{"id":8033,"date":"2023-07-03T22:59:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-03T14:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=8033"},"modified":"2023-12-25T10:31:45","modified_gmt":"2023-12-25T02:31:45","slug":"20230703linville","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703linville\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 2 of 2023 Independence Day Trip, South Linville Gorge"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Second day of my 2023 Independence Day trip to North Carolina. Today I hiked a trail to Shortoff Mountain, located on the southern part of Linville Gorge, before making my way to Asheville while checking out Mt Mitchell, the highest mountain in eastern US.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6595.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6595.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/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:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider9 = new Splide( '#splide-major-9', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider9.sync( secondarySlider9 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider10 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-10', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider10 = new Splide( '#splide-major-10', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider10.sync( secondarySlider10 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider11 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-11', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider11 = new Splide( '#splide-major-11', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider11.sync( secondarySlider11 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider12 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-12', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider12 = new Splide( '#splide-major-12', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider12.sync( secondarySlider12 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider13 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-13', {\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 primarySlider13 = new Splide( '#splide-major-13', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider13.sync( secondarySlider13 ).mount();\n} );\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>My plan of the day was to reach Asheville from Morganton, NC. In the morning, I would check out a popular trail with gorgeous views (Shortoff Mountain), located in the southern part of Linville Gorge. In the afternoon, I will check out Blue Ridge Parkway between Buck Creek Gap and Asheville, between which was Mount Mitchell. At an elevation of 2037m\/6684ft, it is the highest mountain in eastern United States. I skipped this section of the Blue Ridge Parkway last October, so this would be my proper return.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Trail_to_Shortoff_Mountain\">Trail to Shortoff Mountain<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>On <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/us\/north-carolina\/shortoff-mountain\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AllTrails<\/a>, this was a 7.2km out-and-back trail with 366m of elevation gain. Most of the elevation gain was during the first half where the trail ascended onto the eastern rim of Linville Gorge. After that, the trail passed a few overlooks with view of Linville Gorge. The trail sat at the southern gateway into Linville Gorge, with front-row views of many of the iconically-shaped mountains in the gorge, such as Table Rock Mountain and The Chimneys.<\/p>\n<p>The trailhead was called &#8220;Wolf Pit Trailhead&#8221; on Google Maps. The last 2.4 miles of road towards the trailhead was unpaved. The first 1.4 miles of gravel road was in decent shape, and then it got worse. The last 300m had a high density of potholes that required extreme caution for low-clearance vehicles (think, Toyota Camry).<\/p>\n<p>The actual trailhead was very limited in parking spaces. Instead, I parked 150m away in a pullout along the road. After some warmup, I started my hike at 10:30am.<\/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=156479909&#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=156479909&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\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\/03\/20230703_143107.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_143107.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\/03\/DSC_6558.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6558.jpg\" width=\"84%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_104351.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_104351.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\/03\/20230703_142317.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_142317.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\/03\/20230703_105342.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_105342.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\/03\/20230703_110048.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_110048.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\/03\/20230703_140919.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_140919.jpg\" width=\"94.4%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/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\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_143107.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6558.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_104351.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_142317.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_105342.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_110048.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_140919.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-1, #splide-thumb-1 { 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\/03\/20230703_143107.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_143107.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\/03\/DSC_6558.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6558.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\/03\/20230703_104351.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_104351.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\/03\/20230703_142317.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_142317.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\/03\/20230703_105342.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_105342.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\/03\/20230703_110048.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_110048.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\/03\/20230703_140919.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_140919.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>The start of the hike wasn&#8217;t the most enjoyable. I was bothered by some bugs at the parking lot, in addition to some light drizzle. Luckily, the bugs mysteriously disappeared once I was in the woods, and it turned out the majority of precipitation was further north, I was only experiencing its perimeters.<\/p>\n<p>Nonetheless, the humidity made the initial uphill hike both physically demanding and water draining. And with the trail deep in the woods, there was no relief (in the form of wind) until the first overlook, about 2km from trailhead.<\/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\/03\/20230703_112306.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_112306.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Linville River flew in the foreground. Mt Mitchell in the background.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_135540.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_135540.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Linville River Flowing into Lake James\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linville River Flowing into Lake James<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The cliff in the foreground was the last remanent of the western rim of Linville Gorge.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6639.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6639.jpg\" alt=\"Linville River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linville River<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Flowing out of the gorge into Lake James.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6626.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6626.jpg\" alt=\"Lake James\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lake James<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Created by hydro-electric dams that were owned by Duke Power.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_141243.