I'm so confused. I'm a flat lander now living in Hickory NC, east of Asheville and SE of Boone. Would a local please explain the name of the beautiful mountains I see. I hear Great Smokey's; Appalachian's; Blue Ridge; etc. They all seem to be used interchangeably. Thanks in advance.

Appalachians, they extend from north Georgia at up into New Hampshire and I guess Maine. Worlds oldest mountain range they where once as high as the Himalayas:"The range is mostly located in the United States but extends into southeastern Canada, forming a zone from 100 to 300 mi (160 to 480 km) wide, running from the island of Newfoundland 1,500 mi (2,400 km) southwestward to Central Alabama in the United States"from WikiThey are roughly 500 million years old. And are worn down to nubs.

^^^^Correct.Great Smokies, Blue Ridge, White Mountains (in New England) are names for segments of the Appalachians.

Those are the Blue Ridge mountains you see off in the distance. While they are in the Appalachian Mountains. They are the largest chain. They are just called the Blue Ridge mountains just to separate them from the other smaller sections included in the Blue Ridge chain. like the Smokey Mountains. Pisgah, and Shenandoah. I know I am biased. But the truth is. the Blue Ridge Mts are the coolest in the summer, and coldest in the winter. The highest peak East of the Mississippi is located in the Blue Ridge MT. And if you want to camp. There is a Campground every where you look up there. But you got to be ready to climb the hill. No interstates lead you there from Hickory. Best way to go is 321, or 16. You live less than an hour from the BRP and some of the prettiest views in the world. A day trip to go ride the Parkway is such a relaxing getaway. Close enough just to go camp for the weekend, and be there, and setup by dark on Friday after work. Go explore.

IMHO the Blue Ridge Mountains are the prettiest part of the Appalachian chain.(And yes, it IS confusing.)

You are looking at the Blue Ridge Mountains We live up here in "God's Land" Take a ride up right now and drive along the Parkway. In the thirty years we have lived here , right now has the most beautiful colors I have every seen. Go up 321 and turn south on the parkway. Head toward Grandfather Mountain, and ooh and aah as you come to the viaduct! No pictures or paintings in the world can do it justice! We were up there in Price Lake on Sunday paddling our solo canoesjack L

What is the name of the NC mountain chain where I am at?

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2015
I wish I was RV'ing and forgot where in the country I was LOL!

It is a beautiful area! He Appalachians are truly beautiful, especially this time of year!
tragusa3
Explorer
Oct 14, 2015
This is an interesting conversation. We envied those with access to the Rockies for all of our lives. Two years ago, we finally went on our trip out west. It WAS amazing. However, our hearts skipped a beat when coming back east and driving through our Appalachia. We realized at that moment that beauty is in all forms...not better or worse.

We're no longer envious, but do still want to get back to the Rockies every chance we get.
ken56
Explorer
Oct 14, 2015
For those who of us have been fortunate enough to be able to travel from one coast to the other, the stunning beauty of this land we live in is so diverse its hard to find words to do it justice. Nuff said.
NanciL
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2015
D.E.Bishop wrote:
The DW and I are from the other side and we found the Appalachian Range absolutely unbelievable. We have entirely different type of fauna and different mountains, the BRP was an unforgettable experience. While our ranges are taller, I found that the detour we were forced on to was the steepest, windiest road I have ever been on. Yes you have mountains, beautiful but different from ours in the West. Come visit ours but don't expect them to be the same.

We have been to all the mountain ranges. East, West and Alaska.

We describe our eastern ones as "friendly" and the western ones as "sharp".
We love them all and feel blessed to live in this beautiful country

Jack L
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
The DW and I are from the other side and we found the Appalachian Range absolutely unbelievable. We have entirely different type of fauna and different mountains, the BRP was an unforgettable experience. While our ranges are taller, I found that the detour we were forced on to was the steepest, windiest road I have ever been on. Yes you have mountains, beautiful but different from ours in the West. Come visit ours but don't expect them to be the same.
olddog49
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
NanciL wrote:
Terryallan wrote:
Those are the Blue Ridge mountains you see off in the distance. While they are in the Appalachian Mountains. They are the largest chain. They are just called the Blue Ridge mountains just to separate them from the other smaller sections included in the Blue Ridge chain. like the Smokey Mountains. Pisgah, and Shenandoah.

I know I am biased. But the truth is. the Blue Ridge Mts are the coolest in the summer, and coldest in the winter. The highest peak East of the Mississippi is located in the Blue Ridge MT. And if you want to camp. There is a Campground every where you look up there. But you got to be ready to climb the hill. No interstates lead you there from Hickory. Best way to go is 321, or 16. You live less than an hour from the BRP and some of the prettiest views in the world. A day trip to go ride the Parkway is such a relaxing getaway. Close enough just to go camp for the weekend, and be there, and setup by dark on Friday after work. Go explore.

You are not biased! You are correct!
And if I may add a bit; that highest mountain is Mt Mitchell and it actually is part of the "Black Brothers" which are six mountains all over 6000 feet. You can drive to the top and then take a trail that goes over all six peaks

Jack L

Stop at Blowing Rock, take the walk out to the edge, reath taking sight.
wbwood
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
NanciL wrote:
Terryallan wrote:
Those are the Blue Ridge mountains you see off in the distance. While they are in the Appalachian Mountains. They are the largest chain. They are just called the Blue Ridge mountains just to separate them from the other smaller sections included in the Blue Ridge chain. like the Smokey Mountains. Pisgah, and Shenandoah.

I know I am biased. But the truth is. the Blue Ridge Mts are the coolest in the summer, and coldest in the winter. The highest peak East of the Mississippi is located in the Blue Ridge MT. And if you want to camp. There is a Campground every where you look up there. But you got to be ready to climb the hill. No interstates lead you there from Hickory. Best way to go is 321, or 16. You live less than an hour from the BRP and some of the prettiest views in the world. A day trip to go ride the Parkway is such a relaxing getaway. Close enough just to go camp for the weekend, and be there, and setup by dark on Friday after work. Go explore.

You are not biased! You are correct!
And if I may add a bit; that highest mountain is Mt Mitchell and it actually is part of the "Black Brothers" which are six mountains all over 6000 feet. You can drive to the top and then take a trail that goes over all six peaks

Jack L

We were just up that way this weekend camping at Curtis Creek Campground. On saturday we drove the subaru further up the single lane dirt road that the campground sits on, all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We then headed south by Mount Mitchell until we got off on the east side of Asheville. Leaves didn't look to be in their prime. I'm thinking another week at least. It was rainy and foggy though....
WVbassmistress
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
Here is one more for the "big" picture.

The trees are just about at peak. Heart-stoppingly beautiful!
Belgique
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
You guys have inspired us...will make the run today or tomorrow.

As to pix for Westeners, you guys will say "you call that a mountain? ;)

WVbassmistress: late wife was from Brussels.
WVbassmistress
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
We just returned from a (too) quick weekend trip there.
Truly amazing!!! And I am from a mountain state!
This was my first trip there, so forgive me for not knowing exactly where this was. It was near Grandfather Mountain.

Saturday was so foggy we couldn't see a thing, so Sunday we went back over the same territory. WOW!!! The things we missed right under our noses.

We also met some very nice people, both CG owners and visitors.
I can't wait to go back.

ps - Belgique... my mother was from Belguim. I assume that is what your name references