CherohalaSkyway

Ride the Skyway, see the colors; get a gift

Robbinsville – Graham County Travel & Tourism is partnering with its counterpart in Monroe County, Tenn., to promote fall-season sightseeing on the Cherohala Skyway. Motorists can stop at visitor centers in Robbinsville and Tellico Plains, Tenn.
A model of a C-141B cargo jet sits on a pedestal amid roses and U.S. flags distributed to surviving family members of the crew of nine Air Force servicemen killed in a crash on Aug. 31, 1982, at a memorial service held on the 40-year anniversary of the tragedy. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

A model of a C-141B cargo jet sits on a pedestal amid roses and U.S. flags distributed to surviving family members of the crew of nine Air Force servicemen killed in a crash on Aug. 31, 1982, at a memorial service held on the 40-year anniversary of the tragedy. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Aug. 31, 1982

Cherohala – It was a tragedy that did more than cut short the lives of nine elite U.S.
A life-flight helicopter takes off from the West Buffalo Creek bridge – just below the Cherohala Skyway – on Aug. 23, after a motorcycle crash. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

A life-flight helicopter takes off from the West Buffalo Creek bridge – just below the Cherohala Skyway – on Aug. 23, after a motorcycle crash. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Alabama man life-flighted after Skyway motorcycle crash

Cherohala – An Alabama motorcyclist was airlifted for medical treatment after he ran off the road and crashed on Cherohala Skyway on Aug. 23. The crash occurred on a sharp bend of Cherohala Skyway between West Buffalo Road and Santeetlah Road, according to the Highway Patrol report.
These maps illustrate recent data on fatal and serious-injury crashes in Graham County. Maps by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

These maps illustrate recent data on fatal and serious-injury crashes in Graham County. Maps by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Stats show Cherohala Skyway is Graham County’s deadliest road

The Tail of the Dragon and Hellbender 28 may be famous for their thrills (and spills), but scenic Cherohala Skyway is the most dangerous of the three major touring routes in Graham County. The trends were revealed by data collected by N.C. Department of Transportation from 2016-20.
The Cherohala Skyway marked its 25th anniversary earlier in October. The road runs from Robbinsville to Tellico Plains, Tenn., offering stunning views and ascending to 5,400 feet at its highest point.

The Cherohala Skyway marked its 25th anniversary earlier in October. The road runs from Robbinsville to Tellico Plains, Tenn., offering stunning views and ascending to 5,400 feet at its highest point.

Taking the high road

The Cherohala Skyway celebrated a major milestone earlier this month, marking a quarter century open on Oct. 12.  The road – which connects Robbinsville with Tellico Plains, Tenn. – was opened to travelers for the first time on Oct. 12, 1996 and is one of the country’s National Scenic Byways.

Injured woman rescued on Skyway

Cherohala – A pleasant afternoon hike Saturday to Graham County’s highest mountain, Big Huckleberry – elevation 5,460 feet – turned into a rescue mission. The Graham County 911 center received a call around 3:30 p.m. that a woman had fallen near Oak Knob and was injured.

Skyway crashes result in fatalities

Two motorcycle crashes on the Cherohala Skyway last week claimed the lives of Oklahoma and Florida residents. Around 1:52 p.m. Sept. 30, Richard A. Cornell – 72, of Ringwood, Okla. – was driving on N.C.

Fire, rescue squads have busy weekend

Last weekend proved to be a busy time for local fire and rescue personnel. Graham County Rescue Squad members responded to the Appalachian Trail in Graham County on Saturday, to help locate a hiker around 1:15 p.m. Saturday.