Chimney Tops Trail Fire

This observation point provides great views of the chimney tops pinnacles and mount leconte.

Chimney tops trail fire.

Despite the steep strenuous trail the chimney tops trail is one of the most popular hikes in the park during spring summer and fall. Since the great fires of 1947 which killed 16 people in maine. 28 due to dry conditions and hurricane speed winds. Not being able to go all the way to the chimney tops is a little bit of a bummer but the view at the top is still pretty cool.

It was fully suppressed by fire crews and totaled 1 4 of an acre. The chimney tops 2 fire started on nov. The great smoky mountains wildfires were the deadliest wildfires in the eastern u s. The popular hiking trail was closed for almost a full year due to the november 2016 wildfire.

The first occurred november 13 16 2016. 23 and swelled in size overnight nov. The chimney tops trail is located 6 9 miles south of the sugarlands visitor center in great smokey mountains national park. In 2 reviews.

As a result of that fire the area around the pinnacles was completely destroyed and is now considered unsafe. The trailhead lots fill up quickly throughout the year so plan to arrive early before 9am or try your luck late in the afternoon. On october 6 2017 great smoky mountains national park reopened the chimney tops trail to a newly constructed observation point. Of the 17 904 acres that burned 11 410 were within the great smoky mountains national park representing about 2 percent of the total park area.

It s 2 miles to the top from the base and the trail is very doable but be ready to climb a lot of stairs and have an elevated heart rate. The gatlinburg fire that killed 14 people was started by two teenagers dropping lit matches onto the ground along chimney tops trail in great smoky mountain national park sources close to the. The two chimney tops fires are not connected. The last time fire broke out on the chimney tops had been two weeks earlier near the trail s end.

One of the largest wildfires was the chimney tops 2 fire which burned more than 10 000 acres and closed the chimney tops trail. It was the second fire in the chimney tops area. In 2 reviews there s a man made observation point one quarter of a mile below the former end of the trail. The trail gains 1 400 feet in 2 miles which makes for a steep climb so be sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water.

Be prepared for plenty of company on the trail. After the fires 31 miles on 16 trails were closed. Make sure bring enough water and you re fine.