Monday, January 2, 2012

A Hike in the Highlands

View from the Appalachian Trail, Roan Highlands, Tennessee  © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)
Appalachian Trail and Chain of Balds, Roan Highlands, Tennessee/North Carolina  © Doug Hickok

View from Appalachian Trail, Roan Highlands, Tennessee/North Carolina  © Doug Hickok

Dried Grasses, Roan Highlands, Tennessee/North Carolina  © Doug Hickok

Mountain Ash, Appalachian Trail, Roan Highlands, Tennessee/North Carolina  © Doug Hickok

Birch Grove, Appalachian Trail, Roan Highlands, Tennessee/North Carolina  © Doug Hickok

Spruce-Fir Forest, Appalachian Trail, Roan Highlands, Tennessee/North Carolina  © Doug Hickok

Star Moss with Snow, Appalachian Trail, Roan Highlands, Tennessee/North Carolina 
 © Doug Hickok
 Trail through Spruce-Fir Forest, Roan Highlands, Tennessee/North Carolina  © Doug Hickok

Appalachian Trail, Roan Highlands, Tennessee/North Carolina  © Doug Hickok

Appalachian Trail, Roan Highlands, Tennessee/North Carolina  © Doug Hickok
Snow, Appalachian Trail, Roan Highlands, Tennessee/North Carolina  © Doug Hickok

Becky hiking Appalachian Trail, Roan Highlands, Tennessee/North Carolina  © Doug Hickok
Plank Bridge, Appalachian Trail, Roan Highlands, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok


Last fall we took a hike along part of the Appalachian Trail. We began on a high ridge, a treeless Appalachian bald, with 360 degree views of the Roan Highlands. As we progressed up a mountain side, through a spruce-fir forest, we hiked through a wonderland of snow.

The beautiful scenery and silence along this section of trail was invigorating, giving us the feeling that we could go on forever.
We enjoyed this hike so much that we want to return again another season.

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28 comments:

  1. GinnieJanuary 2, 2012 at 3:04 AM

    I would go to hike there in a New York minute, Doug. It makes you realize why this is such a famous trail! GORGEOUS images. I want to go with you!

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  2. 黄清华 Wong Ching WahJanuary 2, 2012 at 3:08 AM

    Great pictures from you hiking!

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  3. photoioanninaJanuary 2, 2012 at 3:20 AM

    Your photos are excellent!

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  4. Frank de JolJanuary 2, 2012 at 5:04 AM

    Excellent photos from beautiful trail.

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  5. Traveling HawkJanuary 2, 2012 at 5:07 AM

    I like walks in the mountains and this is a wonderful, inviting, series of photos. Doug. It is for every seaaon and I can't really tell which I like most!

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  6. brattcatJanuary 2, 2012 at 6:16 AM

    thank you for bringing us along on this wonderful hike. talk about 'purple mountain majesty'.

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  7. DomLOrthaJanuary 2, 2012 at 6:31 AM

    Beautiful serie! Thanks to share this walk in the forest!
    Have a nice day.

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  8. ChristopherJanuary 2, 2012 at 9:04 AM

    What a beautiful series Doug--I so wish I could have joined you guys on this one. Stunningly beautiful.

    Cheers!

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  9. VictoriaJanuary 2, 2012 at 9:17 AM

    Very nice pictures!
    Happy New Year! :)

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  10. BirdmanJanuary 2, 2012 at 9:49 AM

    Wow! Some fine images here, a bit of everything.

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  11. RobJanuary 2, 2012 at 9:57 AM

    Awesome, I have always wanted to hike this trail.

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  12. yzJanuary 2, 2012 at 10:14 AM

    beautiful colors and mood, great shots, each of them could make a perfect standalone post

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  13. OlaJanuary 2, 2012 at 10:22 AM

    First of all Happy New Year!
    I have been neglecting blogging for some time, enjoying Chistmas season, time to be back:)

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  14. franzJanuary 2, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    what a humdinger of a collection, doug !!!
    and what a new year's present for me - more than a dozen appalachian images, large and small, panoramic and closeup - what more could i wish ?!?
    what a terrific hike it must have been ...

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  15. MatsJanuary 2, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    Beautiful captures, really nice of you to share with us!

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  16. john4jackJanuary 2, 2012 at 3:02 PM

    superb series!! some wonderful light

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  17. FilipJanuary 2, 2012 at 4:29 PM

    Wau, one hike with these view and snow. Great.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  18. London CallerJanuary 2, 2012 at 5:03 PM

    Aw, behind every great woman there's a great man.
    And you just proved it right, D!

    Oh man, oops, I mean "oh woman".
    I need to join the Suffragetes' Club!
    Are you in?

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  19. Crash RyanJanuary 2, 2012 at 7:55 PM

    beautiful light and vibrant colors!!!!

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  20. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Love those spruce shots, especially the bare tree trunks...

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  21. AyushJanuary 3, 2012 at 12:34 AM

    beautiful series without the hand of man apparent here

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  22. UnknownJanuary 3, 2012 at 9:44 AM

    This is the place that you must come back some day.
    I like it.

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  23. fabrizioJanuary 3, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    the smell of nature is present in this series of shots for a place to get lost and find

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  24. MarieJanuary 4, 2012 at 5:09 AM

    magnifiques couleurs dans cette belle série.

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  25. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2012 at 7:16 AM

    What a beautiful setting.

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  26. elena nuezJanuary 8, 2012 at 9:05 AM

    thanks for that amazing trip
    and excellent pictures!!!

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  27. rianJanuary 20, 2012 at 2:49 PM

    the view up there's just lovely.. nice shots! :)

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  28. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2012 at 9:41 AM

    Beautiful!
    I am speechless.
    I would like to go hike there!

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