Ok, I have to confess...

I've had friends ask, "How do you go out and take the pictures you post every day?" I wish I was able to get out every day - but I'm lucky if I go a couple times a week -- when I do, I try my best to stop at a few places and take lots of different kinds of shots so that I have something new to share each day throughout the week. But with the colors changing each day, I feel the need to post all my pictures at once this week! So here are some of my favorite shots from the Grandfather Mountain area of North Carolina taken Sunday. Get out and explore the Blue Ridge Mountains this week if you can. Going on a weekday would be the best time to go. If you go this weekend (which I'm thinking will be the peak weekend for color in and around Grandfather Mountain) be sure to leave bright and early to get a jump on the crowds. I also have to confess that I just bought a season pass to Grandfather, and I look forward to using it a lot in the coming year! I hope you won't get tired of seeing pictures from there!This is a popular shot to get from MacRae Meadows -- each year this maple tree turns bright yellow and beautifully frames Grandfather Mountain. See the gorgeous shots taken by the late-and-great Hugh Morton and the very-much-alive-and-wonderfully talented-Marie Freeman (of Blue Ridge Blog fame) here and here. Every time I pass by I have to peek in to see how far along The Tree is. This time through I noticed a fern growing at its base which was nicely lit by the morning sun. This is a view from Grandfather Mountain of MacRae Meadows below. If you look closely, you can see The Tree in the distance!
One of many sweeping 'S' curves winding its way up mile-high Grandfather Mountain.
Back down on the Parkway... this is similar to yesterday's shot taken from the top of Beacon Heights Overlook. The shot above of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather Mountain was taken from the Beacon Heights parking area (Mile 305).

Beacon Heights Overlook

While the colors on the Tennessee side of the mountain have a couple of weeks to go, the area around Grandfather Mountain is quickly approaching peak color. This week and next will be the prime time to visit. Beacon Heights is a great place to take in the colors and some great views. On a clear day, you can see in just about every direction from this huge rock outcropping. It's a popular stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway, not only for its view, but also because this overlook offers access to both the Tanawha Trail (which runs 13.5 miles to Price Lake) and the Mountains to the Sea Trail. The hike up to Beacon Heights is less than 1/3 of a mile - and of moderate difficulty (and I say that only because of the elevation change and some unsure footing). The shot above is a wide angle shot (10mm lens for you shutterbugs out there) that shows Grandfather Mountain (A portion of the swinging bridge is barely visible on the left side of the photo -- click to enlarge), MacRae Peak (in the middle) and Rough Ridge Overlook (to the right). Here and there you can see glimpses of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Location and Trail Description: Beacon Heights Overlook is located at Mile #305 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail is well marked, just follow the arrows to the top. Once there the trail forks - I recommend you take the one to the left first (which takes you up to the view above) and then on your way back down, take the other trail to a different overlook that faces east and south.

Directions from Grandfather Mountain: After visiting Grandfather Mountain, at the park exit turn left to get back onto Route 221, go approximately 1 mile to the entrance ramp for the Blue Ridge Parkway (the ramp is on your left). At the stop sign, turn right to head south on the parkway. Beacon Heights is the first overlook to the left.