Ultimate Blue Ridge Mountains Vacation That Brings Your Dreams come True
The Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province in the Appalachian Mountains range in the USA. The Blue Ridge Mountains are named after having a bluish color when seen from a distance. Trees put the “blue” in Blue Ridge, from the isoprene released into the atmosphere. This contributes to the characteristic haze on the mountains in that the color appears. The mountain range is located in the Eastern United States and extends 885 km. southwest from southern Pennsylvania through Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. The Great Appalachian valley lies between the Blue Ridge and the Appalachians.
The folded mountains of central Pennsylvania. is a rolling hill and valleys that are part of a geologic formation known as the Valley and Ridge Province that stretches from New York to Alabama. The prominent folds of rock were pushed up during various plate tectonic collisions and mountain-building processes during the Ordovician Period and during the formation of Pangea.
Blue Ridge mountain consists of 2 major national parks- The Shenandoah National Park in the northern section, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the southern section. The 8 national forests include George Washington and Jefferson, Cherokee, Pisgah, Nantahala, and Chattahoochee. The Blue Ridge Parkway, a 755 km long scenic highway, connects the two parks and runs along the ridge crest lines, as the Appalachian Trail.
Geology of The Blue Ridge Mountains
Most of the rocks that form the Blue Ridge Mountains are ancient granitic Charnockites, metamorphosed volcanic formations, and sedimentary limestone. The basement geology of the Blue Ridge is made of gneisses and granitoids. The Blue Ridge basement is a composite orogenic crust that was emplaced during several episodes from a crustal magma source. It began forming during the Silurian Period over 400 million years ago. North America and Europe collided, approximately 320 million years ago, pushing up the Blue Ridge. At the time of their emergence, the Blue Ridge was among the highest mountains in the world and reached heights comparable to the much younger Alps. Today, due to weathering and erosion over hundreds of millions of years, the highest peak in the range, Mount Mitchell in North Carolina, is only 2,037 m high. Blue ridge mountains map showing the exact location of the mountain
What is fold mountain?
Fold mountains are created when two or more of Earth’s tectonic plates collide together. At these colliding, compressing boundaries, rocks and debris are warped and folded into rocky outcrops, hills, mountains, and mountain ranges. Fold mountains are formed through a process called orogeny. An orogenic event takes millions of years to create a fold mountain or chain of mountains. Some of the key structures in fold mountains are nappes. Nappes are common, dramatic folded rocks or rock formations. Fold mountains are often associated with continental crust. They are created at convergent plate boundaries. it is also known as continental collision zones or compression zones. Convergent plate boundaries are sites of collisions of plates, where tectonic plates crash into each other.
Places to visit in The Blue Ridge Mountains
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park covered with clouds over the top areas, giving it that affect, especially during early mornings and whenever raining. The area in these parts is gorgeous. As one drive along the road within this park, its feel like being swallowed whole by the mountains there, as they are huge.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most famous scenic roads that basically runs through the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains and most popular part of this whole mountain range. it is also the best scenic drive in North America.
Town of Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is a beautiful small town that is right next to Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It has many facilities such as Hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, and entertainment areas. Gatlinburg is famous for the fresh air, cool mountains, and whistling in from the Smokies. Smell the fresh air, and relax that you’re in the Smokies. There’s plenty to see in this mountain range.
Linn Cove Viaduct
The famous Blue Ridge Mountains bridge or Linn cove viaduct is a famous bridge situated on Blue Ridge Mountains road. This bridge is known as Linn Cove Viaduct and is located in North Carolina. It is basically in the middle area of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As long as visitors drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, they will cross it eventually from whatever end they are driving on the road. Stop at this point and take some great pictures of the bridge and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Grandfather Mountain State Park
Grandfather Mountain State Park is an exciting place. visitors can explore when they travel through the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s located in North Carolina and really close to the Linn Cove Viaduct bridge. It is an amazing park with great biodiversity. There are some amazing peaks to explore the most popular being Grandfather Mountain. On this mountain, there is also a very iconic overlook point- Rough Ridge Overlook. It provides one of the top views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in my opinion.
Blue Ridge Mountains hiking trails
Blue Ridge mountain is a hiker’s paradise, that offers several major trail systems, including access to the Appalachian Trail. There are many trails that extend for more than 3218 km. through many of the states on the Eastern seaboard. These are the blue ridge mountains’ best hikes, including short trails suitable for beginning hikers. Here are some best Trails for trekkers.
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Three Forks to Long Creek Falls
The hike to Long Creek Falls is a great way to experience the Appalachian mountain Trail. This adventure includes a scenic 8.5 km. drive into the forest following Noontootla Creek to the Three Forks area. here you can see a beautiful cascading waterfall with two drops totaling 15 meters. Take a picnic to enjoy at the Waterfalls.
Swinging Bridge Trail
Swinging Bridge Trail is a short flat hike to the bridge over a slow-moving pristine Toccoa River. This structure is known simply as the “Swinging Bridge.” It is the longest suspension bridge east of the Mississippi, the passage was built by the USDA Forest Service and the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club.
Hike to the Appalachian Trail terminus
This Trail begins in Fannin County at the top of Springer Mountain. It is one of the greatest outdoor adventure trails in the Appalachian.
Aska Trails
The Aska Trails Area is popular among beginners and is 27 km. long trail near Blue Ridge, with hikes that intersect and loop ranging from one to 8.8 km. The Aska Trail System provides recreational trails for bicyclists and hikers.
Benton MacKaye Trail to Fall Branch Falls
A short distance away and part of the larger Benton MacKaye Trail, Fall Branch Falls is a double waterfall with mountain laurel and rhododendron growing along the trail and creek bank. The hike to the falls is about 30 minutes round-trip.
Blue Ridge Mountains Camping
Blue Ridge Mountains Camping is the best experience in the Appalachian. Spend the night under the stars in one of America’s most beautiful natural settings while traveling through the Blue Ridge Parkway. Camping on the Parkway is open seasonally, although privately-owned campgrounds just off the Parkway are open year-round. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers several different types of campsites, including backcountry, developed campgrounds, and group campsites, and can accommodate horses.
Best Time to visit Blue Ridge Mountain
The best time to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains is spring, summer, and fall foliage. At this time exuberant flora, pleasant weather, and an array of outdoor activities are available here. During the spring, the region bursts with green buds and wildflowers, that really a great experience.
