Forest Service Seeks Public Input on Virginia Creeper Trail Rebuild

Marion, Va., January 16, 2025 –The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests is seeking public input on the reconstruction of 17 miles of the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail in Washington and Grayson Counties, which were damaged and destroyed by Hurricane Helene. The Forest Service proposes to maintain and improve minimally affected areas, reconstruct and potentially reroute damaged and destroyed segments of trail and replace trestles. This proposed action is specific to the reconstruction and potential minor reroutes of the trail as well as hazardous debris removal. The public is invited to comment on the scope of this project and identifying potential issues. Inquiries should be directed to the following link until January 31, 2025. https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=67511 Further, detailed information can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67511. Mount Rogers National Recreation Area Ranger Ed Wright stated, “We are eager to explore opportunities to rebuild the Virginia Creeper Trail. Soliciting public input is the first step in that process and we are excited to start. We know how important the trail is to our communities.”