Trail Closure in cent. VA due to fire

imported
#1 
									TRAIL CLOSURE Va. 43/Bearwallow Gap to Va. 614/Jennings Creek

Due to a wildfire on Cove Mtn. in Botetourt County, a 6.6-mile section of the A.T. east of Buchanan (from near Va. 43/Bearwallow Gap/Blue Ridge Parkway mile 90.9 north to Va. 614/Jennings Creek) has been closed by the U.S. Forest Service. Two alternate road walks have been identified for long-distance hikers: a shorter version using the Blue Ridge Parkway and state roads 618 and 614, and a longer version that uses the Blue Ridge Parkway for 10.5 miles, re-connecting with the A.T. 8.7 miles further north near Cornelius Creek Shelter. Fire danger is high and expected to remain so for several days. There were about 40 firefighters on the fire yesterday. The Forest Service will reopen the trail as soon as it is safe to do so. More details can be found on the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club Facebook page and at www.nbatc.org.

Laurie Potteiger
Information Services Manager
Appalachian Trail Conservancy

									_Laurie Potteiger_
#2 
									TRAIL RE-OPENED on Cove Mtn. in Central Virginia. The U.S. Forest Service reopened the 6.6-mile section of the A.T. this morning that had been closed Saturday due to a fire. The fire came close but did not impact the AT; however, the fire is not out. High fire danger remains. Hikers are reminded to follow good Leave No Trace practices and minimize their campfire impacts: www.appalachiantrail.org/lnt.

Keep abreast of changing A.T. trail conditions at www.appalachiantrail.org.updates.

Laurie Potteiger
ATC

									_Laurie Potteiger_