Trail Update

A.T. Reopens on Peters Mountain

April 22, 2021

15.3 miles of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) on Peters Mountain, which straddles Virginia and West Virginia, have officially reopened after roughly two months of emergency closure. The closure began in mid-February due to severe damage to multiple transmission towers by an ice storm, creating dangerous conditions for hikers passing through the area.

Over the course of the closure, the Appalachian Electric Power (AEP) coordinated with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), the U.S. Forest Service, and the Outdoor Club at Virginia Tech as they repaired the damage and reestablished the route of the A.T.

We would like to thank AEP for their assistance during the repairs, whose workers worked diligently, provided transportation for the ATC and its partners and adjusted plans to help ensure the A.T. was impacted as little as possible during this major operation. We also thank the U.S. Forest Service, whose deep-rooted understanding of A.T. values greatly helped the ATC and the Outdoor Club at Virginia Tech teams as they reestablished this section of the Trail.

When passing through the area, hikers are asked to stay on the Trail to help ensure the area regrows as quickly as possible. A layer of “hydroseeding” has been spread over the impacted area (blue/green in color, pictured below), which will help decrease erosion, establish pollinators and ward off invasive species. By staying on the marked A.T. pathway, you will help the environment surrounding the Trail rebound as quickly as possible.

Hikers are asked to stay on the marked A.T. corridor. There are blue/green areas spread with “hydroseeding,” which will help decrease erosion, establish pollinators and ward off invasive species.

For more information on the history of this closure, as well as updates on other A.T. conditions, visit appalachiantrail.org/updates.