Another view of the Kephart Prong drainage, this time from the Blue Ridge Parkway above the Ravensford region of Cherokee. Again, you can spot Newfound Gap, way over on the left (west) side of the photo, with a white, fluffy cloud crowning the Gap.
The deepest part of the valley is where the Oconaluftee River and Hwy. 441 both drop down from the heights beyond. The valley of Kephart Prong cuts off to the east (right) of the main valley. Mt. Kephart and Mt. LeConte are the highest points visible on the ridge, with LeConte barely peeping above the main ridge. Richland Mountain is the long high ridge that runs down from the heights on the right side of the photo, with much of the highest parts of the ridge still showing the browns and greys of winter. You can spot the south side of Charlies Bunion on the horizon to the left of Richland Mountain, and the Bradley Creek drainage lies to the east (left) of Richland Mtn.
Over to the west (left) of the deep valley of the Oconaluftee River stands the long ridge of Thomas Divide, still brown and grey along the crest, but with green climbing high on the slopes.