Thanks. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 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. Former Cades Cove resident Larry Sparks attended the ceremony. Parson Branch RD. reopens after 6-year closure - YouTube By the time we got to the truck and started out the water was over the tires on the last few crossings. The eight-mile road now provides motorists a trail-like experience through a mature forest canopy with nearly 20 stream crossings. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels Great Smoky Mountains National Park Holiday Rentals Great Smoky Mountains . GSMNP - Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials say that efforts are underway to reopen Parson Branch Road in 2022. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, Tenn. (WATE) Rain or shine, Parson Branch Road in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park will reopen to visitors on Thursday. Press Release issued by: Public Affairs Office, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Nudist Colony Bares All - HeySmoki GSMNP reopens Parson Branch Road after six-year closure Parson Branch Road is reached by turning onto Forge Creek . For sure not any great views but I still very much enjoy this road. It gets damaged pretty regular. The road provided a significant commerce route for Cades Cove residents, including direct access to the Little Tennessee River for trading goods. Parson Branch Road reopens - Smoky Mountain News The eight-mile, primitive gravel road between Cades Cove and the. At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113130101', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Pigeon Forge. I read an older article about Parson Branch Road. Parson's Branch is supposed to be closed until next year. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels Great Smoky Mountains National Park Holiday Rentals Great Smoky Mountains . CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. After a long wait, Thursday welcomed the reopening of Parson Branch Road in Cades Cove. 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. P.O. Clingmans Dome Road - Open March 30 - November 30 Forge Creek Road - Open March 13 - October 31, 2020 Heintooga Ridge Road - Open May 15 - November 1 for hiker access. Now, however, the road could reopen this summer as tree removal work is completed and rehabilitation of the gravel road is tackled. For more information about road closures, please follow SmokiesRoadsNPSon Twitter or visit the park website at, Tribal Council 2021-23 Committee Assignments, Reports from EBCI Office of Internal Audit and Ethics. Founded in Johannesburg in 1987, Nando's operates over 1,200 outlets in 30 countries. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. That's a lot of trees that have been removed, either from having fallen or being at risk of falling. Trees that posed a hazard to motorists along the Parson Branch Road led to the road's closure. The park service said Sparks great-great-grandfather, Russell Gregory, was assigned to oversee the construction of Parson Branch Road in 1838. A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Motorhomes, buses, vans longer than 25 feet, and passenger vehicles towing trailers are prohibited. Over this time period, more than half the dead trees have fallen due to natural deterioration and multiple large storm events.. We are pleased to reopen Parson Branch Road in time for the 2022 summer season, said Deputy Superintendent Alan Sumeriski. Motorists can have a trail-like experience while driving under a mature forest canopy with nearly 20 stream crosses. 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. This will make a great option to visit the Fontana Dam / Lake area so you won't have to backtrack. Smoky Mountain Parsons Branch Road Opens after a six year closure. Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials celebrated the reopening of Parson Branch Road with a ribbon-cutting event honoring the crews who performed the needed work and the Friends of the Smokies who provided critical funding to support the efforts. Others attending the ribbon-cutting include Deputy Park Superintendent Alan Sumeriski; Friends of the Smokies CEO Tim Chandler; Friends of the Smokies Board Chair Sharon Pryse; representatives from the work crews, and special donors who contributed funds to repair and reopen the road. Giving Tuesday Raises Over $17,000 for 2022 GSMNP projects Their logo (also seen as a sort of mascot) depicts the Rooster of Barcelos, one of Portugal's most common symbols. This seasonally opened road is generally open from April to November annually. 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). Download maps to navigate the park's roads, trails, campgrounds, and more. Parson Branch Road is a historic, gravel road that follows a route traveled by people for more than 180 years. The Parkawarded the $150,000 contract to Richmond Tree Experts for the tree removal. Parson Branch Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park was reopened May 26 after a six-year closure. The road is targeted for reopening this summer. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113029293', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car is not the best option for this road. The road will close for the season on Nov. 13. Parson Branch Road exits onto Highway 129, also known as the Tail of the Dragon. Alternatively, you may use, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Forum, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vacation Rentals, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vacation Packages, Flights to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Restaurants near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Photos, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Guide. TN Motorhomes, buses, vans longer than 25 feet, and passenger vehicles towing trailers are prohibited. The trees died due to a widespread infestation of the non-native forest pest, hemlock woolly adelgid. Parsons Branch Road | Adventure Rider 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. 