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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.  

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What's Open?

We are excited that over 250 miles of trail on the Grandfather Ranger District are now open! Big thanks to the US Forest Service, our partners, and our volunteers for putting in the hard work. Even in areas that are open, new hazards from Hurricane Helene exist across the national forest. Trees may be down across trails, and areas along creeks and rivers may be hard to follow. Underwater hazards are present in all our waterways. Use extreme caution when recreating outdoors this summer. We will need continued work over the next 5 years to get these trails and recreation areas back and increase resiliency.

 

The following recreation sites and trails remain closed:

 

McDowell County:

  • Curtis Creek Campground

  • Gateway Trailhead (trails are open – alternate parking coming soon!)

  • Bernard Mountain Trailhead (trails are open)

  • Lower Heartbreak Ridge Trail (TR207)

  • Curtis Creek Fishing Access (TR1110)

  • Newberry Creek Trail (TR210)

  • Snooks Nose Trail (TR211)

  • Hickory Branch Trail (TR213)

  • Sugar Cove Trail (TR219)

  • Sections of the Meadows Loop Trail (TR1107 - see map)

  • Section of the Mountains to Sea Trail where it crosses the North Fork River (bridge out)

Burke County:

  • Table Rock Picnic Area (trails are open)

  • Sections of the Linville Gorge Trail (TR231 - see map)

  • Greentown Shortcut Trail (TR268A)

Caldwell County:

  • Wilson Creek Gorge Day Use Area (no activities permitted in area during closure)

  • Harper Creek Trail (TR260)

  • Wilson Creek Trail (TR258)

  • Wilson Creek Spur Trail (TR258A)

 

The following roads remain closed to motorized vehicles, but are open to recreational foot, bike, and equestrian use:

 

McDowell County:

  • Curtis Creek Road (FSRD482 - gated below campground)

  • Jarrett Creek Road (FSRD4030 - gated before Gateway Trailhead – bridge out)

Burke County:

  • New Gingercake Road (FSRD496)

  • Table Rock Road (FSRD99 – paved section to Table Rock)

Caldwell/Avery Counties:

  • Thunderhole Road (FSRD4071)

  • Lost Cove Road (FSRD 464A)

 

The following roads in McDowell County are not passable, even for non-motorized traffic due to extreme damage. Use of these roads on foot, bike, or equestrian is not recommended:

 

  • Newberry Creek Road (FSRD482A)

  • Sugar Cove Road (FSRD1188)

  • Good Cemetery Road (FSRD4008)

  • Little Buck Road (FSRD470)

  • Parris Creek Road (FSRD1186)

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Green = open

Yellow = closed with moderate damage

Red = closed with severe damage

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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, organized 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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  1. 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.

  2. Call or write your representative- Ask them to support funding for the USFS recovery and rebuilding effort. 

  3. 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

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Rainfall totals courtesy of NC Climate Office

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Forest Land Damage Assessment Courtesy of NC Forest Service

Wind Gusts Associated with Hurricane Helene Courtesy of National Weather Service 

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2023 by G5 Trail Collective.

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