Blue Ridge Parkway - Articles - Zimbio

Almost Heaven

Wed, 10 Jul 2008 21:23:00 GMT

posted by MountainSage
In a departure from my normal political rantings, I'm going to share with you a little about the beautiful mountains that inspire me everyday. I live in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Since a picture speaks a thousand words, I thought I would share a couple of thousand words with you.

I hope you enjoy!

Do you know Blue Ridge Parkway?

Thu, 9 May 2008 03:27:00 GMT

posted by mala

See, without ever visiting America, I have gained lots of geographical knowledge about it that my sister, a resident American used to amaze at my knowledge.

Sometimes, she learnt new information about her own surroundings from my conversation.

One of the many scenic drives in the U.S. is the stretch of 469 miles along the Southern Appalachian Mountains and linking two eastern national parks — Virginia's Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains through the Blue Ridge Parkway.

My sister always tells me that one should visit America during the fall season to see the brilliant fall foliage is in full effect. But Yahoo recommends taking a drive along this breath taking scenic drive even during May to witness the profusion of wildflowers in bloom along the elevated mountainsides.

Courtesy: Google Images

The Hunt for Red October - Great Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage Update - 10/22/07

Mon, 23 Oct 2007 11:32:00 GMT

posted by HomeAppraiser

October 22, 2007 - Courtesy of Steve Kemp and the Great Smoky Mountains Association

Despite (or perhaps, because of) the severe drought conditions, fall colors are shaping up to be very good this year. Colors are at peak this week in many areas of the Smoky Mountain high country (above 3,500'). Yellow birch, American beech, pin cherry, American mountain-ash, witch-hobble, and mountain maple are all showing excellent color. Some maples are showing brilliant reds.

This high elevation color peak is a couple of weeks later than average and is more impressive than in many years.

Good places to see fall color include: Newfound Gap Road from Alum Cave Trailhead to Kephart Prong Trailhead, Clingmans Dome Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Foothills Parkway East & West, and Heintooga Ridge Road to Balsam Mountain Campground.
Suggested hikes: Thomas Divide Trail, Alum Cave Bluff Trail, Chimney Tops Trail, Sweat Heifer Trail, the spruce-fir self-guiding nature trail, Gregory Bald Trail, and Mt. Cammerer.
At the lower elevations, fall colors are gradually coming along. Black gum, dogwood, sumacs, and sourwood trees continue to show vivid reds. Golds are present on tuliptree, black walnut, birch, beech, spicebush, and hickories. A few scattered maples and oaks are showing colors. The peak of color at the lower elevations is at least a week away and will probably spill over into November.
Suggested hikes: Rich Mountain Loop, Chestnut Top Trail, Smokemont Loop, and Sutton Ridge Overlook (Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail).

Click Here for Basic Fall Color Information

Click Here for Fall Drives

Click Here for Fall Hikes

GSMNP Fall Hikes & Drives

The Hunt for Red October - Great Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage Update - 10/26/07

Sun, 29 Oct 2007 19:24:00 GMT

posted by HomeAppraiser

October 26, 2007 Courtesy of Terry Maddox, Julee (Crow’s Nest) Brown, and Steve Kemp and the Great Smoky Mountains Association
Colors are at or near peak from 3,000’-5,500’ and are very impressive. Reds are more pronounced now than in recent years, especially on the North Carolina side of the park.

Colors at the very highest elevations (above 5,500’)
are now past peak in some areas.

Good places to see fall color include: Newfound Gap Road from Alum Cave Trailhead to Kephart Prong Trailhead, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Foothills Parkway East & West, and Heintooga Ridge Road to Balsam Mountain Campground. Suggested hikes: Thomas Divide Trail, Alum Cave Bluff Trail, Chimney Tops Trail, Sweat Heifer Trail, Gregory Bald Trail, and Mt. Cammerer.
At the lower elevations, fall colors are quickly developing. Black gum, dogwood, sumacs, and sourwood trees continue to show vivid reds. Golds are present on tuliptree, black walnut, birch, beech, spicebush, and hickories. The peak of color at the lower elevations is still a few days away and will probably spill over into November. Suggested hikes: Rich Mountain Loop, Chestnut Top Trail, Smokemont Loop, Kanati Fork, and Sutton Ridge Overlook (Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail).

Click Here for Basic Fall Color Information
Click Here for Fall Drives
Click Here for Fall Hikes
GSMNP Fall Hikes & Drives

Blue Ridge Party Hearty

Tue, 25 Apr 2007 06:45:00 GMT

posted by rbenvin

Filed under: Hiking, Business, Events, North America, United States, Camping

Every year for the last twenty or so, hordes of granola-chomping backpacker types (and those wearing absurd funny glasses) descend on the town of Damascus, Virginia for a week of frolic in the wild. The town's population jumps from 10000 to over 20,000 and live bands, gear extravaganzas, cookouts and funnel cake sales-people clog the streets.

Appalachian Trail Days is the name of the event and it has become one of the largest annual backpacker fetes around. This years fest goes from May 12-20 and offers the opportunity to hang out with outdoorsy folks, to pitch your tent and start a fire or two (OK, I don't know that for sure...there may be a strict no fire rule). No matter, this sounds like a heap of fun. I am heading to Norway myself about that time, but if I can talk my wife into going for just a weekend, we might check it out.

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