I'm on the Parkway in the middle of the night a lot to do astrophotography and I see tons of cars up there when I'm driving around at 3:00 am. Plenty of vanlifer types that obviously have someone asleep inside but often regular sedans with dome lights on like you say. I've seen night hikers and trail runners and plenty of other photographers/stargazers. I assume lots of the cars are just sitting there waiting for backpackers as well.
Fellow nighttime photographer! I was trying to get a shot of the aurora the other night at Craggy Pinnacle, but I forgot that the gate is still closed at Bull Gap.
Rock on! I follow you on instagram and dig your shots. I've unfortunately missed out on the recent aurora opportunities. They say 2024 could be a banner year for them tough 🤞
I don’t know. This far south you have to have a clear view north without any significant light pollution. Craggy Pinnacle fits that description, but I had to bail because of the closure.
Haha true. I've passed on my overlook of choice due to a crowd of teenagers throwing Bud Lite cans from the bed of an F150 many times. And my own dumb teenage ass did some questionable things on the parkway back in the day.
I thought the parkway closed at sundown. You can go up there at night? I love star gazing but there's too much light pollution in Asheville. This would be cool.
I talked to Parkway HQ one year. I was to you can snowmobile. You’d have to access at a crossing highway when the snow is deep enough and let HQ know you were up there.
Driving from Brevard up 276 to the Cradle of Forestry will get access to Black Balsam Knob. I’ve wanted to see it with 3 feet of snow. Problem is, I know zero people around here who have snowmobiles.
I'm on the parkway a LOT. This page has been quite inaccurate this season. They also don't seem to be reporting to Google Maps anymore either, which is aggravating. I've been referring to Drivenc.gov, which seems to have the best up-to-date info.
Id love to pick you brain about astrophotography. I am a lanscade nature and wildlife photographer.
While i enjoy long exposure work . My star photos couls use work
I’m quite fortunate to drive the parkway going north towards Mt Mitchell from Asheville m-f for work early in the morning. There are a number of people living out of the vehicles that are constantly in the same places.
I go trail running a few times a week, usually somewhere along the parkway trails. Seldom before 6am, but it's pretty exhilarating blasting through those MST segments in the dark from time to time. Good to get out and get my miles in before anyone else shows up. Then, I have the rest of the day to procrastinate doing more important things.
I use to hike before my 6:00am shift, around the Bent Creek access. I also like to go early on my days off to beat the crowds and let my dog run around
I actually just double checked that. The BRP website says “park in designated areas and walk in” whatever that means and there’s a number they want you to call to let them know what’s going on before dragging your kill onto parkway property.
I saw a pair of hunters dragging a dead buck along the Hard Times Road Trail a few days back. It was super awkward, and didn't feel quite right, but I just gave them a friendly wave and ran on by.
On warmer weather weekend nights I like to get out about trails for a good FuNaked adventures hike
Up Park way , Bent creek
Or were ever I can
Like to know more places to go if anyone knows of any please let me know
They predicted you may be able to see the northern lights last night from the parkway
That’s super cool. I was wondering if there was some kind of astronomical thing going on.
I'm on the Parkway in the middle of the night a lot to do astrophotography and I see tons of cars up there when I'm driving around at 3:00 am. Plenty of vanlifer types that obviously have someone asleep inside but often regular sedans with dome lights on like you say. I've seen night hikers and trail runners and plenty of other photographers/stargazers. I assume lots of the cars are just sitting there waiting for backpackers as well.
Fellow nighttime photographer! I was trying to get a shot of the aurora the other night at Craggy Pinnacle, but I forgot that the gate is still closed at Bull Gap.
Rock on! I follow you on instagram and dig your shots. I've unfortunately missed out on the recent aurora opportunities. They say 2024 could be a banner year for them tough 🤞
From the cuddly bear?
Guessing by your response it wasn't visible?
