Apple Orchard Mountain is on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. The Parkway reaches its highest elevation in Virginia here - 3,950 feet (1,203 meters). Wind, ice and snow of raging winter storms have pruned this mountaintop forest, giving it an "old apple orchard" appearance. This "orchard" consists primarily of gnarled lichen-covered Northern Red Oak.
I was here in late March. No snow in the valley, but snow at this elevation, and very windy. The view was exhilarating! It was a treat to see the snow. The Parkway gates are generally closed during the winter because of snow and ice in the higher elevations.
