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

[Belgique]

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.

[D_E_Bishop]

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]

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]

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]

Here is one more for the "big" picture.


The trees are just about at peak. Heart-stoppingly beautiful!

[Belgique]

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]

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

[PRodacy]

It would be cool if you folks would post some pictures of these areas. Lots of photos of the Rocky Mountains are on this site. How about showing off the Eastern mountains?

[Belgique]

Thanks all for the clarification and ideas. Sitting in a CG in Hildebran watching the fog burn off in the valley below. Beautiful, calming, and a great way to start the day.

[tragusa3]

I have a similar view, but from the southern side. Get out and enjoy.

In our travels, we've certainly seen "grander" sites, but no place that would take us from living in Appalachia! Yet!

We're going for one of those after work trips this coming weekend.

[NanciL]

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

[NanciL]

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 canoes

jack L

[Pawz4me]

IMHO the Blue Ridge Mountains are the prettiest part of the Appalachian chain.

(And yes, it IS confusing.)

[Terryallan]

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.

[coolmom42]

^^^^Correct.

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

[agesilaus]

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 Wiki

They are roughly 500 million years old. And are worn down to nubs.