Blue Ridge Parkway

In mid-October, 2012, we finally found an opportunity to drive along a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway in mostly sunny conditions.  We entered the parkway near Asheville at MP 393.6 and drove south.  There are numerous overlooks along the route.  Below are some of my favorite views with their approximate mileposts and overlook names.

MP 399.8 Bad Fork Valley 

Mount Pisgah
MP 408.3 Unnamed Parking Circle

MP 409.3 View Funnel Top

MP 409.3 View Funnel Top

Mount Pisgah
MP 409.3 View Funnel Top

Side view of Looking Glass Rock
MP 413.2 Pounding Mill Overlook

MP 415.7 View Cherry Cove

MP 417.0 View Looking Glass Rock

Looking Glass Rock
MP 417.0 View Looking Glass Rock

MP 418.3 East Fork Overlook
(East Fork Pigeon River)

Second Falls of the Yellowstone Prong of the East Fork Pigeon River
MP 418.5 (roadside)

MP 421.5 (roadside)

MP 421.7 Fetterbush Overlook

MP 424.4 View Herrin Knob

We continued on the parkway to Richland Balsam Overlook (MP 431.4).  At 6,053 feet, this is the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway and it seemed the fall colors were past their peak.  Our afternoon journey on the parkway concluded at Balsam Gap (MP 443.1) and the intersection with U.S. 74/23, the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway.

The parkway website is http://www.nps.gov/blri/index.htm.