{"id":7995,"date":"2023-07-02T22:59:27","date_gmt":"2023-07-02T14:59:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=7995"},"modified":"2023-12-07T09:46:57","modified_gmt":"2023-12-07T01:46:57","slug":"20230702grandfather","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702grandfather\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 1 of 2023 Independence Day Trip, Grandfather Mountain"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>During Independence Day 2023, I made a trip to North Carolina. This post would be the first actual day of activities where I had some fun hiking\/climbing in Grandfather Mountain.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6541.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6541.jpg\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge before MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mile High Swinging Bridge before MacRae Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide.min.2.4.21.js\"><\/script>\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide-skyblue.min.css\">\n<script>\ndocument.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function () {\n\tvar secondarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-1', 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{\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:75,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:42,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider19 = new Splide( '#splide-major-19', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider19.sync( secondarySlider19 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider20 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-20', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:75,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:42,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider20 = new Splide( '#splide-major-20', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider20.sync( secondarySlider20 ).mount();\n} );\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>For 2023&#8217;s Independence Day holiday, I had an opening to take a slightly longer trip in the eastern US. For that, my options were between Adirondack mountains in upper New York State, and the Blue Ridge mountains in North Carolina. The former were renowned for their expansive spread and magnificent appearances, as depicted by numerous painters from the early days of US civilization, when they sought refuge from the cities&#8217; moral degeneration. The latter, I visited Blue Ridge Parkway last autumn at peak foliage. Unlike Virginia where the mountains felt very linear to me, there was much more to explore in North Carolina.<br \/>\nIn the end, the weather forecast in the Adirondack mountains didn&#8217;t look good, so I picked North Carolina.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Previous_Day_at_Taubman_Museum_of_Art\">Previous Day at Taubman Museum of Art<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>I left home on the morning of Saturday July 1st. 10 minutes into my drive and while I was filling up at a gas station, I realized I left my hiking shoes at home. <span style=\"font-size: small;\">For most if not all of my trips, I always left something behind. I felt lucky this time I found out early enough.<\/span> After I went back home and fetched them, it&#8217;s almost 11am.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s the Saturday of a holiday weekend and traffic was not light even along I66. Heading onto I81 I would describe it as &#8220;hopeless&#8221;. Despite traffic moving at highway speed most of the time, there was hardly any gap between cars. And from time to time, there were slowdowns, phantom congestions that were likely caused by trucks on the left lane that were slow when it came to hill-climbing.<br \/>\nI had long believed the entirety of I81, between I66 and I77 should have three lanes in each direction. The state of Virginia had much to improve when it came to its interstate highways.<\/p>\n<p>With lunch along the way and some detours around the I66\/I81 intersection to avoid the heaviest traffic, I reached Roanoke at 4pm. I had passed this town a few times before. This time, I got time to check out Taubman Museum of Art, which was a free art museum located in its downtown.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_162931.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_162931.jpg\" alt=\"View of Cairo\" \/><\/a><\/br>View of Cairo<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">By Louis Comfort Tiffany.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_163133.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_163133.jpg\" alt=\"Sentinel at Entrance of Cairo\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sentinel at Entrance of Cairo<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">By Louis Comfort Tiffany.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_163411.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_163411.jpg\" alt=\"Pyramids at Giza\" \/><\/a><\/br>Pyramids at Giza<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">By Louis Comfort Tiffany.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_164133.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_164133.jpg\" alt=\"Country Cabin, Autumn\" \/><\/a><\/br>Country Cabin, Autumn<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">By Hermann Herzog.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_164347.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_164347.jpg\" alt=\"Voyage of the Polaris\" \/><\/a><\/br>Voyage of the Polaris<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">By William Bradford, 1875.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_161230C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_161230C9.jpg\" width=\"75%\" alt=\"Eye in the Center\" \/><\/a><\/br>Eye in the Center<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">By John Kuhn<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230701_162931.jpg\" alt=\"View of Cairo\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230701_163133.jpg\" alt=\"Sentinel at Entrance of Cairo\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230701_163411.jpg\" alt=\"Pyramids at Giza\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230701_164133.jpg\" alt=\"Country Cabin, Autumn\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230701_164347.jpg\" alt=\"Voyage of the Polaris\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230701_161230C9.jpg\" alt=\"Eye in the Center\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-1, #splide-thumb-1 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from Taubman Museum of Art.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_162931.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_162931.jpg\" alt=\"View of Cairo\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>View of Cairo<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">By Louis Comfort Tiffany.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_163133.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_163133.jpg\" alt=\"Sentinel at Entrance of Cairo\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sentinel at Entrance of Cairo<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">By Louis Comfort Tiffany.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_163411.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_163411.jpg\" alt=\"Pyramids at Giza\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Pyramids at Giza<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">By Louis Comfort Tiffany.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_164133.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_164133.jpg\" alt=\"Country Cabin, Autumn\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Country Cabin, Autumn<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">By Hermann Herzog.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_164347.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_164347.jpg\" alt=\"Voyage of the Polaris\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Voyage of the Polaris<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">By William Bradford, 1875.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_161230C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_161230C9.jpg\" alt=\"Eye in the Center\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Eye in the Center<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">By John Kuhn<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>A quick conclusion of the museum, apart from stained glasses, Louis Comfort Tiffany wasn&#8217;t bad when it came to oil on canvas.<br \/>\nThe museum also had a viewing platform, with views of Mill Mountain Star, the surrounding downtown (mostly train yard) and distant Blue Ridge Mountains.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_160107.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_160107.jpg\" alt=\"Train Yards in Roanoke\" \/><\/a><\/br>Train Yards in Roanoke<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_160128.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_160128.jpg\" alt=\"Train Yards and Distant Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Train Yards and Distant Mountains<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_160123C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_160123C9.jpg\" alt=\"Mill Mountain Star\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mill Mountain Star<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230701_160107.jpg\" alt=\"Train Yards in Roanoke\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230701_160128.jpg\" alt=\"Train Yards and Distant Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230701_160123C9.jpg\" alt=\"Mill Mountain Star\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-2, #splide-thumb-2 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from the viewing platform at Taubman Museum of Art.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_160107.