The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) has acquired 92 acres atop Round Mountain in Mitchell County, just south of Carver’s Gap. The purchase includes the mountain’s summit and surrounding slopes, preserving a prominent feature visible from the Appalachian Trail and the scenic Roan Mountain area. At 4,900 feet elevation and located just 1.5 miles from Round Bald, Jane Bald, and Grassy Ridge Bald, Round Mountain plays a key role in the region’s viewshed and ecological health.
The property lies within the Roan Mountain Important Bird Area and the Grandfather Unaka Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Area. It contains tributaries feeding into High Quality and trout-designated waters. This purchase helps link SAHC’s Little Rock Creek Preserve with a larger network of protected lands on the Roan Massif. SAHC plans to manage Round Mountain as a permanent wildlife preserve, protecting vital habitat and climate refuge.
Photo courtesy SAHC
