Hiking Area Previously Closed Due to Fire

   Red Bull is back on the trail!  He is currently hiking along a 15 mile section of trail that was closed recently due to fire.  We are very happy that the fire was brought under control, and the trail reopened.   Red Bull wants to hike every mile of the trail.

   Today Red Bull hiked to mile 284.7 (he hiked 11 miles today).

photo of Silver Mine Fire in Citizen Times
 by Kevin Reese

Here are a few excerpts regarding the reopening, and initial closure of the area.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy:
Appalachian Trail has re-opened from Hot Springs to Allen Gap 
(Updated 5/2/16) The A.T. is now open from Hot Springs (approx. mile 273.7 from Springer) to Allen Gap (mile 288.4).  It was previously closed due to the aftermath of the Silver Mine wildfire.

Forest Service - United States Department of Agriculture: Hot Springs Wildfire Grows to 2,500 Acres, 10% Contained MARS HILL, N.C., April 22, 2016 - The Silver Mine Fire grew overnight and is now estimated at 2,500 acres. The fire was reported Thursday afternoon on the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest in Madison County, near Hot Springs, NC. The fire is located approximately 1 mile east of the town of Hot Springs on Highway 25/70.   The following roads and trails in the area remain closed: Hurricane Gap Rd (NC-FS467) Mill Ridge Rd (NC-FS113) Shad Rd (TN-FS422) Hurricane Creek Rd (TN-FS31) Appalachian Trail from town of Hot Springs to Hurricane Gap Lovers Leap Loop Trail (#308) Pump Gap Trail (#309) The public can expect to see heavy smoke in the area today. Officials urge travelers to use caution on area roads. Firefighters with the U.S. Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, local Volunteer Fire Departments, and North Carolina Emergency Management are assisting in suppression efforts. Multiple hot shot crews and helicopters are on scene this morning. Additional resources are expecting to arrive throughout the day.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.