Snowfall this weekend may make emergency response unavailable along the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail and higher elevations in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
The U.S. Forest Service is advising hikers to stay off the Appalachian Trail at this time for personal safety and to avoid further stress on local emergency responders who very likely will not be able to respond to trail emergencies because of unsafe and inaccessible conditions caused by the snow and ice predicted for the region.
Trail conditions can change rapidly, according to a USFS news release, which goes on to say "Weather conditions at high elevations can be significantly different from conditions predicted for surrounding communities. Please plan accordingly and avoid the AppalachianTrail and other high elevation roads and trails at this time."