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_160107.jpg\" alt=\"Train Yards in Roanoke\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Train Yards in Roanoke<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_160128.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_160128.jpg\" alt=\"Train Yards and Distant Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Train Yards and Distant Mountains<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230701_160123C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230701_160123C9.jpg\" alt=\"Mill Mountain Star\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mill Mountain Star<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After the museum closed at 5pm, I had dinner in a nearby restaurant, before continuing towards my overnight lodge around the town of Abingdon, VA. Partly due to it getting late in the day, traffic conditions along I81 greatly improved.<\/p>\n<p>The next morning, I continued towards Grandfather Mountain. The drive took me briefly into Tennessee, through a town called &#8220;Mountain City&#8221; where I checked out a McDonald&#8217;s for breakfast. It was my first time in many years seeing the dining room of a McDonald&#8217;s being filled with people (mostly twice my age) as they had their casual chat on a Sunday morning.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Grandfather_Mountain\">Grandfather Mountain<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Grandfather Mountain was an area encompassing a series of mountains, including the highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains (Calloway Peak). The &#8220;grandfather&#8221; name came from pioneers who recognized the face of an old man in one of the cliffs, which I couldn&#8217;t comprehend. Unlike most other mountains in the region, it featured exposed rocks, steep cliffs, that were worthy of an adventure.<\/p>\n<p>Approaching Grandfather Mountain, I felt the area, between Banner Elk and Boone, was very developed, with vacation villas that dotted the mountainside. It certainly didn&#8217;t have the typical mountain wilderness feeling that I experienced in other parts of the US.<\/p>\n<p>I reached the entrance station of Grandfather Mountain just before 11am. Technically Grandfather Mountain had limited quotas for timed entries, during my visit they didn&#8217;t seem filled.<\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Hike\">Hike<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Today I would be checking out Calloway Peak and MacRae Peak via Grandfather Trail. This was the shortest (and likely most scenic) route to Calloway Peak, but it involved both rock scrambling and ladder-climbing, so it&#8217;s one of the more challenging hikes in eastern US. Given it&#8217;s a holiday weekend, workers in Grandfather Mountain required all hikers to park at the lower &#8220;Black Rock Parking&#8221;, so that the upper parking lot could be left to visitors to Mile High Swinging Bridge, who usually didn&#8217;t stay as long.<\/p>\n<p>After some warmup, I started the hike at 11:15am.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s GPS tracking:<\/p>\n<div class=\"mobile-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:6\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=155092569&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"desktop-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=155092569&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>First, I took the &#8220;Grandfather Extension Trail&#8221; as I started from the lower parking lot. This portion was largely in the woods, not very remarkable.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_112258.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_112258.jpg\" width=\"94.5%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6427.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6427.jpg\" width=\"84.1%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_113014.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_113014.jpg\" width=\"94.5%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6431.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6431.jpg\" width=\"84.1%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_112258.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6427.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_113014.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6431.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-3, #splide-thumb-3 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of Grandfather Extension Trail.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_112258.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_112258.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6427.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6427.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_113014.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_113014.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6431.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6431.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After I got onto the main Grandfather Trail, it passed &#8220;Grandfather Gap&#8221;, before it forked into two branches. The main trail continued through challenging\/exciting landscape onto MacRae Peak, while &#8220;Underwood Trail&#8221; bypassed MacRae Peak in a more gentle landscape. Since I wanted to check out MacRae Peak, I followed the former.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6432.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6432.jpg\" alt=\"MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>MacRae Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">When &#8220;Grandfather Extension Trail&#8221; met the main trail, first sight of MacRae Peak from the trail.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6433.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6433.jpg\" width=\"96.2%\" alt=\"Sugar Top Resort\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sugar Top Resort<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">A condominium next to a ski resort. Since its construction, North Carolina had passed &#8220;Ridge Law&#8221; preventing such structure from being constructed in the future.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6435.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6435.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hill<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Looking back towards the trailhead.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6440.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6440.jpg\" alt=\"Ladder on Steep Slope\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ladder<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">On a steep slope.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6441.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6441.jpg\" alt=\"Passage between Two Boulders\" \/><\/a><\/br>Passage between Two Boulders<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Followed by a ladder.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_115528.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_115528.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Passage between Two Boulders\" \/><\/a><\/br>Passage between Two Boulders<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Looking back from the top of the ladder.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6432.jpg\" alt=\"MacRae Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6433.jpg\" alt=\"Sugar Top Resort\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6435.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6440.jpg\" alt=\"Ladder on Steep Slope\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6441.jpg\" alt=\"Passage between Two Boulders\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_115528.jpg\" alt=\"Passage between Two Boulders\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-4, #splide-thumb-4 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6432.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6432.jpg\" alt=\"MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>MacRae Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">When &#8220;Grandfather Extension Trail&#8221; met the main trail, first sight of MacRae Peak from the trail.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6433.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6433.jpg\" alt=\"Sugar Top Resort\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sugar Top Resort<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">A condominium next to a ski resort. Since its construction, North Carolina had passed &#8220;Ridge Law&#8221; preventing such structure from being constructed in the future.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6435.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6435.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hill<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Looking back towards the trailhead.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6440.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6440.jpg\" alt=\"Ladder on Steep Slope\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ladder on Steep Slope<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6441.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6441.jpg\" alt=\"Passage between Two Boulders\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Passage between Two Boulders<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Followed by a ladder.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_115528.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_115528.jpg\" alt=\"Passage between Two Boulders\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Passage between Two Boulders<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Looking back from the top of the ladder.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Not long after leaving the intersection, the trail started to enter some rocky terrain. From satellite image, the western face of MacRae Peak was very steep. With the help of a series of ladders, the trail made its way up MacRae Peak.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_114427.