The Blue Ridge Parkway

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http://www.nps.gov/blri/

The Blue Ridge Parkway, sometimes called "America's Favorite Drive", is the most visited unit of America's National Park System. A drive down the Parkway provides stunning, long range vistas and close-up looks at the natural and cultural history of the southern Appalachian mountains. It is designed as a drive-awhile and stop-awhile experience, so please don't be in a hurry.
The Parkway meanders for 469 miles and connects Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks, providing ample opportunities for stops at overlooks, picnic and camping facilities, trails, and wonderful cultural and natural areas.

http://www.nps.gov/blri/PETE3.jpg

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Parkway closure south of Linville Falls

Date
July 01, 2005

Contact
Phil Noblitt, (828) 271 4779 ext 242

An 11-mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Mt. Mitchell State Park and N.C. Highway 80 will reopen Friday at noon, just in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Parkway Superintendent Daniel W. Brown said the reopening leaves only one portion of the 469-mile scenic route closed, and that is an eight-mile section that is just north of Spruce Pine. The detour for that is well-marked, Brown said, and should pose no challenge for motorists.

“I am keenly aware of how inconvenient the closures have been for our visitors and the very real impact this has had on the many businesses and people whose work and livelihood depend heavily on Parkway travel. For lots of reasons, we are extremely pleased that the contractor was able to get this work done in time for the Fourth of July,” Brown said.

An eight mile section of the Parkway from Milepost 317-325, just south of Linville Falls remains closed due to damage from a series of three tropical storms that hit the region last September. This section will probably not open again until the spring of 2006. The rest of the 469-mile scenic roadway and all campgrounds, visitor centers and other public facilities are open.

For southbound Parkway traffic, just south of Linville Falls at Milepost 317, follow US 221 north for a few miles, then NC 194, US 19 south, and NC 226 east back to the Parkway. Detour signs are posted and the route is well-marked.

For northbound Parkway traffic, at the Parkway's Museum of North Carolina Minerals at Milepost 331, take NC 226 west through Spruce Pine, US 19 north, NC 194, and US 221 south back to the Parkway. Detour signs are posted and the route is well-marked.

The Parkway information line at (828) 298 0398 is the best up-to-date list of road closures and other park-related information.

[TerrySc]

:nono: Watch your speed here. They are!!!

[Captain X]

Looks great! Thanks for the info.