On June 20 Knoxville Sentinel reported that Abrams Falls Trail has been closed due to bears getting too close to hikers.

Here's the link: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/jun/20/sunbear-keeps-getting-too-close...

Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog reports this:

Abrams Falls Trail is closed again
The Knox News Sentinel is reporting that the Abrams Falls Trail in Cades Cove has closed for the second time this month due to aggressive bear activity.

Park rangers closed the Abrams Falls trail Thursday and don't plan to reopen it until the black bear prowling around it can be tracked or caught, spokeswoman Nancy Gray said.

Park rangers closed the popular Abrams Falls Trail earlier this month after a black bear became aggressive toward two groups of hikers. A member of the first group ran into Abrams Creek in order to escape the bear. In a second incident, a visitor climbed a tree after being bluff-charged by the bear.