Calloway Summit -- 5,964'

It was really hard to believe, as my fingers froze, that it was a balmy 60 degrees a week ago when I climbed Attic Window...

Grandfather Trail

Looking 4000' down over Pisgah National Forest. The strip of white to the right is the snow covered, and I assume closed, Blue Ridge Parkway.

Watauga View Spur Trail

The scrub along the ridge was all coated in a thin sheet of rime ice, like this.

Watauga View Spur Trail

A rime coated pine at Watauga View. I thought it was cold at the summit. Watauga View was open and facing the wind!

Watauga View

The beautiful, albeit cold, view west from Watauga View. Not my best panorama but good enough, I think, considering the gusty winds and my frozen fingers!

Watauga View

The Banner Elk area from Watauga View. The group of buildings to the left-center marks the junction of Highways 105 & 184. Beech Mountain is the peak to the upper right.

Watauga View

You can't see it, but Boone is out there, tucked out of sight behind one of those ridges to the right. Beyond are the Amphibolite Mountains and the distant peaks of Tennessee and Virginia.

Watauga View

Roan Mountain, protected by National Forest lands, rises above and beyond the abused slopes of Sugar Mountain in the foreground. It amazes me that people who say they want to live here to enjoy the beauty can do so much to destroy that same beauty...

Watauga View

Looking down the ridge from Watauga View towards Attic Window Peak. The dark peaks in the distance to the right of Attic Window are those of the Black Mountains, including Mt. Mitchell.

Watauga View Spur Trail

Not 10 yards back into the trees from Watauga View the woods, protected from the winds, are once again coated in a thick blanket of rime and snow.

Profile Trail

I was not looking forward to descending past Shanty Spring. Most of the rocks you see here have a slick layer of ice hidden by the snow. It was slow-going for a while.

Profile Trail

The trail passed below this perched boulder the size of a house above Profile View. I hate to be around when this thing finally lets loose!

Profile Trail

I stopped for a breather at Foscoe View again on the way down. I love this poem by John Muir. It comes closer to explaining why I enjoy the outdoors than anything I could write.

Profile Trail

I was hoping to get a better shot of these cascades on the way down but the sun broke out and ruined my fun. Oh well, still a pretty spot.

Profile Trail

The Watauga River was a welcome sight for my knees. The sunlight through the trees was beautiful.

Profile Trail

Making my way back up the trail towards the hut under the sunlit rhododendrons. What a wonderful day on the trail!