Ribbon-cutting set for Mount Pisgah observation deck

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —

The Mount Pisgah Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the Asheville area. The payoff: incredible views from the summit’s observation deck.

But after more than three decades of use and extensive repair, the decision was made to rebuild the wooden structure and reconstruction started Oct. 23, 2023, according to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

The foundation will host a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., Friday, April 26, in the parking area for the Mount Pisgah Trail at milepost 408 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

“As the warm weather brings more hikers back to Mount Pisgah, we are thrilled to officially celebrate the completion of this platform with spectacular views,” foundation CEO Carolyn Ward said in a news release.

A ranger will lead a hike to the summit after the ceremony. The Mount Pisgah trailhead on the parkway gives hikers access to neighboring Pisgah National Forest, according to the news release. The 3.2-mile out-and-back trail is a moderate to strenuous route with switchbacks and an elevation gain of 700 feet. The French Broad River Valley, Looking Glass Rock, Cold Mountain and Frying Pan fire tower are visible from the platform.

The wooden structure was originally built in 1979 by the United States Youth Conservation Corps.

Through donor support for the Trails & Views Forever program, the foundation funded materials and contractors for the project. Carolina Mountain Club provided a team of volunteers to reconstruct the platform, the news release said. The project involved the use of a funicular owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group to transport materials up the 5,721-foot peak. Vegetation around the platform was trimmed to reveal unobstructed views.

“The Carolina Mountain Club had this project on our wish list for several years,” Tom Weaver, with the volunteer organization, said in the news release. “Our thanks to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation for funding this needed renovation and to the Pisgah Ranger District for the support. We had enthusiastic participation from several of our crews to accomplish this project.”