The Laurel Gap trail shelter, by the Balsam Mountain trail, near Big Cataloochee Mountain. This is a 'stitch' of 6 separate photos and shows a 180 degree view of the shelter area. The Balsam Mountain trail continues along the crest of the range, passing by the shelter through the forest on the other side of Annie. This is one of the shelters inside the Great Smokies that still has the old style of design, with chain link fencing enclosing the front of the shelter. The large steel poles that support the fencing have been bent badly by bears trying to push their way into the shelter. I like the new, more open style of shelters, such as the one on Mt. LeConte, a lot better.