Category Archives: North Carolina Waterfalls

Crabtree Falls Trail Open, but Campground to Remain Closed

Due to the 5% decrease in the Park Service’s budget this year, the Crabtree Falls campground will remain closed throughout the 2013 season. This is in addition to several other closures along the road, and the cancellation of all of the Park’s normal seasonal interpretive programs. The Balsam Mountain campground, as well as Balsam Mountain Road and Heintooga Road near the Great Smoky Mountains, will also remain closed this year.

Visitors can still access the Crabtree Falls trail by parking at the visitor center parking area, and hiking up the road to the trailhead. You can find more information on the Blue Ridge Parkway’s official web site.

March 16, 2013Permalink 2 Comments

Forest Service Trail Strategy Document Completed

The US Forest Service has released the draft final Non-Motorized Trail Strategy document, which is available on their web site for review. The final Trail Strategy collaborative meeting for Pisgah is to be held tomorrow, Thursday Feb. 14, 6:00-8:00 p.m., at the UNCA Sherrill Center, Mountain View Conference Room in Asheville. Agency employees will present key elements of the draft Trail Strategy document during the meeting. I will be attending the meeting to see what they have to say, and I’ll be sure to post any news from that meeting to this blog.

I haven’t had time to review the document, but keep in mind that the Forest Service touts this as an evolving plan that is still subject to change. There is still time for collaboration from the public on the trails on National Forests in NC. As the Forest Service starts the process of revising its Forest Plan, it is expected that the final Trail Strategy will contribute to that analysis as well.

February 13, 2013Permalink Leave a comment

Forest Service Closes Shining Rock to Camping

The National Forests in NC just announced a camping ban, until further notice, in the Shining Rock Wilderness and Graveyard Fields areas, due to bear activity (trying to get food inside campers’ tents). The news release is below:

Date(s): Oct 17, 2012
Pisgah Forest, N.C. — The U.S. Forest Service is closing the Shining Rock Wilderness and Graveyard Fields areas to overnight camping because of ongoing bear encounters with humans.

The areas will be closed to dispersed camping until further notice. The agency will monitor conditions to determine when it is safe to reopen the areas.

On Monday night, a bear damaged a tent and food bag. Two people were in the ent at the time of the encounter, but no injuries were sustained. The encounter is the latest in a series of bear encounters in recent weeks

Questions regarding the camping closure can be directed to the Pisgah Ranger District, 828-877-3265.

October 17, 2012Permalink Leave a comment

Forest Service Reminder: Linville Gorge Camping Permits

The Forest Service reminded Linville Gorge Wilderness visitors about weekend and holiday camping permits this summer. Permitting is in place from May 1 thru October 31 to ensure a good visitor experience in the gorge. The full press release is below.

Number of Permitted Users Limited for Weekend Camping in Linville Gorge

NEBO, N.C. — The U.S. Forest Service Grandfather Ranger District reminds visitors that there are a limited number of permitted users allowed for weekend camping in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area of Pisgah National Forest. A total of 50 users per night can be permitted for weekend camping.

A permit is required for camping on weekends (Friday and Saturday) and on holidays from May 1 through October 31. Permits are not required for Sunday night camping, except when the following Monday is a holiday. No permit is needed for weekday camping. All campers are limited to a two-night and three-day stay at Linville Gorge. Day use permits are not required.

Forest staff will be in the gorge throughout the summer checking for compliance with permit requirements.

Permits are issued from the district ranger’s office by mail or in person. District offices can permit 35 users per night by reservation or walk-in. For permits, contact Grandfather Ranger District, 109 East Lawing Drive, Nebo, N.C. 28761, phone 828-652-2144.

The Linville Gorge Information Cabin can permit fifteen (15) users per night by walk-in only. The information cabin is located just off of Kistler Memorial Highway.

June 22, 2012Permalink Leave a comment

Forest Service Issues Warning about Black Bears in Shining Rock Wilderness

We received the following US Forest Service alert yesterday:

TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY, N.C. – The U.S. Forest Service is warning visitors to the Shining Rock Wilderness area of the Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest, to be on the look-out for black bears.

While black bear attacks on people are rare, such attacks have resulted in human fatalities.

The warning comes after several bear encounters were reported recently in Shining Rock Wilderness, located north of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Transylvania County. Minor property damage was reported. There were no injuries.

Visitors are encouraged to prevent bear interactions by practicing the following safety tips:

  • Do not store food in tents.
  • Properly store food by hanging it in a tree or in another secure container.
  • Clean up food or garbage around fire rings, grills or other areas of your campsite.
  • Do not leave food unattended.

For more tips, visit www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc, click on “Read about Bear Safety.”

June 13, 2012Permalink Leave a comment

Live Blog – Pisgah Ranger District Trails Strategy Meeting

We’re going to post updates from tonight’s Trails Strategy meeting with the forest service, regarding the Pisgah Ranger District trails (Bent Creek, Mills River, Davidson River, Shining & Middle Prong Wilderness areas, and the Graveyard Fields/Black Balsam areas). Keep watching as we’ll be providing updates from the meeting (we have wifi). And post comments with your suggestions – we’ll be sure to share it with the working group while we’re here!

May 8, 2012Permalink 24 Comments