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_114427.jpg\" width=\"94.4%\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail on Rocks<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6438.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6438.jpg\" width=\"84%\" alt=\"Trail with Rope\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail with Rope<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_115655.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_115655.jpg\" width=\"91%\" alt=\"Looking Up to MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Looking Up to MacRae Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">This was probably the most exciting portion of the trail.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_115801.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_115801.jpg\" width=\"91%\" alt=\"Ladders\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ladders<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A series of ladders leading up to the side of MacRae Peak.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_114427.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6438.jpg\" alt=\"Trail with Rope\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_115655.jpg\" alt=\"Looking Up to MacRae Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_115801.jpg\" alt=\"Ladders\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-5, #splide-thumb-5 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the trail and ladders.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_114427.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_114427.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail on Rocks<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6438.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6438.jpg\" alt=\"Trail with Rope\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail with Rope<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_115655.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_115655.jpg\" alt=\"Looking Up to MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Looking Up to MacRae Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">This was probably the most exciting portion of the trail.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_115801.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_115801.jpg\" alt=\"Ladders\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ladders<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A series of ladders leading up to the side of MacRae Peak.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>On top of a series of ladders was what felt to me like the summit plateau of MacRae Peak, with the first proper views of the day. I joined many others who had just finished the exciting ladder climb to enjoy both the breeze and the view.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_120036.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_120036.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6442.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6442.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Linville Peak and Mile High Swing Bridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linville Peak and Mile High Swing Bridge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">For most visitors to Grandfather Mountain, this was the top attraction on their list.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6458.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6458.jpg\" width=\"88.2%\" alt=\"Ladder along Underwood Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ladder along Underwood Trail<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Underwood Trail bypassed MacRae Peak on its way to Calloway Peak. This was the only ladder along an otherwise not-very-exciting trail.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6443.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6443.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the North<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6456.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6456.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Northwest\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the Northwest<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_120036.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6442.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Peak and Mile High Swing Bridge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6458.jpg\" alt=\"Ladder along Underwood Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6443.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6456.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Northwest\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-6, #splide-thumb-6 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_120036.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_120036.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6442.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6442.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Peak and Mile High Swing Bridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville Peak and Mile High Swing Bridge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">For most visitors to Grandfather Mountain, this was the top attraction on their list.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6458.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6458.jpg\" alt=\"Ladder along Underwood Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ladder along Underwood Trail<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Underwood Trail bypassed MacRae Peak on its way to Calloway Peak. This was the only ladder along an otherwise not-very-exciting trail.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6443.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6443.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the North<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6456.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6456.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Northwest\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the Northwest<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6444_DSC_6449-6.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6444_DSC_6449-6.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6450_DSC_6455-6.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6450_DSC_6455-6.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>View from MacRae Peak Summit Plateau<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">To the west (top) and north (bottom). I left a tiny gap so these two panoramas couldn&#8217;t be combined into one.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<p>After that, I continued towards MacRae Peak which was just a short distance away.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6460C10.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6460C10.jpg\" width=\"88.4%\" alt=\"Routes\" \/><\/a><\/br>Routes<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Despite its precarious look, MacRae Peak was accessed via a ladder (red arrow) in the back. In the background, it took some scrambling along the path (blue arrow) to reach Attic Window Peak.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_121740.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_121740.jpg\" width=\"96%\" alt=\"Ladder to MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ladder to MacRae Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6461.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6461.jpg\" alt=\"Attic Window Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Attic Window Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The next peak along the trail, looking gorgeous from this angle.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6462.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6462.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Ridge Parkway\" \/><\/a><\/br>Blue Ridge Parkway<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Unfortunately, there weren\u2019t views of the famous portion of Linn Cove Viaduct.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_121410.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_121410.jpg\" width=\"85.6%\" alt=\"Overhanging Rocks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overhanging Rocks<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Captured earlier along the trail. I was surprised to find soil and vegetation on top of this rocky outcrop.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6460C10.jpg\" alt=\"Routes\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_121740.jpg\" alt=\"Ladder to MacRae Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6461.jpg\" alt=\"Attic Window Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6462.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Ridge Parkway\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_121410.jpg\" alt=\"Overhanging Rocks\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-7, #splide-thumb-7 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6460C10.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6460C10.jpg\" alt=\"Routes\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Routes<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Despite its precarious look, MacRae Peak was accessed via a ladder (red arrow) in the back. In the background, it took some scrambling along the path (blue arrow) to reach Attic Window Peak.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_121740.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_121740.jpg\" alt=\"Ladder to MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ladder to MacRae Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6461.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6461.jpg\" alt=\"Attic Window Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Attic Window Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The next peak along the trail, looking gorgeous from this angle.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6462.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6462.