I met Harry and Cathy at Black Balsam this morning for a hike to Shining Rock. It was a great day for high elevation hiking and I wanted to see how the fall colors were progressing. As you'll see, it was still a little early. Next week end should be a lot better. We started the hike at the end of Black Balsam Rd on the Ivestor Gap Trail to Ivestor Gap, then picked up the Art Loeb Trail to Shining Rock, then back to the Gap, then took the Art Loeb Trail up to Tennant Mountain, then back down to the parking area. This first shot is looking at Sam Knob along the Ivestor Gap Trail.