Last of the hiking trails closed for prescribed burn in GSMNP Cades Cove/Abrams Creek section reopened

The April prescribed burn in the Cades Cove and Abrams Creek Section of the Great Smoky Mountains National park has kept hikers and campers from enjoying some of the GSMNP backcountry campsites and hiking trails for weeks.

Today the last hiking trail that remained closed from the burn - the Beard Cane Trail in the Abrams section has reopened as well as backcountry campsites #3 and #11 which have both been closed for weeks.

The prescribed burn in Cades Cove will help promote the growth of native yellow pine as well as reduce the ferocity of a wild fire in the area by reducing the potential fuel to feed the fire.

The picture above shows the immediate after effects of the prescribed burn on Cooper Road Trail near the Beard Cane junction.

Hiking trails, backcountry campsites, Cades Cove still closed from Aprils prescribed fire

Some hiking trails and backcountry campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National park still remain closed more than a week after the controlled fire in Cades Cove.

Fire was used by the national park service to help promote the growth of yellow pine and by burning some of the dead brush now, reduce the risk of a wildfire by limiting the fuel the dead brush would provide.

Normally trails and backcountry campgrounds would reopen after a controlled burn with a few days after the park service confirms that all hot spots on the hiking trail that can rekindle a fire have been extinguished and that there is no danger to hikers from limbs and trees that may fall.

The following trails are still closed in the North West corner of Cades Cove:

• The Cooper Road hiking trail at the Wet Bottom Trail junction starting 0.2 miles from Cades Cove loop road all 5.3 miles to the to the Beard Cane Trail junction.
• The Beard Cane Trail for the entire length of 4.2 miles from Ace Gap Trail to the Cooper Road Hiking trail

The following backcountry campgrounds remain closed in the North West corner of Cades Cove:

• Backcountry camp site #3 on the North end of Beard Cane Trail
• Backcountry camp site #11 on the South end of Beard Cane Trail