Part of Appalachian Trail closed to camping due to bear threat

A stretch of the Appalachian Trail in northeast Georgia has been closed to overnight camping because of "persistent bear activity."

Day hiking is still allowed, but the U.S. Forest Service late last month banned camping along and within a quarter-mile of the popular trail between Forest Service Road 41 at Jarrard Gap and Ga. 129 at Neels Gap.

Camping is also being prohibited within a quarter-mile of the Blood Mountain and Woods Hole shelters in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

The ban is in effect through June 21, according to the Forest Service.

The 2,178-mile Appalachian Trail runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.

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