Representatives from Blue Ridge Conservancy updated the Ashe County Board of Commissioners on progress for the Northern Peaks State Trail, reporting recent land purchases, grant awards and community engagement that the organization says are advancing trail connections through Ashe County.

David Ray, executive director of Blue Ridge Conservancy, said the organization purchased about 64 acres to add to Mount Jefferson State Natural Area and completed biological surveys to support North Carolina State Parks in refining a trail alignment. Jordan Sellers, who provided the county steering materials, described a series of north-to-south progress items, including potential trailheads and improvements at Foster Tyson Park in Jefferson and a proposed connection through a 2.5-mile corridor between West Jefferson and Jefferson that will be phased because of cost.

Patty Mountain Park was highlighted as a major success: more than 8,000 hikers have used the park this year and an Appalachian State University benefit-cost analysis cited an economic benefit of nearly $300,000 to Ashe County for that season. Work under way on 3 Top Mountain includes construction for a 12–13 mile section that will traverse the south side of 3 Top; phase 1 has a $100,000 Recreational Trails Program grant and phase 2 has a $150,000 award pending permits.

Ray said the conservancy has engaged landowners across the Elk Knob corridor to seek easements or acquisitions and that Elk Knob State Park has received more than $5,000,000 in grants for Northern Peaks Trail investment; that work is paused while the parks agency recovers from storm damage but remains a priority. The conservancy also reported $250,000+ in public grants awarded to the Northern Peaks effort this year and over $77,000 in private donations, and invited commissioners to a Boone groundbreaking on Nov. 7 for a trail project in neighboring Watauga County.

Commissioners asked questions about timelines, usage counts and hunting season accommodation; Conservancy staff said parts of the trail cross state game lands where hunting is permitted and that construction schedules will account for black powder and deer seasons.

The conservancy thanked the county and the towns of Jefferson and West Jefferson for support on Patty Mountain and other trail segments and said it expects further permitting and acquisitions before larger gaps are closed.