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Ridge Parkway\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Blue Ridge Parkway<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Unfortunately, there weren\u2019t views of the famous portion of Linn Cove Viaduct.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_121410.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_121410.jpg\" alt=\"Overhanging Rocks\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overhanging Rocks<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Captured earlier along the trail. I was surprised to find soil and vegetation on top of this rocky outcrop.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After a ladder climb and a few steps with minimal exposure (there was a rope providing handhold though), I reached the summit of MacRae Peak, with an unobstructed 360-degree view. To put it in simple terms, this was the best view of the day, with rolling hills extending as far as eyes could see down the horizon. It was a pity that the wind was rather strong on top of MacRae Peak, so I couldn&#8217;t stay there for longer while enjoying some snacks.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6463_DSC_6482-19.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6463_DSC_6482-19.jpg\" alt=\"View from MacRae Peak Summit\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>View from MacRae Peak Summit<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And here&#8217;s a panoramic video that I took on top of MacRae Peak. The wind was very audible.<br \/>\n<video controls width=\"100%\" poster=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/MacRae_Thumb.jpg\" preload=\"none\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/MacRae_2160p30_H265_10Mbps.mp4\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/MacRae_2160p30_H264_10Mbps.mp4\"><\/video><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">20 seconds, 2160p30fps, 10Mbps for both H264\/H265 for a total size of 26MB.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Next stop, it was Attic Window Peak. From the summit of MacRae Peak, the rugged west face of Attic Window Peak looked like a sheer dropoff with its exposed rocks. However, a trail found its way amid a steep gully (called &#8220;The Chute&#8221;) that somehow made its way atop the mountain. From MacRae Peak, it was a sight both awesome and frightening.<\/p>\n<p>Leaving MacRae Peak, the trail first went through a relatively steep descent (aided by ropes), merged with Underwood Trail, before going up along &#8220;The Chute&#8221;. There were a few YDS class 3 moves along &#8220;The Chute&#8221;, however, in my opinion exposure was very minimal along &#8220;The Chute&#8221; (despite p1 of the following slideshow looked pretty scary).<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-8\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6483C10.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6483C10.jpg\" width=\"94.6%\" alt=\"Path up Attic Window Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Path up Attic Window Peak<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Captured earlier from the summit of MacRae Peak. A pair of hikers visible in the center of this photo.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_123611.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_123611.jpg\" width=\"96.8%\" alt=\"Rock Tunnels\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rock Tunnels<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">At the bottom of The Chute.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_123858.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_123858.jpg\" alt=\"The Chute\" \/><\/a><\/br>The Chute<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_151539.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_151539.jpg\" alt=\"The Chute\" \/><\/a><\/br>The Chute<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_151332.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_151332.jpg\" alt=\"Looking Down The Chute\" \/><\/a><\/br>Looking Down The Chute<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-8\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6483C10.jpg\" alt=\"Path up Attic Window Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_123611.jpg\" alt=\"Rock Tunnels\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_123858.jpg\" alt=\"The Chute\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_151539.jpg\" alt=\"The Chute\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_151332.jpg\" alt=\"Looking Down The Chute\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-8, #splide-thumb-8 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the &#8220;The Chute&#8221;.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6483C10.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6483C10.jpg\" alt=\"Path up Attic Window Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Path up Attic Window Peak<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Captured earlier from the summit of MacRae Peak. A pair of hikers visible in the center of this photo.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_123611.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_123611.jpg\" alt=\"Rock Tunnels\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Rock Tunnels<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">At the bottom of The Chute.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_123858.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_123858.jpg\" alt=\"The Chute\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>The Chute<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_151539.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_151539.jpg\" alt=\"The Chute\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>The Chute<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_151332.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_151332.jpg\" alt=\"Looking Down The Chute\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Looking Down The Chute<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After climbing &#8220;The Chute&#8221;, a right turn would lead one to a campsite (marked on maps), with limited views to the south; a left turn would lead to the summit of Attic Window Peak (not marked on maps), where views were better.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-9\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6486.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6486.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6488.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6488.jpg\" width=\"88.2%\" alt=\"Grandmother Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Grandmother Mountain<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">On top of which was WUNE-TV transmitter tower. Didn\u2019t look that impressive compared to Grandfather Mountain.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6487C10.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6487C10.jpg\" width=\"88.2%\" alt=\"Distant Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Distant Mountains<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Along the eastern rim of Linville Gorge. Their distinctive shapes were often seen around the region.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6525.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6525.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Cliff towards Calloway Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cliff towards Calloway Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The trail found its way along this cliff onwards.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6528.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6528.jpg\" alt=\"MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>MacRae Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6526C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6526C11.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Summit of MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Summit of MacRae Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A front seat view from Attic Window Peak.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-9\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6486.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6488.jpg\" alt=\"Grandmother Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6487C10.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6525.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff towards Calloway Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6528.jpg\" alt=\"MacRae Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6526C11.jpg\" alt=\"Summit of MacRae Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-9, #splide-thumb-9 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos around the summit of Attic Window Peak.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6486.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6486.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6488.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6488.jpg\" alt=\"Grandmother Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Grandmother Mountain<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">On top of which was WUNE-TV transmitter tower. Didn\u2019t look that impressive compared to Grandfather Mountain.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6487C10.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6487C10.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Distant Mountains<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Along the eastern rim of Linville Gorge. Their distinctive shapes were often seen around the region.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6525.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6525.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff towards Calloway Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cliff towards Calloway Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The trail found its way along this cliff onwards.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6528.