (Updated 7/23/10)

New York and New Jersey water sources, courtesy the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (Updated 7/16/10)

New Jersey water sources (PDF), courtesy New Jersey ridgerunners (Updated 7/28/10)

Connecticut and southern Massachusetts water sources (PDF), courtesy Connecticut ridgerunners (Updated 7/19/10)

Maryland water sources (PDF), courtesy ATC headquarters (Updated 7/9/10)

Virginia water sources (PDF), courtesy Virginia ridgerunners (Updated 7/14/10)

gEORGIA

Neels Gap to Jarrard Gap – Bear activity

The Appalachian Trail between Neels Gap and Jarrard Gap is no longer closed to overnight camping, but backpackers should continue to properly hang their food and scraps, and consider the use of bear-proof food canisters.  For more information on the closure call the U.S. Forest Service at (706) 745-6928. For more information on hiking in bear country visit the wildlife section of our website. (Updated 06/21/10)

Herbert Bryon Reese Parking Lot – Closed

The Herbert Bryon Reese Parking Lot is closed until further notice. The parking lot is being repaved. (Posted 8/3/10)

NORTH CAROLINA

Silers Bald Shelter – Bear activity

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)

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Clingman's Dome – Water not available

Water is currently not available near the day-hiker parking lot, as page 36 of the 2010 Thru-Hikers' Companion indicates. Water can be purchased by the quart from a nearby store for $2. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Posted 7/6/10)

Mt. Collins Shelter – Shelter closed

Mt. Collins Shelter is closed until further notice due to bear activity. (Posted 07/01/10)

NORTH CAROLINA & TENNESSEE BORDER

Unaka Mountain – Relocation

Volunteers from TEHCC, ATC Konnarock Crew, Hard Core Crew, and student groups recently completed a series of relocations on the north side of Unaka Mountain.  Learn more about these relocations.  (Posted 09/04/08)

Roan Mountain Recreation Area – Access trail closed

During 2010, Roan Mountain Recreation Area will only be open from June 6 through July 7.  Before June 6 and after July 7, the area will be closed to vehicle and walk-in traffic while renovations are made to facilities and roads at the site. The A.T. will not be affected, but the access trail from the A.T. to the Cloudland parking lot will be closed. The site is scheduled to reopen by June 2011.  More info can be found in a press release from the U.S. Forest Service.  (Posted 02/02/10)

TENNESSEE

US 19E to Bishop Hollow – Relocation completed

A 0.7 mile relo in the section between US 19E and Bishop Hollow was completed in 2008.  This relo moved the A.T. route away from both Bear Branch Road (where trash was frequently dumped) and a steep drainage and onto a sidehill grade with nice views of the Roan Highlands.  (Posted 10/16/08)

Watauga Lake and Vandeventer shelters – Bear activity

Two separate incidents were recently reported at Watauga Lake and Vandeventer shelters. Read more about these incidents.  (Posted 08/11/09)

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

Mt. Rogers – Vehicle break-ins and thefts

The Trail between Damascus and VA Rt. 16 at Mt. Rogers NRA Headquarters has a long history of vehicle break-ins and thefts. Hikers continue to report problems in the area.  Read more about problem areas.  (Updated 06/25/10)

Laurel Creek  – Footbridge closed

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.  More about this temporary relo...  (Posted 04/09/09)

CENTRAL VIRGINIA

Dragons Tooth – VANDALISM ALERT

In late July 2009, several cars were reported vandalized at the Rt. 311 parking area for the Dragons Tooth side trail.  (Posted 07/28/09)

Tye River to Mau-Har Trail – Relocation completed

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.  Read more about this relo.  (Posted 08/22/08)

Rockfish Gap – VANDALISM ALERT

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

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK

Shenandoah National Park – Seasonal facilities schedule posted

The 2010 opening and closing dates for visitor centers, campgrounds, stores, and restaurants in the park are posted on the SNP website.  (Posted 04/29/10)

Byrd's Nest #3 hut – Hut 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

WEST VIRGINIA

Keys Gap – VANDALISM ALERT

This parking area, located on Rt. 9 at the Virginia-West Virginia state line, has a long history of break-ins and vandalism.  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. Leaving cars in the Keys Gap parking area overnight is not recommended; suggestions for vehicle security can be found on Getting to the Trail. 

Harpers Ferry – Potomac River footbridge under repair

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park is repairing the decking boards of the Goodloe E. Byron Memorial Walkway -- the A.T. route across the Potomac River.  The walkway will be closed for short periods while the work proceeds. Please be patient and follow the instructions of those working on the project. (Posted 06/08/10)

MARYLAND

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.  (Posted 06/24/09)

Raven Rock Shelter – Shelter not open

Although listed in both the 2009 and 2010 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 before the end of 2010. (Updated 7/7/10)

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.  (Posted 08/26/09)

Port Clinton – Ye Olde Backpacker packages

Ye Olde Backpacker has closed. As a result, mail drops sent to the outfitter via USPS are now at the Port Clinton Post Office. Mail drops sent via UPS were returned to their senders. Hikers can send mail drops to the post office from now on. (Posted 07/02/10)

PARt. 309 – VANDALISM ALERT

Two attempted vehicle break-ins have been reported for the Rt. 309 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)

Palmerton – Temporary relocation

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.  Learn more about this project affects the A.T.  (Posted 09/04/08)

NEW JERSEY

The A.T. between Millbrook-Blairstown Road (Rt. 602) and Blue Mountain Lakes Road has been closed to overnight camping by DWGNRA due to bear activity. Hikers should plan their camping accordingly and take extra care with food storage north and south of the area. For more information on hiking in bear country visit the wildlife section of our website. (Posted 8/3/10)

High Point State Park – New overnight hiker parking area

High Point State Park has moved the overnight hiker parking area to a larger and flatter paved lot 0.2 mile further east on NJ Rt. 23.  The new parking area, marked by a sign, is on the south side of Rt. 23 and is connected to the A.T. via a 0.25 mile side trail, a portion of which utilizes the red-blazed Iris Trail.  A free permit from the High Point SP office is required for overnight parking.  (Posted 12/15/09)

Unionville and Vernon – Illegal ATV activity

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.  Read more about how you can help.  (Posted 04/08/09)

Wawayanda Shelter – Relocation

The route of the A.T. was recently changed through the area around Wawayanda Shelter.  Learn more...  (Posted 04/30/08)

NEW YORK

West Mountain – VANDALISM ALERT

On West Mountain, 0.75 mile south of Seven Lakes Drive, volunteers of the NY-NJ Trail Conference have installed stone steps, placed scree stone and brush to the sides, and slightly altered the alignment of the treadway three times since 2007, in an effort to rehabilitate tread that had become eroded and widened. Vandals have undone the work of the volunteers every time, most recently between November 2009 and May 2010. The vandals have been removing brush, scraping out blazes, dislodging steps and displacing scree stone into the area where steps were installed. Anyone who may have seen this activity or witnesses it in the future is asked to immediately contact the NY-NJ Trail Conference (info@nynjtc.org, (201) 512-9348) or the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (incident@appalachiantrail.org, (304) 535-6331).  (Updated 7/13/10)

Bear Mountain – Relocation

The first section of a planned three-mile relocation of the A.T. over Bear Mountain has been opened to the public. Starting behind the Bear Mountain Inn, the first section climbs the east face of Bear Mountain for approximately one mile to a point where it intersects the existing route on the closed portion of Perkins Drive near a cul-de-sac. Work on the remainder of this relocation and restoration of the old route and social trails in the area will continue through the summer and fall, and it is anticipated more of the new route will be open by the end of 2010. (Posted 7/20/10)

Cat Rocks to Telephone Pioneers Shelter – Relocation

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.  (Posted 08/22/08)

CONNECTICUT

Housatonic River – Temporary relocation

Two miles south of Falls Village, the US 7 bridge over the Housatonic River is undergoing major repairs.  The bridge is closed to pedestrian traffic; a temporary relo has been put in place so that A.T. hikers can bypass this bridge.  Read more about this relocation.  (Posted 11/12/09)   

MASSACUSETTS

Jerusalem Road – VANDALISM ALERT

A car parked at this road crossing was found vandalized (windows smashed with rocks) on November 12.  If possible, ask at Tyringham post office about potentially safer overnight parking nearby.  (Posted 11/25/09)

VERMONT

Lost Pond Shelter – Shelter rebuilt

This shelter was recently rebuilt by Green Mountain Club.  The previous structure was destroyed by a fire in 2001.  (Posted 08/11/09)

Big Branch – Temporary relocation

Work has begun on the replacement of the Big Branch Bridge, located just south of the Big Branch Shelter. The old bridge has been disassembled and the new bridge should be in place by September 2010. The A.T. uses this bridge to cross Big Branch, so a temporary relocation will be put in place using an existing side trail along with USFS roads.  Learn more about this relo.  (Updated 06/09/10)

USFS 10/Danby-Landgrove Road – VANDALISM ALERT

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

NEW HAMPSHIRE

MAINE

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.  (Posted 04/14/10)