In Segment 2, a portion of the trail between NC 215 and Black Balsam Knob Rd. (EB Miles 42.3-46.6; WB Miles 17.0-21.4, near Devil’s Courthouse, is closed by order of the National Park Service because of a landslide. Portions of the trail at either end of this stretch that are on National Forest land are open and can be hiked out-and-back, but the thru-route is closed. Until the MST fully reopens, use the following detour:

Eastbound Directions

0.0      At Mile 42.3, instead of crossing NC 215, turn left.

0.3      Turn right into a parking area and continue onto the Flat Laurel Creek Trail.

2.6       Continue straight past the Sam Knob Trail on the left.

3.0      Continue straight past the Little Sam Knob Trail on the right.

4.1       Reach the Sam Knob trailhead parking area and turn right on Black Balsam Knob Rd.

4.6       Turn right onto the Art Loeb Trail/MST to rejoin the guide route at Mile 46.6. You will almost immediately turn right again to leave the Art Loeb Trail and stay on the MST.

Westbound Directions

0.0      At Mile 17.0, instead of crossing Black Balsam Knob Rd., turn right.

0.6      At the end of the road, turn right into the Sam Knob trailhead parking area and continue out the south end onto the Flat Laurel Creek Trail

1.7       Continue straight past the Little Sam Knob Trail on the left.

2.0      Continue straight past the Sam Knob Trail on the right.

4.3       Pass through a parking area and turn left onto NC 215.

4.6       Just before a parking area on the right, turn right onto a trail to rejoin the guide route at Mile 21.4.