Riding was out of the question today – too icy. Instead, we took a hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway to enjoy the recent snow fall.

The Blue Ridge Parkway access at Soco Gap on US 19 just west of Maggie Valley, NC

Soco Gap is the last (paved) Blue Ridge Parkway exit before you reach the south end of the parkway at Great Smoky Mountains National Park just north of Cherokee (13.3 miles).

Don't think the parkway goes unused when it's closed to traffic for the winter. Look at all those footprints. For the next few months it's a playground for hiking, biking, and skiing.

So far, it’s not much of a snow. There was a bit over an inch accumulated with a layer of ice underneath. If we get a couple more inches tonight, there’s a chance the Blue Ridge Parkway may be decent for cross country skiing tomorrow.  It’s just as likely to melt away.

That's not a fox, it's one of my dogs - Sophie. I was surprised to see so much snow had stuck at just 4500 feet elevation.

It doesn’t feel cold enough for a significant amount of snow to accumulate. 1000 feet lower in elevation most of it is already gone. I wonder what it’s like up high? If we get more snow tonight, maybe I’ll go up higher tomorrow.

This section of the Blue Ridge Parkway makes a steady climb to reach the Waterrock Knob overlook in about 6 miles. That's a bit more than we wanted to walk today. The first overlook hasn't been cleared and there's no view.

We were fortunate to be out of the wind on this side of the mountain. We dressed expecting it, so we were quite comfortable when the extra protection wasn’t needed.

The snow is like a ghost - you can see the yellow lines on the road. Rumor has it drunken ghosts wander the parkway at times - just look at those footprints!

We walked as far as the Thunder Struck Ridge overlook at Milepost 455, about 1 mile.

Thunder Struck Ridge is a great place for sunset photos.

It’s a faster walk going back – all down hill. The dogs love the Blue Ridge Parkway in the winter and so do Jackie and I.

That's my other dog Ajax wearing a snow beard. The parkway is their playground in the winter too.

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