Grandfather Mountain, a 5,946-foot peak near Linville in western North Carolina, stands at the meeting point of Avery, Caldwell, and Watauga counties and is the highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge. Its steep cliffs, caves, severe winds, and sharp elevation changes create 16 ecological communities, including a surviving remnant of Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest. The mountain’s ridge includes several named peaks and gives rise to the Linville and Watauga rivers. Long both a nature preserve and tourist destination, it became especially known for the Mile High Swinging Bridge and is now both a protected state park and a scenic attraction.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Seven Devils, North Carolina · USA