I had visited Preacher Rock on a previous excursion and tried to make some interesting images but yet failed due to haze and glare so common in the Blue Ridge moutains. So I returned early one morning to try again. It was a bit cold at sunrise but the morning unfolded to a nice 50-ish degrees and inspired me to hike a little further than I had planned and explore the area more.

This tree was the only image I made that day as nothing caught my eye and the same haze had formed in the valley.  I had shot this tree on the trip before but the holder I used apparently had no film in it. The fallen tree marks the turn in the trail for the last quarter mile steep up hill trail to the granite out crop on the ridge which overlooks the Blood Mountain area. I like the trees bent shape and the angle of the landscape that shows how steep the terrain really is. The rocks behind the tree sit like sentinels overlooking the valley below. You can even see another tree that has been bent by the boulders as it grew around them. Photographically I was concerned about the shadows on the tree since the sun was to my back. However it really gives a greater feeling of depth to the whole image.

Beyond Preacher Rock the trail meanders slightly downhill along the ridge line. I walked about 2 miles out so knew I had to climb back up the ridge trail to get back. The trail is narrow but has a couple of interesting camping areas and rock out crops to explore. Park at Woody Gap on Highway 60 East of Suches, GA. Take the Norther trail into the Blood Mountain area. Its an easy hike except for that short push to the ridge.

Technical Notes: Jan 15, 2017, 4×5 FP4+ EI 80, 135mm, f22, 1/4 second, EV 8-13 avg 10.7 on Zone 5. Pyrocat HD 1.5:1:157 for 20 minutes with minimal agitation.