Enchanting imagery

The micro climate effect you were expiencing here is known as Orographic "Lifting" i.e. Precipitation, a.k.a. rain, snow, or other precipitation produced when moist air is lifted as it moves over a mountain range. As the air rises and cools, orographic clouds form and serve as the source of the precipitation, most of which falls upwind of the mountain ridge. Ever wonder how that extension of SkyLine Drive is through the "Great Smoky Mountains" betweem North Carolina and Tennessee gots it's name? Yep, misty mornings are the norm...

The higher elevations in those mountains are blessed with ample precipitation year round... The fauna and flora indigenous to those lofty heights is completely different form that found in the valleys below... The southern most range of the snowshoe hare is indeed in the Smoke Mountains... It is typically found only in Canada and Alaska... The Smoke Mountains are "Islands" in the sky...

Brings back many found memories... I use to work near Green Bank WVA very close to Spruce Knob... The highest peak in WVA!

Thank you for sharing traderjohn...