Blue Ridge Parkway defends winter closures: Some drivers can’t handle the snow

The Blue Ridge Parkway is defending its decisions to close the scenic highway for storms, including a Monday closure when 11 inches of snow and ice were forecast for parts of Western North Carolina.

A photo taken Tuesday of the parkway covered with ice was included in the Facebook post, which has prompted hundreds of responses.

“Every time we make the call to close the parkway due to winter weather, there is at least one dissenting comment like ... ‘but I have 4-wheel drive!,’” the National Park Service posted.

“Lets face it, not everyone is prepared with the proper equipment or skills to drive in winter weather conditions. And roads go from bad to worse really quickly on the parkway due to elevation, aspect and grade.”

Much of the parkway in North Carolina was closed Sunday night, and a popular section between Asheville and Cherokee remained closed on Wednesday.

There is a limited supply of road-clearing equipment, and also a policy against using “chemical ice melt” in national parks due to its impact the ecosystem, officials said.

Supporters and critics responded by the hundreds to the park’s post, including some who argued with each other.

“What bothers me is closing parts of the Parkway for weeks and months,” Michael Surratt wrote. “Our parks should be accessible to us year round. Not closed for extended periods of time. ... I do strongly disagree with extended closures of the Parkway and surrounding areas.”

The parkway’s higher elevations are among the first to freeze during storms, which frequently bring down branches and trees. Park officials noted the road could be “pretty scary” at such times.

“Believe us, we know it’s frustrating to lose vehicular access to some of your favorite places during the winter months, but understand we do not make these decisions lightly,” park officials wrote.

Many people came to the defense of the park policy, which does not prohibit hikers from using the road when it is icy. Some complained it wasn’t the job of the National Park Service to “rescue morons who get themselves stuck and almost freeze to death.”

“I’ve been on those roads during early morning fog (and that was scary enough),” Sam Nadeau wrote.

“But because there are so many curves with extremely scary drop offs, I wouldn’t even contemplate driving on them in hazardous winter conditions. My car can fly just fine ... It’s the landing I would dread!”

This story was originally published December 4, 2019 at 10:29 AM with the headline "Blue Ridge Parkway defends winter closures: Some drivers can’t handle the snow."