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Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation gave Roanoke County a grant in 2022 to relieve parking congestion at its popular rural trailheads. The pilot was successful and the service starts again on March 3. Could something similar happen at other sites across Virginia? ....
Mountain Goats help keep the Appalachian Trail accessible LUKE WEIR, The Roanoke Times May 29, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail ROANOKE, Va. (AP) Imagine hiking for an hour or two through the woods, up twisting switchbacks of a dusty footpath, straining body and mind against mountain slopes, then as the vegetation clears toward the top and a vista approaches, unexpectedly into view appear a trio of retirees, nicknamed the Mountain Goats, whittling away with hand tools at a big chunk of rock, and whistling as they work. The Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club maintains 120 miles of the famed nearby trail, including 16 camping shelters and 52 wooden bridges. While it has many volunteer maintainers, three of those club members president Bill Neilan, membership coordinator Mark Farrell and volunteer Jim Webb have taken to trail work more frequently than just during the club’s weekly Monday meetups. ....
Imagine hiking for an hour or two through the woods, up twisting switchbacks of a dusty footpath, straining body and mind against mountain slopes, then as the vegetation clears toward the top and a vista approaches, unexpectedly into view appear a trio of retirees, nicknamed the Mountain Goats, whittling away with hand tools at a big chunk of rock, and whistling as they work. The Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club maintains 120 miles of the famed nearby trail, including 16 camping shelters and 52 wooden bridges. While it has many volunteer maintainers, three of those club members â president Bill Neilan, membership coordinator Mark Farrell and volunteer Jim Webb â have taken to trail work more frequently than just during the clubâs weekly Monday meetups. ....