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Cherokee National Forest officials announced the annual schedule for opening roads with disrupted access to motorized vehicles on the northern portion of the forest to protect wildlife habitat, reduce road maintenance costs and public safety.

These road openings are from Sept. 6 through Dec. 20, in Cocke, Greene, Washington, Unicoi, Carter, Sullivan, and Johnson counties. However, some of these roads are temporarily opened for short periods to provide seasonal public access for various uses including fall color viewing, hunting, and other uses.

Roads may be closed earlier than scheduled due to poor road conditions brought on by extreme weather. These weather conditions may include freezing/thawing, extreme drought, fire danger, or storm damage. In some cases, roads sustain severe damage from vehicle use and are closed to protect the various resources.

Forest visitors are asked to leave all gates free of obstructions and to not block gates when parking. Hunters are reminded it is illegal to discharge firearms from or across a National Forest System Road. For additional information, contact the following Forest Service offices: Unaka Ranger Station, Greeneville, TN at (423) 638-4109; Watauga Ranger Station, Unicoi, TN at (423) 735-1500.

Fall road openings in Carter County include: Laurel Moffitt in the Watauga District (open to second gate); Jenkins Mountain in the Watauga District; Piney Grove in the Watauga District (open to second gate); Cedar Gap in the Watauga District (open to double gate); and Little Pond Mountain in the Watauga District.

Road openings in Johnson County include Parks Branch in the Watauga District (open 1 mile to the second gate ); Robbins Hollow in the Watauga District (open 4.6 miles to second gate. In Bear Reserve).

Temporary access will be disrupted on the Griffith Branch Road in Carter County and George Creek in Carter County, which will be closed for timber sales; and Sink Mountain in Johnson County, which will be closed for construction.

The Cherry Flats Road in Carter County will be permanently closed and the Whetstone Branch Road in Johnson County will be closed to resource or storm damage.