Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene severely impacted the Grandfather Ranger District. The storm was particularly destructive to the many roads, bridges, and parking areas that provide access to the trails in the district. These damages were due to the historic amount of rainfall, extreme winds, and debris flows associated with the initial frontal rain event and then Hurricane Helene. Many trails across the Grandfather Ranger District are still covered with downed trees, impacted by landslides, or have been lost to the flooding of creeks and rivers.
Since early October USFS staff and partners have been assessing the damage and clearing the complex tangle of downed trees to get as many trails open as soon as possible. When visiting areas be prepared that the landscape and recreation infrastructure may have changed and be respectful of road, parking, and trail closures.
See below for a list of trails that are open and learn more about ways you can help support the recovery of the communities and trails surrounding the Grandfather Ranger District.
What's Open?
Old Fort area:
Currently the Gateway Parking, Bernard Parking, and Copper Ridge Parking areas are closed. Please Park at the Lower Kitsuma Lot, the Andrew's Geyser Lot, or in downtown Old Fort. Camp Grier is providing temporary hiking and biking access to the Gateway System via the Rostan Trail and the Camp Grier Gravel Road/Rustic Trail.
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Gateway
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Foundation
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Betty’s Run
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Jarrett’s Run
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Salt Gap Connector
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Oak Hollow
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Forager
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Kitsuma
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Kitsuma Peak
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Point Lookout
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Bernard Mountain
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Old Fort Picnic Area
Marion area:
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Toms Creek Falls
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Harris Creek Horse
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Woodlawn Fitness
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Mountains to Sea from 221 to Old Toms Creek
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Mountains to Sea from 221 to North Fork of Catawba River
Linville Gorge area:
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Hawksbill
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Spence Ridge
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Shortoff
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Table Rock Summit
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Devils Cellar
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Table Rock Gap
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Mountains to Sea from Shortoff to Linville River
Morganton area:
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Upper Creek Falls
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Brown Mountain OHV Area
Wilson Creek area:
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Woodruff Ridge
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Upper Wilson Ridge (Edgemont Rd. to NC 90)
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Schoolhouse Ridge
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Estes Mill
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White Rocks
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Bill Crump
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Thorps Creek
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Big Lost Cove Cliffs
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Little Lost Cove Cliffs
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Darkside Cliffs
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Huntfish Falls
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North Harper Creek Falls
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Mountains to Sea Trail from Old House Gap to Beacon Heights
Lenoir area:
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Boone Fork Pond
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Buckeye Loop
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Gem Trail
Green = open
Yellow = closed with moderate damage
Red = closed with severe damage
Grey = closed with unknown damage
Mapping provided by Wild South
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How You Can Help
There are many ways you can support Hurricane Helene Recovery on public lands in Western North Carolina. Camp Grier is working to coordinate rebuilding efforts on multiple fronts in the community of Old Fort. Camp's G5 Team has been assessing the trails in collaboration with the USFS and other partners. Camp's race and event production teams, Tanawha Adventures and Pisgah Productions, have been hard at work organizing the Old Fort Endurance Festival to raise money for those that lost their homes, cars, or businesses due to Helene. Here are a few ways you can help support the cause.
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Donate- Partnerships are how work gets done on public lands of WNC. Consider a donation to the G5 or one of the partners listed below.
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Sponsor a Runner or Rider in the Old Fort Endurance Festival- Help Rebuild Homes and Businesses that were lost in Old Fort.
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Call or write your representative- Ask them to support funding for the USFS recovery and rebuilding effort.
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Volunteer- We are ready to accept volunteers back onto the trails surrounding The Grandfather. Signup with one of the groups below to get involved.
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Helene's Impact Across the Grandfather Ranger District
Rainfall totals courtesy of NC Climate Office
Forest Land Damage Assessment Courtesy of NC Forest Service
