This Scenic Stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway Is Finally Reopen After Hurricane Helene-Just in Time for Leaf Peeping

"More than a year after Hurricane Helene ripped through Asheville, North Carolina, as a Category 4 hurricane, the region now is ready to once again welcome back visitors for some quality leaf peeping. And to help celebrate, a 26-mile-long section of the Blue Ridge Parkway reopened last month following the completion of two landslide repair projects, according to the National Park Service. The stretch sits between Asheville (milepost 382) and the Ridge Junction Overlook at the entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park near NC 80 (milepost 355.3)."

"Along the reopened section, the NPS said travelers can find the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, the Craggy Pinnacle Trail, and short sections of the Mountains to Sea Trail along with access to Mount Mitchell State Park, which is home to the highest point east of the Mississippi River. However, while a large section of the road is back open, not everything along it is."

A 26-mile portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Asheville (milepost 382) and the Ridge Junction Overlook (milepost 355.3) reopened following completion of two landslide repair projects. The reopening completes an initial round of recovery work while additional projects begin at 45 remaining locations as part of a phased restoration of road access. The reopened stretch offers Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, Craggy Pinnacle Trail, short sections of the Mountains to Sea Trail, and access to Mount Mitchell State Park. Some facilities and trail segments remain closed. The area features about 100 native tree species, 5,000 feet of elevation, and peak foliage in mid- to late-October. The Blue Ridge Parkway spans 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina.

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