As most of you are probably already well aware, there are numerous streams that hikers must cross in the Great Smokies. Many have footbridges, while others require just a step over to reach the other side. However, the Park has this warning on their website that you should keep in mind:
River levels can rise rapidly after a heavy rainfall. A localized thunderstorm dumping rain far upstream on the park's highest peaks can create sudden and unexpected flood conditions at lower elevations. You may not even have felt a raindrop!
After reading the Trailspace.com article, make sure to read the comments from the other readers who provide some additional tips that may be useful - should you ever be in the situation.
For those hikers that enjoy exploring some of the less traveled paths in the Smokies, Tom Dunigan has a list of trails in the Smokies that cross streams without the benefit of footbridges on his GSMNP Landforms website.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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