ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, August 10, 1996 TAG: 9608120022
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PEMBROKE
SOURCE: CLAYTON BRADDOCK STAFF WRITER
NOTE: Also ran in Metro edition.
The welcome mat - in federal green - is back out for the popular Cascades Trail, which was heavily damaged in January flooding.
In announcing the restoration of the trail with a $400,000 federal grant, Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, called the trail one of Giles County's "most important tourism assets."
The grant, awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will be used to repair the streamside portion of the trail, which remains impassable, Boucher said.
Most of the work will be done under contract and may be completed within about 18 months, said David Collins, district ranger for the Blacksburg region.
Two miles of the lower trail near Little Stony Creek were destroyed, including two bridges lost and a third one severely damaged. A portion of the trail along broken rocky slopes, was washed out, along with steps and other stone work.
The trail "profile" in many parts of the trail was also washed out. Damage to the upper trail includes deep rutting, washed-out culverts and loss of much of the trail's surface material.
The trail is one of Southwest Virginia's most popular destinations, making it important to the county's growing tourism, Boucher said.
More than 900 people visit the Cascades during peak recreation days and it is used substantially during the off-season. During January and February, when the falls sometimes freeze, photographers and other visitors are drawn to the trail and the falls.
Boucher commended Barry Evans and a large number of volunteers from the county Chamber of Commerce and other groups for the temporary restoration of the trail, which resulted in its reopening in April.
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: GENE DALTON/Staff. A U.S. Department of Agricultureby CNBgrant will help restore access to waterfalls along the Cascades
Trail, which was heavily damaged by flooding in January. color.