Press release from N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services:
Following weeks of recovery efforts, damage assessment and removal of storm debris in the wake of Hurricane Helene, DuPont State Recreational Forest (DSRF) will partially reopen Friday, Nov. 1, allowing visitors to enjoy limited recreational opportunities.
“We’re incredibly thankful to the numerous professionals who came to Western North Carolina to assist with the restoration of critical infrastructure in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” said Jason Guidry, forest supervisor at DSRF. “Dedicated N.C. Forest Service Incident Management Team and chainsaw crew personnel helped us cover the forest to remove storm debris. Additionally, we received tremendous support from the N.C. Department of Emergency Management, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Oregon Department of Forestry and volunteer crews from the Friends of DuPont Forest with assessing and repairing trail conditions, tirelessly working to remove fallen trees and clearing materials from landslides.”
Despite significant recovery efforts, several forest features remain closed and it’s imperative that visitors adhere to all closures. Using a closed trail is an enforceable offense under the N.C. Administrative Code, which provides regulation for North Carolina state forests.
Grassy Creek Bridge remains closed, significantly impacting visitors entering DSRF from the Lake Imaging or the Guion Farm access areas. The bridge closure will also result in the closure of Buck Forest Road from its intersections with Lake Imaging Road and Conservation Road. Visitors who have previously used this section of Buck Forest Road are advised to plan alternative routes.
“We’re making daily progress with clearing and repairing trails,” said Jane Dauster, recreation specialist for DSRF. “Visitors need to comply with trail closures as they are designed to protect the public from numerous hazards while allowing our crews to continue safely and efficiently repairing our trails.”
Visitors should expect to encounter changes to trail conditions such as increased erosion, uneven trail surfaces and narrowed trail treads where tree damage has occurred. While DSRF staff have mitigated as many hazards as possible, visitors are advised to be cautious, allow extra time for their visit and plan alternative routes.
For a full list of remaining trail and road closures, visit: www.dupontstaterecreationalforest.com. Information is also available at the visitor center and parking area kiosks.
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