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_141243.jpg\" width=\"96.1%\" alt=\"Fields to the South\" \/><\/a><\/br>Fields to the South<\/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\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_112306.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_135540.jpg\" alt=\"Linville River Flowing into Lake James\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6639.jpg\" alt=\"Linville River\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6626.jpg\" alt=\"Lake James\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_141243.jpg\" alt=\"Fields to the South\" \/><\/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 of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_112306.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_112306.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Linville River flew in the foreground. Mt Mitchell 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\/03\/20230703_135540.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_135540.jpg\" alt=\"Linville River Flowing into Lake James\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville River Flowing into Lake James<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The cliff in the foreground was the last remanent of the western rim of Linville Gorge.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6639.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6639.jpg\" alt=\"Linville River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville River<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Flowing out of the gorge into Lake James.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6626.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6626.jpg\" alt=\"Lake James\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lake James<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Created by hydro-electric dams that were owned by Duke Power.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_141243.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_141243.jpg\" alt=\"Fields to the South\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Fields to the South<\/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\/03\/DSC_6627_DSC_6638-12.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6627_DSC_6638-12.jpg\" alt=\"Southern End of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Southern End of Linville Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The views from this overlook were mostly to the southwest. From there on, a series of overlooks dotted the trail, each with (slightly) different views of Linville Gorge. It&#8217;s also a good thing that most of the elevation gain was behind me, thus I could properly enjoy what this trail had to offer.<\/p>\n<p>The next few overlooks were towards the west of the trail, still, near the southern end of Linville Gorge.<\/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\/03\/DSC_6575.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6575.jpg\" alt=\"Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Following which, the trail continued on.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6560.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6560.jpg\" alt=\"West Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>West Rim of Linville Gorge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A band of rocky cliffs extending throughout the upper rim of the gorge.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6561C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6561C11.jpg\" alt=\"West Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>West Rim of Linville Gorge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">An arch forming in the middle.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_114415.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_114415.jpg\" width=\"96.1%\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/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\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6575.jpg\" alt=\"Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6560.jpg\" alt=\"West Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6561C11.jpg\" alt=\"West Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_114415.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/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 the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6575.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6575.jpg\" alt=\"Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Following which, the trail continued on.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6560.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6560.jpg\" alt=\"West Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>West Rim of Linville Gorge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A band of rocky cliffs extending throughout the upper rim of the gorge.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6561C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6561C11.jpg\" alt=\"West Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>West Rim of Linville Gorge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">An arch forming in the middle.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_114415.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_114415.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/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\/03\/DSC_6562_DSC_6573-12.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6562_DSC_6573-12.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge near Southern End\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville Gorge near Southern End<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In my opinion, the overlook with the best views was the one where the trail made a 90-degree turn towards the east. This one was located a short distance off the trail. From this overlook, the heart of Linville Gorge, its narrowest part with most unique rock formations (Table Rock Mountain, The Chimneys) were front and center, and the hills on its rims almost symmetric along Linville River. Among all the overlooks, this was the one where I looked deepest into the gorge, and the gorge into me.<\/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\/03\/DSC_6578.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6578.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6579.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6579.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6580.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6580.jpg\" alt=\"Table Rock Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Table Rock Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_120406.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_120406.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_120410.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_120410.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Western Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Western Rim of Linville Gorge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6598.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6598.jpg\" alt=\"Western Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Western Rim of Linville Gorge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6599.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6599.jpg\" width=\"92.3%\" alt=\"Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Where I was heading next.<\/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\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6578.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6579.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6580.jpg\" alt=\"Table Rock Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_120406.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_120410.jpg\" alt=\"Western Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6598.jpg\" alt=\"Western Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6599.jpg\" alt=\"Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/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\/03\/DSC_6578.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6578.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6579.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6579.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6580.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6580.jpg\" alt=\"Table Rock Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Table Rock Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_120406.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_120406.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_120410.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_120410.jpg\" alt=\"Western Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Western Rim of Linville Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6598.