View Full Version : Shenandoah NP to close Friday if govt shuts
Blissful
04-07-2011, 21:54
A park ranger from Shenandoah (in law enforcement) tonight confirmed the park will close to all hikers if the govt shuts down. Hikers will be excluded from entry to the park because they cannot do rescues and cannot be responsible for hikers in the backcountry. He made a point about Old Rag also
If this is true then likely GSMNP will have the same rules and that could affect thru hikers.
I have an email inquiry into SNP headquarters regarding this and will call them/post their response tomorrow.
Tipi Walter
04-07-2011, 22:54
Let's also hope and pray they gate and close the Skyline Drive thru the park and curtail the rolling couch potatoes.
Mountain Mike
04-07-2011, 23:54
Once you got in the Smokies you could probably make it through. Just be carefull around Clingman's Dome & Nefound Gap. Shenendoah would be a bigger problem with all the road crossings. Park law enforcement would likely stay on through a shut down & a trespassing fine could be hefty along with being escorted out of the park. As of now they are saying if the government shuts down you will be given 48 hours to exit the park.
It should be easy to get through the smokies, they can't post rangers at every trail head around the park boundry. SNP is a different story. Are there any thrus that far north yet?
looks like if they shut down these spots road walks will be a neat and painful change.
It should be easy to get through the smokies, they can't post rangers at every trail head around the park boundry. SNP is a different story. Are there any thrus that far north yet?
i ran into a few thru hikers in daleville over past few weeks id say a few are reaching it if not there now..
A park ranger from Shenandoah (in law enforcement) tonight confirmed the park will close to all hikers if the govt shuts down. Hikers will be excluded from entry to the park because they cannot do rescues and cannot be responsible for hikers in the backcountry. He made a point about Old Rag also
If this is true then likely GSMNP will have the same rules and that could affect thru hikers.
the rescue thing dosnt mke a whole lot of since i mean if u get hurt in national forest they would send the local search and rescue team why wouldnt that still hold even in national park if it was closed i mean they gonna block the roads so the local ambulance could get up there i mean shoot thats who they would call to get someone out in the first place right? i kinda dont see the AT gettn blockd off id go around it personaly
Blissful
04-08-2011, 10:15
Not sure but that's what the ranger told my husband's BSA troop. I assume the NPS is responsible for NPS property.
Montana Mac
04-08-2011, 10:24
I know in Yellowstone the NPS does the rescues.
makes since i guess... guess time for the gates and guards ha if it all closed how would they inforce this ?? :)
makes since i guess... guess time for the gates and guards ha if it all closed how would they inforce this ?? :)
Well Doc when sonething like this happens and it's Goverment property just like Military base's..They notify the Local PD's to lend a hand temperarily and have them also enforce no entry...
Well Doc when sonething like this happens and it's Goverment property just like Military base's..They notify the Local PD's to lend a hand temperarily and have them also enforce no entry...
yea i pretty much figured that ha
Montana Mac
04-08-2011, 11:45
Yellowstone has only 5 access road gates. That takes only 10 people to watch them if they work 12 hour shifts.
The hiking trails may not be watched in YNP but it is also a long hike to get to some of them to access the park.
This whole thing is a political tennis match of volleying back and forth.
Of course the fools in office get their money.
It won't happen but it would be nice if our military, world wide, just decided to stay in the barracks and not do anything until it was resolved and they get paid again.
Yellowstone has only 5 access road gates. That takes only 10 people to watch them if they work 12 hour shifts.
The hiking trails may not be watched in YNP but it is also a long hike to get to some of them to access the park.
This whole thing is a political tennis match of volleying back and forth.
Of course the fools in office get their money.
It won't happen but it would be nice if our military, world wide, just decided to stay in the barracks and not do anything until it was resolved and they get paid again.
montana mac- I agree it's a tennis match..Went thriugh this crap in the 90's when I was in the military. Thats the one the pay first. So the Reports as always distort the news about things like this...Oh did you do your section hike?
Country Roads
04-08-2011, 19:59
Well, I doubt the shutdown will last too long, but thrus could cut off on the Allegheny Trail from the top of Peters Mtn, hike up through WV to the American Discovery Trail and work their way back across to the AT; and there is a rail trail in the Northern part of MD and PA on could use to head back to the AT. Shoot, it might start a new thruhiker tradition!
Sorry, from Del Q, this is complete and utter BULL****. This is the woods, last time I checked we were still in America, USA, freedom..........not letting backpackers hike the AT is nonsense.
I was going to mention apple pie but I have never seen any apple pie on the trail..................yet..............maybe one of the "cops" will have some with a Thermos of hot coffee.
restless
04-08-2011, 20:54
Figures....leave it to a bunch of hikers to figure out some way to break the law.
Ladytrekker
04-08-2011, 22:41
I follow the Great Smokey Mountain Associatin on Facebook and they posted this today.
News about possible park closure: If the Government implements a shutdown, nearly the entire Park would be closed beginning Saturday, April 9. All Great Smoky Mountains National Park facilities would be closed, including visitor centers, campgrounds, picnic areas, trails, concession operations, restrooms, and all roads, with the exception of the Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg and Cherokee.
Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) would remain open to through traffic only. No stopping or parking along the road or at trailheads & overlooks is permitted, & all restroom facilities would be closed, including those at Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, TN, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC, & Newfound Gap. The Clingmans Dome Road which is accessed off Newfound Gap Road would be closed.
Trailbender
04-08-2011, 23:04
I follow the Great Smokey Mountain Associatin on Facebook and they posted this today.
News about possible park closure: If the Government implements a shutdown, nearly the entire Park would be closed beginning Saturday, April 9. All Great Smoky Mountains National Park facilities would be closed, including visitor centers, campgrounds, picnic areas, trails, concession operations, restrooms, and all roads, with the exception of the Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg and Cherokee.
Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) would remain open to through traffic only. No stopping or parking along the road or at trailheads & overlooks is permitted, & all restroom facilities would be closed, including those at Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, TN, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC, & Newfound Gap. The Clingmans Dome Road which is accessed off Newfound Gap Road would be closed.
Nothing about the AT?
The New York Times said a minute ago that an agreement had been reached and the government -- and more importantly the trail -- will stay open
man i was kinda hopeing to get hassled for tryn to walk somewhere.. but good thing tho it would have created more issues closeing all these things than it would hve fixing their money issues :)