"Just in time for the weekend, Shenandoah National Park will re-open additional sections of Skyline Drive and other facilities closed due to Hurricane Isabel. Effective this afternoon at 4 p.m., Skyline Drive will re-open from Thornton Gap at Route 211, milepost 31.5, to Swift Run Gap at Route 33, milepost 65.5. Tomorrow morning Skyline Drive will re-open from Front Royal at milepost 0 to Milepost 5 for daytime driving only.

Skyland [mile post 42.0], Shenandoah National Park, September 28, 2003 In September, deer shed "their reddish-brown summer coats. The new winter fur is thicker and dull gray-brown, enabling deer to blend into the winter woods. Fawns lose their spots. Bucks are rugging the velvety skin off their antlers, getting ready to spar with each other during mating season" (Shenandoah Overlook, Fall 2003)

Byrd Visitor Center, milepost 51.0, including most interpretive programs at Big Meadows and Skyland, resumed normal operations today. The Big Meadows Campground re-opened at noon today. The Big Meadows Lodge and Wayside also resumed operations today. Dickey Ridge Visitor Center will re-open for normal operations tomorrow morning.

Lewis Mountain, South River Picnic area and Dickey Ridge Picnic area remain closed due to hazardous trees, as do portions of Skyline Drive in the North District and the entire South District.

The following trails have been cleared of storm debris and are recommended for hiking: Skyland Area: Passamaquaddy Trail, Millers Head Trail, Stony Man Nature Trail, Crescent Rock Trail, Betty's Rock Trail; Hawksbill Area: Lower Hawksbill Trail, Upper Hawksbill Trail, Salamander Trail; Big Meadows Area: Blackrock Trail, Story of the Forest Nature Trail, Dark Hollow Falls Trail (Note: significant flood impact to tread), Upper Rose River Road, Lewis Fall Trail, Horse Trails in Big Meadows area (Tanners Ridge to Fishers Gap);Old Rag Mountain: Ridge Trail, Saddle Trail.

Additional facilities will be opened as conditions warrant. Park visitors are encouraged to call 540-999-3500 for additional information and updates regarding the status of the park or to check the park website at http://www.nps.gov/shen. " (Shenandoah National Park, National Park Service, September 27, 2003)

As of September 28, 2003, a small portion of handicapped accessible Limberlost Trail was open, as were horse rides offered at Skyland Stable. The Limberlost Trail loop had been closed and horse rides temporarily suspended on September 4, 2003 due to the high number of dead and dying trees along the trail.

Stump of a 340 year old Hemlock, Limberlost Trail, Shenandoah National Park, September 28, 2003 The hemlocks are quickly dying because of wooly adegid infestation. All the hemlocks in the park are predicted to be dead within 5 years.

Many of the dead and dying trees had been cut by the time of Hurricane Isabel, but the trail for the most part remains a shambles and, for the most part, anything but wheelchair accessible.

If Sunday's melange of cyclists, birdwatchers, photographers, hikers, horseback riders, layabouts and easy riders is any indication, the remnants left over from Hurricane Isabel are not slowing anyone [including those in wheelchairs] down.

If you are planning a trip to Shenandoah National Park, PLEASE CALL AHEAD TO (540) 999-3500 FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION. TO CHECK ON THE HORSE RIDE SCHEDULE PLEASE CONTACT SKYLAND STABLES AT (540) 999-2210.