In the 1920s and 1930s, forestry organizations built dozens of lookout structures in Western North Carolina as the backbone of a fire fighting system. Many of these lookouts survive in North Carolina today-and though decommissioned, they represent some of the best destinations for hikers who want to see the incredible vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Part hiking guide and part photography collection, this book contains wonderful stories about the history and folklore of the lookouts and their fire lookout inhabitants, a detailed guide of hikes to each, and details about the views at the top-all provided by a local, long-term land preservationist and lookout fanatic Peter J. Barr. Barr's text is augmented by the amazing full color photographs of well-known nature photographer Kevin Adams (North Carolina Waterfalls).

Autorentext

Kevin Adams is a naturalist, writer, teacher, and photographer who has had a lifelong love affair with nature and the outdoors. A photographer for nearly 35 years, he is the author of nine books, including the bestselling North Carolina Waterfalls. An accomplished photography instructor, Kevin leads photo tours in the Southeast and abroad and teaches numerous workshops and seminars throughout the year. Often called the "MacGyver of Photography," he designs and produces several unique products for photographers. Besides lookout towers, his favorite photo subjects are waterfalls and anything under the night sky. When he can get out of the office, Kevin enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring the outdoor world. Kevin is founder and executive director of Waterfall Keepers of North Carolina, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the betterment of waterfalls and waterfall lovers. He lives in Waynesville, NC, with his wife, Patricia; their two cats, Lucy and Titan; nine chickens; and a troublesome groundhog that lives under the house and eats Patricia's plants. For more about Kevin, visit his website at kadamsphoto.com.

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Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Forest Fire Lookout Association History of Lookout Towers How to Use This Guide A Note from the Photographer List of Lookout Towers Nantahala National Forest Wayah Bald Albert Mountain Wesser Bald Joanna Bald Cowee Bald Yellow Mountain Panther Top Little Scaly Great Smoky Mountains Shuckstack Clingmans Dome Mount Cammerer Mount Sterling Barnett Knob Bald & Newfound Mountains Rich Mountain Camp Creek Bald Duckett Top Chambers Mountain Blue Ridge & Black Mountains Fryingpan Mountain Bearwallow Mountain Sassafras Mountain Spivey Mountain Mount Mitchell Green Knob Little Snowball Northwestern High Country & Piedmont Flat Top Mountain Rendezvous Mountain Moores Knob Shepherd Mountain Former Lookout Tower Sites with Spectacular Views Haoe Bald High Rocks Standing Indian Mountain Satulah Mountain High Top Pilot Mountain Table Rock Mountain Mount Jefferson Western North Carolina Historical Towers Appendix 1: Lookout Tower Challenge Appendix 2: Western NC Restricted Lookout Towers Appendix 3: Western NC Removed Lookout Towers Author & Photographer Bios Index