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Hello . I am new to WhiteBlaze, but not to the Trail - have 358 miles left to go in the Smokies and Maine.
I am hoping to do a section in July 2021, but it looks from the ATC website that shelters in the GSMNP are closed? Does anyone have current info on the Smokies or southern Maine?
Many thanks
Warren "Wood" Strobel
GA-ME 2003-?
In the Smokies, you must reserve your shelters along the trail in advance, but they are allowing folks to tent/hammock around them instead of forcing you to sleep inside the shelter. This could change by July.
Many thanks.
MATCs annual meeting was this weekend. My guess is they are coming up with policy. Remember BSP is its own entity that makes its own rules.
There is a lot of thru hiker traffic in the Smokies at present. Many of the shelter areas look like tent cities.
:welcome Welcome to White Blaze!
Maine just updated their information on the Appalachiantrail.org site, though I suspect some of the travel conditions will change over the next few months with provisions for vaccination and other variables that may improve travel restrictions. I copied the Appalachiantrail.org site information below and also copied closure information on lands maintained by the NPS on Appalachian National Scenic Trail lands from the State of Maine information provided.
Still early for Maine hiking so keep looking for updates into the summer months. Currently, GSMNP may be the better bet this year, but keep an eye on it, things may open up a bit.
Good luck!
COVID-19 Guidelines For The State Of Maine
Travel Restrictions
(Updated 4/7/2021, current 4/5/2021)
Generally, visitors to or from other states must get a recent negative COVID-19 test or maintain compliance with a 10-day quarantine (PDF) upon arrival in Maine. As of March 5, 2021, exemptions from testing or quarantine are available for:
- Residents of New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island or Massachusetts
- Individuals that have had COVID-19 in the previous 90 days, or are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
This policy applies to Maine residents who travel to non-exempt states as well as non-exempt states’ residents who travel to Maine. It also applies for day trips (e.g., a trip from Maine to New York for medical appointments or shopping) and seasonal home owners.
People who are not residents of Maine will be asked to sign a “Certificate of Compliance” if they seek lodging in Maine.
This certificate indicates either that they have received a recent negative COVID-19 test result, that they will quarantine in Maine for 10 days (or the full duration of their stay if fewer than 10 days), or that they have already completed their quarantine in Maine, or that they are exempt due to being fully vaccinated or having had COVID-19.
This compliance form must be provided to check-in at all Maine lodging, including but not limited to campgrounds, seasonal rentals, overnight camps, and other commercial lodging, such as Airbnb. Visitors may be asked to furnish proof of the negative COVID-19 test result or vaccination upon request.
Under the Moving Maine Forward plan, Maine will shift its COVID-19 travel policy by May 1, 2021 to automatically exempt all states, unless a state is otherwise determined by the Maine CDC as being high risk. If one or more states see a spike in cases of highly contagious COVID-19 variants, Maine will apply its test or quarantine requirement to travelers to and from that state. The Maine CDC will publicly announce any such states when they are identified.
For more information, visit the State of Maine’s COVID-19 Travel Information page.
Shelter and Privy Closure on Appalachian National Scenic Trail Park Office (APPA) Lands
(Updated 4/11/2021) The National Park Service has closed all overnight shelters (56 total) and privies (75 total) on land administered by the Appalachian National Scenic Trail Park Office including the following shelters in Maine: Frye Notch, Hall Mtn, Bemis Mtn,
Piazza Rock, Poplar Ridge, Spaulding Mtn, West Carry Pond, Pierce Pond, Pleasant
Pond, Bald Mtn, Moxie Bald, Horseshoe Canyon, Leeman Brook, Wilson Valley,
Chairback Gap, Carl A. Newhall, Logan Brook, East Branch (Pleasant River), Cooper
Brook Falls, Potaywadjo Spring, Nahmakanta Stream, and Wadleigh Stream.
Follow this link for further details.
The state of Maine – Overnight Shelters on State Lands.
(Updated 4/11/2021)
Visit www.maine.gov/dacf/covid19/parks/ for the latest information, including requirements for a Certificate of Compliance.
You can check the website for the Smokies www.nps.gov.grsm for current information on the status of the park. You can also go there to reserve your backcountry sites or shelters beginning 30 days from the start of your trip.
Currently only one shelter in the smokies is closed. Cosby Knob shelter is closed due to an aggressive bear. Hopefully it will be open by July but other shelters periodically can be closed for similar issues.
I guess you can't stay at any shelters in Maine at the moment.
Shelter and Privy Closure on Appalachian National Scenic Trail Park Office (APPA) Lands
(Updated 4/11/2021) The National Park Service has closed all overnight shelters (56 total) and privies (75 total) on land administered by the Appalachian National Scenic Trail Park Office including the following shelters in Maine: Frye Notch, Hall Mtn, Bemis Mtn,
Piazza Rock, Poplar Ridge, Spaulding Mtn, West Carry Pond, Pierce Pond, Pleasant
Pond, Bald Mtn, Moxie Bald, Horseshoe Canyon, Leeman Brook, Wilson Valley,
Chairback Gap, Carl A. Newhall, Logan Brook, East Branch (Pleasant River), Cooper
Brook Falls, Potaywadjo Spring, Nahmakanta Stream, and Wadleigh Stream.
Follow this link for further details.