Read our previous update from March 25.
As a result of damage suffered during Hurricane Helene in September 2024, about a third of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail remains closed from Kuwohi to Stone Mountain State Park. The storm brought down thousands of trees, created washouts, landslides and many other hazards in the mountain region. Through much hard work, recovery is underway throughout the region and on the MST.
About two thirds of the trail that was initially closed immediately after Hurricane Helene has been reopened. We are humbled by the work done by Friends’ volunteers, along with National Park Service and US Forest Service staffs and contractors.
In a few areas, our volunteers, although willing, have not been given permission to access the trail. These areas are in the most damaged sections along the Blue Ridge Parkway, where some stretches nearest to Mt. Mitchell may remain closed for a few years. Where land managers have allowed volunteer access, we are surveying the trail, assessing damage, and repairing and rebuilding as necessary. This will be an ongoing effort and as soon as we are given permission, these trails will be reopened for hikers. Please continue to follow guidance from Friends of the MST and land managers as to whether a trail is open for hiking.
Trail Status Information
In addition, the Blue Ridge Parkway has created a detailed Hurricane Helene page with information about the road status, including before and after images of a few cleanup locations.
MST Completions
At this time, with significant portions of the trail through the mountains closed, including several key sections that cannot reasonably be bypassed, completion of the MST is not possible unless a hiker has previously completed Segments 2-5. Section hikers can complete the Piedmont and coastal sections and work toward completion on open sections in the mountains, but thru-hikes or other completion will not be recognized unless all closed sections were completed before September 2024.
We hope that in the coming months, enough of the trail will reopen that completion of the mountain segments will be feasible again. Completion will almost certainly require detours on nearby trails and roads, and/or mandatory vehicle shuttles, around badly damaged sections of trail that could remain closed for multiple years. We will provide updated information and maps for these detours and shuttles as this occurs.
Thank You!
Huge thanks to all the Friends of the MST volunteers, staff and contractors with the US Forest Service and National Park Service and many others who have worked countless hours to restore and reopen the MST. There is still much work to do and we will sound the call when more help is needed.
