Ribbon Cutting Celebrating Reconstruction of Mount Pisgah Viewing Platform

The Blue Ridge Parkway in collaboration with the US Forest Service, the Carolina Mountain Club and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the reconstruction of the iconic Mount Pisgah viewing platform. The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. in the parking area for the Mount Pisgah Trail at milepost 408 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

Speakers at the ceremony included Neal Labrie, Assistant Superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway; Carolyn Ward, CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation; Jeff Owenby, Director of the US Forest Service; Tom Weaver, Trails Manager of the Carolina Mountain Club; and Hawk Hageback, a special guest and donor. 

The Mount Pisgah viewing platform, originally constructed in 1979 by the United States Youth Conservation Corps, has been a beloved destination for visitors seeking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. However, after more than three decades of use, the platform needed extensive repairs.

This initiative was inspired by the memory of Lisa Hambrick Hagebak and championed by her family as a testament to her deep affection for the North Carolina mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway. This generous donation to the Trails & Views Forever program, administered by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, made the reconstruction project possible.

The US Forest Service approved the proposal and the Carolina Mountain Club provided a team of dedicated volunteers to assist with the reconstruction efforts. The project involved the use of specialized equipment, including a funicular owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, to transport materials up the 5,721-foot peak. 

During the ceremony, speakers expressed their gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the project and emphasized the importance of conserving and protecting our natural landscapes for future generations. US Forest Service Director, Jeff Owenby, spoke to the collaborative nature of the project,

“This project is an excellent example of the power of collaboration and partnerships. While none of the agencies, partners, or volunteers had the ability to independently complete this much-needed project, together we were able to get the deck built so that visitors can enjoy the views for years to come.”

As visitors return to the trails and overlooks of Mount Pisgah, they can now enjoy an enhanced experience, made possible through the collaborative efforts of dedicated individuals and organizations.