Looking out over Deep Gap to the Great Balsams beyond - 6010'

Looking south and slightly east across the East Fork Pigeon River Valley. The Blue Ridge is the ridgline farther away - 6030'

Cold Mountain summit - 6030'

This photo shows the route I followed up. Camp Daniel Boone is located in the valley behind the first ridge. The numerous "creases" in the mountain slope mark the streams crossed on the way up and Deep Gap is just visible in the lower left corner - 6030'

This is the view to the east of Frying Pan Mountain(5320') on the Blue Ridge - 6030'

The view looking west across the West Fork Pigeon River Valley to the Great Balsam Mountains - 6030'

Looking down the ridge climbed by the Cold Mountain Trail to Deep Gap, 1000' below - 6030'

The view south of the Shining Rock Wilderness is awesome. The photo just doesn't do it justice. Shining Rock Mtn(6040') is in the foreground. Its famous white quartz is hidden on the far side of the ridge. Beyond, barely visible in the center is Black Balsam Knob(6214') while to the right in the distance are the easily recognizable twin summits of Sam Knob(6040') - 6030'

My been-there-done-that photo for Cold Mountain - 6030'

Another shot of the summit area. Sam Knob(6040') is visible in the over-exposed distance - 6030'