West Virginia’s Legendary Powell Mountain Goat
The Powell Mountain Goat is a solitary, free-range goat that has called a mountain in Nicholas County, West Virginia home for 18 years now. Over the years she has become a West Virginia legend. People drive hundreds of miles to get a glimpse of this legendary goat.
Despite being a popular draw the goat has never been given a name. She inhabits the cliffs above the U.S. 19 expressway. For the past 18 years, she has drawn the attention of drivers and the love of travelers from West Virginia and beyond who make the trip in hopes of catching a glimpse of the goat.
The Legend Behind the Goat
Now, as with all legends, the Powell Mountain Goat comes with her own story. According to the tale she formerly lived on a large farm near Muddlety Valley, but as a 3-month-old kid she escaped and wandered off. She made her way to Powell Mountain. The farmer tracked her down and brought her back to the farm to have her escape again and return to her mountain. Eventually, the farmer gave up and left the goat to reign over her mountain.
Despite the isolation and surviving entirely on her own through harsh weather conditions she appears to be a healthy and happy goat. She has at times been seen with a potential mate, but none have ever stayed with her on the mountain.
Where is Powell Mountain?
Powell Mountain is located just north of the city of Summersville. The mountain is an estimated 2,400 feet above sea level. It is one of the tallest peaks east of the Alleghenies.
Over the years she has developed a routine that has made it easier for visitors to see her and get a video, photograph or two. During the early mornings, you will usually find her lying in a sunny spot towards the top of the mountain. As the day warms, she makes her way down the mountainside to munch on grass and pose for photos.
In the evenings, you can find her grazing at the bottom of the mountain, which creates the perfect opportunity for passing motorists or people who made the trip to see her to get photos.
Despite her ever-growing popularity, the Powell Mountain Goat remains unchanged by all of the attention. She has become a popular local legend and has taken on the role of a celebrity with as much grace as a goat can.
Her legend has grown so large that she even has her own Facebook page where people share photos and stories of visits with her. She is so popular that she also has a bumper sticker.
Plan a Visit to See the Powell Mountain Goat
For the past 18 years, the Powell Mountain Goat has brought smiles to visitors faces. She is without a doubt loved and treasured by the Mountain State. With autumn upon us, it is the perfect time to make the drive to Nicholas County’s Powell Mountain to enjoy the fall foliage and hopefully get the opportunity to see the legendary Powell Mountain Goat.
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Driving past Powell Mountain heading to Summersville at least twice a month we’ve caught several glimpses of the Powell Mountain Goat. Last year we got some great photos catching her near the road grazing…Don’t know exactly what it is, but there is something really special about this goat!
Has She ever had any offsprings
Not sure. But a good question. If we find out, we will post.
Hi Hiram…I can’t say for certain that she has never had a kid, but in the 18-years that she has been spotted, videoed, and photographed on Powell Mountain, she has never been seen with an offspring. That is just another mystery that makes her such an enigma! Thank you for reading my post and taking the time to comment.
I love how famous and loved this goat is! What a great article on this independent creature!
My parents live not too far from Powell Mountain so I drive by often. I love it every time I see this goat. She’s an inspiration to independent women everywhere! LOL
I love this goat! We drive by the mountain every day and have seen her hundreds of times, but it never gets old! Thanks for such a great piece on our critter treasure!
I’m a local resident of Nicholas Co. I travel the mountain weekly and this is the first summer I haven’t seen our ol’ goat 🐐. I have seen her so often over the years. Even in the middle of the road crossing to the middle. She has lived her life and pleased many people with her adventures life ..
I believe she went high on her mountain one last time and Rest In Peace 🦋 she’ll be missed by people near and far.
My neighbor and I enjoyed the project of installing the new goat. 10 mins after the install someone had already seen it and commented on the Goat’s Facebook page. Definitely made our day!
A new GOAT went up on Powell Mountain. This new goat was made by a West Virginia guy who now lives in North Carolina. He was inspired to to do it after reading the article by a woman that was pleading to whoever took the one placed R C a couple of years ago.
A wood model was made and was placed high on the mountain in order to protect it from being stolen. The gentleman
who made it and “Brad”
(see above post) were responsible for putting it up.This was a temporary
one, as it would fall apart in a few years.
As mentioned by Brad, it got attention immediately. One person in particular was the man who had put up the first memorial that was taken. He figured out who had made it and contacted the maker. It so happened that the two of them had worked together nearly 30 years ago.
It didn’t take long for the two of them to decide to make a new GOAT that would last for many years. R C lives in Summersville and provided two helpers while the Old Man designed, got it painted and delivered it to the site.
I have noticed that the Powell Mountain Goat comes up on my GPS along with information about it.
It was because of a woman’s plea that we have our goat back on the mountain.