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6598.jpg\" alt=\"Western Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Western Rim of Linville Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6599.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6599.jpg\" alt=\"Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Where I was heading next.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Below is a video from that overlook. Wind and light drizzle can be felt, but they were no match for the stellar views.<br \/>\n<video controls width=\"100%\" poster=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/Linville_Thumb.jpg\" preload=\"none\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/Linville_2160p30_H265_10Mbps.mp4\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/Linville_2160p30_H264_10Mbps.mp4\"><\/video><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">10 seconds, 2160p30fps, 10Mbps for both H264\/H265 for a total size of 11MB.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>After that, the trail briefly left the rim of the gorge where it felt more like a typical walk in the woods. This part of the trail was occasionally overgrown. This continued for about 1km before view of Linville Gorge popped back into sight.<\/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\/03\/20230703_122248.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_122248.jpg\" width=\"94%\" alt=\"Flower\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flower<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_131758.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_131758.jpg\" width=\"94%\" alt=\"Flower\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flower<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_122559C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_122559C9.jpg\" width=\"94%\" alt=\"Berries\" \/><\/a><\/br>Berries<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_121843.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20230703_121843.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_133005.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20230703_133005.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Typical condition once on top of the gorge, among trees and bushes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_132721.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_132721.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Pond\" \/><\/a><\/br>Pond<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A nameless one, right next to the trail.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_131439.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20230703_131439.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_132450.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20230703_132450.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Towards the end, the bushes grew shallower.<\/span><\/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\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_122248.jpg\" alt=\"Flower\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_131758.jpg\" alt=\"Flower\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_122559C9.jpg\" alt=\"Berries\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_121843.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_132721.jpg\" alt=\"Pond\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_131439.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-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\/03\/20230703_122248.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_122248.jpg\" alt=\"Flower\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flower<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_131758.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_131758.jpg\" alt=\"Flower\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flower<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_122559C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_122559C9.jpg\" alt=\"Berries\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Berries<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_121843.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20230703_121843.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_133005.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20230703_133005.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Typical condition once on top of the gorge, among trees and bushes.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_132721.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_132721.jpg\" alt=\"Pond\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Pond<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A nameless one, right next to 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\/03\/20230703_131439.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20230703_131439.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_132450.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20230703_132450.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Towards the end, the bushes grew shallower.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>The first overlook after the trail emerged from the bushes was the end of &#8220;Shortoff Mountain Trail&#8221; as marked on AllTrails. Despite the name, the top of &#8220;Shortoff Mountain&#8221; was a short distance off the trail, in the bushes.<\/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\/03\/DSC_6603.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6603.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6604.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6604.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6600.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6600.jpg\" alt=\"Table Rock Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Table Rock Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_123611.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_123611.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/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\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6603.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6604.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6600.jpg\" alt=\"Table Rock Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_123611.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/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 slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6603.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6603.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6604.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6604.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6600.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6600.jpg\" alt=\"Table Rock Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Table Rock Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_123611.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_123611.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/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\/03\/DSC_6605_DSC_6614-10.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6605_DSC_6614-10.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Despite that, the physical trail continued as &#8220;Mountains-to-Sea-Trail&#8221; deep into Linville Gorge. I didn&#8217;t pre-mark this spot on my navigation app, as a result, I continued on for about 450m before reaching another overlook, which I made the destination of my hike.<\/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\/03\/DSC_6620.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6620.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6625.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6625.jpg\" alt=\"The Chimneys before Table Rock Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>The Chimneys before Table Rock Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6622C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6622C11.jpg\" alt=\"Table Rock Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Table Rock Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_124801.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_124801.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6619.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6619.jpg\" alt=\"Linville River in Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Linville River in Gorge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6621.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6621.jpg\" width=\"92.4%\" alt=\"Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The trail continued on along these rocky cliffs.<\/span><\/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\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6620.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6625.jpg\" alt=\"The Chimneys before Table Rock Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6622C11.jpg\" alt=\"Table Rock Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_124801.