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Great Smoky Mountains, National Park Missing, North Carolina, Polly Melton StrangeOutdoors Great Smoky Mountains, National Park Missing, North Carolina, Polly Melton StrangeOutdoors

The Strange Disappearance of Polly Melton from Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Thelma Pauline "Polly" Melton disappearance

Thelma Pauline "Polly" Melton, Disappeared September 25, 1981, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

Revised January 2024

On Friday, September 25, 1981, 58-year-old Thelma Pauline Melton, often called “Polly” by her friends, began a hike with two of her friends, Red and Trula, at around 3 pm, on the Deep Creek trail near the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One hour into their walk, Polly vanished and was never seen again.

To read the full story of Polly’s disappearance, please log in or become a member of StrangeOutdoors to get exclusive content here: The Strange Disappearance of Polly Melton from Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great smoky mountains Deep Creek
Great smoky mountains Deep Creek trail sign

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