Mount Mitchell State Park

at Mt. Mitchell State Park

Vibrant moss growing on trees at Mt. Mitchell State Park in Burnsville, North Carolina on Friday, August 24, 2018. Copyright 2018 Jason Barnette

at Mt. Mitchell State Park

The long and winding road leading to the summit of Mt. Mitchell State Park in Burnsville, North Carolina on Friday, August 24, 2018. Copyright 2018 Jason Barnette

at Mt. Mitchell State Park

The summit of Mt. Mitchell State Park in Burnsville, North Carolina on Friday, August 24, 2018. Copyright 2018 Jason Barnette

at Mt. Mitchell State Park

The burial site of Elisha Mitchell near the observation tower on the summit of Mt. Mitchell State Park in Burnsville, North Carolina on Friday, August 24, 2018. Copyright 2018 Jason Barnette

The view inside the restaurant at Mt. Mitchell State Park at Milepost 255.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina on Monday, June 15, 2015. Copyright 2015 Jason Barnette

The view inside the restaurant at Mt. Mitchell State Park at Milepost 255.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina on Monday, June 15, 2015. Copyright 2015 Jason Barnette

One of the special meals of the day at the restaurant at Mt. Mitchell State Park at Milepost 255.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina on Monday, June 15, 2015. Copyright 2015 Jason Barnette

One of the special meals of the day at the restaurant at Mt. Mitchell State Park at Milepost 255.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina on Monday, June 15, 2015. Copyright 2015 Jason Barnette

The long and winding road through the state park at Mt. Mitchell State Park at Milepost 255.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina on Monday, June 15, 2015. Copyright 2015 Jason Barnette

The long and winding road through the state park at Mt. Mitchell State Park at Milepost 255.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina on Monday, June 15, 2015. Copyright 2015 Jason Barnette

The view of the scenic overlook at the top of the mountain at Mt. Mitchell State Park at Milepost 255.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina on Monday, June 15, 2015. Copyright 2015 Jason Barnette

The view of the scenic overlook at the top of the mountain at Mt. Mitchell State Park at Milepost 255.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina on Monday, June 15, 2015. Copyright 2015 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

The grave of Elisha Mitchell, the geologist who first noted the peak of the mountain, at the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

The grave of Elisha Mitchell, the geologist who first noted the peak of the mountain, at the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

Sign noting the height of Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

Sign noting the height of Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

The observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

The observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

The observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

The observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

Two visitors enjoy the view from the curving ramp leading up to the observation deck in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

Two visitors enjoy the view from the curving ramp leading up to the observation deck in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell, including the large parking lot below, in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell, including the large parking lot below, in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View of the landscape at the top of Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View of the landscape at the top of Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

Visitors stretch their legs, chat with friends, and snap photos from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

Visitors stretch their legs, chat with friends, and snap photos from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

Visitors stretch their legs, chat with friends, and snap photos from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

Visitors stretch their legs, chat with friends, and snap photos from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette

View from the observation deck atop Mt. Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park at Milepost 355.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Copyright 2013 Jason Barnette