photos:2000:Blue Ridge Parkway

A hike up Sam Knob adjacent to the Shining Rock Wilderness off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina












Beautiful view from ..e Blue Ridge Parkway Our first glimpse in.. nameless waterfall. A nice cone-shaped p..s at things to come. A wonderfully differ.. awaits exploration.












Black Balsam Knob Amazing views on this cold overcast day The bald rolling rid..at make up this area A hiker's dream












We were in constant awe. We're not making ver.. looking at scenery. Mount Pisgah stands ..he right background. I wonder why they ca..lue Ridge Mountains?












Speechless We are hiking to and up Sam Knob. There stands our des..m Knob at 6055 feet. Looking back over ou..the side of Sam Knob












Looking across the v..k Balsam's ridgeline Look carefully in th..d you'll see a tent. These campers had an..luded and riverside. NC Hwy 215 which we ..lhead on from Canton












A sample of why this..name of Shining Rock Stunning The whole day was su..l and mind-boggling. The views were endle..direction we looked.












Amazing A closer look at the wilderness This is far and away..orite place to hike. The mountains are deceptively steep.












Looking back down at..e Blue Ridge Parkway Mount Hardy rises in.. summit of Sam Knob. Black Balsam Knob's ..om Sam Knob's summit The view from Sam Kn..y mist between each.












From the top looking in another direction Steph on the trail r..and back to the car. We found it very har..o leave such beauty. Ivestor Gap trail across the valley












Back to the trailhead View from the Blue R..kway on our way home Looking back towards..rlook on the Parkway Every rock was cover..e. Yes, it's winter.