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At least until Dec. 11th. It's a preemptive closure to prevent someone getting squashed! Passenger cars are being allowed to use Kirby Mountain Rd and Waterfalls Rd to get around it. Use Google Maps for details. Kirby is at the bottom of the mountain north of Lenoir, going up, and Waterfalls Rd is about a third of the way up, near the Mountain Stop gas station for the southbound folks.
Kirby Mtn is paved and Waterfalls Rd is dirt/gravel and narrow.
At least until Dec. 11th. It's a preemptive closure to prevent someone getting squashed! Passenger cars are being allowed to use Kirby Mountain Rd and Waterfalls Rd to get around it. Use Google Maps for details. Kirby is at the bottom of the mountain north of Lenoir, going up, and Waterfalls Rd is about a third of the way up, near the Mountain Stop gas station for the southbound folks.
Kirby Mtn is paved and Waterfalls Rd is dirt/gravel and narrow.
I'll keep y'all posted if anything changes.
Tracey
OMG, our good friends live on Waterfall Road. That is where we stayed last visit to NC and where we will probably stay when we come after selling this house and while we look for our own.
It is DEFINITELY not made for heavy traffic! Dirt, narrow, winding, with chickens crossing the road
The highway is still closed and will be closed through the weekend, possibly reopening on the 14th or 15th. The short detour is in fairly good condition. Most of Waterfalls Rd (VERY pretty by the way) is paved. Only the last mile or so is dirt, and it is in rough condition. The road is only 10' wide in spots so SLOW DOWN.
There was a 2 ton diesel dually hanging off the side of one of the hairpin curves 2 nights ago. Apparently a he and a car tried to occupy the same space at the same time! Fortunately the truck took the low road and ended up hung in the ditch. It would have been very bad if he had tumbled . . . that "ditch" is nearly 100 ft. deep! Other than that one mile, it's not a bad road. Be conservative and considerate and you'll not have any trouble. Until you meet the UPS truck coming up in the morning!! LOL
The unwritten rule is: People coming down have the right of way. If you're going up, stop and let them by on the narrow curves. And watch for the people who don't know the "rule!"
Never mind everybody! Do not attempt Waterfalls Rd. as a detour. Some wonderful person tried to take an 18 wheeler down this one lane rd with switchbacks, and it's according to the NCHP, "going to take some time" to clear the road. It may well take a helo to get this mess cleaned up! Good grief . . .
The other "close in" detour is Sampson Rd. It is a rugged dirt & gravel road that is 8 miles in length from Aho Rd. and the BRPW, then another 8 miles of Buffalo Cove Rd. to NC-268. If you're not from around here, it's best that you use the Wilkesboro detour.
If you live up here and want to try it, study a Google Map carefully before you do, and use it only in daylight for the first few times. From Aho Rd and US 321, it takes me an hour to get home on Sampson, vs. 40 minutes on 321. I also know the road well and live in Happy Valley. Most people would be a lot longer. Using Sampson, it's at least 1 1/2 hours to Lenoir.
The main highway should be cleared in the next day or two. I'll keep you posted!
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Highway Update
DO NOT use the Waterfalls Rd. detour!
At Last!!!!
