Monthly Archives: March 2009

More Blue Ridge Parkway Updates

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A few more updates on the Blue Ride Parkway to be aware of;

The Park Service is planning to repave and repair parking lots between milepost 359.7 and 375.1 through December 2010. The work includes the Craggy Gardens visitors center and the Craggy Gardens picnic area and six additional overlooks. There will be occasional closures of the overlooks and traffic will be reduced to one lane during some repairs.

These closures are currently listed at the Blue Ridge Parkway web site:
http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

Milepost 269.8 – 280.9 – Blowing Rock Area

Roadway fill repair at Milepost 270.3 will close the Parkway until November, 2009.
For southbound traffic, exit the Parkway at Phillips Gap (Milepost 269.8) to Phillips Gap Road (NC 1168) to Idlewild Road (NC 1003) to US 221 south to US 421 south back to the Parkway at Deep Gap (Milepost 276.4).

For northbound traffic, exit the Parkway at Parkway School (Milepost 280.9) to Old US 421 south to New US 421 south to US 221 north to Idlewild Road (NC 1003) to Phillips Gap Road (NC 1168) back to the Parkway at Phillips Gap (Milepost 269.8).

Milepost 285.5 to 291.8 – Blowing Rock Area

Goshen Creek Bridge repair has closed the Parkway between US Route 421 east of Boone, NC and US Route 321 south of Boone. The detour will begin for visitors traveling south at milepost 285.5, Bamboo Gap. Visitors will follow state road (SR) 1514 Bamboo Road to Deerfield Road, following the detour signs along US Route 321 south of Boone then connecting back to the Parkway at milepost 291.8.

Visitors traveling north will begin the detour at milepost 291.8, intersection US Route 321; follow the detour signs along US321 to state route 1514 Deerfield Road to Bamboo Road which will bring them back to the Parkway at milepost 285.5. The total detour is estimated to be approximately 8 miles. Bridge repair is anticipated to be complete by late spring 2009.

These closures have been posted for a while and are relatively short compared to the closure that detoured around the slide near Mt. Mitchell. I plan to revisit the area soon and will get first hand info on the detours. If there are better ways to go (there often are) I will suggest them.

Southern Section Blue Ridge Parkway Open

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The southern section of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville, NC, to it’s terminus at Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee opened this weekend ending the months long winter closure. Longer days and warmer temperatures have cleared the ice from the tunnels and the small rockslides which occur with winter freezing have been cleared from the roads. It is a welcome sign of the arrival of spring in the mountains.

Traffic was light for the most part, though the most popular sites, Graveyard Fields and Black Balsam Knob were filled with the first visitors and hikers of the season. While spring is evident at lower elevations and the first shoots of green and early blooms are appearing, the higher elevations of the parkway remain in brown winter slumber. Many of the wet cliff faces still build up an accumulation of ice each night which shears off in sunlight of day. It’s a good time to get a clear view of the waterfalls before the leaves are on the trees.

You may expect brief closures should we get another dumping of snow or a prolonged cold snap, but for the most part you can count on the road being available for travel. It’s still chilly at the high elevations so bundle up to enjoy your ride. This is one of the better times to enjoy the long range views before the summer humidity and haze returns from which the Smoky Mountains got their name. Wave when you pass me!

Wayne@americridesmaps.com

>> Go to America Rides Maps.com – http://americaridesmaps.com

Blue Ridge Parkway – Open May 15

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After a nearly two year closure due to landslides near the highest mountain in the east, Mt. Mitchell, the park service has announced the expected opening of this closed section of the Blue Ridge Parkway on May 15 (subject to change). This section is located about 30 miles north of Asheville, NC.

The Craggy Gardens Visitor Center at milepost 364 which never opened last year will reopen as will one lane of the parkway. Visitors can expect delays as the traffic will alternate using the one open lane.

Weather could impact the opening date, and is always a factor in closing sections of the parkway. Locally, the highest section of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Asheville and Cherokee continues to be closed for winter, though I expect it will open any day now. We’ve had a sustained period of warmer weather which should have allowed the ice to clear from the dozen or more tunnels that grace this rugged and beautiful southern portion of the road. It’s not so much the snow that’s a problem here, but the accumulation of ice which persists in the cool shade of the tunnels long after the days have warmed.

Barring any significant slides which need attention, the gates should be unlocked soon.

Wayne@americaridesmaps.com

>> Go to America Rides Maps.com – http://americaridesmaps.com

Paving – Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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The National Park Service is beginning an 18 month long project to repave 6.5 miles of Newfound Gap Road (US 441), the only road which crosses through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The section to be repaved starts at the south boundary near Cherokee and climbs to the Collins Creek Picnic Area intersection. Last paved in 1983, the road is in sore need of attention.

Road closures on Newfound Gap Road are nothing new. Sections have required maintenance resulting in lane closures for years. It’s been a rare day when you can make an uninterrupted transit from Cherokee, NC to Gatlinburg, TN. While this is one of those “must do” rides to see the park, it’s never been one of my first choices for a days ride. If you’re not pausing for road maintenance, you’re crawling along behind some lumbering RV straining to make the climb or smoking his brakes on the way down. Considering the thousands of miles of fabulous empty mountain roads in the surrounding area I prefer to go elsewhere.

Still, to see the park you gotta do the ride. If you haven’t done it, it’s worth the time and effort. Fill up, pack a snack and some water, bring the camera, don’t have a deadline, and take the time to enjoy the views. There’s a reason it’s the most visited national park in the nation and it is the Park’s 75th anniversary this year.

Lane closures will be staggered to reduce the impact on traffic. The contractor may close up to four areas at a time with delays at each closure which may not exceed 10 minutes. The park has a toll free recording providing details on lane closures at (888) 355-1849.

If you haven’t done this ride, you should. It’s included in one of the four loop rides on America Rides Maps “Maggie Valley to Deals Gap and the Cherohala Skyway“. However, if you crave more deserted roads that not only give you wonderful scenery but a challenging ride, there are another 600 miles or so of routes on that map that will keep you carving through the curves and rolling along the back roads where RV’s, Grandpa, and van loads of kids never tread.

Mountain riding – First Hint of Spring

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– 3/11/2009
Finally, we’ve had a bubble of warmth settle over the mountains after the last dumping of snow. It didn’t take long for the bikes to appear. It was nice to not only get out, but have some warm and sunny weather to make it more enjoyable.
Everyone seems to be looking for spring and the signs of it are starting to appear. The first blooms are adding a little color, and the buds are growing fat on the trees. It’s not here yet, and we know there will be more of winter’s bite, but little by little brown will give way to a youthful green and a shower of blooms next month.
Along with spring comes a bloom of events to attract motorcyclists to the area and distract them from why they really came long enough to liberate a few dollars from their pockets. Mostly, it’s charity events right now, but the rallies that rotate from venue to venue will crank up soon for those that need an excuse other than riding to justify the trip. It’s a good year to come with Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrating it’s 75th anniversary and the sagging economy spawning discounts and package deals from the lodgers and merchants just to get you in the door. You’ll be welcomed and appreciated.
Start making your plans. The mountains are waiting for you with thousands of miles of fantastic roads to explore, more than anywhere else in the country. I know, I’ve been on most all of them. Come rediscover why you ride a motorcycle and what it’s meant to do for you. You deserve it. You need it. Now’s the time more than ever.
Wayne Busch - AMERICA RIDES MAPS

Wayne Busch – AMERICA RIDES MAPS

Article by Wayne Busch, America Rides Maps

We produce detailed maps of the best roads to enjoy on your motorcycle travels in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains.

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