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Our Signature Mountains: A Photo Essay

Evening light busts through storm clouds late in the evening from the summit of North Carolina’s Mt. Mitchell, the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River.

Our contributing photographers are back with great shots of and from some of the region’s highest peaks.

Photo Above: Evening light busts through storm clouds late in the evening from the summit of North Carolina’s Mt. Mitchell, the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River.
© Joshua Moore

The view from Tennessee’s highest mountain, Clingman’s Dome, offers sweeping views of some of the most majestic peaks in both North Carolina and Tennessee.
The view from Tennessee’s highest mountain, Clingman’s Dome, offers sweeping views of some of the most majestic peaks in both North Carolina and Tennessee.
© Dawnfire Photography
At 4,784 feet above sea level, Brasstown Bald is Georgia's highest point. From the photographer: “I took the short half-mile trail to the summit rather than the shuttle, and was rewarded with not only a nice workout, but also the aromatic scents along the trail and the ultimate reward once I reached the observation deck up top—the cool summer air and breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding North Georgia mountains.
At 4,784 feet above sea level, Brasstown Bald is Georgia’s highest point. From the photographer: “I took the short half-mile trail to the summit rather than the shuttle, and was rewarded with not only a nice workout, but also the aromatic scents along the trail and the ultimate reward once I reached the observation deck up top—the cool summer air and breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding North Georgia mountains.
© Robert Stephens
Part of the forested Mount Rogers summit—the highest in Virginia—is at the upper right in this view of some of the expanse of the Grayson Highlands.
Part of the forested Mount Rogers summit—the highest in Virginia—is at the upper right in this view of some of the expanse of the Grayson Highlands.
© Nicholas Moore
This view from the steps of the Sassafras Mountain Lookout Tower—South Carolina’s highest point—looks out on Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee.
This view from the steps of the Sassafras Mountain Lookout Tower—South Carolina’s highest point—looks out on Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee.
© Blaine Owens
Black Mountain, on the border of Kentucky and Virginia, is the highest point in Kentucky. From the photographer: “The rich history of the area, coupled with the beauty of the mountain, make it a special place to visit.”
Black Mountain, on the border of Kentucky and Virginia, is the highest point in Kentucky. From the photographer: “The rich history of the area, coupled with the beauty of the mountain, make it a special place to visit.”
© Ben Childers Photography

The story above first appeared in our July / August 2023 issue.

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