WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Results 1 to 13 of 13
  1. #1

    Default Trip #65 - Roan Highlands

    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.

    IMG_3202.JPG IMG_3189.JPG IMG_3194.jpg IMG_3188.JPG IMG_3222.JPG IMG_3228.JPG IMG_3208.JPG IMG_3225.JPG IMG_3237.JPG IMG_3246.jpg IMG_3260.jpg
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  2. #2
    Coach Lou coach lou's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-03-2011
    Location
    Madison, Connecticut
    Age
    66
    Posts
    4,788
    Images
    400

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gambit McCrae View Post
    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.

    IMG_3202.JPG IMG_3189.JPG IMG_3194.jpg IMG_3188.JPG IMG_3222.JPG IMG_3228.JPG IMG_3208.JPG IMG_3225.JPG IMG_3237.JPG IMG_3246.jpg IMG_3260.jpg


    That day I met you and the Red Head, I won't soon forget. That will be a place I return, at the same time I hope!

  3. #3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by coach lou View Post
    That day I met you and the Red Head, I won't soon forget. That will be a place I return, at the same time I hope!
    You have proven you wont. That was 3 years and 26 trips ago but you always mention it every time I go to Roan...
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  4. #4
    Coach Lou coach lou's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-03-2011
    Location
    Madison, Connecticut
    Age
    66
    Posts
    4,788
    Images
    400

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gambit McCrae View Post
    You have proven you wont. That was 3 years and 26 trips ago but you always mention it every time I go to Roan...
    Come on now!!!!! I've been knocking out New Hampshire, these past 3 summers.............I've got plenty of miles left in these old legs. I'll get back there! I'll let you know, and we can camp on the Grassy Ridge! I want to walk Fontana to Hot Springs one day........................after I'm done with NH!

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-08-2018
    Location
    Fuquay Varina, NC
    Age
    46
    Posts
    56

    Default

    Good stuff! Doing Erwin to Carvers Gap in late August then Carvers Gap to Kincora in late October. Been looking forward to these sections for a while now.

  6. #6
    Leonidas
    Join Date
    04-26-2016
    Location
    Birmingham, Alabama
    Posts
    1,065

    Default

    Jealous. You got some great Gray's Lily shots! All the stands I found were in early morning/low light. That section is definitely beautiful, glad it was cool when we went through early this month.
    AT: 695.7 mi
    Benton MacKaye Trail '20
    Pinhoti Trail '18-19'
    @leonidasonthetrail https://www.youtube.com/c/LeonidasontheTrail

  7. #7
    Registered User JPritch's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-03-2017
    Location
    Lynchburg, VA
    Age
    45
    Posts
    675

    Default

    Nice pics. Doing the Highlands during peak bloom has been on my list, but looks like it's gonna be at least another year. I've been in the Fall which was also gorgeous, and my big section through there in May coincided with heavy rain/fog/wind, but was still very memorable and dare I say fun.
    It is what it is.

  8. #8
    Registered User LittleRock's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-10-2014
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Age
    38
    Posts
    803
    Images
    24

    Default

    Are you counting your trips so you can be the next Tipi Walter?

    You've got a long way to go to catch him :-D
    It's all good in the woods.

  9. #9

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by LittleRock View Post
    Are you counting your trips so you can be the next Tipi Walter?

    You've got a long way to go to catch him :-D
    Well its a good thing im so young lol

    Tipi is in his own world lol pack weight and geography/ trails of choice will always be contrasting differences between us. Not that there is anything wrong with one over the other.

  10. #10
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-20-2013
    Location
    Roaring Gap, NC
    Age
    77
    Posts
    8,529

    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by Gambit McCrae View Post
    ...
    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.

    IMG_3202.JPG IMG_3189.JPG IMG_3194.jpg IMG_3188.JPG IMG_3222.JPG IMG_3228.JPG IMG_3208.JPG IMG_3225.JPG IMG_3237.JPG IMG_3246.jpg IMG_3260.jpg
    Thanks for the inspiring report. We drove 19E on our way back west last week. Someday I'll park and hike a bit.
    Seems like bear spray might come in handy up there. I'm kidding of course.
    Wayne
    Eddie Valiant: "That lame-brain freeway idea could only be cooked up by a toon."
    https://wayne-ayearwithbigfootandbubba.blogspot.com
    FlickrMyBookTwitSpaceFace



  11. #11

    Default

    Nice pics, number 7 is a fantastic shot. Heading to NC next week, it will be great to get in some mountain time.

  12. #12

    Default

    Bravo Gambit. Thanks for the report and pics. Roan continues to be a favorite for me and the Mrs.
    Termite fart so much they are responsible for 3% of global methane emissions.

  13. #13
    Registered User scope's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-08-2006
    Location
    Chamblee, GA
    Age
    60
    Posts
    1,582
    Images
    34

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by LittleRock View Post
    Are you counting your trips so you can be the next Tipi Walter?

    You've got a long way to go to catch him :-D
    Note that his face doesn't grace the pics, so obviously not the next Tipi. LOL
    "I wonder if anyone else has an ear so tuned and sharpened as I have, to detect the music, not of the spheres, but of earth, subtleties of major and minor chord that the wind strikes upon the tree branches. Have you ever heard the earth breathe... ?"
    - Kate Chopin

++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •