Grandfather Mountain and part of the Blue Ridge Parkway is open again after closing for weeks following Helene, and it's a welcome sign for the community. Grandfather Mountain State Park, closed since Sept. 26, will remain closed through Oct. 31.
"Towns were flooded; roads and bridges washed away; landslides have forever changed the landscape of the region; many people have lost their homes and livelihoods; and, tragically, people are still missing and lives were lost," Grandfather Mountain officials posted. "The Grandfather Mountain nature park was extremely fortunate to receive only minor damage."
The park is one of many set to remain closed through at least Oct. 31 as crews dedicate time to storm recovery in western North Carolina. The Blue Ridge Parkway between mile post 200.1 (Sunbelt Rd.) in Virginia and mile post 469 at Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee closed after Helene from damage, "in some areas catastrophic," park organizers said.
Wednesday, the Blue Ridge Parkway opened to traffic between milepost 285.5 at Bamboo Gap and milepost 305, near Beacon Heights in the Blowing Rock area.
"Opening this section of the park provides improved transportation links while communities address ongoing storm recovery on other local routes," parkway leaders said. More sections of the roadway are expected to open soon.
On Oct. 15, the parkway reopened to the public between mile post 0 at Shenandoah National Park and mile post 200.1.
Because the parkway is a narrow, two-lane road, it is closed to commercial vehicles. "There are no truck lanes, runaway truck ramps or places for a large commercial vehicle to slow down and pull over. Violators will be subject to a citation as well as a fine of up to $5,000," the National Park Service said.
Sites closed for repair include:
- Interior of the Moses Cone Manor House and Carriage Barn restrooms, milepost 294.0
- Boone Fork Trail, milepost 296.5
- Price Park Campground, milepost 296.9
Park leaders urge using caution when hiking, as trails have not been assessed following Helene.
"Considerable work remains, especially in North Carolina, where Blue Ridge Parkway crews and National Park Service employees from around the country have so far encountered tens of thousands of trees across the roadway and nearly three dozen rock and mud slides," National Park Service leaders said following the storm.
Grandfather Mountain announced it was reopening on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 9 a.m. It will stay open seven days a week, weather permitting. Entry will be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with trails closing at 5 p.m. and the park closing at 6 p.m.
The opening includes the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, Mildred the Bear environmental habitats, Top Shop and Mile High Swinging Bridge, access to the Woods Walk, Bridge Trail, Black Rock Trail and Grandfather Loop.
“We look forward to welcoming guests back to Grandfather Mountain,” said Jesse Pope, president and executive director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “Our reopening will enable us to keep our entire staff employed this season and will benefit Avery County by way of tax dollars paid on admission tickets to the park. Our staff have worked tirelessly since the storm to help out the community, and I couldn’t be more proud of, and thankful for, them."
Park leaders recommend booking tickets and a reservation time online in advance, since only a limited number of tickets will be available each day. Guests purchasing admission tickets online will have the option to make a donation toward the park’s ongoing disaster relief fund.
Grandfather Mountain will hold its "Beary Scary Halloween" event on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Park organizers created a list of tips for visiting the mountain and the surrounding region thoughtfully in the wake of Helene.