Blue Ridge Parkway sections around Asheville close for boom ax operations

ASHEVILLE – Once the roaring stream of fall foliage seekers has dissipated along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the task of cutting back overgrown trees begins.

The parkway is now closed from Milepost 455 at the Soco Gap/U.S. 19 entrance in Haywood County south to its terminus at MP 469 in Cherokee. By the parkway, this area is about 70 miles south of Asheville, but it can be accessed more quickly by U.S. 19.

The maintenance work to help control vegetation growth is scheduled at this time every year when the number of parkway visitors thins out, said parkway spokeswoman Leesa Brandon.

“To help ensure safe sight distances and a clear right of way, this work requires using a large tractor with a cutting head on a long arm, or boom. This tractor must remain in the travel lanes during operation to properly perform its work while cutting the banks and road shoulders,” Brandon said.

Because of the heavy equipment in use, there is a complete closure, meaning gates are closed and no one – dog walkers, hikers or bikers – are allowed behind the gates, Brandon said.

During certain weather related closures, such as snow and ice, visitors on bike or foot are allowed to use the parkway.

The Haywood County maintenance began this week and will continue through Dec. 15.

The parkway will also perform boom ax operations in the area north of Asheville Jan. 2-6 from MP 367 at Craggy Gardens to MP 355 at Mount Mitchell State Park. Maintenance work from MP 298-305 in the Boone/Blowing Rock area will be Jan. 8-19.

Most parkway facilities are now closed for the season, including the Craggy Gardens picnic area and visitor center, the Mount Pisgah picnic area and campground and the Pisgah Inn.

The Parkway Visitor Center and Folk Art Center remain open year-round.

Brandon said now is the time of year to check the parkway’s real-time road map before heading out. Visit www.nps.gov/blri or follow the parkway on Facebook and Twitter.