SW VA – Comer Creek Bridge Removal – Dickey Gap/Comers Creek
va
|southwest-virginia
|Alert
(Updated 4/8/2021) The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) footbridge over Comers Creek has been removed. Hikers need to be prepared to ford the creek. Comers Creek is typically easy to cross with the water being shin-deep, but could be knee to thigh-deep during or after heavy rain. If hikers want to avoid crossing the creek they should follow the Comers Creek High Water Route (following VA-650/Comers Creek Road, the Hurricane Campground Road, and Dickey Gap Trail) that has been signed and will be marked with blue blazes.
Directions for the blue-blazed High Water Route are below.
SOUTHBOUND
Starting at Dickey Gap A.T. trailhead, mile 520.1 (near the junction of VA 16 and VA 650/Comers Creek Road):
Turn RIGHT on gravel Comers Creek Road (VA 650), away from paved VA 16. Follow the gravel road for 1.5 miles to the paved road opposite Hurricane Campground. Turn LEFT on paved road opposite Hurricane Campground, and follow it for 0.3 miles. Look for the wooden signpost for the Dickey Gap Trail on your left. Turn LEFT onto Dickey Gap Trail and follow it 0.4 miles to where it ends at the A.T. junction. Turn RIGHT to continue southbound on the Appalachian Trail.
NORTHBOUND
Starting at A.T. junction with Dickey Gap Trail, mile 518.1 (please note wooden signpost at the junction reads “Hurricane Campground 0.4 miles” but does not say “Dickey Gap Trail”; also, note some sources refer to this trail informally as the “Hurricane Campground Trail.”):
Turn LEFT on the Dickey Gap Trail. Follow Dickey Gap Trail 0.4 miles until it ends at the paved road opposite Hurricane Campground. Turn RIGHT on the paved road and follow it for 0.3 miles until it ends at Comers Creek Road/VA 650, which is a gravel road. Turn RIGHT on the gravel road and follow it for 1.5 miles until you reach the A.T. near the junction of VA 650 and paved VA 16. To continue northbound, rejoin the A.T. on the same side of the road as the parking lot and information kiosk.