Rangers Close Trail Due To Bear Sightings

Bear sightings have forced park rangers to close a popular Great Smoky Mountains National Park trail for the second time this month.

Park spokeswoman Nancy Gray tells The Knoxville News Sentinel that rangers closed the Abrams Falls trail Thursday and don’t plan to reopen it until the black bear prowling around it can be tracked or caught.

Bear warning signs have been posted at 15 backcountry campsites.
   
Park officials closed the trail earlier this month to search for the bear, with no success. Gray says the bear sightings resumed last week.
   
She says the bear hasn’t hurt anyone, but rangers want to head off any possible trouble.