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. Please share with others. The historic, eight-mile gravel road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides visitors of all abilities an opportunity to have a trail-like experience from their vehicles. Clear skies in lower areas do not guarantee the same weather in the higher elevations. The reopening of Parson Branch Road is certainly special, said Cades Cove Preservation Association member Larry Sparks. This seasonally opened road is generally open from April to November annually. Area. After passing the Henry Whitehead House, visitors must turn right before reaching the Gregory Ridge Trailhead. 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. "We are pleased to reopen Parson Branch Road in time for the 2022 summer season," said Deputy Superintendent Alan Sumeriski. The road is targeted for reopening this summer. Hikers can use it to access trails, such as Gregory Bald Trail. The sun peaks through the dense canopy along Parson Branch Road. High clearance vehicles are recommended for traveling Parson Branch Road. Because the road is gravel, narrow, and one-way, high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Park crews then completed needed road repairs including improving drainage and grading the road surface which required the replacement of 16 culverts and 550 tons of gravel. The road provided a significant commerce route for Cades Cove residents, including direct access to the Little Tennessee River for trading goods. The trees died due to a widespread infestation of the non-native forest pest, hemlock woolly adelgid. The Friends of the Smokies provided $100,000 to meet this need, which was matched by an additional $50,000 in federal funds. "Parson Branch Road: Opening Date to be Determined - November 13, 2016" . Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials Managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced the scheduled reopening of Parson Branch Road at noon on Friday, September 21, 2007. 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. Press Release issued by: Public Affairs Office, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The road will close for the season on November 13, 2022. The road provided a significant commerce route for Cades Cove residents, including direct access to the Little Tennessee River for trading goods. 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. Wish they would reopen Wash Creek Road but a tree took out about a 1/4 of the road in one place and it's been closed ever since. 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. Former Cades Cove resident Larry Sparks attended the ceremony. Follow @SmokiesRoadsNPS on Twitter for the most up to date road information. When you get to the intersection next to the visitors center inside Cades Cove, if you drive straight across, you will start your path to Parsons Branch. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. Visitors can explore the areas rich history by stopping in the Henry Whitehead Place just before entering the one-way road and accessing the Burchfied and Boring cemeteries along the route. Help power the National Parks Travelers coverage of national parks and protected areas. Very please to hear it is reopening! As a result, the road was closed to all vehicle use by the public. Please arrive at the Cades Cove entrance by 9:15 a.m. Travel time from the entrance to the event is estimated to be 33 minutes. 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. Personally, they could have saved half that money by marking the downed trees to be removed with a white blaze, then put up a sign "Free Firewood - U Cut marked trees only" and had a volunteer sit there to oversee the operation. The estimated cost of hazardous tree removal for the area at the time, ranged between $300,000 and $450,000. Park officials said they wanted to hold the ceremony to thank crews for their hard work and donors for their financial support. 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.. GSMNP officials celebrated the reopening of Parson Branch Road with a ri[Read More >>] Spur Tunnel Repairs Begin. The road will close for the season on November 13, 2022. North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. But for the last six years, Parson Branch has been closed due to hundreds and hundreds of dead standing hemlock trees. Read more on mercurynews.com. Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Spur tunnel repairs begin. To help prevent the spread of HWA, experts say gear used near an infestation should be thoroughly cleaned, and material that is infested should be left where it was found.. 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. Has anyone missed it being open? This article was provided by Great Smoky Mountains National Park Public Information Officer Dana Soehn. C-SPAN, an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is an American cable television network that offers coverage of federal government proceedings and other public affairs programming via its three television channels (C-SPAN, C-SPAN2 and C-SPAN3), one radio station and a group of. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786 828.452.4251. High clearance vehicles are recommended for use on the road. Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. 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. GSMNP -- Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials celebrated the reopening of Parson Branch Road with a ribbon-cutting event. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels Great Smoky Mountains National Park Holiday Rentals Great Smoky Mountains . The historic gravel road, originally constructed in 1838, is now reopened to the public after a six-year closure. 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). After further inspection, crews identified over 1,700 hazardous trees within falling distance of the roadcorridor. Motorists can have a trail-like experience while driving under a mature forest canopy with nearly 20 stream crosses. June 12th, 2022. With this being one way, there are a few things that you need to think about. 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. Where: Parson Branch Road entrance. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. For more information about the operating schedule for roads and facilities in the park, please visit the park website at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/seasonalroads.htm. The Parkawarded the $150,000 contract to Richmond Tree Experts for the tree removal. Motorhomes, buses, vans longer than 25 feet, and passenger vehicles towing trailers are prohibited. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. 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. We can now make a day trip from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Over this time period, more than half the dead trees have fallen due to natural deterioration and multiple large storm events.. High clearance vehicles are recommended for traveling Parson Branch Road. 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. Its significant not just for me as a former Cades Cove resident and descendant of Russell Gregory, but also for all who love and appreciate the history and beauty of Cades Cove and Chestnut Flats. Keep in mind, though, that the threat of falling trees is serious here. Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials celebrated the reopening of Parson Branch Road with a ribbon-cutting event on March 26, 2022, honoring the crews who performed the needed work and the Friends of the Smokies, who provided critical funding to support the efforts. Now, however, the road could reopen this summer as tree removal work is completed and rehabilitation of the gravel road is tackled. 