Sam Knob is a beautiful spot at the edge of Shining Rock wilderness in North Carolina.

 

To get there you get to drive some of the Blue Ridge Parkway

 

and drive through lots of tunnels!

 

I had fun taking pictures in the tunnel.

 

And more tunnels. I was easily entertained and didn’t ask “Are we there yet?” once.

 

 

The trail up to Sam Knob from Black Balsam Parking Area goes through a meadow before climbing right up that hill.

 

From the top you can look right down on the trail

 

The view in every direction is pretty good or that’s what I thought until I went to the other side!

 

This is the spot! This is what makes it all worth it!

 

At an Elevation of 6050 ft it was pleasant but not hot.

 

I met Katy. She was happy to be out but very out of breath.

 

Her mom explained that Katy’s not used to getting so much exercise.  Katy just wiped her nose and muttered something about If you had such short legs and big paws you too might be out of breath.

 

The other nice thing about this place is there’s no poison ivy! And no poison ivy means happy itch free days.

 

Knowing that makes this view all that more beautiful.

 

Fork Mountain to the right, Fork Ridge to the left.

 

I thought I’d wait for a sunset but just then the fog blew in and that was that.

 

Some days you don’t get a sunset and that’s ok,

it can still be a really nice day.

 

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