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6528.jpg\" alt=\"MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>MacRae Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6526C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6526C11.jpg\" alt=\"Summit of MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Summit of MacRae Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A front seat view from Attic Window Peak.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Continuing on, from Attic Window Peak, portions of the trail were on rocks that closely tracked the northwestern cliff of Attic Window Peak. Despite the looks from the photos below, I believed these portions had no exposure as long as one didn&#8217;t venture off trail.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-10\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_125223.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_125223.jpg\" width=\"95.8%\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cliff<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_142810.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_142810.jpg\" width=\"89.7%\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail on Rocks<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The trail led to Calloway Peak, in the background.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_142704.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_142704.jpg\" width=\"95.8%\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail on Rocks<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6517.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6517.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cliff<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Looking back towards Attic Window Peak. MacRae Peak also in the background.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6520.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6520.jpg\" width=\"95.2%\" alt=\"Trail along Cliff\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail along Cliff<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Some hikers taking a rest on their way towards Calloway Peak. In the background right, a few people on MacRae Peak.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6519.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6519.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Northwest\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the Northwest<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Great visibility for the day.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-10\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_125223.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_142810.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_142704.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6517.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6520.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along Cliff\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6519.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Northwest\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-10, #splide-thumb-10 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_125223.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_125223.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cliff<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_142810.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_142810.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail on Rocks<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The trail led to Calloway Peak, in the background.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_142704.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_142704.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail on Rocks<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6517.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6517.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cliff<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Looking back towards Attic Window Peak. MacRae Peak also in the background.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6520.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6520.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along Cliff\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail along Cliff<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Some hikers taking a rest on their way towards Calloway Peak. In the background right, a few people on MacRae Peak.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6519.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6519.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Northwest\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the Northwest<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Great visibility for the day.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-11\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6523.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6523.jpg\" width=\"84%\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cliff<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_125446.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_125446.jpg\" width=\"94.4%\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cliff<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_125553.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_125553.jpg\" width=\"94.4%\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cliff<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6524.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6524.jpg\" width=\"84%\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail on Rocks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-11\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6523.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_125446.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_125553.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6524.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-11, #splide-thumb-11 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6523.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6523.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cliff<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_125446.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_125446.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cliff<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_125553.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_125553.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cliff<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6524.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6524.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail on Rocks<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Apart from the rocks and cliffs, the remaining portions of the trail remained in woods, especially after the intersection with &#8220;Profile Trail&#8221; for the home stretch towards Calloway Peak.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-12\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_125352.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_125352.jpg\" width=\"94.4%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_144354.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_144354.jpg\" width=\"94.4%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_131641.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_131641.jpg\" width=\"94.4%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_132212.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_132212.jpg\" width=\"94.4%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6512.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6512.jpg\" width=\"84%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-12\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_125352.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_144354.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_131641.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_132212.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6512.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-12, #splide-thumb-12 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_125352.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_125352.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_144354.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_144354.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_131641.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_131641.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_132212.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_132212.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6512.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6512.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>It turned out that the summit of Calloway Peak was very inconspicuous. It wasn&#8217;t well marked, it didn&#8217;t come with towering views (as the case from MacRae Peak). It was just a giant boulder that happened to be higher than the surrounding trees. The views (slideshow below) were limited, mostly to the southwest.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-13\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6491.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6491.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6493.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6493.jpg\" width=\"92.2%\" alt=\"Attic Window Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Attic Window Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">MacRae Peak hidden behind it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6490.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6490.jpg\" width=\"92.2%\" alt=\"Linn Cove Viaduct\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linn Cove Viaduct<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Yonahlossee Overlook in the lower-left, visitor center in the upper center.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-13\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6491.