Rend Trail Closure In Effect

Date: April 30, 2013
Contact: Robin Snyder, 304-640-0724

Fayetteville, West Virginia, April 30, 2013 - The National Park Service will be completing necessary repairs to the Rend Trail, previously known as the Thurmond-Minden Trail. Beginning June 3rd through September 28th, project crews will be repairing a blowout in the 32 feet high historic dry stacked stone retaining wall. The wall developed a 17 feet by16 feet hole that will cause severe damage and possible total failure of the trail tread surface. The integrity of the structure is compromised from this large hole identified by park maintenance staff who sought funding through the National Park Service's cyclic maintenance program to repair. The park received this funding in 2013, so repairs must be completed by September of this year. Day labor crews in the park will complete the necessary repairs.

The closures will be as follows:

The Rend Trail will remain open from the Rend Trail Parking Lot in Minden for 1.5 miles. It will be closed at the start of the third trestle for 800 feet June 3, 2013 and reopen on September 28, 2013.

The Rend Trail will remain open from the Rend Trail Parking Lot in Thurmond to the Arbuckle Connector Trail 1.88 miles from the gate at the parking lot in Thurmond during the trail repairs.    

During this time, visitors can access the Arbuckle Connector from the Thurmond side of the Rend Trail. This connects the Rend Trail to the Southside Junction Trail.

This trail is a popular access for hikers, runners, and bikers in the park. Park staff regrets the closure of this trail during the summer months, but with funding available the work will ensure that the trail foundation is safe and anchored into the future. Check out the park's trail newspaper at https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
for alternative hiking locations in the park. For questions, please contact Robin Snyder at 304-640-0724.

Park updates will be posted to the park's website at www.nps.gov/neri. You can also find updates on the park's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/newrivergorgenps.