News Summary
The beautiful Mountains to Sea Trail is currently undergoing major repairs due to damage from Hurricane Helene. While volunteers work to restore access, sections of the trail are closed, and hikers need to stay informed about trail conditions. Despite challenges like landslides and debris, some areas of the trail remain open. The recovery efforts are being coordinated by the Friends of the MST, who are actively creating a new trail condition map for hikers to navigate safely.
City Faces Trail Challenges: Extensive Repairs Underway on Mountains to Sea Trail
As the picturesque city gets back on its feet, it’s facing some significant challenges in the beautiful outdoors. The stunning Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) is currently undergoing major repairs following the chaos brought on by Hurricane Helene. Trail enthusiasts and nature lovers will need to stay up-to-date on the latest trail conditions as vibrant volunteer crews work tirelessly to restore access to this cherished outdoor gem.
Trail Conditions Explained
The trail is divided into color-coded sections to help hikers understand what they’re getting into:
- Green: Safe for hikers, confirmed by the Friends of the MST
- Yellow: Open, but not confirmed safe yet
- Red: Closed and off-limits for safety
As it stands, the Blue Ridge Parkway is completely shut down to all recreational activities and volunteer efforts, creating an additional hurdle for the restoration process. Thankfully, significant debris has already been cleared, but there’s still a long way to go before the trail is fully operational again.
Mapping the Recovery
The recovery efforts are being coordinated by the Friends of the MST in collaboration with land managers. They’re working hard to create a new and updated trail condition map, keeping hikers informed about which parts of the MST are open, which are safe, and which areas need to be avoided.
Section Breakdown & Current Conditions
The MST is divided into four key sections for recovery efforts:
- Kuwohi to Asheville
- Asheville to near Marion
- Marion to Beacon Heights near Grandfather Mountain
- Beacon Heights to Stone Mountain State Park
Post-hurricane, the stretch from Kuwohi to milepost 44 on the Blue Ridge Parkway has fared well, with good trail conditions noted. However, the Devil’s Courthouse area near milepost 44 has various closures due to the storm. Short-term reroutes for these closed sections are actively being sought to keep hikers on the move.
Landslides and Debris: A Long Road to Recovery
Unfortunately, a long stretch of the MST remains closed north of Marion, primarily due to two substantial landslides near Mount Mitchell. These areas require extensive reconstruction before they can be reopened to the public. Coordination for access to Mount Mitchell State Park is underway with the National Park Service, but hikers should expect delays in these areas as the recovery is not going to happen overnight.
Further complicating matters are large piles of debris along the trail, remnants of the hurricane. While about 80% of the MST through Linville Gorge is open, the loss of a nearly 200-foot bridge over the North Fork of the Catawba River poses another setback. Currently, the US Forest Service is exploring options for bridge replacement.
Where You Can Hike Now
In some good news, cleared paths have made portions of the MST passable, particularly in the Grandfather Mountain, Tanawha Trail region, and around Boone. However, places like Julian Price Park, which includes MST segments, remain closed. Moreover, sections from Boone to Devil’s Garden Overlook face ongoing roadbed reconstruction and paving efforts.
The Volunteers’ Impact
Friends of the MST volunteers have been sidelined since the hurricane due to 100% closures on the parkway. Current negotiations are ongoing to get these dedicated individuals back on the trail, helping move recovery along more swiftly.
What’s Next?
Despite the ongoing challenges—like staff reductions that have affected the National Park Service and the US Forest Service—recovery efforts continue. The MST may have sections that remain closed for several years, although some could reopen sooner. For up-to-date trail conditions, folks are encouraged to regularly check the Friends of the MST website.
In the meantime, the public is invited to explore areas of the MST located in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions while being mindful of the ongoing recovery efforts. Happy hiking!
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Hikers – What is Open in Western North Carolina After Helene?
- Charlotte Observer: Blue Ridge Parkway Partially Reopens
- HC Press: The First Section of the Blue Ridge Parkway Reopens
- WXII 12: Blue Ridge Parkway Partially Reopens North Carolina
- Transylvania Times: Sections of Blue Ridge Parkway Reopen
- Wikipedia: Mountains-to-Sea Trail
- Google Search: Hurricane Helene North Carolina
- Google Scholar: Hiking and Trail Recovery
- Google News: Blue Ridge Parkway
