The Huckleberry Trail detour doesn't deter runners, walkers and bikers
Allysah Fox
May 2, 2017
The history of the Huckleberry Trail dates back to 1902. It was first built as a railroad system used to transport coal from the Merrimac Mine in Blacksburg to the Cambria Depot in Christiansburg.
It wasn’t until 1904 when the first passenger train made its debut. This was the first time the Virginia Tech cadets could board the train and travel to school at the beginning of each term. During this time, the cadets coined the nickname “Huckleberry Crossing” because the train would stall and passengers could step off of the train and pass time by picking wild blueberries, called “huckleberries,” along the route.
But, with the introduction of automobiles in the late 1930s, the train’s popularity died down. Eventually, the Huckleberry made its last voyage on August 9, 1958.
In 1966, J.C. Garrett, a member of the horticulture department at Virginia Tech, worked to transform the railroad into a nature trail, which would ultimately become the Huckleberry Trail.
The trail, from beginning to end, stretches 7.5 miles connecting Christiansburg and Blacksburg. Over the course of many years, the trail has been extended in several directions to accommodate the expansion of the two towns.
In 2016, the town of Blacksburg agreed to an expansion of the airport known as the Southgate Interchange Project. The new interchange should be open for traffic by December 2017, and the project will be fully completed by December 2018.
Until then, some parts of the Huckleberry Trail have been subject to detour and areas next to construction have been closed off. But, runners, walkers and bikers are still able to use parts of the trail for different activities.
Martha Georgallis, a junior studying studio art at Virginia Tech, believes the construction is bringing negative attention to the trail. “I used to walk the ‘Huck’ to take pictures for fun and sometimes for projects,” Georgallis said. “I like to take pictures out there—it was so peaceful and pretty, but now it’s just a dump.”
While some attitudes toward the trail’s messy scenery, others appreciate the work the town is trying to accomplish.
Of those proud residents is Mason Adams, a writer for both the Roanoke Times and Virginia Tech Magazine, who spends the majority of his after-work hours running on the Huckleberry Trail. “It hasn’t interrupted my life in anyway,” said Adams. “I think it’s a wonderful idea for the town to expand. There’s a potential that it will bring more commerce to Blacksburg. I think it’s good publicity.”
Also in agreement with the Southgate Interchange Project is Tim Pote, a graduate student studying mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech. “I bike the trail a lot; it’s a nice, easy ride for when I feel like poking around,” said Pote. “The construction can get in the way, but it doesn’t stop me. It just means that in some spots I have to dismount my bike and walk it through the gravel, or go around the blocked-off areas.”
Brad Epperley, Director of Parks and Recreation for Christiansburg, knows his job is tough when it comes to pleasing residents on both sides of the argument. “I want people to know we listen to them,” said Epperley. “You can’t always make the right decision for everyone all of the time. But being able to listen to different opinions does give me the opportunity to sit back and evaluate things.”
The good news for all of the Huckleberry Trail visitors is that the construction site is not a permanent scene.
“We [Parks and Recreation Department for Christiansburg] want to enhance the quality of life for the people who use the trail,” said Epperley. “If you had a stressful day at work, you should be able to go to the trail and find some peace and enjoyment. That’s the goal we want to reach.”
Allysah Fox
May 2, 2017
The history of the Huckleberry Trail dates back to 1902. It was first built as a railroad system used to transport coal from the Merrimac Mine in Blacksburg to the Cambria Depot in Christiansburg.
It wasn’t until 1904 when the first passenger train made its debut. This was the first time the Virginia Tech cadets could board the train and travel to school at the beginning of each term. During this time, the cadets coined the nickname “Huckleberry Crossing” because the train would stall and passengers could step off of the train and pass time by picking wild blueberries, called “huckleberries,” along the route.
But, with the introduction of automobiles in the late 1930s, the train’s popularity died down. Eventually, the Huckleberry made its last voyage on August 9, 1958.
In 1966, J.C. Garrett, a member of the horticulture department at Virginia Tech, worked to transform the railroad into a nature trail, which would ultimately become the Huckleberry Trail.
The trail, from beginning to end, stretches 7.5 miles connecting Christiansburg and Blacksburg. Over the course of many years, the trail has been extended in several directions to accommodate the expansion of the two towns.
In 2016, the town of Blacksburg agreed to an expansion of the airport known as the Southgate Interchange Project. The new interchange should be open for traffic by December 2017, and the project will be fully completed by December 2018.
Until then, some parts of the Huckleberry Trail have been subject to detour and areas next to construction have been closed off. But, runners, walkers and bikers are still able to use parts of the trail for different activities.
Martha Georgallis, a junior studying studio art at Virginia Tech, believes the construction is bringing negative attention to the trail. “I used to walk the ‘Huck’ to take pictures for fun and sometimes for projects,” Georgallis said. “I like to take pictures out there—it was so peaceful and pretty, but now it’s just a dump.”
While some attitudes toward the trail’s messy scenery, others appreciate the work the town is trying to accomplish.
Of those proud residents is Mason Adams, a writer for both the Roanoke Times and Virginia Tech Magazine, who spends the majority of his after-work hours running on the Huckleberry Trail. “It hasn’t interrupted my life in anyway,” said Adams. “I think it’s a wonderful idea for the town to expand. There’s a potential that it will bring more commerce to Blacksburg. I think it’s good publicity.”
Also in agreement with the Southgate Interchange Project is Tim Pote, a graduate student studying mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech. “I bike the trail a lot; it’s a nice, easy ride for when I feel like poking around,” said Pote. “The construction can get in the way, but it doesn’t stop me. It just means that in some spots I have to dismount my bike and walk it through the gravel, or go around the blocked-off areas.”
Brad Epperley, Director of Parks and Recreation for Christiansburg, knows his job is tough when it comes to pleasing residents on both sides of the argument. “I want people to know we listen to them,” said Epperley. “You can’t always make the right decision for everyone all of the time. But being able to listen to different opinions does give me the opportunity to sit back and evaluate things.”
The good news for all of the Huckleberry Trail visitors is that the construction site is not a permanent scene.
“We [Parks and Recreation Department for Christiansburg] want to enhance the quality of life for the people who use the trail,” said Epperley. “If you had a stressful day at work, you should be able to go to the trail and find some peace and enjoyment. That’s the goal we want to reach.”
The Huckleberry Trail has a detour in place while a section of the trail is under construction. This detour is located at a section just below Research Center Drive.