Park reopens Parson Branch Road after six-year closure The sun peaks through the dense canopy along Parson Branch Road. National Parks Traveler is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit media organization. (May 26) the reopening of Parson Branch Road 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. Read more on mercurynews.com. Park crews originally delayed opening the road in the summer of 2016 due to a damaged, 20-linear-foot section of road caused by an uprooted dead tree. I would like to applaud the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the reopening of Parson Branch Road today! By the time we got to the truck and started out the water was over the tires on the last few crossings. After further inspection, crews identified more than 1,700 hazardous trees within falling distance of the road corridor. Smoky Mountain Parsons Branch Road Opens after a six year closure. Parson Branch Road to Reopen in 2022 - Great Smoky Mountains National Alternatively, you may use, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Forum, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vacation Rentals, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vacation Packages, Flights to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Restaurants near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Photos, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Guide. Northbound Spur traffic will be one lane beginning January 3 through April 7 . Once the tree removal work is complete, Park crews will begin working on road clean-up, ditching, and grading of the . Blount County commissioned Cades Cove resident Russell Gregory to oversee construction of the road, which was completed in 1838, to provide access from Cades Cove to what is now Highway 129. Hellbender Press - parson branch road reopening Parson Branch Road in Cades Cove could be closed through 2016 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Parson Branch Road is a historic, gravel road that follows a route traveled by people for more than 180 years. CADES COVE Great Smoky Mountains National Park contractors began removing at least 800 dead hemlock trees along Parson Branch Road, an eight-mile primitive backcountry road that connects Cades Cove with U.S. 129 on the western edge of the park. High clearance vehicles are recommended for traveling Parson Branch Road. Parsons Branch Road reopening finally. The trees died due to the non-native hemlock wooly adelgid, and in the past six years more than half of the dead trees have fallen due to natural deterioration and large wind events. Parson Branch Road to Reopen in 2022 - Tripadvisor After the initial 2-way Forge Creek Road ends, it becomes the 1-way Parson Branch Rd. As a result, the road was closed to all vehicle use by the public. Parson Branch Road has been closed for five years due to a high concentration of more than 1,700 standing dead hemlocks along a mile-section of roadway. 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. Parson Branch Road in Smokies to reopen after 6-year closure Parson Branch Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park was reopened May 26 after a six-year closure. I'm so excited about it reopening..Yay!!! Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials celebrated the reopening of Parson Branch Road with a ribbon-cutting event honoring the crews who performed the needed work and the Friends of the Smokies who provided critical funding to support the efforts. GSMNP celebrates re-opening of Parson Branch Road A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. National Park reopens Parson Branch Road after six-year closure Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that efforts are underway to reopen Parson Branch Road in 2022. The Mercury News - Austin Turner 6h. Manchester Evening News - MEN Court News . Hikers can use it to access trails, such as Gregory Bald Trail. ago I was in there trout fishing on Panther Creek and a storm came up. Jun 10, 2016 Jun 10, 2016; 0; Facebook; Twitter; WhatsApp; SMS; Email; Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534). Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels Great Smoky Mountains National Park Packages Flights to Great Smoky Mountains . (GSMNP) Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that efforts are underway to reopen Parson Branch Road in 2022. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. I never drove it before it closed, but I'm guessing it was similar to Rich Mountain Rd, subject to rutting, especially after heavy rains and such. 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? Those attending Thursdays ceremony were the first to drive on the eight-mile long gravel road since it closed. Others attending the ribbon-cutting include Deputy Park Superintendent Alan Sumeriski; Friends of the Smokies CEO Tim Chandler; Friends of the Smokies Board Chair Sharon Pryse; representatives from the work crews, and special donors who contributed funds to repair and reopen the road. The historic gravel road, originally constructed in 1838, is now reopened to the public after a six-year closure. CSPAN : TV NEWS : Search Captions. Borrow Broadcasts : TV Archive The 8-mile, one-way, gravel byway, which leads out of Cades Cove to U.S. 129 in Blount County, Tenn., has been closed since it was severely damaged by a . www.flickr.com/photos/greatsmokymountainsnationalpark, 107 Park Headquarters Road Over this time period, more than half the dead trees have fallen due to natural deterioration and multiple large storm events. The historic gravel 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. 