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6493.jpg\" alt=\"Attic Window Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6490.jpg\" alt=\"Linn Cove Viaduct\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-13, #splide-thumb-13 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from Calloway Peak.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6491.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6491.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6493.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6493.jpg\" alt=\"Attic Window Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Attic Window Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">MacRae Peak hidden behind it.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6490.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6490.jpg\" alt=\"Linn Cove Viaduct\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linn Cove Viaduct<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Yonahlossee Overlook in the lower-left, visitor center in the upper center.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>I reached Calloway Peak at 1:30pm and stayed for a total of 15 minutes, with most of the time spent on snacks. After that, I decided to check out the nearby Watauga View, which was a marked viewpoint on maps.<br \/>\nIt turned out the views were much better from Watauga View, covering the entire valley to the north, including the few peaks that I visited earlier today, and many outstanding boulders along the ridge of Grandfather Mountain extending towards the northeast.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-14\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6494.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6494.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Northeast\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the Northeast<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6495.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6495.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Hills with Rocky Cliffs\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills with Rocky Cliffs<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Sort of like an extension of Grandfather Mountain, just in lower elevation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6496.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6496.jpg\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Valley<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6497C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6497C11.jpg\" alt=\"Sugar Mountain Resort\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sugar Mountain Resort<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6500.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6500.jpg\" width=\"88.2%\" alt=\"Attic Window Peak and MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Attic Window Peak and MacRae Peak<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Trail from Attic Window Peak followed the cliff in this photo, behind them, the summit of MacRae Peak was pretty crowded at this moment.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-14\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6494.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Northeast\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6495.jpg\" alt=\"Hills with Rocky Cliffs\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6496.jpg\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6497C11.jpg\" alt=\"Sugar Mountain Resort\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6500.jpg\" alt=\"Attic Window Peak and MacRae Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-14, #splide-thumb-14 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from Watauga View.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6494.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6494.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Northeast\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the Northeast<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6495.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6495.jpg\" alt=\"Hills with Rocky Cliffs\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills with Rocky Cliffs<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Sort of like an extension of Grandfather Mountain, just in lower elevation.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6496.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6496.jpg\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Valley<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6497C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6497C11.jpg\" alt=\"Sugar Mountain Resort\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sugar Mountain Resort<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6500.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6500.jpg\" alt=\"Attic Window Peak and MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Attic Window Peak and MacRae Peak<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Trail from Attic Window Peak followed the cliff in this photo, behind them, the summit of MacRae Peak was pretty crowded at this moment.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6502_DSC_6510-9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6502_DSC_6510-9.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains from Watauga View\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains from Watauga View<\/p><\/div>\n<p>I left Watauga View at around 2:10pm. On my way back, I checked out an &#8220;Indian House Cave&#8221; just before reaching Attic Window. This was located on a short detour away from the main trail. Despite its name, it was a giant alcove, about the size of a classroom. Looking from above, the &#8220;roof&#8221; of the &#8220;house cave&#8221; was like anywhere else in the forest, with trees and bushes growing. It&#8217;s hard to imagine there&#8217;s a hollow &#8220;cave&#8221; beneath it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-15\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_145326.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_145326.jpg\" alt=\"Indian House Cave\" \/><\/a><\/br>Indian House Cave<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_145419.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_145419.jpg\" alt=\"Indian House Cave\" \/><\/a><\/br>Indian House Cave<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_145538.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_145538.jpg\" alt=\"Indian House Cave\" \/><\/a><\/br>Indian House Cave<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-15\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_145326.jpg\" alt=\"Indian House Cave\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_145419.jpg\" alt=\"Indian House Cave\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_145538.jpg\" alt=\"Indian House Cave\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-15, #splide-thumb-15 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the Indian House Cave.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_145326.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_145326.jpg\" alt=\"Indian House Cave\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Indian House Cave<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_145419.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_145419.jpg\" alt=\"Indian House Cave\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Indian House Cave<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_145538.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_145538.jpg\" alt=\"Indian House Cave\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Indian House Cave<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After scrambling back down &#8220;The Chute&#8221;, I felt I was running slightly late as Grandfather Mountain required all hikers to be off trail by a certain time. So I decided to take the &#8220;Underwood Trail&#8221;, bypassing MacRae Peak on my way back. As its name suggested, the trail was deep in the woods. Apart from one ladder section (p1 below) there was no view along the trail, for a constant downhill on rocks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-16\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_152838.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_152838.jpg\" width=\"93.6%\" alt=\"Ladder\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ladder<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">The only section of ladder along Underwood Trail. This happened to be the longest downclimb on ladder that I had to tackle for the day.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_153339.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_153339.jpg\" width=\"96%\" alt=\"Underwood Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Underwood Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Significant portion of the underwood trail was constant downhill.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_153957.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_153957.jpg\" width=\"96%\" alt=\"Underwood Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Underwood Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Significant portion of the underwood trail was constant downhill.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_155526.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_155526.jpg\" width=\"96%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The final part before the trailhead.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_160028.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_160028.jpg\" width=\"96%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The final part before the trailhead.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-16\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_152838.jpg\" alt=\"Ladder\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_153339.jpg\" alt=\"Underwood Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_153957.jpg\" alt=\"Underwood Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_155526.