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6619.jpg\" alt=\"Linville River in Gorge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6621.jpg\" alt=\"Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/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\/03\/DSC_6620.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6620.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6625.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6625.jpg\" alt=\"The Chimneys before Table Rock Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>The Chimneys before Table Rock Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6622C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6622C11.jpg\" alt=\"Table Rock Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Table Rock Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_124801.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_124801.jpg\" alt=\"Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6619.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6619.jpg\" alt=\"Linville River in Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Linville River in Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6621.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6621.jpg\" alt=\"Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Eastern Rim of Linville Gorge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The trail continued on along these rocky cliffs.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>I spent 30 minutes resting at this final overlook, enjoying the both the wind and the solitude. Beyond the end of trail on AllTrails, I enjoyed this rest undisturbed. The impressive size of the gorge in front created a sense of seclusion despite only for a brief moment.<\/p>\n<p>After that, I started to trace my way back. The sun broke out from the clouds during my descent, dispersing the last anxiety for rain in my mind. I spent a fair amount of time appreciating the views at the overlooks, so in the end I was back at my car at 2:30pm, 4 hours after I started.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_150415.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_150415.jpg\" alt=\"Lake James\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lake James<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">The lake was a frequent sight from the trail to Shortoff Mountain. After my hike, I backtracked a little bit and took some rest at the lake&#8217;s shore.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<p>After a brief rest by Lake James, I started driving towards Mt Mitchell, stopping at the town of Marion for a brief lunch. There wasn&#8217;t cellular coverage by Lake James, so I drove based on a rough direction, which ended up being a small detour.<br \/>\nMarion was the town where I spent the final night of my trip to Blue Ridge Parkway last October, so I was somewhat familiar with it, together with the twisty mountain road up Buck Creek Gap onto Blue Ridge Parkway.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Along_Blue_Ridge_Parkway\">Along Blue Ridge Parkway<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Once onto Blue Ridge Parkway, I could easily tell that it had been visited by rain just moments ago. This was more evident when I spotted a rainbow from Laurel Knob Overlook.<\/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\/03\/DSC_6640.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6640.jpg\" width=\"92.4%\" alt=\"Mountains to the Northwest from Hewat Overlook\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the Northwest from Hewat Overlook<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Mt Mitchell in the center-left.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6644C10.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6644C10.jpg\" alt=\"Rainbow\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rainbow<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_163628.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_163628.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains<\/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\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6640.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Northwest from Hewat Overlook\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6644C10.jpg\" alt=\"Rainbow\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_163628.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains\" \/><\/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 slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6640.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6640.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Northwest from Hewat Overlook\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the Northwest from Hewat Overlook<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Mt Mitchell in the center-left.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6644C10.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6644C10.jpg\" alt=\"Rainbow\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Rainbow<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_163628.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_163628.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After that, it&#8217;s Mount Mitchell, the highest mountain in eastern US. Despite its height, the mountain was very visitor-friendly, with a paved road to a giant parking lot near its summit. The actual summit was 300m away along a paved walkway.<\/p>\n<p>When I first arrived at Mt Mitchell&#8217;s parking lot at 5pm, the summit was in thick clouds (with occasional drizzle), and there was no view whatsoever. Not willing to give up, I waited in my car and checked out the summit again around 6pm. This time the clouds were higher, allowing me some views of the surrounding mountains. Unfortunately, with the summit observation deck barely above the surrounding trees, views were obstructed to begin with.<\/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\/03\/20230703_171319.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_171319.jpg\" width=\"82%\" alt=\"Observation Deck on Mt Mitchell\" \/><\/a><\/br>Observation Deck on Mt Mitchell<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Unlike Clingmans Dome, this one was barely above the ground and surrounding trees, so the views were to some degree obstructed.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6657.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6657.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Craig to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mount Craig to the North<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6652.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6652.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6653.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6653.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6655C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6655C11.jpg\" width=\"92.6%\" alt=\"Clingmans Peak to the South\" \/><\/a><\/br>Clingmans Peak to the South<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">With some radio towers on top. In the lower part, Mt Mitchell State Park visitor center building.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6648.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6648.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\/03\/20230703_175830.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_175830.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/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\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_171319.jpg\" alt=\"Observation Deck on Mt Mitchell\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6657.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Craig to the North\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6652.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6653.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6655C11.jpg\" alt=\"Clingmans Peak to the South\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6648.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_175830.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/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 from the summit of Mount Mitchell.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_171319.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_171319.jpg\" alt=\"Observation Deck on Mt Mitchell\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Observation Deck on Mt Mitchell<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Unlike Clingmans Dome, this one was barely above the ground and surrounding trees, so the views were to some degree obstructed.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6657.