Over the last six years, more than half the dead trees fell due to natural deterioration and multiple large wind events, making it feasible to remove the remaining damaged trees through a $150,000 contract with Richmond Tree Experts. We are pleased to reopen Parson Branch Road in time for the 2022 summer season, said Deputy Superintendent Alan Sumeriski. 2021 The Smoky Mountain News. The road also provides access to trails such as Gregory Bald Trail which is a popular route for hikers in June to experience the hybridizing azaleas in bloom atop the high-elevation grassy bald. This article was provided by Great Smoky Mountains National Park Public Information Officer Dana Soehn. Hikers can use it to access trails, such as Gregory Bald Trail. The road will close for the season on November 13, 2022. Head to the Sugarlands visitor center, Then to Cades Cove and do the full loop to Sparks lane, back to the Cades Cove visitor center, Parson Branch road, Tail of the dragon to Foothills parkway and all the way back to Wears Valley. Northbound Spur traffic will be one lane beginning January 3 through April 7 . The eight-mile road now provides motorists a trail-like experience through a mature forest canopy with nearly 20 stream crossings. They never get in a hurry to fix that road when it washes. Over this time period, more than half the dead trees have fallen due to natural deterioration and multiple large storm events. Parson Branch Road - IS OPEN! Parson Branch Road: Open April 14 - November 12, 2023. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. All rights reserved. By the time we got to the truck and started out the water was over the tires on the last few crossings. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113023325', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Cades Cove Visitor Center. High clearance vehicles are recommended for traveling Parson Branch Road but motorhomes, buses, vans longer than 25 feet, and passenger vehicles towing trailers are prohibited. I would like to applaud the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the reopening of Parson Branch Road today! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us. In total, GRSM and . The road also provides access to trails such as Gregory Bald Trail which is a popular route for hikers in June to experience the hybridizing azaleas in bloom atop the high-elevation grassy bald. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113027927', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Tail of the Dragon. The road also provides access to trails such as Gregory Bald Trail which is a popular route for hikers in June to experience the hybridizing azaleas in bloom atop the high-elevation grassy bald. The Parkawarded the $150,000 contract to Richmond Tree Experts for the tree removal. Our treasured National Park faces many daunting challenges each year on top of trying to meet routine, operational needs, said Friends of the Smokies Board Chair Sharon Pryse. Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials celebrated the reopening of Parson Branch Road recently with a ribbon-cutting event honoring the crew who performed the needed work and the Friends of the Smokies who provided critical funding to support the efforts. I am wondering if they are going to repair it to reopen or just keeping it passable for. Although I always enjoyed fording the streams on PBR. Was going to hike Parson branch Road, but this is what i came across. We dont plan to change that model. Parson Branch Road is a historic, gravel road that follows a route traveled by people for more than 180 years. The road is generally open from April to November. by adminMar 24, 2022General Announcements0 comments. After the initial 2-way Forge Creek Road ends, it becomes the 1-way Parson Branch Rd. That donation was matched by an additional $50,000 from federal funds. Users should be prepared to encounter downed trees or park employee vehicles along this roadway as well. Trees that posed a hazard to motorists along the Parson Branch Road led to the road's closure. Parson Branch Road is reached by turning onto Forge Creek . Kristina Plaas A 184-year-old mountain road once deemed. is Yellow Gap Road from Mills River to US276 and Headwaters Rd from US276 to Fish Hatchery Rd. The Friends of the Smokies provided critical funding to support the removal of the trees. Unlike some of the other similar gravel back roads, Parson's Branch isn't all that scenic and definitely not a shortcut to anywhere. Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Friends of the Smokies provided $100,000 in funds, Parts of Foothills Parkway to close for $31M paving project, Best smart home devices for older users, according, How to get started on spring cleaning early, according, Worried about your student using ChatGPT for homework? California . The historic gravel road, originally constructed in 1838, is now reopened to the public after a six-year closure. Because the road is gravel, narrow, and one-way, high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Yes one way and it comes out on The (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. National Park reopens Parson Branch Road after six-year closure The road will close for the season on November 13, 2022. This seasonally. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, Tenn. ( WATE) Rain or shine, Parson Branch Road in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park will reopen to visitors on Thursday. The eight-mile road now provides motorists a trail-like experience through a mature forest canopy with nearly 20 stream crossings. The Friends of the Smokies provided $100,000 to meet this need, which was matched by an additional $50,000 in federal funds. It is about half a mile past the Cable Mill/Cades Cove Visitor Center The Parkawarded the $150,000 contract to Richmond Tree Experts for the tree removal. reopening May 26, 2022 (NPS, GRSM media release) . After further inspection, crews identified over 1,700 hazardous trees within falling distance of the roadcorridor. A $100,000 donation by Friends of the Smokies allowed the park to remove an additional 800 hazardous trees from along the road. Parson Branch Road was originally constructed in 1838, a century before the existence of Great Smoky Mountains National Park itself. Of course being Federal, there would have had to be 6 thousand environmental impact statements done that would have cost a hundred times the amount of the removal - go figure. more information on current conditions temporary weather and construction related road closures, Vehicle-free access along the Cades Cove Loop Road. Over the last six years, more than half the dead trees fell due to natural deterioration and multiple large wind events, making it feasible to remove the remaining damaged trees through a $150,000 contract with Richmond Tree Experts. AlH, Oct 9, 2016 #12 . The narrow, low speed roadway closely winds along the creek through mature forests containing a high concentration of Eastern hemlock trees which were dead or dying due to a widespread infestation of the non-native forest pest, hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). We are pleased to reopen Parson Branch Road in time for the 2022 summer season, said Deputy Superintendent Alan Sumeriski. The trees died due to a widespread infestation of the non-native forest pest, hemlock woolly adelgid. The trees died due to a widespread infestation of the non-native forest pest, hemlock woolly adelgid. The eight-mile, primitive gravel road between Cades Cove and the western boundary of the park along Highway 129 has been closed since 2016 due to hazardous tree concerns. 2,852 views May 26, 2022 93 Dislike Share Silver Wolf Adventures 199 subscribers The wait is over! The trees died due to a widespread infestation of the non-native forest pest, hemlock woolly adelgid. Much of it follows a creek in a ravine down to the Little Tennessee (TOTD) then its left to Cherokee or right toward Chilhowee Lake where you can pick up the Foothills Parkway back to Wears Valley or take the road just before the Parkway back to Alcoa/Maryville. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, Tenn. (WATE) Rain or shine, Parson Branch Road in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park will reopen to visitors on Thursday. The trees died due to a widespread infestation of the non-native forest pest, hemlock woolly adelgid. You are on a rural / primitive road. Originally constructed in 1838, the one-way, 8-mile road closed in 2016 after crews documented more than 1,700 dead, standing hemlock trees within falling distance of a 1-mile section of the road. Park officials said they wanted to hold the ceremony to thank crews for their hard work and donors for their financial support. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism Great Smoky Mountains National Park Accommodation Great Smoky Mountains National Park Holiday Rentals "Parson Branch Road: Opening Date to be Determined - November 13, 2016" . Our treasured National Park faces many daunting challenges each year on top of trying to meet routine, operational needs, said Friends of the Smokies Board Chair Sharon Pryse. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels Great Smoky Mountains National Park Packages Flights to Great Smoky Mountains . Parson Branch Rd. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels Great Smoky Mountains National Park Holiday Homes Great Smoky Mountains . Not only does this restore access to one of the most special places in the Smokies, it also allows another opportunity for people of all abilities to spread out and explore less traveled areas of this very busy park.. Download maps to navigate the park's roads, trails, campgrounds, and more. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels Great Smoky Mountains National Park Holiday Rentals Great Smoky Mountains . I read an older article about Parson Branch Road. High clearance vehicles are recommended for traveling Parson Branch Road.