Picture of the day - November 22, 2006

Whitetop Mountain Living Up To Its Name

I have taken a number of pictures of Whitetop Mountain and nearby Mount Rogers from the exact same spot in Meadowview, Virginia over the years, and they always seem to look a little different due to prevailing weather conditions. Today's picture was taken yesterday afternoon - a couple of days after an autumn snowfall. The large white area on the right side of the mountain is Whitetop's bald, a huge open field covered with grass and an occasional stunted tree. When it's covered with snow, the bald can be seen with the naked eye from many parts of the Mountain Empire, including Meadowview and Abingdon. Whitetop Mountain is a favorite destination for hikers since the Appalachian Trail runs right across it and through the middle of the bald. But you can still climb Whitetop even if you aren't into hiking! All you have to do is drive up there in your vehicle (a 4 wheel drive is recommended but a regular passenger car will get you there if the weather is decent). Just be careful because Whitetop is covered with snow for much of the winter and the narrow, steep, gravel road is often very slick. But if you can make it up there, you'll be rewarded with one of the most spectacular views ever!   Submit a photo                       Picture of the day archives