Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced on Thursday, July 31 that Gunter Fork Trail is now open. The trail had been closed since May due to a landslide along the trail.
The park trail crew completed the necessary repairs by re-establishing the trail through the slide area. The trail passes through rocky, steep terrain complicating the repair work. The trail was also closed in 2011 due to a slide in the same area.
The 4.1 mile trail lies in the east end of the park connecting Camel Gap and Balsam Mountain Trails. The Gunter Fork Trail is a route that takes users from the Walnut Bottoms area up to Balsam Mountain and Mt. Sterling.
For more information about trail closures, please visit the Park’s website at www.nps.gov/grsm or call the Backcountry Information Office (865) 436-1297.
– NPS
