I had one rule in law school: if the clouds were beautiful, the day was wasted being indoors. This was probably one of those days when I packed my cameras into the truck and headed to the mountains. As seen, the clouds were not just spectacular, but the recently cleared storm brought a clarity to the air, rendering an unusual detail to the distant mountain range. There are several places in or near the Smokies to see beautiful, sweeping vistas of the moutains themselves. The Little River Road, just up the hill from the National Park visitor center near Gatlinburg, has three pullouts, Maloney Point is the last one. (In the 20 some-odd years since this picture was taken, the trees have now grown up and now block the views on the right side of the photograph.) Since this is not the typical view of Mount LeConte, I should explain that it is behind the clouds on the right hand side. Just to the left, outside of the photograph, is the Park Vista Hotel, making it important to carefully compose the camera.
This was taken with my 4x5 view camera on black and white sheet film. Even 20 years old, the negative holds amazing clarity and resolution. Oddly enought, in contrast to the Ramsey Cascade picture, the scan of this negative is much more satisfying than any print I was ever able to make.
I usually avoid Cades Cove due to the traffic. Yet, Cades Cove has its contribution to the beauty of the Smokies. Thunderhead Mountain is one of my favorite peaks and, perhaps that is why I return to this spot along the Cades Cove Loop Road for this view of the peak.
