Mountain Majesty
Scroll down to view photos in this collection.
Click here to read my poem called Hikers Do It!
My favorite activities include photography and hiking.
I live for views of mountain ranges stretching as far as I can see toward the horizon. Although challenging to capture with a camera, Mountain Majesty profoundly affects hikers like me who make the effort to experience it.
Words to live by: Hikers do it close to God.
(From a poem by Steve Madden called Hikers Do It!)
SMM55H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
A 15-mile loop in mid-October revealed glorious Smoky Mountain scenes like these.
Our GSMNP loop began in the Tremont area and included Middle Prong, Lynn Camp Prong, Miry Ridge and Panther Creek Trails.
SMM51H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
A 14-mile loop hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park revealed majestic scenes like these from Spence Field.
My loop began in Cades Cove picnic area and included Anthony’s Creek, Russell Field, Appalachian and Bote Mountain trails.
SMH50H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
Emagene, Tom and I enjoyed glorious views of North Carolina from Andrews Bald in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
On a cold and blustery October day, we cut short our visit to Kuwohi (formerly called Clingman’s Dome) and lingered at nearby Andrews Bald where we basked in the solitude amid nature’s unmatched handiwork.
SMM48H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
A scene from Grassy Ridge Trail, a spur of Appalachian National Scenic Trail, in the majestic and much loved Roan Highlands.
I sincerely hope most AT thru hikers add the short spur to their 2200-mile journey. All who pause on a clear day at Grassy Ridge Bald enjoy unsurpassed vistas.
From Cliff Top (middle photo)
From Myrtle Point (bottom photo)
SMM44H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
Seen from a distance, Mt. LeConte exhibits three distinct peaks.
In honor of the most-hiked mountain in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, here are two images I captured from two of the peaks, plus a bonus photo (at top) from about 30 minutes below the summit.
SMM41H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
A view of the Smoky Mountains rarely seen except by guests of Bill and Ginger Baxter.
Thankfully, the Baxters open their private gardens to visitors during April each Spring.
Baxter Gardens span 32 acres of Black Oak Ridge in North Knoxville’s Fountain City neighborhood.
SMM39H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
This less than spectacular view is meaningful to me because of the difficult hike to this remote site.
It was my second attempt in three months, and this time I was successful reaching Chimney Top in Frozen Head State Park.
Not bad for an over-the-hill hiker.
SMM40H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
Trust me. It feels like more than a 3100 foot climb to Chimney Top in Frozen Head State Park, near Wartburg TN.
SMM38V Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
A mid-morning view of snow capped Smoky Mountains from Cades Cove on New Year’s Eve.
SMM37H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
We were less than one mile into our 15-mile trek when we reached Round Bald and saw this amazing view. Countless indescribable spectacles followed.
The Appalachian Trail section between Carver’s Gap and Hwy 19E is among the best day hikes I have experienced.
SMM35V Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
This mountain view is from the Appalachian Trail at Lovers Leap, above Hot Springs NC.
Hot Springs is the first trail town AT thru hikers encounter as they hike north from Springer Mountain GA.
SMM34H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
It was my fifth consecutive Summer day hike. Kathy, Russ and I hiked four easy miles along the Appalachian Trail from Tanyard Gap to reach the overlook where we enjoyed this view.
The outskirts of Hot Springs NC are faintly visible in this image.
SMM33H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
We hiked the Appalachian Trail starting at Newfound Gap in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On a Summer day, the temperature was mild above 5000 feet.
We were just past Charlie’s Bunion when clouds cleared long enough to see this splendid view of North Carolina mountains.
SMM32H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
Sunset photos on this May evening were affected by smoke from distant wildfires.
I was at a pull off of Foothills Parkway between Cosby and Interstate 40 in East Tennessee.
SMM31H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I joined a group of Southern Appalachia Nature Photographers for a stroll along Big Creek Trail in the Smoky Mountains. We stopped for photos at Midnight Hole, The Cathedral and Mouse Tail Falls.
Afterward, I drove about 30 minutes to Max Patch in Pisgah National Forest, where I enjoyed awe-inspiring Spring colors.
SMM30H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I awoke before 4am and chose to chase a sunrise.
For good reason, Oconaluftee Valley Overlook is popular with professional photographers. Sure enough, when I arrived at Luftee Overlook at 6:30, at least twenty photographers with tripods trained their cameras on the eastern horizon.
This view of North Carolina mountains is hard to beat in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
SMM29H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
After snapping photos with my smart phone at Lufty Overlook, I drove a mile to Newfound Gap where I captured this and several more pre-sunrise images.
As one photographer commented, Spring colors rival those of Autumn. Especially at dawn and dusk.
SMM28H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
Half way down the mountain from Newfound Gap, I drove around a curve and noticed how morning sun accented the east face of two vertical ridges.
