RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY
OF THE VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL
On September 27 2024 Hurricane Helene,
in addition to wrecking multiple communities throughout the Southeast,
destroyed 19 trestles, damaged several more and tore up miles of surface on Virginia's famous and beloved Creeper Trail.
This website provides a local perspective of the Damascus-Whitetop corridor and the significance of the trail to our area.
Photos show a work in progress. This is not the final version. Completion date is early 2027.
NEW ACTIVITY
Trestle 46 removal is in progress
Clearing is underway for the demolition and replacement of Trestle 46. Video taken 4-1-26, 6:30 PM.
Trestle 38 Partially Demolished
Trestle 38 at Creek Junction is being partially demolished to add new supports and new decking. Drone video taken 3-14-26.
Shorts by Curated Properties
Videos by Beautiful Virginia
Videos by Scott Shifflett
Construction Progress Update (as of April 8, 2026) - Initial access efforts at Slope Failures 4 and 5 have been completed, with additional work currently underway. Work on an existing slope failure along Creek Junction Road is complete, allowing initial access activities to continue. Permanent bridge fabrication has begun at Contech in Abingdon.
Innovative Bridge Company
The Innovative Bridge Company LLC is providing temporary trestles for Kiewit to let them move their heavy machinery across the creeks.Here is a link to their video moving a temporary bridge to the Trestle 30 washout.
Trestle 16 wooden structure is being removed
The metal structure will remain but all wood is being removed. Video taken 3-18-26, 6:30 PM.
Bridges and trestles destroyed or damaged.
Access to the Creeper Trail for reconstruction crews.
Click on the maps for a larger image.
This website was used as a prime reference by the USFS for contractors.
Trestle 18 after Hurricane Helene
Other Resources
Local Lodging - Lodging for Contractors
NEW! Restoration details: Access to Forest Service documents
NEW! Progress a year later: Adventure Time with Bane
Forest Service - Virginia Creeper Trail Recovery
Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy Recovery Website
Facebook - Fans of the Virginia Creeper Trail
Destruction video by James Mills
used as a resource by the National Forest Service
Wild Orchid Video - Virginia Creeper Trail
A video focused on Helene's impact on Damascus by a Georgia visitor.
Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia
Working with this website to create a permanent record of the 2024 destruction caused by Hurricane Helene.
For questions concerning this website contact admin. This website is not officially connected to any organization.
It is provided as a public service by volunteers.