ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — All single-track trails at DuPont State Recreational Forest have been closed because of icy conditions following recent winter weather, the N.C. Forest Service said.
The closure took effect immediately. Parking lots and gravel roads remain open, but officials warned that significant ice accumulation is present throughout the forest and urged visitors to use caution.
Forest officials said updates on trail conditions and closures will be posted on the DuPont State Recreational Forest website. The closure notice will be removed once single-track trails are deemed safe to reopen.
During periods when single-track trails are closed because of conditions, several wider roads and select trails typically remain open. Those include the paved airstrip; Bridal Veil Falls Road; Buck Forest Road; Camp Summit Road; Conservation Road; Fawn Lake Road; Hickory Mountain Road; High Falls Loop; Holly Road; Hooker Falls Trail; Joanna Road; Lake Imaging Road; Lake Julia Road; Rock Quarry Road; Sheep Mountain Road; Tarkiln Branch Road; Thomas Cemetery Road; and Wintergreen Falls Trail.
Officials cautioned that some areas may still be inaccessible because of flooding or ice. Portions of the High Falls Loop, including the spur to the base, and the staircase to Triple Falls may close when water levels rise. Wintergreen Falls Trail is also prone to flooding, and visitors are advised to heed posted barricades and closure notices.
More information and the latest trail status can be found on the DuPont State Recreational Forest website.