The middle of May is known for Damascus Trail Days. While many Appalachian Trail hikers make it a point to be in Damascus, VA for the celebration, many continue their hike weeks and even months afterwards. In fact, approximately 200 hikers traveled into the Town of Pearisburg each week, between May and June of last year.
In 2016, the Commission deployed infrared trail counters throughout the region. In addition to counting users along the Appalachian Trail, counts were also acquired on the Radford Riverway in Bisset park, Heritage Park Trail in Blacksburg, and Buffalo Mountain in Floyd. The Radford Riverway regularly attracted more than 300 users on Wednesdays and Sundays in October. Heritage Park’s trail averaged more than 120 users each day.
Even though vibrant leaves and blooms were hard to find this fall season, around 50 people pleasantly meandered to the top of Buffalo Mountain every Saturday and Sunday. Those who visited were surrounded by golden leaves along the pathway and greeted with a breathtaking panoramic mountain top view. In the middle of October the view stretched for miles. Pilot Mountain, which is located in North Carolina, is visible on clear days.
The New River Valley Regional Commission provides trail counter services throughout the region. The latest information is always available online here: https://nrvrc.org/trailcounterprogram/. For more information or to schedule a trail count contact Elijah Sharp (esharp@nrvrc.org), 540-639-9313, ext. 210.