Park Dispatch received a cell phone call from the hikers around 3:30 p.m. yesterday. The hikers reported that they became lost after deciding to turn off the Abrams Fall Trail and explore a social trail about a mile west of the trailhead. After walking through thick brush and steep, confusing terrain, they were unable to locate the trail again.
The hikers also reported that they had set down their packs and jackets before venturing off the marked trail.
Rangers located the trio at about 7 p.m. in an area called "The Horseshoe," so-called because Abrams Creek makes a long loop, and guided them out to the trailhead about an hour later.
Acting Chief Ranger Steve Kloster said in a statement that the group was extremely lucky to be found so quickly because the vast majority of the Park has little to no cell coverage. He said they were also fortunate that the call came in as early in the day as it did, or it would have been too dark to get Rangers into the area safely and effectively.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.
Hiking Tours