Press Release from the National Park Service of the U.S.*Department of the Interior:*
Luray, VA – As part of planned rehabilitation work on trails and the observation platform at the summit, Shenandoah National Park Managers plan to temporarily close parts of the Hawksbill Mountain area.
Upper Hawksbill Parking, Upper Hawksbill Trail, Salamander Trail, Lower Hawksbill Trail, Byrds Nest 2 Shelter, Hawksbill Observation Platform, and the summit area of Hawksbill Mountain will be closed from*Wednesday, April 20 through Friday, April 22*and*Monday, April 25 through Friday, April 29.
All closures of these trails will be lifted for the weekend of*April 23-24.*The Hawksbill Observation Platform is being renovated as part of the National Park Service Centennial celebration. The project is being funded, in part, by a generous donation from the Shenandoah National Park Trust.
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Press Release from the National Park Service of the U.S.*Department of the Interior:*
Luray, Virginia: For firefighter and visitor safety, more trail closures have been put into effect due to the Rocky Mount Fire in the south district of Shenandoah National Park. The following trails are closed until further notice: the Appalachian Trail from Powell Gap (mile 70) south to Doyles River Overlook (mile 82), Brown Mountain Trail, Big Run Portal Trail, Rocky Mountain Trail, Rockytop Trail, Big Run Loop Trail, Austin Mountain Trail, Lewis Peak Trail, Patterson Ridge Trail, Madison Run Spur Trail, the Madison Run Fire Road, the Rocky Mount Trail, the Gap Run Trail, and the Onemile Trail. The Pinefield Hut (mile 75) is closed. Skyline Drive, from Swift Run Gap (mile 65, Skyline Drive) south to Loft Mountain (mile 79), continues to be closed.
Currently over 200 personnel, 2 helicopters, 1 fixed wing aircraft and 8 engines are working to contain the fire. Resources assigned to the fire include personnel from the National Park Service, Virginia Department of Forestry, Rockingham County Department of Fire and Rescue, USDA Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Georgia Forestry Commission, Department of Forestry Pueblo County, and Ute Agency. Additional firefighters and equipment are en route. The park and Skyline Drive remain open along with all major highways and visitor facilities in the park and adjacent communities.
You can also find current information on Inciweb -*
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/, the park facebook page –*
http://www.facebook.com/shenandoahnps**and twitter*
http://twitter.com/ShenandoahNPS.
http://www.nbc29.com/story/31764504...nto-effect-at-shenandoah-park-due-to-wildfire
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