I was standing in the same spot that Hugh Morton made famous in his summertime Linn Cove viaduct shot.
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The leaves aren't great this year. Heck, they aren't even good. Yet I submit that the most miserable autumn day is better on top of the mountain than anywhere else. I did find local spots of respectable color today. I saw a bunch of great oranges and reds at Linville Falls. Also, the Parkway near Grandfather Mountain has some blaze as well. Stack Rock, Rough Ridge and Boone Fork should provide you a quick autumn hiking fix. I also saw beautiful color up on 7 Devils. Tomorrow I venture north to Rich Mountain and Elk Knob...