This is a profile of Sugarland Mountain, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
SMM27H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
Mt. LeConte is the most recognizable mountain profile in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is visible from many locations northeast and northwest of the Gatlinburg entrance to our national park.
I walked Hickory Ridge Loop Trail at Seven Islands State Birding Park when I captured this distant view of Mt. LeConte.
SMM26H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
Views like this reward hikers who climb to Rocky Top on a clear day.
A mile or so from Spence Field in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Rocky Top presents truly spectacular images of North Carolina mountains.
SMM25H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
After hiking a manway to Courthouse Rock and Moonshine Cave, we lunched at this rocky outcropping.
We relished the panoramic view of Sugarland Mountain across Newfound Gap Road and Little River from our lunch spot.
SMM24H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
I was fortunate to arrive at Cloudland Canyon State Park just after significant snow fell in the area near Rising Fawn Georgia.
This view of the canyon likely would have escaped my notice except for the softening effect of the snow. Lookout Mountain is at right in this image.
SMM23H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
I witnessed a spectacular sunset from the Appalachian Trail less than two hiking miles from Carver’s Gap in Upper East Tennessee.
Roan High Knob is at right in this colorful image.
You can drive to the Gap from a small town called Roan Mountain, passing Roan Mountain State Park along the way.
SMM22H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
I live for views of mountain ranges stretching as far as I can see toward the horizon.
I captured this image after Russ and I drove from Roan Mountain State Park to Carver’s Gap and hiked a short distance to Round Bald.
SMM01H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
To reiterate: I live for views of mountain ranges stretching as far as I can see toward the horizon.
Carla and I saw this inspiring view of the Unicoi Mountains during our Sunday drive along Cherohala Skyway.
SMM02H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
I served as sweep for a Smoky Mountains Hiking Club group who departed Twenty Mile Ranger Station destined for Gregory Bald.
I captured this view upon arrival. Too soon, rain chased us from the Bald.
SMM03H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
This observation was from a relatively low elevation near Grandfather Mountain State Park.
It was the start of my fascinating first visit to the popular park in North Carolina’s high country region.
SMM04H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
Views were splendid, but I saw evidence of 2016 wildfires along Sugarland Mountain Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2020.
Almost 18,000 acres burned.
More than 2400 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed.
Fourteen people perished.
SMM07H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
Tom, Russ and I drove Cherohala Skyway from Tellico Plains, Tennessee to the TN/NC state line. From Beech Gap we hiked to Bob Stratton Bald where we saw this tremendous view.
SMM08H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
I relished this view after climbing Turkeypen Cove Trail within the Sampson Mountain Wilderness area of Cherokee National Forest near Chuckey, Tennessee.
SMM09H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
I arose early and drove to (but not through) a tunnel at the terminus of “The Road to Nowhere.” I witnessed this sunrise nearby.
Thus began a two-day backpack adventure on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
SMM15H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
After climbing to Spence Field, I ate lunch while gazing into North Carolina.
Such indistinct ridge lines are typical of the Appalachian Mountains, especially our beloved Smoky Mountains.
SMM11H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
“Rocky Top, you’ll always be home sweet home to me!”
(From the song by Boudleaux and Felice Bryant.)
From Spence Field in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I lifted my eyes to Thunderhead Mountain and Rocky Top. Both peaks are above 5400 feet of elevation.
SMM14H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
Mountain ridges angle away from the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
I climbed Snake Den Ridge Trail to the AT and would later descend Low Gap Trail to Cosby Campground.
SMM16H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
Toward the end of a difficult solo hike, I paused near Clingman’s Dome to soak in this view.
Clingman’s Dome is the highest point along the 2200-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
SMM17H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
A half hour later, and even closer to Clingman’s Dome, I was rewarded with this view of Mount LeConte.
I key swapped with a friend that day, meaning she and I hiked in opposite directions. Thankfully, my car was waiting when I arrived at Clingman’s Dome parking area.
SMM18H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
After a picnic lunch at Cove Lake State Park, Carla and I drove northeast to Cumberland Gap National Historic Park near Middlesboro, Kentucky. There, we saw this lush mountain view from Pinnacle Overlook.
Imagine this scene when Autumn colors are at peak.
SMM19H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Georgia’s Cloudland Canyon State Park boasts the southernmost ridge of Lookout Mountain. It is also the southern edge of Cumberland Plateau.
I was fortunate to arrive at Cloudland Canyon after snow blanketed Lookout Mountain.
SMM20V Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
I return to North Carolina’s Grandfather Mountain for this image that features Catawba Rhododendron in the foreground.
I must visit Grandfather again soon!
SMM21H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
The Hangover, in North Carolina, is accessible from Cherohala Skyway. It offers one of the best unspoiled views in the South.
As long as I am able, I will pursue vistas like the ones in my Mountain Majesty collection. More to come, I promise!