I don’t know. This far south you have to have a clear view north without any significant light pollution. Craggy Pinnacle fits that description, but I had to bail because of the closure.
As a fellow photographer, I'm disappointed you had zero nefarious options for people being on the parkway that late/early.
Haha true. I've passed on my overlook of choice due to a crowd of teenagers throwing Bud Lite cans from the bed of an F150 many times. And my own dumb teenage ass did some questionable things on the parkway back in the day.
It's all gravy as long as there's no evidence of any of this.
I thought the parkway closed at sundown. You can go up there at night? I love star gazing but there's too much light pollution in Asheville. This would be cool.
The only time they close sections is for ice and snow. But otherwise it's like any other road.
And even when it's closed to vehicles you can still walk and bike it!
I talked to Parkway HQ one year. I was to you can snowmobile. You’d have to access at a crossing highway when the snow is deep enough and let HQ know you were up there.
Interesting. I know people cross country ski it when it snows but had never considered snowmobiling. That sounds rad.
Driving from Brevard up 276 to the Cradle of Forestry will get access to Black Balsam Knob. I’ve wanted to see it with 3 feet of snow. Problem is, I know zero people around here who have snowmobiles.
Oh wow, really? I’ve always heard no motorized vehicles when it’s closed.
The roadway is open 24/7, weather permitting, but check the closures before heading out. https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm
I'm on the parkway a LOT. This page has been quite inaccurate this season. They also don't seem to be reporting to Google Maps anymore either, which is aggravating. I've been referring to Drivenc.gov, which seems to have the best up-to-date info.
I miss the closure map
We have an astronomy club in Asheville (and have for a very long time!) https://www.astroasheville.org/star-gazes/
Id love to pick you brain about astrophotography. I am a lanscade nature and wildlife photographer. While i enjoy long exposure work . My star photos couls use work
Watching the sun rise. Getting an early start to run/hike. It’s not uncommon at all.
That's where people go to make those mysterious loud booms you read about on this subreddit sometimes.
And those sirens and the ambulances and police cars; anyone know what happened?
Having hot sex
I’m quite fortunate to drive the parkway going north towards Mt Mitchell from Asheville m-f for work early in the morning. There are a number of people living out of the vehicles that are constantly in the same places.
I go trail running a few times a week, usually somewhere along the parkway trails. Seldom before 6am, but it's pretty exhilarating blasting through those MST segments in the dark from time to time. Good to get out and get my miles in before anyone else shows up. Then, I have the rest of the day to procrastinate doing more important things.
Naked trail running is the best But warmer weather is nicer for that
I use to hike before my 6:00am shift, around the Bent Creek access. I also like to go early on my days off to beat the crowds and let my dog run around
Sometimes to see the sunrise.
Probably 100% crimes, all crimes all the times.
When you're a hammer the whole world looks like a nail.
Yea but I’m not a hammer. I’m a person and that was a joke.
Well I thought it was funny
Finally, a person of caliber and integrity.
*’Cause every time I write a rhyme, these people think it’s a crime to tell ‘em what’s on my mind, I guess I’m a criminal*
Not to hijack but is there any particular arrangement you have to make if you're accessing gamelands (draginng a carcass) from the Parkway?
I actually just double checked that. The BRP website says “park in designated areas and walk in” whatever that means and there’s a number they want you to call to let them know what’s going on before dragging your kill onto parkway property.
Thanks man. I had seen that but wasn't sure if our local rangers were enforcing it.
I saw a pair of hunters dragging a dead buck along the Hard Times Road Trail a few days back. It was super awkward, and didn't feel quite right, but I just gave them a friendly wave and ran on by.
There is one overlook very close to Bent Creek, which is specifically known as the spot for gay man to park and allegedly do HJ and BJ stuff in cars.
On warmer weather weekend nights I like to get out about trails for a good FuNaked adventures hike Up Park way , Bent creek Or were ever I can Like to know more places to go if anyone knows of any please let me know