Great Smoky Mountains National Park authorities have reopened some roads and centers that had closed because of the tropical storm. Some popular facilities and roads, however, remain closed, and authorities are urging caution to visitors thinking of visiting the park.
Further, neither hiking nor backcountry travel is advised because the park still is dealing with so much water and potential damage. Creek crossings can be treacherous and hikers may run into downed trees and bad trail conditions in the 520,000-acre park that spans parts of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
If possible, the park said Saturday, visitors should plan to come to the Smokies at a later time.
Among the areas that reopened Saturday were Sugarlands Visitor Center and Cades Cove Visitor Center and Cable Mill.
Also, these roads reopened Saturday: Cades Cove Loop Road (including Sparks & Hyatt lanes); Little River Road; Wear Cove Gap Road; Cherokee Orchard Road; and Lakeview Drive.
Many key roads and trails are still closed.
They include:
*Newfound Gap Road/Hwy 441 (reopening time to be determined)
*Foothills Parkway East
*Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
*Balsam Mountain area, campground and roads
*Cataloochee Valley area, campground and roads (including Hwy 284)
*Big Creek area, campground and roads
*Greenbrier area and roads
*Oconaluftee Visitor Center (through at least Sunday)
*Kuwohi Visitor Center (through at least Sunday)
*Kuwohi Road (formerly known as Clingmans Dome Road)
*Rich Mountain Road
*The Deep Creek between Indian Creek Bridge and park boundary (closed to all water activity)
*Parson Branch Road due to Flint Gap Fire impacts