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6657.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Craig to the North\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mount Craig to the North<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6652.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6652.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6653.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6653.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6655C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6655C11.jpg\" alt=\"Clingmans Peak to the South\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Clingmans Peak to the South<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">With some radio towers on top. In the lower part, Mt Mitchell State Park visitor center building.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6648.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6648.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_175830.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_175830.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Below is a video that I took on top of Mount Mitchell, for a sense of the not-too-cooperative weather.<br \/>\n<video controls width=\"100%\" poster=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/Mitchell_Thumb.jpg\" preload=\"none\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/Mitchell_2160p30_H265_10Mbps.mp4\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/Mitchell_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>Leaving Mount Mitchell, I stopped at two more overlooks (Glassmine Falls \/ Graybeard Mountain), before embarking on a final short hike of the day, Craggy Pinnacle.<\/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\/03\/DSC_6658C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6658C11.jpg\" alt=\"Glassmine Falls\" \/><\/a><\/br>Glassmine Falls<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">I wished there was more water but during my visit Glassmine Falls were barely a trickle.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6659.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6659.jpg\" alt=\"Blackstock Knob\" \/><\/a><\/br>Blackstock Knob<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">from Glassmine Falls Overlook.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6660.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6660.jpg\" alt=\"Graybeard Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Graybeard Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">from Glassmine Falls Overlook.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6662.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6662.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">from Glassmine Falls Overlook.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6664.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6664.jpg\" alt=\"Mist along Side of Craggy Dome\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mist along Side of Craggy Dome<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">from Graybeard Mountain View Overlook.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_184101.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_184101.jpg\" width=\"96.1%\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/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\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6658C11.jpg\" alt=\"Glassmine Falls\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6659.jpg\" alt=\"Blackstock Knob\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6660.jpg\" alt=\"Graybeard Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6662.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6664.jpg\" alt=\"Mist along Side of Craggy Dome\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_184101.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/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\/03\/DSC_6658C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6658C11.jpg\" alt=\"Glassmine Falls\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Glassmine Falls<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">I wished there was more water but during my visit Glassmine Falls were barely a trickle.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6659.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6659.jpg\" alt=\"Blackstock Knob\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Blackstock Knob<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">from Glassmine Falls Overlook.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6660.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6660.jpg\" alt=\"Graybeard Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Graybeard Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">from Glassmine Falls Overlook.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6662.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6662.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">from Glassmine Falls Overlook.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6664.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6664.jpg\" alt=\"Mist along Side of Craggy Dome\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mist along Side of Craggy Dome<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">from Graybeard Mountain View Overlook.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_184101.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_184101.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Craggy_Pinnacle_Hike\">Craggy Pinnacle Hike<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>To the summit of Craggy Pinnacle, it was a 1.2km out-and-back with 70m elevation gain. From the summit one would enjoy 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains. The AllTrails map included a &#8220;Lower Overlook&#8221; which added some distance.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_191754.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20230703_191754.jpg\" width=\"51.85%\" alt=\"Trail to Craggy Pinnacle\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6668.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_6668.jpg\" width=\"46.15%\" alt=\"Trail to Craggy Pinnacle\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Craggy Pinnacle<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">On a steady and gradual incline, but pretty wide and remained in shades.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p>By the time I reached the summit of Craggy Pinnacle, the sun was completely out among broken clouds, so the best views were towards the east, of the ridgeline that extended south from Mount Mitchell, and Craggy Dome in the foreground. Later I found out Craggy Dome was higher in elevation than Craggy Pinnacle, despite the name &#8220;pinnacle&#8221; sounds more accomplished.<\/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\/03\/DSC_6691.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6691.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Craggy Dome\" \/><\/a><\/br>Craggy Dome<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The parking lot for this hike (Craggy Pinnacle) also visible in the lower-center.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6676.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6676.jpg\" alt=\"Road along Cliff\" \/><\/a><\/br>Road along Cliff<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6672.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6672.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Graybeard Mountain (1635m)\" \/><\/a><\/br>Graybeard Mountain (1635m)<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Among the ridge that extended south from Mt Mitchell.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6673.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6673.jpg\" alt=\"Burnett Reservoir\" \/><\/a><\/br>Burnett Reservoir<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_190712.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_190712.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\/03\/DSC_6694.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6694.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southwest\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the Southwest<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Lane Pinnacle (1583m) in the center.<\/span><\/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\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6691.jpg\" alt=\"Craggy Dome\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6676.jpg\" alt=\"Road along Cliff\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6672.jpg\" alt=\"Graybeard Mountain (1635m)\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6673.jpg\" alt=\"Burnett Reservoir\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_190712.