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. The historic gravel road, originally constructed in 1838, is now reopened to the public after a six-year closure. I would like to applaud the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the reopening of Parson Branch Road today! TN The license is not an endorsement by the State. The one-way, eight-mile road was closed in 2016 after crews documented more than 1,700 standing dead hemlock trees within falling distance of the road corridor along a one-mile section of the roadway. Los Gatos: Black Road reopened as PG&E crews wrap up restoration project early. A 'Less Traveled Area' of Great Smoky Mountains National - Outsider The road provided a significant commerce route for Cades Cove residents, including direct access to the Little Tennessee River for trading goods. "We are pleased to reopen Parson Branch Road in time for the 2022 summer season," said Deputy Superintendent Alan Sumeriski. Answer 1 of 14: Someone tell me about beginning to end travel on Parson's Branch Road. . This made it feasible to remove the remaining damaged trees through a $150,000 contract with Richmond Tree Experts. The road provided a significant commerce route for Cades Cove residents, including direct access to the Little Tennessee River for trading goods. Parson Branch Road improvements under way in Smokies Yes one way and it comes out on The (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The eight-mile road now provides motorists a trail-like experience through a mature forest canopy with nearly 20 stream crossings. I must admit it hasn't the charm of the Rich Mountain Road or Balsam Ridge, but I am glad they're reopening it for those who roam. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786 828.452.4251. Park crews have continued to work diligently during the five-year closure to remove downed trees blocking the road and to make needed road repairs to ensure that the corridor was passable for emergency vehicles. Blount County commissioned Cades Cove resident Russell Gregory to oversee construction of the road, which was completed in 1838, to provide access from Cades Cove to what is now Highway 129. 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. Has anyone missed it being open? GSMNP plans to reopen Parson Branch Road in early summer 2022! This seasonally. Los Gatos: Black Road reopened as PG&E crews wrap up restoration Parson Branch Road exits onto Highway 129, also known as the Tail of the Dragon. Photos by Sarah Herron That donation was matched by an additional $50,000 from federal funds. They never get in a hurry to fix that road when it washes. Download maps to navigate the park's roads, trails, campgrounds, and more. Parson Branch Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park was reopened May 26 after a six-year closure. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113029293', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car is not the best option for this road. 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. High clearance vehicles are recommended for traveling Parson Branch Road. But it could reopen to motorists later this year/NPS file. Parson Branch Road is an 8-mile gravel road between Cades Cove and the western boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Motorhomes, buses, vans longer than 25 feet, and passenger vehicles towing trailers are prohibited. 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. Over this time period, more than half the dead trees have fallen due to natural deterioration and multiple large storm events. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The one-way, eight-mile road was closed in 2016 after crews documented more than 1,700 dead standing dead hemlock trees within falling distance of the road corridor along a one-mile section of the roadway. Registration does not imply endorsement. Unlike some of the other similar gravel back roads, Parson's Branch isn't all that scenic and definitely not a shortcut to anywhere. I am proud to represent the Friends of the Smokies and donors from across the country who respond to help the park address these unplanned and unfunded needs so visitors of today and tomorrow can enjoy these remarkable experiences.. We are pleased to reopen Parson Branch Road in time for the 2022 summer season, said Deputy Superintendent Alan Sumeriski. May 26, 2022 4:23 PM The 184-year-old Parson Branch Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been reopened after six years. This seasonally opened road is generally open from April to November annually. At times it can be much rougher than the other rock one way roads but that just adds to the adventure for me. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us. The reopening of Parson Branch Road is certainly special, said Cades Cove Preservation Association member Larry Sparks.