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. We are pleased to reopen Parson Branch Road in time for the 2022 summer season, said Deputy Superintendent Alan Sumeriski. 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. Visitors can explore the rich history of the area by stopping in the Henry Whitehead Place just before entering the one-way road and then also access the Burchfied and Boring cemeteries along the route. I would like to applaud the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the reopening of Parson Branch Road today! Gatlinburg 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. I would like to applaud the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the reopening of Parson Branch Road today. Very pleased that it is reopening. 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.. The Friends of the Smokies provided $100,000 to meet this need, which was matched by an additional $50,000 in federal funds. Nando's (/ n n d o z /; Afrikaans: ) is a South African multinational fast casual chain that specialises in flame-grilled peri-peri style chicken. We dont plan to change that model. Although I always enjoyed fording the streams on PBR. Friends of the Smokies provided $100,000, and federal funds paid the remainder. Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above. 107 Park Headquarters Road For more information about the operating schedule for roads and facilities in the park, please visit the park's Roads webpage. 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.. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Park crews then completed needed road repairs including improving drainage and grading the road surface which required the replacement of 16 culverts and 550 tons of gravel. 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). The historic gravel road, originally constructed in 1838, is now reopened to the public after a six-year closure. The narrow, low speed roadway closely winds along the creek through mature forests containing a high concentration of Eastern hemlock trees that were dead or dying due to a widespread infestation of the non-native forest pest, hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). The trees died due to a widespread infestation of the non-native forest pest, hemlock woolly adelgid. After further inspection, crews identified more than 1,700 hazardous trees within falling distance of the road corridor. Great Smoky Mountains National Park. GSMNP - Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials say that efforts are underway to reopen Parson Branch Road in 2022. Jun 10, 2016 Jun 10, 2016; 0; Facebook; Twitter; WhatsApp; SMS; Email; TN The Parksecured funds for the removal of an additional 800 standing hazard trees along the road corridor from a $100,000 donation by the Friends of the Smokies, which was matched by an additional $50,000 from federal funds. Safety Tips It's important to keep safety in mind when driving Parson Branch Road. 2,852 views May 26, 2022 93 Dislike Share Silver Wolf Adventures 199 subscribers The wait is over! 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.. For more information about the operating schedule for roads and facilities in the park, please visit the park website at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/seasonalroads.htm, Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax ID: 62-1564782) and an official National Park Service partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, , which was matched by an additional $50,000 in federal funds, https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/seasonalroads.htm. The historic gravel road . Park crews have continued to work diligentlyduring the five-year closure toremove downed trees blocking the road andto make needed road repairsto ensure that the corridor was passable for emergency vehicles, a press release states. 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., TheEnvironmentalJournalofSouthernAppalachia. Parson's Branch is supposed to be closed until next year. reopening May 26, 2022 (NPS, GRSM media release) . Parson Branch Road in Cades Cove could be closed through 2016. Smoky Mountain Parsons Branch Road Opens after a six year closure. AlH, Oct 9, 2016 #12 . The road has been closed since 2016 because of the tree hazards and damage to the road surface. Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. But how is it otherwise for vehicle usage? "When: 10 am on Thursday, May 26. Park crews have continued to work diligentlyduring the five-year closure toremove downed trees blocking the road andto make needed road repairsto ensure that the corridor was passable for emergency vehicles. May this road opening serve as a tribute to my 3rd generation great grandfather Russell Gregory and others who literally built it with pick and shovel in hand.. Answer 1 of 14: Someone tell me about beginning to end travel on Parson's Branch Road. More details in this link. The historic gravel road, originally constructed in 1838, is now reopened to the public after a six-year closure. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 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. I am wondering if they are going to repair it to reopen or just keeping it passable for. 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. 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. The eight-mile road now provides motorists a trail-like experience through a mature forest canopy with nearly 20 stream crossings. Parson Branch Road is an 8-mile gravel road between Cades Cove and the western boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Parson Branch Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park was reopened May 26 after a six-year closure. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Parson Branch Road is a historic, gravel road that follows a route traveled by people for more than 180 years. For more information about road closures, please follow SmokiesRoadsNPSon Twitter or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/grsm. 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. In total, GRSM and . 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Open the Article - Posted 10 months ago I guess you'll be able to walk or bike Parson Branch, but probably won't be able to drive it, unless they allow you to drive from Parson Branch to Deals Gap. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113130101', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Pigeon Forge. Parson Branch Road is a historic, gravel road that follows a route traveled by people for more than 180 years. Parson Branch Road, a bucolic route that runs from Cades Cove to the western boundary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, has been closed since 2016 due to hazardous trees. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, THP: driver leaves scene of hit-and-run on I-40, CAT scan: Pet goes through X-ray machine at Virginia, Will Tennessee pass any cannabis legislation this, VIDEO: Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison, Largest supplier of skilled mechanical labor at your, 3rd annual hot wing challenge bringing the heat, Receive training that helps keep you safe, East Tennessee Mopars Car Club gears up for Man Show, Family honors late son through hat and apparel line, Free-throw accuracy sends Tennessee past Kentucky, Vol basketball star point guard suffers torn ACL, Arrest warrants issued for projected NFL draft pick, thousands of damaged Eastern hemlock trees, Actor Ray Liotta, known for Goodfellas and Field of Dreams dies at 67: reports, . This Essential Guide To RVing In The National Park System presents RV enthusiasts with a rich collection of articles exploring the park system by RV, camper, or trailer that is supported by a directory packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.