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6694.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southwest\" \/><\/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 from the summit of Craggy Pinnacle.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6691.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6691.jpg\" alt=\"Craggy Dome\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Craggy Dome<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The parking lot for this hike (Craggy Pinnacle) also visible in the lower-center.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6676.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6676.jpg\" alt=\"Road along Cliff\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Road along Cliff<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6672.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6672.jpg\" alt=\"Graybeard Mountain (1635m)\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Graybeard Mountain (1635m)<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Among the ridge that extended south from Mt Mitchell.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6673.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6673.jpg\" alt=\"Burnett Reservoir\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Burnett Reservoir<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_190712.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_190712.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6694.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6694.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southwest\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the Southwest<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Lane Pinnacle (1583m) in the center.<\/span><\/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\/03\/DSC_6677_DSC_6690-14.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6677_DSC_6690-14.jpg\" alt=\"View from Craggy Pinnacle Summit\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>View from Craggy Pinnacle Summit<\/p><\/div>\n<p>After Craggy Pinnacle, I made two more stops along Blue Ridge Parkway, before turning onto to NC-694 as a shortcut towards Asheville.<\/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\/03\/DSC_6695.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6695.jpg\" alt=\"Lane Pinnacle\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lane Pinnacle<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">From Lane Pinnacle Overlook.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_194055.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_194055.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"View from Lane Pinnacle Overlook\" \/><\/a><\/br>View from Lane Pinnacle Overlook<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">From Lane Pinnacle Overlook.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6697.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6697.jpg\" alt=\"Rocky Knob (1433m) among Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rocky Knob (1433m) among Mountains<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">From Tanbark Ridge Overlook.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6699.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6699.jpg\" alt=\"Farmland in Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Farmland in Valley<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">From Tanbark Ridge Overlook.<\/span><\/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\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6695.jpg\" alt=\"Lane Pinnacle\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_194055.jpg\" alt=\"View from Lane Pinnacle Overlook\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6697.jpg\" alt=\"Rocky Knob (1433m) among Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_6699.jpg\" alt=\"Farmland in Valley\" \/><\/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\/03\/DSC_6695.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6695.jpg\" alt=\"Lane Pinnacle\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lane Pinnacle<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">From Lane Pinnacle Overlook.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_194055.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_194055.jpg\" alt=\"View from Lane Pinnacle Overlook\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>View from Lane Pinnacle Overlook<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">From Lane Pinnacle Overlook.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6697.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6697.jpg\" alt=\"Rocky Knob (1433m) among Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Rocky Knob (1433m) among Mountains<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">From Tanbark Ridge Overlook.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/DSC_6699.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_6699.jpg\" alt=\"Farmland in Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Farmland in Valley<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">From Tanbark Ridge Overlook.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s 8:30pm by the time I checked into a hotel for the next two nights, Sleep Inn Asheville, just in time to watch the sunset lighting up the distant horizon. <span style=\"font-size: small;\">It&#8217;s hard for me to believe this hotel only cost me 156USD for two nights, including taxes.<\/span><\/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\/03\/20230703_204132.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_204132.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel Room\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hotel Room<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_204142.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_204142.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel Room\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hotel Room<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_204150.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_204150.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel Room\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hotel Room<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_205746.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_205746.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset Glow from Hotel Room\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sunset Glow from Hotel Room<\/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\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_204132.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel Room\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_204142.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel Room\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_204150.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel Room\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20230703_205746.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset Glow from Hotel Room\" \/><\/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 of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703_204132.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_204132.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\/03\/20230703_204142.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_204142.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\/03\/20230703_204150.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_204150.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\/03\/20230703_205746.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/03\/thumbnails\/20230703_205746.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset Glow from Hotel Room\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sunset Glow from Hotel Room<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>END<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Second day of my 2023 Independence Day trip to North Carolina. Today I hiked a trail to Shortoff Mountain, located on the southern part of Linville Gorge, before making my way to Asheville while checking out Mt Mitchell,&#8230; <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2023\/07\/03\/20230703linville\/\">Read More<\/a><\/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":[636,620],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8033"}],"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=8033"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8033\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8458,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8033\/revisions\/8458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8033"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8033"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8033"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}