Blue Ridge Parkway – Open May 15

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

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Paving – Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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.