Max Patch

I'd guess sunrise and looking Southeast, it looks like morning clouds to me and the big lake on the right could be Lake Lure that's about 50ish miles away (w/o checking). A key would be finding out what the big flat top mountain on the left is. It might be Mt. Mitchell partially obscured by clouds or Mt. Leconte but that's to the West so would make it sunset but I don't actually think it's either one. I haven't hiked to the top where the photo was taken but have ridden by it on Max Patch Rd, the road is on the west side of the crest. Either way it's a great ride over to Del Rio then east to Hot Springs and back down 209 which is some excellent pavement.  

Yes I believe I read Mt. Mitchell was clearly visible from the top but I’m unfamiliar with the area. Hopefully that will change in about nine weeks. 

Directions and lieutenants:

One evening, during training, a lieutenant became "disoriented" as they do when their compass doesn't point in the direction they want to go.  Anyway, over the radio, I hear the Lt, say, "the sun is to my west, which direction is it to you?".  Now, being in the same hemisphere, country, state, base, logic would have it that the sun would be equally to the west for the response, but, some enlisted guy says.  "It's to my north"
 

Anyway, you be looking at sunset in your puty picture if my comparison is correct

You're correct tho admittedly was a guess (no research involved). Here's one looking east at sunrise, not a lot different.

For years I played the Rockies Photo Game (waybill) where you identify the photo location by the trail or the mountains in the background, fun plus it was a good way to learn places to ride. It would be almost impossible in the east because the mountains have few distinguishing features.

https://advrider.com/f/threads/rockies-photo-game-where-is-this.704880/page-381

Made plans to meet a couple friends up on Max Patch.