View Full Version : Roan Highlands Crowd In May
I'm looking to do the Roan Highlands section this May. I know that trail days is in mid May. If I am looking to avoid the crowds and get a little solitude, would you recommend doing this section the first week in May or the last?
Thanks
flemdawg1
03-31-2014, 10:24
Do it in Mid-May, that's when Trail Days is, (may 15-18). You might not have the trail and shelters all to yourself, but a large chunk of the TH crowd will be absent.
flemdawg1
03-31-2014, 10:26
If you like cool and rainy, early May. If you like hot and muggy late May. I believe the rhododendroms (sp?) are blooming in late May though.
Do not hike Round Bald, Jane Bald or Grassy Ridge on weekends if you want solitude. They are usually crowded. The Rhodos don't bloom on the Roan until at least mid June. On Sunday and Monday of trail days there will be 50-70 hikers and members of the Eastman Hiking club scheduled to do relos between Ash Gap and Cloudland.
Slo-go'en
03-31-2014, 11:58
Many of the thru-hikers will be still be going through the Roan Highlands area in early May. It should thin out significantly by the middle/end of May. Exactly how busy the shelters will be is impossible to say until you get there. There are pleanty of tent sites though. Typcially you get your solitude during the day.
Oh yea, thier still working on the switch back relo on the south side of Roan Mt, so you don't want to be there the week after trail days. Your best bet for minimum interaction with other hikers is the week of trail days.
Lone Wolf
03-31-2014, 19:35
I'm looking to do the Roan Highlands section this May. I know that trail days is in mid May. If I am looking to avoid the crowds and get a little solitude, would you recommend doing this section the first week in May or the last?
Thankslast for sure
If you are looking for solitude, stay away from the balds on the weekends, and most definitely stay away from Overmountain Shelter on a Friday or Saturday night. Last year on the evening of Friday, May 17, I saw at least 50 people there (mostly youth groups), either in the shelter or tenting or hammocking around the shelter.
Planning my trip for mid May during Trail Days seems like a good idea. Most of the crowd should be north of me. I know I'm not going to find total solitude in this area at that time of year, but I'm just looking to stay clear of any huge bubble trying to make it to Damascus. I know that there will be plenty of people just north of Roan Mountain hiking the balds; however, that crowd seems to fizzle out about a mile or two past carvers gap.
Tennessee Viking
04-01-2014, 09:42
If this year's crowd is typical like recent crowds, a huge number of Nobo's will already be past Roan by 1st week of May.
If you are just doing Carvers to 19E, you should be able to find some room for camping even if you are with the crowd.
I'm planning on starting in Erwin. I will be moving somewhat quickly and plan on hiking from greasy creek to doll flats on Saturday and hiking to my car at 19e Sunday morning.
pipsissewa
04-01-2014, 14:48
LOVE Doll Flats!!!
http://youtu.be/noFoWmilEqo
Hikes in Rain
04-01-2014, 19:58
Nice! Brings back memories.
If parking at "parking lot" at 19E be aware that is a site that sees some vandalism.
Teacher & Snacktime
04-02-2014, 22:46
Anyone know of a good shuttler in the area?
Hikes in Rain
04-03-2014, 06:01
Check with 10-K. He's the man!
valleyfire
04-06-2014, 13:52
We are doing the section from Hughes Gap to 19E, is there anything that i should make sure i dont miss(side trails, overlooks, etc)
Check with 10-K. He's the man!
Mountain Harbor does shuttles. 423-772-9494
We are doing the section from Hughes Gap to 19E, is there anything that i should make sure i dont miss(side trails, overlooks, etc)
There is one you "want" to miss. Don't waste the effort on the side trail to Grassy Ridge.
valleyfire
04-06-2014, 22:35
Thanks Lugnut.