Crepuscular Rays on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Crepuscular Rays stream down through the clouds from the sun and create heavenly landscapes.  I use to believe that angels walked down these rays and if you stood within them, you were blessed by God, I still do on some occasions.  While driving back to Asheville from Crabtree Waterfalls, I encountered several of these.  The elevations present different weather conditions.  It could be cloudy at one point, then 10 miles down the road sunny, then cloudy again after 7 miles.  The Blue Ridge Parkway is amazing.  All these photos were taken within an hour's drive (on the same day) along the Blue Ridge Parkway driving back home.



When I was driving there was a hawk flying, but I did not get a picture of it.  By the time I pulled over, it had flown off.



How the heavens touch the earth.



I think this one is my favorite because the Blue Ridge Mountains look surreal. 



Then it got cloudy.



Then another few miles sunny as the sun was getting closer to setting.



Then another few miles the clouds started hanging low again.



And at Mount Mitchell Dome parking area, I could not see the mountains due to the heavy fog. 



Then after descending the Blue Ridge Parkway the clouds got thinner.



Until the sun started coming out again in a few more miles. 

The Blue Ridge Parkway is filled with many surprises.  It is a living ecological area, not only in the flora, fauna, and wildlife, but also in the atmosphere. 

Crabtree Falls

I am elaborating on my original post months ago.  Crabtree Falls is situated between Mount Mitchell and Linville Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.  It is located in Little Switzerland in Yancy County off mile post 339.5.  I took Loop A down to the falls, then Loop B on the return trip.  Loop B provided a little more strenuous hiking as I had to hike up rocks and uphill during a decent percent of it.  A Whitetail deer crossed the trail ahead of me as I was hiking.  It was only 3 to 3 1/2 miles to do the round trip, which is not bad.  I took several pictures of the waterfalls and the day was perfect for picture taking.
 
You will pass Mountain Vistas again on your way up to Crabtree Falls.




Once you park, you will see signs for Loop A and Loop B.  I took Loop A which will take you past an outdoor amphitheater



You will be hiking through the woods past the flowers and butterflies.



Onward through canopy of trees.



Beside rolling streams of water.



Until you get to Crabtree Falls, which you will hear before you see it off to the left if taking Loop A to it.  The trail gets rocky so if you have any problems walking or hiking you will need  help. 



Crabtree Falls







And for that close-up ...



I can't imagine what it's like for birds and wildlife to live around the falls each day of their lives.  Waterfalls almost appear to be alive - wise, old mystical beings placed deep in the woods for us to go seek. 

Mount Mitchell

Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in the Appalachians and also the highest peak on the East Coast.  It peaks out at 6,684 feet.  It is located in Yancy County near the town of Burnsville and can be accessed via the Blue Ridge  Parkway at mile marker 355.4.  You will want to go Spring, Summer, or Fall but due to its high elevation it is colder and has more ice during Winter months, thus is closed.  It is approximately 35 miles Northeast of Asheville. 

We are going to continue our journey from the last post (Craggy Gardens) and enter the tunnel on the Blue Ridge Parkway that will take us up to Mount Mitchell.



You will past overlooks for Mountain Vistas on the Blue Ridge Parkway.



You will eventually come to the road that will take you up to Mount Mitchell.  You can park at the very top (which has a refreshment cafe). 



The day I went it was cloudy up at Mount Mitchell.  The weather kept changing from cloudy to rainy to sunny depending on the elevation I was at.  What is really interesting is not only the peak at Mount Mitchell but all the native plants and the hiking.  I only got to do a brief hike that day due to the fact I was on my way to Crabtree Falls. 

When you cross the road from the parking area, you will see a picnic area with a shed. 



Busy around this shed will be several insects pollinating the flowers.



A Black Swallowtail.



Bumblebees.
 
You will also see different wildflowers.



When you walk further, you will enter into the Pisgah Forest. 



Mount Mitchell trees.

 There are several neat finds in here.  For example, this lichen growing on quartz rock. 



The paths will take you through the trees.



Some of the paths have rock stairs.



The day I was there, I was in awe of all the different species of wild mushrooms. 



Fly Agaric which has lichen growing around it.



Melanoleuca maritima



Russula



I believe this is False Turkey Tail.

There are more species of mushrooms but this is a taste of them.  We are going to continue our journey up the Blue Ridge Parkway through more Mountain Vistas leaving Mount Mitchell behind.




Past unique trees.



On our way up to Crabtree Falls. 

Craggy Gardens

Craggy Gardens is at mile post 367.6.  Craggy Garden's visitor center is located further up the road at mile post 364.5.  If coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway access East Asheville, Craggy Gardens picnic area is approximately a 24-mile drive.  Craggy Gardens is recognized by the state of North Carolina as a Natural Heritage Area.  The views on the way up to Craggy Gardens are beautiful as well as at Craggy Gardens.  Peak time is the month of June.  These photos were taken in July and a couple in August.



The day I went it had finished raining and the water was flowing good in the streams and off the rocks that line the Blue Ridge Parkway. 




Not soon after they had to close the Blue Ridge Parkway for repairs due to a crack that had opened up in the road, most likely due to all the rain we got last summer and it coming down the rocks onto the road.



The mountain vistas are beautiful.



Off to the right in the middle of the folds of mountains is a waterfall but I'm not quite sure which one it is.



You will drive through a series of tunnels that have been built into the rocks and have foliage growing surrounding them and upon them.



Another Blue Ridge mountain vista. 

This is the picnic area.



And these little buggers call it home. 



And they like to know what is going on at all times.



And don't even think about getting near their coveted prize or they will squawk at you, proclaiming their territory ... yes, they are the Red Squirrels of Craggy Gardens.


The coveted prize - a leftover hamburger bun from a picnicker. 

So on to why people come here - the Rhododendrons. 



Pink, purple, and white rhododendrons fill the area up in early Summer. 



This is how they look after peak times and the buds have fallen off.

Further up the road is the Craggy Garden's visitor center and more mountain vistas.




There are also other native wildflowers and plants.



And Mockernut Hickory trees as well as other native trees.

 And you can look up the road and see the tunnel that will lead you to Mount Mitchell.



On to Mount Mitchell for my next posting.  : )