Opening Day

Brrrr........ it is freezing up here. The thermometer is saying it is a brisk 12º at the lodge. It is a cold and clear morning. We are hoping that means we will get to finish our airlift. In the meantime, the crew is putting the finishing touches on the cabins and getting them ready for our first guests to arrive today. With the rain we had yesterday and the freezing temperatures, I am sure there will be some patches of ice on the trail. Be careful on your way up.

We received this announcement from the Park Service:

Trillium Gap Trail Partially Closed for Hazardous Tree Removal

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced the temporary closure of a 2.3 mile section of Trillium Gap Trail between the Rainbow Falls parking lot and the Grotto Falls parking lot due to hazardous tree removal and roadside brushing on the nearby Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The trail section will be closed Wednesday, March 19 and Thursday, March 20 for visitor safety.  

In addition, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail will be closed to all pedestrians from Monday, March 17 through Monday, March 31 due to the work along the entire roadway.  Contracted crews from Richmond Tree will remove large, dead trees within 20 feet of the road to reduce the risk of hazardous trees. The road is scheduled to open for the spring on April 11 to vehicle traffic. 

For more information about trail closures, please visit the Park’s website at www.nps.gov/grsm or call the Backcountry Information Office at 865-436-1297.

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The answer to your questions is, yes. Trillium Gap trail will not be accessible until the Park Service is finished with the cleanup.