It's June & That Means A Trip To The Roans

What has become an annual event in June, I head up to the Roan Highlands to take in the beautiful blooms of the Catawba Rhododendrons.

Head up to Roan Mountain.

It's always a crap shoot of when the blooms will be at peak. I talked more about it here, but the Rhododendrons aren't the only reason to head up to the Gardens and the old Cloudland Hotel site. I last was up here in the white of winter, and either time of the year, it's just a beautiful place. I will just add how much different it is, and it is more than just the lower number of people. It's just so quiet in winter. Oh, and another thing, it was so much hazier (wildfires aren't helping) in summer. Just like back in January, I sent the drone up with a bird's eye view of the Roans. I even flew it over the Highest Shelter on the Appalachian Trail (AT), Roan High Knob. 

(T) Winter & (B) Summer

Winter & Summer at the Roan Rhododendron Gardens.

One more look at the differences between January & this trip.

Looking back at the Cloudland Hotel Site.

Roan Highlands vista & notice the rust-colored roof...Roan High Knob Shelter.

Unlike this past winter, I did head up to the Balds from Carvers Gap. Some new additions on the mountain included first some boot cleaners to help with spreading invasive species. The second was on the summit of Round Bald. Puncheons had been installed on both sides for when it gets sloppy and cut down on wear. At the end of each were information signs with points of interest in Tennessee and North Carolina. 

Carvers Gap

Rhododendrons, AT & the new boot cleaning station.

The trail to Round Bald &...

...new Puncheons & information boards.

Headed through Engine Gap.

On this trip, I went only as far as Jane Bald. At some point, I did a few more "assisted" photographs.

Jane Bald Big Rock Vista

I have a quest at my campsite.

Roan Highlands

Looking into NC.

Jane & Grassy Ridge Balds.

Looking into Tennessee.

Round Bald & Roan High Knob.

Back to Carvers Gap.

To the chagrin of Pete, I decided to camp at the campground at Roan Mountain State Park (RMSP). I have wanted to for some time, and I'm glad I did. It's a really great campground with nice bathrooms and water at my site. I will be staying here again, that you can beat on. 

Campsite #26...

...& the nighttime glow.

It was a pancake mornng.

I wanted to hike on Friday, but it was not too hard. So, it was decided on the Peg Leg Loop Trail. As Pete said, it was a different configuration from when I thought of doing it a few years ago. They had merged the Peg Leg with the Cloudland Trail, so it tripled in size. Still, it was a nice hike and a great way to end two days in the Roans.

(T) The Owls & Snakes of RMSP, (B) Peg Leg Mine Loop hike.

SmugMug Photos

One Year To The Day Back At Mill Ridge & Hot Springs

Springtime on the Appalachian Trail (AT) is thru-hiking season. But it is also just a great time on the trail, and there are a lot of great places to enjoy the season. However, it seems that I come back to the same place at Mill Ridge near Hot Springs. The reason I say this is because my hike Saturday was at the same place and day as last year. Like last year, the start was Tanyard Gap, but unlike last year, there was a pair of nice ladies set up for Trail Magic. From here, it is going against traffic, southbound on the AT. It's a nice part of the trail that offered up some wildflowers. 

Tanyard Gap & the AT

Wildflowers

Once at Mill Ridge, there are open meadows with great views of Rich Mountain. Oh, like last year, I ran the drone. I had to launch from a different spot above where I did last year. I had great views, including Mill Ridge Pond. 

Mill Ridge...

...Pond

Rich Mountain (L) & Camp Creek Bald (R)

Hot Springs

The pond from above

Vista includes where I flew last year (M) & This year (ML)

After getting back to the car I had time for a Trail Magic hotdog before heading to Hot Springs. It's always a treat to walk around my favorite trail town. It doesn't hurt to stop at Big Pillow Brewery to finish the day...

Hot Springs

SmugMug Photos

It Isn't Winter Until A Snow Hike On The Roans

It is the first weekend in February and that means the last month of winter. While mild would be an understatement for this winter and contradicting outcomes on Groundhog Day (Punxsutawney Phil predicts more winter and Beauregard Lee an early spring) So, back in January when I had the chance to hike in the snow I jumped at the chance and I headed up to my favorite places for white stuff..the Roans.

Heading into a weekend in mid-January I waited to find out about snow.  On Friday night and Saturday, we only had a dusting in Hawkins County, but from what I can gather above 4,000 feet, it was six inches or more (Mt. LeConte in the Smokies got 16 inches). Since Newfound Gap Road was closed and I had heard the road to Cavers Gap was clear, at least on the North Carolina side, I decided to head up Sunday morning. It was a chilly 19° when I started out and was about that when I reached Carvers Gap, except it was really windy.

Because of that and knowing how snow works on the Roans, I declined a trip to the Balds and headed up the road to the Rhododendron Gardens. Because I was trying to stay out of ski tracks, I put on the snowshoes and used the edges where deeper snow is. It was between nine inches and more than a foot with drifts in spots nearly 20 inches.

I visited the old hotel site (where I ran the drone), the Rhododendron Gardens, and then on to the Appalachian Trail (AT). I eventually made it to the Roan High Knob Shelter, and I made right the crash of the drone from June.

Getting back to Carvers Gap, I was surprised to find it packed like it was Rhododendron season. Anyway, it was a great day of snow and ice on the Roans in the wintertime.

SmugMug Photos

Over And Above The Wilderness In Unaka's Green Shadow

This past weekend I got to enjoy two of my favorite spots. Camping at Rock Creek Recreation Area and a visit to the Beauty Spot near Erwin. However,  I got to enjoy both with a new perspective from above with my drone.

Pete was right I did get a lot of drone photos and not just at Beauty Spot but I also got some over Rock Creek and even got pics of Saturday's Sunset. It was cool to see this excellent campground from a different perspective. 

Some sites around Rock Creek Recreation Area

Up goes the drone over campsite...

...& view of Unaka Mountain Wilderness.

Sundown Saturday Night!

Still, the main event was Sunday with a trip to the Appalachian Trail (AT) and the Beauty Spot. I first flew it from my 2020 campsite near the top of the Bald (on the summit there was a religious gathering). I got some excellent shots, even with clouds touching the tops of the highest peaks...including Unaka Mountain. 

Above Beauty Spot looking east towards Unaka Mountain.

Both ends of the bald.

Looking west...

;;;south...

...north.

My second launch site was on Unaka Mountain Road (old AT) just past where the trail touches the road. It was here I got great pictures of Unaka Mountain, again, and where I had been...the Beauty Spot. As I was getting ready to bring the drone down it caught the attention of a hawk. When he took a swoop at it I hit sport mode and got it down.

Launching from Unaka Mtn. Road (old AT).

Panoramic looking east, south & west.

Don't forget the north view

Drone (left) & angry Hawk (right).

It wasn't only from above that I made some observations. One jarring one was the difference between my last trip in Winter versus this one in Summer. Back in February, it was white but Sunday it was draped in green...the difference is amazing.

Beauty Spot: Winter (left) & Summer (right)...

Unaka Mountain Road: Winter (left) & Summer (right)

Running the drone was a highlight but just camping was number one. Link to more photos below......

Photos: SmugMug