Ferns Far Below

DSC_8590, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Amazing the height of the canopy!

New Growth

DSC_8577, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Hiking the trails around the Muir Woods National Monument was such a fantastic experience. Around every turn is some new display of nature’s wonders. While on this particular trail (I believe this was at the junction of the T.C.C Trail) the views changed often, the tree varieties, the slope grade, etc. What a great hike!

Redwood Canopy

Redwood Canopy, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

 

Redwoods

Redwoods, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

 

I took a short trip to San Fran this past week, and got a chance to get out of work-mode and see Muir Woods. I hiked along the Dipsea Trail, the first “trail running” trails in the states, which led me through a number of eco-systems and eventually down to the Muir Woods National Monument. All of it was beautiful.

Rough Ridge Colors

Rough Ridge Colors, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

These colors could be seen last week along the BRP while hiking up the Rough Ridge Trail.

Covered in Rhodies

Covered in Rhodies, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

My family hiking thru the rhodies along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Shadow of Fern

I saw this great shadow of a fern while hiking on the Tanawha trail just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Shadow of Fern, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

View from Devil’s Courthouse

View from Devil’s Courthouse, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

It’s about a 15-20 minute hike to the top of Devil’s Courthouse, but don’t be fooled by the flat walkway leaving the parking area. As soon as you take that right curve in the trail in to the woods…you go up…and up. It’s absolutely worth it though!!!

Majestic

Majestic, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

This stream may be small, but at this moment on the Boone Fork Trail, i had a renewed appreciation for the trail. It’s 5 miles take you thru a fantastic mecca of Appalachian perfection.

Ladder B&W

Ladder B&W, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Ladder on the Boone Fork Trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Foggy Crossing

Foggy Crossing, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Up Close

Up Close, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Boone Fork

Boone Fork, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Boone Fork as it is headed under the Boone Fork Bridge and Blue Ridge Parkway

Boone Fork Bridge

Boone Fork Bridge, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Rainy and foggy days are the best to shoot. This Boone Fork Bridge is always a great subject. Great light thru the trees, and rushing creek below it, and plenty of boulders for contrast, climbing, and of course, tripods.

Wake Robin Trillium

Wake Robin Trillium, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

This is the time of year to see them, but you have to be looking for them. That “robin red” color blends in to the forest floor.

New Pack

New Pack, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Max showing off his new pack. He’s carrying two water bottles and his water bowl. what a load off me!

Fallen

Fallen, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Hemlocks mostly, diseased and dead where they stand. Some have fallen to make this tangle.

Leap!

Leap!, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Although not from very high, it was still fun to photo these two jumping off the platform at the Apple Barn in Moses Cone.

Profile Trail Boulder Steps

Profile Trail Boulder Steps, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

The Profile Trail on Grandfather Mountain has many rocks, boulders, and streams encountered when hiking this trail. I think early spring is one of the absolute best times to hike this trail due to great light thru the trees, new growth, and full streams.

Moss Covered Boulders

Moss Covered Boulders, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Water swirls around rocks in a shallow pool.