Damage to the Smokies Costly

Campgrounds, roads and trails damaged by the 106 mile per hour winds in mid October on the Tennessee side of the National Park is expected to cost over half a million dollars.

Officials have submitted a request to the National Park Service for storm damage relief totaling $350,000 and extra labor costs are expected to be an additional $200,000.

Fire fighters and clean up crews removing debris and clearing trails have been asked to work through Christmas to re-open some of the 24 trails currently closed to horseback riders.

Park officials have about six more weeks to complete most of the repairs until the winter weather arrives and they say that several trails will remain closed until next spring.

Gatlinburg has Great New Digs!

Gatlinburg was originally named White Oak Flats, and now developer Marc Postlewaite, along with local craftsmen, architects and designers from Disney and MGM, is putting the moniker on a new settlement on Glades Road, right in the heart of the Arts and Crafts Community and just 3 miles from downtown, Gatlinburg.

The $50 million 14-acre, European themed White Oak Flats Settlement and Lodges will feature a retail area, offering everything from artisans studios, a wedding chapel, 50 retail shops, a winery, fine dining establishments, and perimeter parking, as well as a residential area with 84 condos in mountain lodges, meeting facilities, a pool, spa, fitness center and club.

The mountain lodge condos are going on sale in just two days, and the turn key rental program will allow owners to receive a 60% return on the rentals of their condo, plus benefit from the natural appreciation of property in this mountain settlement.

Sales for the first 33 condos will begin October 30th and construction is scheduled to begin in April of 2007. Postlewaite expects completion of the residential construction to be completed within a year. For additional information visit www.whiteoakflatstn.com.

The Wonderland Hotel to be Preserved

According to Park officials, the Wonderland Hotel, one of 70 buildings in Elkmont that were once part of the bustling railroad community, will be carefully removed from the site and historically preserved.

Beginning November 1, Moran Construction Company of Abingdon, Virginia will begin dismantling the two-story hotel and has set a completion date of December 8th, 2006. Artifacts and significant pieces will be removed by hand and taken to the park’s archival storage area at the Department of Energy’s Office of Scientificant and Technical Information Storage facility in Oak Ridge.

Officials stated that the work will not affect the Elkmont Campground, however the area around the hotel will be closed to the public.

Equestrian Trail Closures in the Smokies

Due to the amount of debris, fallen trees and erosion after hurricane strength winds hit the Smoky Mountains, the National Park Service has officially closed several trails to horseback riders between Elkmont and Cades Cove.

The trails closed include Ace Gap, Anthony Creek, Rich Mountain, Rich Mountain Loop, the Appalachian Trail between Doe Knob to Spence Field, Crib Gap, Crooked Arm Ridge, Finley Cane, Gregory Bald, Boat Mountain, Hannah Mountain, Indian Grave Gap, Jakes Creek, Lead Cove, Lumber Ridge, Lynn Camp Prong, Meigs Mountain, Middle Prong, Miry Ridge, Panther Creek, Russell Field, Schoolhouse Gap, Turkey Pen Ridge, and West Prong.

Hikers may still navigate the trails, but are encouraged to use extreme caution.

The Smokies Continue to Recover from Powerful Wind Damage

Park officials have re-opened the entire 11 mile Cades Cove Loop Road and the Cades Cove Picnic Area, however the Cades Cove Campground is operating on a limited basis throughout the rest of this week and weekend.

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Anthony Creek Horse Camp remain closed, but officials expect to have the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail re-opened this afternoon.

Backcountry campers and horseback riders are encouraged to use extreme caution on trails after finding numerous trees down on Trillium Gap Trail. For saftey reasons, officials are urging horseback riders to not enter the backcountry.

Debris is still visible around all the roads, but officials expect to have everything cleared up in the next couple of weeks.

Roads to the Smokies are Opening Back Up

Newfound Gap Road, Clingmans Dome Road and the Little River Road all re-opened Wednesday, however half of the Cades Cove Loop Road, Roaring Fork Motor Trail and Upper Tremont Road remain closed.

The Cades Cove Loop is open only to Sparks Lane, but Park officials expect to have the remaining portion of the Cades Cove Loop Road open later today.

The Cades Cove Campground, the Cades Cove picnic area, Anthony Creek Horse Camp and Metcalf Bottoms picnic area are still closed.

Horseback riders and backcountry hikers should be aware of potential damage and use caution on all trails.

More Roads Re-Open in the Smokies

The National Park Service has re-opened the Gatlinburg bypass, Greenbrier Road and the Cosby entrance road.

Crews are furiously working to clear other roads in the area that remain closed and expect to have most roads re-opened by the end of the afternoon.

Little River Road Re-Opens from Gatlinburg to Townsend

The National Park Service has cleared the Little River Road running from Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg to Townsend. However, the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area and bathroom facilities remain closed due to no power and lack of water.

The Foothills Parkway West, Greenbrier Road, Cherokee Orchard Road, Clingman's Dome Road, Laurel Creek Road and Newfound Gap Road remain closed, however Park officials expect the roads to be cleared and opened by the end of the day.

Powerful Winds Close Roads into the Tennessee Side of the Smokies

A powerful low pressure system pushed through East Tennessee and the Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountains last night with hurricane strength winds and has closed roads into the National Park during its peak season. The Little River Road between Towsend and Gatlinburg, the Newfound Gap Road and the Laurel Creek Road into Cades Cove all remain closed this evening.

Although the Park Service expects to have the roads into the Park re-opened tomorrow, they are urging campers to vacate the Smoky Mountains, saying emergency services may not be able to reach campers in need.

Two campers in the Cades Cove Campground were taken to a nearby hospital after a tree fell onto their camper. Both have been treated and released. Cades Cove will remain closed through tomorrow and possibly longer.

Nearly 8,000 homes were without power last night and early this morning, however officials say that 3,100 homes remain without power. Park officials are also watching rising waters, which may cover some roads.

Parsons Branch Road Closed Beginning Oct. 17, 2006

The National Park will begin repairs due to the flood damage on Parsons Branch Rd. beginning October 16, 2006. The road had been closed to motor vehicles, however it remained open for hikers, horseback riders and bikers.

The road will be closed to the public until construction is completed. The firm hired to make the repairs has a June 15, 2007 deadline.

Townsend Beverage Referendum

After Townsend residents received special legislation, the residents held a meeting on whether to allow restuarants to sell cocktails and wine.

Although no wine or liquor stores will be permitted as part of this referendum, the Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau insists that to allow such a referendum to pass would greatly increase tourism to the "Peaceful Side of the Smokies".

Other cities nearby have seen liquor by the drink get voted in, but the issue remains in Townsend.

Results should be reported soon...check back for the latest updates!