Great Smoky Mountains and Nantahala National Forest

From Greenville we proceeded up to the Nantahala National Forest and then on to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  We stayed a night on top of Wayah Bald which is at elevation 5,342 ft.  Andrew ventured out at just before sunrise to capture this lovely shot of the moon against the ice-clad tree tops.  The temperature was pretty low that night.  There had been snow the evening before and still ice on the ground.

The artistic shot of the sunrise.





Below is picturesque Lake Cliffside.

Dry Falls is a waterfall at the bottom of pleasant stone steps which lead to a path that goes behind the waterfall.

It is not often that you can stand behind a great torrent of water rushing past your face.

The observation tower at Clingmans Dome at the Great Smoky Mountains NP.  Elevation 6,643 ft.   The path to the tower is a very steep 1/2 mile but the view at the top is a rewarding one.  On a clear day one can see four different states.

Looking from Tennessee to North Carolina.

Icicles on the rocks - they looked spectacular.