The Aurora Borealis visible above the Swannanoa Mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway, during the geomagnetic storm of May 10, 2024.
The Aurora Borealis visible above the Swannanoa Mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway, during the geomagnetic storm of May 10, 2024.
The Aurora Borealis visible above Shope Creek Valley on the Blue Ridge Parkway, during the geomagnetic storm of May 10, 2024.
The Aurora Borealis visible above Shope Creek Valley on the Blue Ridge Parkway, during the geomagnetic storm of May 10, 2024.
The Aurora Borealis visible above Shope Creek Valley on the Blue Ridge Parkway, during the geomagnetic storm of May 10, 2024.
The Aurora Borealis visible above Lane Pinnacle on the Blue Ridge Parkway, during the geomagnetic storm of May 10, 2024.
The Aurora Borealis visible above Lane Pinnacle on the Blue Ridge Parkway, during the geomagnetic storm of May 10, 2024.
The Aurora Borealis visible above Lane Pinnacle on the Blue Ridge Parkway, during the geomagnetic storm of May 10, 2024.
The Aurora Borealis visible above the fields at Warren Wilson College, during the geomagnetic storm of May 10, 2024.
Pillow-shaped mounds of lichen grow on the ground near Mount Hardy
Christmas-tree shaped Red Spruce grow on the side of Mount Hardy
Glade on the side of Mount Hardy
The summit of 6110 ft Mount Hardy is a broad, nearly flat dome covered in a dense spruce-fir forest.
Mossy trees growing on Mount Hardy
Young Red Spruce trees grow around a mossy glade on Mount Hardy
Glade on the side of Mount Hardy
Trail to Mount Hardy Summit
Spruce-Fir Forest on the North Slopes of Mount Hardy on the Mountains to Sea Trail
Narrow Section of the Mountains to Sea Trail in Middle Prong Wilderness
Sunset over Deep Creek at the Tom Branch Road bridge.
Tom Branch Falls drops directly into Deep Creek, not far from the picnic area. This is a popular spot for swimming and tubing in the warmer months!
Foot bridge over Juney Whank Falls, near Deep Creek.
Steps leading down to the viewing area of Indian Creek Falls.
Steps down to the first main overlook on the Chestoa View Trail
At the start of the Chestoa View trail is the main overlook with this view Grandfather Mountain.
At the start of the Chestoa View trail is the main overlook with this view Grandfather Mountain.
At the start of the Chestoa View trail is the main overlook with this view of Table Rock across the Linville Gorge.
A flat stretch of the easy, short loop Chestoa View Trail.
Wood fence along the Chestoa View Trail protects visitors from the steep cliffs overlooking the North Fork Catawba River valley.
View of Table Rock across the Linville Gorge from the Chestoa View Trail overlook.
Chestoa View Trail in Autumn
Panoramic view from Storyteller’s Rock at the end of the Nuwati Trail in early fall.
View from Eagle Rock on a Late Autumn Gray Day. Some nice fall color still persists in the lower elevations of the Blue Ridge escarpment into mid-November.
View of the ridge behind Storyteller’s Rock at the end of the Nuwati trail.
At the end of the Nuwati trail is Storyteller’s Rock, and this view up to Calloway Peak in early fall.
At the end of the Nuwati trail is Storyteller’s Rock, and this view up to Calloway Peak in early fall.
“Up Rock to View Point”. Okay!
View east toward the Piedmont from Storyteller’s Rock at the end of the Nuwati trail in early fall.
The upper reaches of Boone Fork are choked with boulders where the Nuwati trail crosses on its way up to Storyteller’s Rock and The Refuge (campsite).
Nuwati Trail swings right across the double upper feeders of Boone Fork at this giant sloping boulder.
Crossing of a small side stream feeding into Boone Fork on the Nuwati trail.
Sign for the Streamside campsite on the Nuwati trail in Grandfather Mountain State Park.
The Streamside campsite on the Nuwati trail in Grandfather Mountain State Park.
Big Boulder beside the Nuwati Trail in Grandfather Mountain State Park.
Junction of the Tanawha and Nuwata trails at the edge of Grandfather Mountain State Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Boone Fork as seen from the Tanawha Trail near the Boone Fork Parking Area on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
View of Grandfather Mountain’s McRae Peak peeking out from behind the clouds on the Blue Ridge Parkway just north of Linn Cove Viaduct, at the Yonahlossee Overlook.
Early Fall view of the Linn Cove Viaduct, with Table Rock and Hawksbill Mountain in the distance along Linville Gorge.
