In the violent storm system that tore through the Southeast a few weeks ago, one of the many tornadoes it spawned completely destroyed a trestle on the 34-mile Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail. The rail-trail runs from Abingdon to Whitetop in the far southwest corner of Virginia. It passes through rolling foothills and farm country and provides a huge economic boost to communities along its route. Local outfitters offer shuttle service for visitors who want to pedal the trail in one direction (and with a slight downhill grade), and community businesses, including bed-and-breakfasts and restaurants, advertise the Virginia Creeper as a valuable recreation option. Hitting at the end of April, the tornado scattered trestle # 7, located about six miles from the Abingdon trailhead, like a pile of matchsticks. John Mongle, who lives next to the trail, took a few photos of the damage in the days after the storm. Mongle says he spoke with Kevin Worley, director of parks and recreation for Abingdon, and Town Manager Greg Kelly about plans to rebuild the structure. The trestle is insured, and planners are meeting with property owners along the damaged section--between mile posts 6 and 7--to create an alternate route so they can re-open the segment as quickly as possible. The town of Abingdon oversees this section, and managers ask that trail users reaching this break respect private property owners and not trespass on adjacent land. If you are planning a trip to the Virginia Creeper, contact the town of Abingdon parks and recreation department at 276.623.5279 for up-to-date information on repairs and when this trail section will be open to users again.
Photos by John Mongle.
The cleanup has already begun and plans are underway to have a detour in place in the next couple of weeks. This disruption in the continuity of the VCT affects only a small section and shouldn't deter riders from enjoying the vast majority of the 35 miles of trail.
A few weeks ago, we reported on tornado damage to the Virginia Creeper Trail in southwest Virginia. Now
Update: The Virginia Creeper Trail is fully accessible from Whitetop to Abingdon. A crushed rock trail has been built to temporarily replace Trestle 7 that was destroyed on the morning of April 28th by the tornado.
I rode the trail from White Top Station to Abingdon this past weekend (August 6) The gravel detour replacement for the trestle was in place and as usual the trail was wonderful. There has actually been some maintenance done and it is in as good a condition as I've seen. There was still some damaged tree removal happening near Abingdon, where the trail crosses the golf course, but it was only a few hundred yards of rough riding.
Is Trestle 7 going to be replaced? So many people are just turning around and not riding the steep hills. I had to push my bicycle both ways up the hills. It is exhausting in the hot sun! I hope it's going to be replaced or I will not be riding that leg of the trail anymore...and it's my very favorite!
Will trestle #7 ever be replaced??
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