Montford Cove Valley
Nestled along the McDowell-Rutherford County line is the farming and cattle community known as Montford Cove. Corn and Black Angus are the main reasons this area prospers, along with high nutrient Hay fields.
I went to a spot overlooking the valley this morning to experience the sunrise. It was a cool 46 degrees with no breeze. With the passage of a cold front, the humidity was very low, making for unlimited visibility. With summer right around the corner, these dry conditions won’t last. My house is about two miles south of this spot. Charlotte is 100 miles to the east, and Asheville is 30 miles to the west. Lake Lure is seven miles further south. Hickory Nut Mountain at 3,100 feet, dominates the west boundary of the valley.
Tryon Mountain along the South Carolina border is the last mountain before Panama in Central America.
Tom’s Mountain is toward the southeast and Charlotte beyond.
Oak Mountain to the south overlooks my home, which is just on the other side.

Tryon and Oak Mountains
A panoramic view of the valley. Save this image so you can enlarge it later for full effect.
Glaxhorn Mountain to the southeast…
Bear Gap to the west catches the first rays…
After sunrise, Tryon Mountain, and Bill’s Mountain, east of Lake Lure, in the foreground…
Cow pastures are scattered throughout the valley.
To the northeast is 2,500 foot Rich Mountain, with Pinnacle Peak to the right…
Mountain Laurel has bloomed this week along the mountain slopes.
In the valley, a 19th century farmhouse looks toward Hickory Nut Mountain to the west.
Not sure how you are travelling to Panama’s Mtns. but Cuba, Haiti & Dominican Republic and a number of Central American countries have some pretty impressive mountains before you get to Panama.
I’m talking about in a line due south of Tryon Mountain….. Nothing in between. Check the map… Thanks, Vann