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. 2,852 views May 26, 2022 93 Dislike Share Silver Wolf Adventures 199 subscribers The wait is over! I would like to applaud the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the reopening of Parson Branch Road today. It is about half a mile past the Cable Mill/Cades Cove Visitor Center Those attending Thursdays ceremony were the first to drive on the eight-mile long gravel road since it closed. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism Great Smoky Mountains National Park Accommodation Great Smoky Mountains National Park Holiday Rentals Parson Branch Road is an 8-mile gravel road between Cades Cove and the western boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 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.. Parsons Branch Road - Smokies Guide 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.. At long last, Parson Branch Road reopens - Knox TN Today About Parson Branch Road: A Less Crowded Scenic Drive in the Smoky Toggle submenu for First Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks, National Parks Traveler 2021-22 Annual Report, National Parks Traveler 2020-2021 Annual Report, National Parks Traveler 2019-2020 Annual Report, Get the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, Understanding Climate Change Impacts On National Parks, Colorado River Series-Canyonlands National Park, Not Enough Water And Too Many Invasives At Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Mixing Oil And Water At Big Cypress National Preserve, Coping With 21st Century Wildfires In The Parks, Tackling The Maintenance Backlog In The Park System, Backlog Of Maintenance Needs Creates Risks In National Parks, Groups Continually At Work To Acquire Private Lands Key To National Parks, Invasive Species A Plague On the National Park System, Lack Of Dollars Crippling National Park Facilities For Staff And Visitors, Maintenance Backlog Impacts Historic Structures In National Parks, Mixing Energy Development And National Parks, NPS Is Running $670 Million Behind On Caring For Maintained Landscapes, National Park Roads And Bridges Impacted By Lack Of Maintenance, Private Philanthropy Fills The Gaps Of Deferred Maintenance, Wastewater And Sewer Facilities Failing In National Parks, The Care And Keeping Of History Within The National Park System, Oil Trains Pose A Significant Threat To National Parks, 3rd Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks, 2nd Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks, First Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks, Threatened And Endangered Parks: Introduction, Threatened And Endangered Parks: The Lists. May this road opening serve as a tribute to my third generation great grandfather Russell Gregory and others who literally built it with pick and shovel in hand.. The Park awarded the $150,000 contract to Richmond Tree Experts for the tree removal. The road will close for the season on November 13, 2022. 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. Parsons Branch Road reopening finally. by adminMar 24, 2022General Announcements0 comments. It will be interesting to see what the road looks like after the work. 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. " Marc Upton OpenMapTiles OSM 8.3 Miles Doubletrack 2,774' High 1,380' Low 1,033' Up 1,586' Down 6% Avg Grade (3) All rights reserved. more information on current conditions temporary weather and construction related road closures, Vehicle-free access along the Cades Cove Loop 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. 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. Spur tunnel repairs begin. Cades Cove Is Open During Repairs To Bote Mountain Tunnel, But Not That GSMNP plans to reopen Parson Branch Road in early summer 2022! Smoky Mountain Parsons Branch Road Opens | HeySmokies For the first time in six years, Parson Branch Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open to the public. 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. by adminMay 26, 2022General Announcements0 comments. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas. Parson Branch Road to Reopen in 2022 - Great Smoky Mountains National But then again.Parson Branch is 1-way to 129, and it comes out on the portion of 129 that will be closed till July31. The historic gravel road, originally constructed in 1838, is now reopened to the public after a six-year closure. For more information about the operating schedule for roads and facilities in the park, please visit the park website. 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. High clearance vehicles are recommended for traveling Parson Branch Road. Parson Branch Road | | Sights - Lonely Planet Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels Great Smoky Mountains National Park Holiday Homes Great Smoky Mountains . But it could reopen to motorists later this year/NPS file. 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. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Working To Reopen Parson Branch Road Smoky Mountain Parsons Branch Road Opens. Motorhomes, buses, vans longer than 25 feet, and passenger vehicles towing trailers are prohibited. After passing the Henry Whitehead House, visitors must turn right before reaching the Gregory Ridge Trailhead. Parsons Branch Road is 8.0 miles, not 80 miles. Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington States Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting. Park reopens Parson Branch Road after six-year closure