Moses Cone with Friends

Moses Cone with Friends, originally uploaded by Appalachian Encounters.

We’ve had a few beautiful Sundays in a row around Boone, which is giving everyone Spring fever and getting us all out. We hiked two Sundays ago on the Moses Cone trails up and back to the fire tower.

Linville_Gorge From Wiseman’s View

Linville_Gorge From Wiseman’s View, originally uploaded by Appalachian Encounters.

Linville gorge is one of the most rugged wilderness area’s in the southeast and it’s right here in our backyard. The Linville river has cut an amazing gorge leaving behind world class climbing, hiking trails, and backpacking opportunities. From this vantage point, Table Rock is profound as you look south down the gorge.

Yin & Yang

 

Yin & Yang, originally uploaded by Appalachian Encounters.

These two trees along the BRP have become quite popular due to their proximity to one another and the fact that the tree on the left seems to lose it’s leaves almost completely before it’s partner.

El Cap

El Cap, originally uploaded by Appalachian Encounters.

From El Cap meadow in (fairly) early morning sun, this big granite formation shows off all its crevasses, lines, shadows, and size. What an amazing formation.

Ferns Far Below

DSC_8590, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Amazing the height of the canopy!

Redwood Canopy

Redwood Canopy, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

 

Even the ivy

Even the ivy, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Even the poison ivy has shown color here in the high country.  Sunset shed great light on this transition tree in Valle Crucis.

Red & Orange & Yellow

Red & Orange & Yellow, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

The pastures and landscapes of this area never stop amazing me. The colors they can produce are irresistible, complimentary, and beautiful.

Green Carpet

Green Carpet, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

The Point

The Point, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

While hiding in a quiet spot eating, what I could only call a gourmet lunch (thanks to Polly’s in Brevard), a passer-by leads a pack of people to “the point”, he called it. I had no idea we were anywhere near a “point”. Curiosity got the best of us and we headed out the same way…to the point. Behold! a great vista looking north.

Appreciator

Appreciator, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

My father-in-law takes it all in while we all enjoyed a beautiful evening on the parkway, waiting for the sun to go down and loving the cool mtn air.

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.

Fallen

Fallen, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

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

Rusty Coil

Rusty Coil, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Rolling Fences

Rolling Fences, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Rolling hills traced by a fence to keep the cows from roaming where they shouldn’t. You can see them gathered in the background.

Barbed Post

Barbed Post, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Picket Shadows

Picket Shadows, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Cheese

Cheese, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

My dog is the biggest ham, poser, and cheese…

Shadow Tree

Shadow Tree, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

The details in the shadows from this tree were so fantastic. Couple that with green spring grass and blue skies and it’s a spectacular subject.

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.