WEATHER ALERT
Ribbon cutting held for McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle service expansion
Read full article: Ribbon cutting held for McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle service expansionRoanoke County and the City of Salem held a ribbon cutting on Thursday to announce the expansion of the McAfee Knob Trailhead shuttle service.
Happy trails! Oct. 2 Google Doodle celebrates Appalachian Trail
Read full article: Happy trails! Oct. 2 Google Doodle celebrates Appalachian TrailA treat to many travelers and avid hikers on the East Coast was featured on the Google search page and in the Google Doodle on October 2 -the Appalachian Trail.
Roanoke County Board of Supervisors looking to expand McAfee Knob Shuttle service
Read full article: Roanoke County Board of Supervisors looking to expand McAfee Knob Shuttle serviceWith plans to build a pedestrian bridge, the parking lot to the McAfee Knob trailhead will be closed during construction.
National Park Service looking to better manage crowds at Virginia’s Triple Crown trails
Read full article: National Park Service looking to better manage crowds at Virginia’s Triple Crown trailsThe segment of the Appalachian Trail that includes Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs is one of the busiest sections of the trail.
‘He was a light to everyone’: Friends come forward to share memories of young McAfee Knob victim
Read full article: ‘He was a light to everyone’: Friends come forward to share memories of young McAfee Knob victimPeople who say they are friends and co-workers of a juvenile killed in a murder-suicide at McAfee Knob Friday say they want to keep his memory alive.
Neighbors react to Roanoke house fires, apparent murder-suicide in McAfee Knob lot
Read full article: Neighbors react to Roanoke house fires, apparent murder-suicide in McAfee Knob lotInvestigations continue into an apparent Roanoke County murder-suicide and two separate fires in Roanoke City that authorities say are connected.
Authorities release more details on what led up to fatal McAfee Knob trail parking lot incident
Read full article: Authorities release more details on what led up to fatal McAfee Knob trail parking lot incidentThe Roanoke County Police Department has provided an update in the investigation into an apparent murder-suicide in the parking lot of McAfee Knob Friday.
‘Good reminder that life is super precious’: Hikers react to man falling off McAfee Knob
Read full article: ‘Good reminder that life is super precious’: Hikers react to man falling off McAfee KnobThere are still a lot of questions after a man fell off McAfee Knob, including his identity and his condition.
National Park Service wants your input on changes to Virginia’s Triple Crown hiking trails
Read full article: National Park Service wants your input on changes to Virginia’s Triple Crown hiking trailsCalling all hikers! Changes are coming to Virginia’s Triple Crown along the Appalachian Trail, but officials need your help first.
National Park Service seeking input on how to improve Appalachian Trail near Virginia’s Triple Crown
Read full article: National Park Service seeking input on how to improve Appalachian Trail near Virginia’s Triple CrownEver tried to hike up to McAfee Knob only to experience the crazy-crowded parking lot? You’re certainly not alone.
Police warn drivers not to crowd McAfee Knob trailhead parking lot
Read full article: Police warn drivers not to crowd McAfee Knob trailhead parking lotEven on a rainy and overcast day, cars are parked at the McAfee Knob trailhead parking lot. On a sunny weekend, finding a spot can be nearly impossible.
Crews rescue hiker that fell 200 feet off Appalachian Trail in Rockbridge County
Read full article: Crews rescue hiker that fell 200 feet off Appalachian Trail in Rockbridge CountyMultiple crews at work to locate lost hiker on Appalachian TrailROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. – UPDATEFirst responders have rescued an injured hiker who fell from the icy Appalachian Trail, making this the third rescue like this along the trail over the weekend. Crews said the hiker fell about 200 feet off the mountain while hiking with a group. While a helicopter rescued the hiker, a few crews stepped through the snow to treat them on the ground. ORIGINAL STORYEmergency crews are working to locate a lost hiker Sunday afternoon in Rockbridge County. At about 3:15 p.m., the Big Island Volunteer Fire Company and Bedford County Special Operations Command were dispatched to another emergency rescue on the Appalachian Trail.
Injured hiker rescued from McAfee Knob in Roanoke County
Read full article: Injured hiker rescued from McAfee Knob in Roanoke CountyROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Roanoke County Fire and Rescue units rescued an injured hiker Saturday afternoon. At about 12:15 p.m., crews were dispatched to the McAfee Knob parking lot for reports of an injured hiker who had fallen off the Sawtooth Trail, the Appalachian Trail connector trail from McAfee to Dragon’s Tooth. Authorities said the hiker was about a mile away from the parking lot and had fallen off the trail down a steep embankment, sustaining a head injury. The hiker was carried out and off the trail through steep, icy terrain and over a creek, exiting near The Homeplace Restaurant. According to Fire and Rescue, the patient was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries at about 2:40 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know about parking before you hike at McAfee Knob
Read full article: Here’s what you need to know about parking before you hike at McAfee KnobROANOKE, Va. – McAfee Knob is one of Roanoke’s hot spots for hiking, but with a high-volume of visitors comes issues with parking. Roanoke County wants to remind hikers that there are limited spots for parking in the area and parking in the wrong place can result in vehicles being ticketed or towed. Here are a few reminders from officers to visitors about parking:Parking in a way that restricts or blocks traffic is prohibited on all roads regardless of a “No Parking” signIf there’s no “No Parking” sign, you can park off the roadwayIf there’s a “No Parking” sign, parking there is prohibited and you may be ticketedVehicles improperly parked may be subject to towing at the towing companies' ratesPolice recommend to use the park and ride lots at:Intersection of Route 311 and Route 360Intersection of Route 419 and Route 11Interstate 81, Exit 140Other parking is available at Catawba CenterOver the next several weekends, VDOT will place portable message boards in the area to keep vehicles off the roadway.
Volunteer group selling t-shirts to raise money for McAfee Knob trailhead improvements
Read full article: Volunteer group selling t-shirts to raise money for McAfee Knob trailhead improvementsROANOKE, Va. A group of volunteers is trying to raise money to improve the McAfee Knob trailhead. The Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club wants to raise about $200,000 to buy a 7-acre plot of land right next to the existing trailhead parking lot. VDOT construction on a new pedestrian bridge over Route 311 will eat up about 40% of the spots during that time. Thats why the clubs president, Jim Beeson, said its time to act before its too late. Its really a lost opportunity if we dont take advantage of it, said Beeson.
Crews rescue 125-pound dog from McAfee Knob Trail after owner calls for help
Read full article: Crews rescue 125-pound dog from McAfee Knob Trail after owner calls for helpA dog and his owner are safe after a scare on McAfee Knob Trail on Thursday. The department said that crews responded to the trail at about 12:20 p.m. to rescue Nikko, who had been hiking in 90 degree heat for several hours when his owner called for help. Nikko and his owner were safely off the trail at about 2 p.m., according to the department. Roanoke County Fire & Rescue said Nikko is an Akita who loves to hike, and this has never happened before with him. Roanoke County Fire & Rescue bought the piece of equipment used to save Nikko with money from a partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.