Blue Ridge Parkway Part 1 - Updated with pictures

The 469 mile Blue Ridge Parkway stretches through North Carolina and Virginia from Great Smoky National Park up to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Tuesday we covered the stretch from Asheville NC to Fancy Gap VA – mile markers 388 to 199. My pre-conceived image of the Blue Ridge Parkway had been that of a longer version of the picturesque Merritt Parkway in Connecticut. I had no idea that the BRP would bring us through mile after mile of breath-taking views, much of it at or above the 4000 foot level through the North Carolina section.


We couldn’t resist a side trip up the Mt. Mitchell (elev. 6,684) auto road, bringing us up to highest peak east of the Mississippi. Mt. Mitchell is part of the Black Mountain Range which boasts several 6,000 footers.



Unfortunately, the 300-yard walking path from the parking lot to the summit was closed due to repairs.


Although higher than Mount Washington, the weather on Mount Mitchell was notably milder; from past experience, I know that the summit of Washington in early-mid May is still snow covered and that the temp’s up there can still be below freezing. By contrast, Mitchell was comfortable, in the 60’s-70’s, with mild breezes and no snow banks in sight.

Just as on New Hampshire’s Kancamagus highway, the Blue Ridge Parkway attracts all types of vehicles – and quite a number bicyclists: