Southwest Virginia Gets Another Trail

I was pleased to open the paper this morning and see an article about the Cranesnest Trail in Dickenson County. They broke ground yesterday on what will be a 23 mile multiuse trail, similar to the Creeper Trail. There is real excitement about the proliferation of trails in this area. The Salt Trail from Glade Spring to Saltville is well underway. Damascus, of course, has the Appalachian Trail in addition to the Creeper. The Mendota Trail, from Bristol to Mendota, is still delayed in court. Bristol, Mendota, and those in western Washington County are losing out on tourism revenue while the rest of the region has figured out the benefits of having such trails, both for locals to exercise on and for tourists to ride. Congratulations to Dickenson County on the Cranesnest Trail; to Rep. Boucher for locating much of the funding, and to the late Bill Wallace who worked for years to get the project going. The Creeper Trail Club wishes you much success.