Here we see a close-up of the meadow, which gives Whitetop it's name. In early maps, particularly those of the 18th century (Fry-Jefferson Map, especially), Whitetop is called, "Meadow Mountain". Appropriate. There are geologists who believe (as does the Loafer) that Whitetop is, in fact, an extinct volcano. This meadow would be the vegetated remains of the caldera, hence the lack of abundant trees in the meadow.
