Southern Section Blue Ridge Parkway Open

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

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