Mt. Mitchell State Park

["Don Patterson" <donp@yancey.main.nc.us>]

Drove from Hwy 80 (Buck Creek Gap) up the Blue Ridge Parkway to Mt. Mitchell
SP.  If you want to count birds this is not the place to be.. My entire
count was 1 Ruffed Grouse on the way up and 1 Junco on the way back.
Nothing in the park, not even a Raven but the beauty of the heavy snow and
rime ice on Mt. Mitchell made the day, 4 or 5 foot drifts infront of the
gift shop, concession area.

The Park Staff is doing a great job keeping the park open these snowy days,
the Parkway was in great shape with just a few very short stretches of
partial snow, never spun a tire, the park is in even better shape. It was
very clear today with a 360 view of snow covered mountains.  The entire area
is a winter wonderland, for anyone wanting to visit you can call the park
828-675-4611 for road conditions.

The only route to the park at present is via Hwy 80 and South on the Blue
Ridge Parkway.

Thanks to Park Superintendant Jack Bradley and staff for keeping the park
accessable this time of year.

Don Patterson
Mt. Mitchell Lands
Yancey County
donp@yancey.main.nc.us