Go or no-go? GSNP Government Shutdown

[junglecat]

My daughter and I have been planning a section hike from Fontana to Gatlinburg for the last 3 months. It's spring break and we are scheduled to leave in the morning. What's gonna happen with this gov shutdown? Go or no-go? Any advice is much appreciated.

[Montana Mac]

Right now best bet would be to check the news in the AM - if it happens shut down will be a midnight

[WingedMonkey]

You live in Asheville? It's not like you are going cross country to get there. Watch the news see what happens.
You are lucky you have hundreds of miles of trails near by to fall back on.

[10-K]

I can't imagine they'd be able to close the AT even if it did shut down. Sure would be a terrific blow to anyone trying to thru hike.

Hwy 441 is a federal highway, not a NPS road so traffic will still be moving from Cherokee to Gatlinburg.

I'd go.

[Ladytrekker]

I can't imagine they'd be able to close the AT even if it did shut down. Sure would be a terrific blow to anyone trying to thru hike.

Hwy 441 is a federal highway, not a NPS road so traffic will still be moving from Cherokee to Gatlinburg.

I'd go.

I don't think they can close the trail but they could close the GSMNP. Or try too. How would they monitor who is hiking thru it unless they are working.

[Mountain Mike]

If you are in when it shuts down they say they will give you 48hrs to get out. That is directed towards car campers. Once in the backcountry I doubt you would see a ranger & if you do you are "walking your way to get out". If you are in Fontana & they won't let you in head south on AT to Wesser. Make Sure to check out Cheoh Bald & spend the night there if you can.

[chelko]

Does anybody know if the Fontana dam Parking lot will be closed. It is operated by the TVA. Are they a Federal agency?

[WingedMonkey]

The Tennessee Valley Authority, is a corporation owned by the U.S. government. But it is not funded by this budget. No idea about what the parking lot will do.

[TheKO]

If they close the park - no rangers. If you are hiking in back country - who cares and how will they know you are there?

Great time to thru hike GSNP with your dog...

[volleypc]

If they close the park - no rangers. If you are hiking in back country - who cares and how will they know you are there?

Great time to thru hike GSNP with your dog...

There will be limited rangers on duty (essential personel). If you can be flexible I would wait till midnight tonight or just make arrangements to go elsewhere. I know the park I work for we are closing all campgrounds, rest stops, etc IF an agreement is not reached today. Current campers will have a short notice for them to pack up and move out. I hope it works out and I hope you are able to enjoy a week outdoors, even if it doesn't end up being in the GSMNP.

[Egads]

Is this really a serious thread or a joke?

[Blissful]

Yes its serious. We had a SNP ranger say will bar hikers from park entrances and on popular trails. Very possible someone will be stationed down there at Fontana Dam, Newfound and Davenport.

[Blissful]

There will be limited rangers on duty (essential personel).

Yes but they could beef it up with other law enforcement personnel if needed. And ridgerunners are out there enforce esp this time of year, don't forget.

[Blissful]

If they close the park - no rangers. If you are hiking in back country - who cares and how will they know you are there?

Great time to thru hike GSNP with your dog...

Rangers don't go away. Nor does law enforcement. Or ridgerunners. The AT is the main trail through the park. If you want fines and other actions, sure go for it.

I can see hiking some obscure trail in GSMNP. But the AT is the main thoroughfare.

[jbwood5]

Rangers don't go away. Nor does law enforcement. Or ridgerunners. The AT is the main trail through the park. If you want fines and other actions, sure go for it.

I can see hiking some obscure trail in GSMNP. But the AT is the main thoroughfare.

I guess the cost of a thru hike just went up!
$2.00 a mile just went to $3.00 a mile by the time you pay all the fines.

This kind of sucks for the solo thru hikers who have no access the the news.

[Jelly-Bean]

It will be an interesting time to be reading the Trail Journals!

[weary]

Except for the few hundred miles of state lands, the whole trail is owned by the federal government, mostly by NPS and the USFS. It surely won't all be shut down.

[WingedMonkey]

Again what they do this time may be different. Even the season is different, the last shut downs were in the fall and winter, not spring hiking season.
GSMNP closed campgrounds and visitor centers and rest rooms but didn't block any roads or trails. Shenandoah Drive (Blue Ridge Parkway) remained open but most employees were furloughed. Peaks of Otter Lodge owned by the federal government but run by private contractors was also closed.
Same thing could happen again or they might have an entirely different plan this time....if it happens

[Bootstrap]

I called GSMNP office and asked about using trail if there were a shutdown. They suggested I call the Appalachian Trail Conservancy!

Both were clear that "the trail would be closed". Neither the GSMNP office nor the ATC were willing to speculate on what that would mean for someone hiking on the trail.

[Rick500]

Purely speculating here, but I wonder if their direction was to say "yes, certainly, the trail will be closed" and not to go on with "...but really, there's no way we'll know if you're out there."