News Release

July 13, 1999

For Immediate Release
Contact: Paul Bradley
District Ranger
Appalachian Ranger District
828-682-6246 or 828-622-3202


Hickey Fork Road and Hickey Fork Trail Temporarily Closed Due to Storm Damage

The recent rain storms and flooding in the Shelton Laurel area of Madison County have severely damaged roads and trails in that area of the Pisgah National Forest. Hickey Fork Road (FDR# 465) and Hickey Fork Trail (#292) will be closed temporarily until repairs can be made. "The bridge at the trailhead for Hickey Fork Trail has been washed away, and the road is impassable due to washed out culverts, several landslides and bank erosion from high water" said Paul Bradley, District Ranger for the Appalachian Ranger District. Work is underway to make temporarily repairs so crews can get into the area to completely access the damage.

"This is a popular recreation area, and we regret having to close the road and trail; however, Hickey Fork Road and Trail are both unsafe for public travel at this time" said Bradley. The closures are at the Forest Boundary on Hickey Fork and remain in place until repairs are completed. Until damage assessments are complete, an estimate of when the road and trail will be reopened cannot be defined. Bradley indicated that it could be thirty days or more before damage that has been assessed can be repaired.

For additional information, the public may contact the Ranger Station in Hot Springs between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM at 828/622-3202.



xxx 30 xxx