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_160028.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-16, #splide-thumb-16 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the trail.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_152838.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_152838.jpg\" alt=\"Ladder\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ladder<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">The only section of ladder along Underwood Trail. This happened to be the longest downclimb on ladder that I had to tackle for the day.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_153339.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_153339.jpg\" alt=\"Underwood Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Underwood Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Significant portion of the underwood trail was constant downhill.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_153957.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_153957.jpg\" alt=\"Underwood Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Underwood Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Significant portion of the underwood trail was constant downhill.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_155526.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_155526.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The final part before the trailhead.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_160028.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_160028.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The final part before the trailhead.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Before returning to my car, I decided to check out the &#8220;Mile High Swinging Bridge&#8221;. That meant I followed the main trail towards the upper trailhead, which I reached just after 4pm. Along the way, I passed &#8220;The Patio View&#8221;, which was a viewpoint marked on maps. I didn&#8217;t feel there&#8217;s anything worth viewing at that spot.<\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Quick_Review_of_the_Hike\">Quick Review of the Hike<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>If I were to nominate a trail in each of the states along the Atlantic coast that&#8217;s accessible and provides some decent scrambling experience, then I would go for Breakneck Ridge in New York, Old Rag in Virginia, and this hike in North Carolina. Scrambling experience was rare on the east coast, but this trail delivered.<br \/>\nFor its other aspects, apart from the beginning and the end, the trail was rocky throughout. I ran into lots of bugs for the day which wasn&#8217;t pleasant, thankfully they didn&#8217;t bite.<br \/>\nWhile there&#8217;s not much overall elevation change, the trail involved more steep sections (both up and down) than I anticipated, so it was a constant workout.<\/p>\n<p>Probably due to the per-person entrance fee to the non-state-park portion of Grandfather Mountain, I ran into a fair number of people summitting Calloway Peak and even MacRae Peak from the north (Profile Trail) and the east (Daniel Boone Scout Trail). These were longer approaches with more elevation gain, I wasn&#8217;t sure how rocky or fun they were.<\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Mile_High_Swinging_Bridge\">Mile High Swinging Bridge<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Then it&#8217;s the major attraction of Grandfather Mountain (for most people), Mile High Swinging Bridge. This bridge spanned across a valley between the parking lot and Linville Peak to the west. Somehow, it was constructed at exactly one mile above sea level, hence the name. During my visit, the bridge and the nearby Linville Peak was very crowded.<\/p>\n<p>I took some time resting from the day&#8217;s workout at Linville Peak, while appreciating the passing clouds that thinly veiled the imposing boulders along MacRae Peak. It also helped that I had cellular coverage at Linville Peak.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-17\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6529.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6529.jpg\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mile High Swinging Bridge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6534.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6534.jpg\" width=\"92.3%\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mile High Swinging Bridge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">For a moment, the passing clouds reached as low as the swing bridge.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6530.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6530.jpg\" width=\"92.3%\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge before MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mile High Swinging Bridge before MacRae Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Most of the time, MacRae Peak was covered in clouds.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6535.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6535.jpg\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge before MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mile High Swinging Bridge before MacRae Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6540.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6540.jpg\" width=\"92.3%\" alt=\"MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>MacRae Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">There were brief moments when MacRae Peak emerged from the clouds.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6531.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6531.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Peak and Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linville Peak and Mountains to the West<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_165249.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_165249.jpg\" width=\"82.3%\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Valley<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The swing bridge spanned across this valley.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_170132.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_170132.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge from Below\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mile High Swinging Bridge from Below<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6545.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6545.jpg\" width=\"92.3%\" alt=\"Trees\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trees<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">As if the branches were blown by the wind to one direction.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-17\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6529.jpg\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6534.jpg\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6530.jpg\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge before MacRae Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6535.jpg\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge before MacRae Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6540.jpg\" alt=\"MacRae Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6531.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Peak and Mountains to the West\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_165249.jpg\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_170132.jpg\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge from Below\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6545.jpg\" alt=\"Trees\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-17, #splide-thumb-17 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6529.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6529.jpg\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mile High Swinging Bridge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6534.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6534.jpg\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mile High Swinging Bridge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">For a moment, the passing clouds reached as low as the swing bridge.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6530.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6530.jpg\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge before MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mile High Swinging Bridge before MacRae Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Most of the time, MacRae Peak was covered in clouds.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6535.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6535.jpg\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge before MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mile High Swinging Bridge before MacRae Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6540.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6540.jpg\" alt=\"MacRae Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>MacRae Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">There were brief moments when MacRae Peak emerged from the clouds.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6531.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6531.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Peak and Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville Peak and Mountains to the West<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_165249.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_165249.jpg\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Valley<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The swing bridge spanned across this valley.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_170132.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_170132.jpg\" alt=\"Mile High Swinging Bridge from Below\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mile High Swinging Bridge from Below<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6545.