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.  : )