This stream is part of the 3,680-acre Pond Mountain Game Land, a North Carolina protected area that recently grew by 217 acres.
Photo Above: This stream is part of the 3,680-acre Pond Mountain Game Land, a North Carolina protected area that recently grew by 217 acres.
They say that good things come to those who wait — and also to those who work hard and plan ahead. After several decades of patience, careful planning and community building, the Blue Ridge Conservancy has announced an agreement to purchase and preserve 74 acres on Howard Knob, the iconic mountain backdrop for the town of Boone, North Carolina. It’s also the centerpiece of the nonprofit’s origin story.
The knob had long been a favorite hiking and rock climbing destination for students at nearby Appalachian State University. In 1979, the federal government installed an experimental wind turbine on the peak, adding yet another attraction for locals. It was dismantled a few years later. Then, in the early 1990s, a private investor acquired the property, prompting conservationists worried it would be developed to form the Blue Ridge Conservancy.
At the end of 2025, after several years of dialogue with the landowner, the conservancy struck a deal to purchase the tract. “It’s been incredible to see the way the High Country community and Howard Knob enthusiasts from across the nation have supported this project by spreading the word, sharing stories and memorabilia and making financial contributions,” said David Ray, executive director. The group plans to add hiking trails and will open the property to the public sometime this year.
The story above first appeared in our March / April 2026 issue.