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6545.jpg\" alt=\"Trees\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trees<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">As if the branches were blown by the wind to one direction.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Finally, I left Linville Peak just before 5pm. It&#8217;s another short hike to the lower parking lot where I was parked.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Upper_Creek_Falls\">Upper Creek Falls<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>My overnight hotel was in Morganton NC. I figured I could check out Upper Creek Falls, which was along NC-181, on my way to Morganton.<\/p>\n<p>It turned out that the trail in the region wasn&#8217;t mapped properly. It actually followed the green tracks on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/explore\/trail\/us\/north-carolina\/upper-creek-falls-loop-trail?u=m\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AllTrail page<\/a>, instead of the black lines on the map.<br \/>\nIn addition, Upper Creek Falls was a series of waterfalls\/torrents\/slides. Compared to the scenery of waterfalls, most people were using them as a swimming spot amid the summer heat. On that part, there were a few natural waterslides that sure provided enough fun.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-18\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6552.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6552.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Creek Falls\" \/><\/a><\/br>Upper Creek Falls<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6553.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6553.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Creek Falls\" \/><\/a><\/br>Upper Creek Falls<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6556.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6556.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Creek Falls\" \/><\/a><\/br>Upper Creek Falls<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6557.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6557.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Creek Falls\" \/><\/a><\/br>Upper Creek Falls<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-18\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6552.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Creek Falls\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6553.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Creek Falls\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6556.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Creek Falls\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6557.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Creek Falls\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-18, #splide-thumb-18 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of Upper Creek Falls.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6552.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6552.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Creek Falls\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Upper Creek Falls<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6553.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6553.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Creek Falls\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Upper Creek Falls<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6556.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6556.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Creek Falls\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Upper Creek Falls<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/DSC_6557.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/DSC_6557.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Creek Falls\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Upper Creek Falls<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, I wasn&#8217;t in swimming gear, and I didn&#8217;t want to get myself (or my camera) wet. So I didn&#8217;t stay long in the area before continuing onto Morganton.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-19\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_200957.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_200957.jpg\" width=\"96%\" alt=\"Dinner\" \/><\/a><\/br>Dinner<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">At a restaurant in downtown Morganton NC. I was surprised that this dish was only priced at 10.99 USD on the menu.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_202719.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_202719.jpg\" alt=\"Historic Burke County Courthouse\" \/><\/a><\/br>Historic Burke County Courthouse<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Stroll\/sightseeing after dinner.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_202745.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_202745.jpg\" alt=\"Historic Burke County Courthouse\" \/><\/a><\/br>Historic Burke County Courthouse<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Stroll\/sightseeing after dinner.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-19\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_200957.jpg\" alt=\"Dinner\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_202719.jpg\" alt=\"Historic Burke County Courthouse\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_202745.jpg\" alt=\"Historic Burke County Courthouse\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-19, #splide-thumb-19 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_200957.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_200957.jpg\" alt=\"Dinner\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Dinner<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">At a restaurant in downtown Morganton NC. I was surprised that this dish was only priced at 10.99 USD on the menu.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_202719.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_202719.jpg\" alt=\"Historic Burke County Courthouse\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Historic Burke County Courthouse<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Stroll\/sightseeing after dinner.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_202745.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_202745.jpg\" alt=\"Historic Burke County Courthouse\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Historic Burke County Courthouse<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Stroll\/sightseeing after dinner.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After being shocked with the low cost of living from prices on the restaurant menu (p1 above) in Morganton, I checked into my overnight hotel: Fairfield Inn &#038; Suites Morganton.<br \/>\nI spent 15500 Marriott points for this night, which was a better deal compared to other hotels between Marion and Morganton, NC. I planned to check out the southern part of Linville Gorge the next day so this hotel was at a very convenient location. <span style=\"font-size: small;\">It also helped that the Walmart in Morganton had the cheapest fuel throughout this entire trip.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>As for the hotel room, it&#8217;s fairly new hotel so I certainly enjoyed the modern decor. Morganton was a small town and it was rather quiet at night, I didn&#8217;t use my earplugs for the night.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-20\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_203753.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_203753.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel Room\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hotel Room<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_203803.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_203803.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel Room\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hotel Room<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_203834.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_203834.jpg\" alt=\"Bathroom\" \/><\/a><\/br>Bathroom<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-20\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_203753.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel Room\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_203803.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel Room\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails-s\/20230702_203834.jpg\" alt=\"Bathroom\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-20, #splide-thumb-20 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the hotel room.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_203753.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_203753.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel Room\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hotel Room<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_203803.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_203803.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel Room\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hotel Room<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/20230702_203834.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/02\/thumbnails\/20230702_203834.jpg\" alt=\"Bathroom\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Bathroom<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>And that concluded the day.<br \/>\nEND<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During Independence Day 2023, I made a trip to North Carolina. This post would be the first actual day of activities where I had some fun hiking\/climbing in Grandfather Mountain.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[427,619,2],"tags":[630],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7995"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7995"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7995\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8318,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7995\/revisions\/8318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}