Rich Mountain (Watauga County, North Carolina)

This article is about a mountain northwest of Boone. For the mountain south-southwest of Boone, in Moses Cone Park, see Rich Mountain (Moses Cone Park, North Carolina).
Rich Mountain
Rich Mountain is located in North Carolina
Rich Mountain
Rich Mountain
Location in North Carolina
Highest point
Elevation4,748 ft (1,447 m)[1]
Coordinates36°14′08″N 81°42′21″W / 36.23556°N 81.70583°W / 36.23556; -81.70583[1]
Geography
LocationWatauga County, North Carolina, U.S.
Parent rangeBlue Ridge Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Boone

Rich Mountain is a mountain located in the North Carolina High Country, roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of the town of Boone. Its elevation reaches 4,748 feet (1,447 m).

The mountain is sometimes confused with Howard Knob, which is to its immediate east; sharing the same ridge to the west is Snakeden Mountain. The summit is private property.

The summit of Rich Mountain has year-round temperatures similar to nearby Beech Mountain. While Beech Mountain stands 800 feet (240 m) taller, the unique environment and prevailing winds that channel through a valley just to the North of Rich, bring winter lows that compete with and are occasionally lower than Beech[citation needed]. The summit, and upper north face of Rich Mountain will also receive 50-90% more snow each winter than Boone.[citation needed] 68" of snow was recorded during the 2017/2018 winter which sported 3 different snowfalls through the end of April.[citation needed]

The mountain generates several feeder streams to the South Fork New River (via Doe Fork[2]) and the Watauga River (via Laurel Fork[3]).

References

  1. ^ a b "Rich Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2011-09-11.
  2. ^ "Doe Fork". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2011-09-11.
  3. ^ "Laurel Fork". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2011-09-11.