April 16, 2009 Stop #2
Lynn and I had trouble getting here. The Blue Ridge Parkway was closed for repairs south of Mount Mitchell. We made the long drive all the way around. There were lots of scenic overlooks as we drove south on the parkway. We went through twin tunnels and took a video. To see it click here. I know, I know, we need to clean our windshield.
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Entering the park
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View of Mount Mitchell. You can see part of the observation platform at the top.
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View from the parking lot
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There was a small snowbank, a reminder of last weeks late winter storm.
Mount Mitchell is one of the coldest places in the southeast.
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We weren't on the top yet, but had great views from the parking lot.
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There is a restaurant next to the parking lot but it wasn't open.
The short trail to the top is paved.
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Lynn took advantage of this bench along the way.
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Almost there
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Here I am on the 6684' summit of Mount Mitchell. I know I drove here, and I know that this mountain can't compare to out west, but it's the highest mountain that I'd ever been on.
It is the highest point in the eastern United States. It was also the highest point in the United Stated from 1776-1845. When Texas became a state in 1845, Mount Mitchell lost that distinction.
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The mountain was named after Elisha Mitchell, a professor at the University of North Carolina, who determined its height in 1835 and fell to his death at nearby Mitchell Falls in 1857, having returned to verify his earlier measurements.
There is a grave belonging to him on the summit. This creeped Lynn out a little bit.
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Plaque on the grave
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Let's head up the walkway to the observation platform.
The former 40 foot tower was torn down in late 2006.
Construction of this new platform was just completed in January 2009.
For a video clip click here.
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Marker in the center of the platform
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What a view!
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Looking down to the parking lot
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Here I am on the platform
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I didn't have the best weather the last week on the A.T., but I sure hit it right today.
This summit is in the fog 8 out of 10 days.
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One more photo as we began the short walk back down.
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That's state highpoint #15.
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