Grandfather Mountain is one of the most recognizable and iconic features of the Blue Ridge near Boone. It is visible from many locations in Watauga and Avery Counties, and even from as far away as Lenoir and the Wilkesboros, all around 25 miles away in the foothills area. Though there are more breathtaking, rugged views of the ancient mountain, this angle is probably the one with which visitors and locals alike are most familiar. It reveals both the facial profile of a reclining, elderly gentleman and the less well-known, more upright facial profile in Grandfather's "chin" (reportedly the profile that led the Cherokee to give the mountain its name) that can be viewed close up from Grandfather's Profile Trail, accessible off NC Highway 105. From any perspective, whether far away or very near, Grandfather's rugged beauty is intriguing, awe-inspiring, and well deserving of all the attention it attracts.