Another attempt to see peak bloom of the rhododendrons....another year missed lol This was my 8th trip across the Roan Highlands and although we were a week behind peak bloom the trail still did not disappoint. The flaming azaleas and Gray's Lilly could not have been better and water was flowing out of every source at under 1 liter in 10 seconds.
Total trail traveled was 17.5 miles. From Carvers gap SOBO up to the top of roan high knob, Saturday morning back NOBO past the cars and onward to 19E.
I had never gotten water at stand Murray shelter but this trip I needed it and I wanted to check out that water source and I can say it is a good one.
Some of the best water I have had on trail and I've past it all these times. From the look of the water weeds I would say it flows pretty steady all year long but I could be wrong.
Didn't go down to the barn had no reason to.
The 2 water sources between the barn and Bradley gap were both flowing well and the we stayed at the Doll Flatt's site Saturday night and that water was flowing very well too.
On a negative note, as Tipi Walter would say, I saw 2 instances of rednecks on the trail. Some tool decided to spraypaint the rock head up out of carvers gap NOBO and some hangers decided to rekindle a scout fire at Doll Flatts to burn trash they could have thrown away in 3 miles at the end of their hike, and then they walked off from it while the fire was still burning. So I had to babysit that crap until it was out. Otherwise a great trip.
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