View of Pilot Mountain (right) and Hanging Rock (left) on the horizon from near the Cumberland Knob recreation area.
The picnic area at Cumberland Knob has a modern side in the meadow to the left of this photo, and an older rustic side nestled in the woods, seen here.
The picnic area at Cumberland Knob has a modern side, seen here, and an older rustic side to the right of this photo.
Fence and the Cumberland Knob Cemetery
There are 19 graves in this small family cemetery from 1908 to 1960. Among those buried here are four infants and sixteen year old Rebecaca Smith Moxley.
Cumberland Knob trail in the meadow adjacent to the picnic area.
Moss and lichen grow on these classic carved wood signs on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Cumberland Knob.
Sign for the Cumberland Knob recreation area on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Blue Ridge Parkway displays some of its awards and recognition in Cumberland Knob Park, just south of the NC/VA State Line.
Plaque recognizing the achievements of the landscape architects who helped plan, design, and build the Blue Ridge Parkway.
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY – First rural national parkway. Construction began near here on September 11, 1935.
NC/VA State Line on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Aerial view of Asheville, NC in the waning days of summer.
Swallowtail butterfly on wildflowers growing beside the Old Mitchell Toll Road.
Red Spruce grow beside the Old Mitchell Toll Road near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Blue Ridge Pinnacle trail where it joins the Old Mitchell Toll Road.
Orange blaze along the Blue Ridge Pinnacle trail near the Old Mitchell Toll Road
Yellow wildflowers growing beaide the Blue Ridge Pinnacle Trail.
An open forest filled with sedges and ferns on the Blue Ridge Pinnacle trail between the summit and Old Mitchell Toll Road.
Wildflowers grow in later summer along the Pinnacle trail between the summit and the Old Mitchell Toll Road.
Blue Bead Lily beside the Pinnacle trail.
Twisted trees on the trail to Blue Ridge Pinnacle.
Rhododendrong grows from a narrow crack in the rocks at the summit of Blue Ridge Pinnacle.
Galax on the Pinnacle Trail
Sign for the Pinnacle Trail, referring to Blue Ridge Pinnacle and not to be confused with Craggy Pinnacle 9 miles South on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
A gentle curve near the 3200 ft elevation on the Strawberry Gap trail.
View from Ferguson Peak on the Strawberry Gap Trail. The cliff-top overlook is surrounded by increasingly rare Carolina Hemlock trees.
The first view you encounter on top of Ferguson Peak on the Strawberry Gap tril.
Galax surrounds the base of a tree on the Strawberry Gap trail.
Carolina Hemlock is an increasingly rare species which can still be found along the Strawberry Gap trail, for now (as of 2023).
Galax blooms along the Strawberry Gap trail.
S-shaped stairs along a steeper part of the Strawberry Gap trail.
Galax grows along the Strawberry Gap Trail.
Ferns along the Strawberry Gap Trail.
Solomon’s Seal blooms along the Strawberry Gap trail in early June.
Rock outcrop along the Strawberry Gap trail.
Steps and fence on the Strawberry Gap trail at a junction with a private trail. Stay on the marked Strawberry Gap trail.
Private trails lead away from Strawberry Gap Trail. Be sure to stay on the marked trail. It is well signed and easy to follow.
Strawberry Gap Trail has just one creek crossing, right at the beginning, an easy one via these stepping stones.
Register, fence, and sign at the start of the Strawberry Gap trail.
Memorial for Susie Skinner Clarke Hamilton at the start of the Strawberry Gap Trail.
No dogs are allowed on the Strawberry Gap Trail. Not even the little tiny ones.
Entrance to the Strawberry Gap Trail.
The majority of Toxaway Falls, with the US Hwy 64 road bridge, dam, Toxaway Lake, and Toxaway Mountain all upstream.
The uppermost, highest drop of Toxaway Falls, with the US Hwy 64 road bridge, dam, Toxaway Lake, and Toxaway Mountain all upstream.
Lake Glenville in spring foliage.
High Falls of the Tuckasegee River sits below Lake Glenville, and is now normaly dewatered except during recreational flow release days, when it roars.
Lake Glenville Dam covers what was once called Onion Falls on the Tuckasegee River. The new, much-larger falls of the dam’s spillway (left) is now sometimes called Onion Falls.
Lake Glenville Dam covers what was once called Onion Falls on the Tuckasegee River. The new, much-larger falls of the dam’s spillway (left) is now sometimes called Onion Falls.
