In 2013 I lived in an apartment in Upstate South Carolina.  Whenever the forecast showed snow for the mountains of Western North Carolina, Whiteside Mountain is where I would rush off to.  It was a straight shot up the sinuous NC-107.  

Whiteside Mountain is the highest cliff in Eastern North America.  Located within Nantahala National Forest, Whiteside Mountain is also a landmark along the eastern continental divide and the Blue Ridge Escarpment.  The elevation hovers just beneath five thousand feet above sea level and the views from the rim are primarily looking down towards the Piedmont of Upstate South Carolina.  Whiteside Mountain is also the origination source for the headwaters of The Wild & Scenic Chattooga River.

Winter in the mountains is absolutely beautiful.  Without compare, really.  However, travel is treacherous and the risks are high.  Unless you invest considerably in your vehicle and your own personal gear, obtaining winter photographs is something you should actually avoid.  I caught a patch of black ice on my return trip down the mountain on this particular day and haven’t had the same vigor for winter photography since.  The best plan should you desire snow photographs, in my opinion, is to arrive at your target location (or very near) before the storm.  This puts you in place during and just after the event.  When conditions have improved and road services have cleared and treated the roads, then leave or move to the next destination.

I now migrate in the winter, like the birds, to the coast of North Carolina.  Be like water and all of that stuff…

Camera:  Nikon D700
Lens:  Nikkor 17-35mm f2.8 @ 28mm
Tripod:  Really Right Stuff TVC-33

Date taken:  February 3, 2013
Settings:  f16, 1/80 seconds, iso-200