Linville Gorge, located in the Pisgah National Forest, is surrounded by rugged terrain densely cloaked in virgin stands of hemlock and white pine, as well as numerous deciduous trees and other plant species, some of which are quite rare. It is home to many species of wildlife, as well, including black bears and--less exciting but far more potentially dangerous--copperheads and rattlesnakes. About 12,000 acres of this region are protected as designated wilderness, and the steep walls of the Gorge-- with an average drop from rim to river of 1,400 feet--have led some to refer to the area as the "grand canyon of North Carolina." While that designation may be something of a stretch, the two- tier Linville Falls and the wild Gorge that begins at the base of the 45-foot high lower falls offer an area of wild escape easily accessible to residents and visitors to North Carolina's high country. A Forest Service road parallels the Gorge for several miles along the western rim, offering access to several steep trails down to Linville River far below. For those more interested in observing the Gorge and surrounding peaks from the rim, a favorite stop along the Forest Service road is Wiseman's View, which offers several convenient vantage points for viewing prominent peaks such as Hawksbill and Table Rock. This photo was made on a pleasant late spring afternoon from one such spot near the Wiseman's View overlook.