Roan Mountain

[soumodeler]

When is the best time to hike in the Roan Mountain area to see the rhododendron bloom? Late May to mid June is what I have heard. Is that correct?

[Lone Wolf]

When is the best time to hike in the Roan Mountain area to see the rhododendron bloom? Late May to mid June is what I have heard. Is that correct?

correct..............

[soumodeler]

Thank you.

[illabelle]

It can vary a bit from one year to the next. I was there mid-June a year or so ago and it hadn't quite reached peak, but still very beautiful!

[Shooting Star]

The other cool thing in to look for on the balds are the Gray's Lilies, but I think they peak more
in July a little bit after the Rhododendrons. I've seen these from Roan up to a little past Grayson Highlands
but not outside of that area. Here is the wiki link which has some pics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium_grayi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium_grayi)

[Gambit McCrae]

2012 I hit it way late, my second attempt to see the blooms but did get some great wildflowers just before Overmountain Shelter 7/28/2012
42309 42310423114231242313

2016 When I went I hit it on peak weekend - 6/20/2016
42299423004230142302

2017 I went and a storm knocked the flowers off of all but one bush however there were some other things blooming along the way - 6/26/2017
42303 4230442305423064230742308

I have walked the Roan Highlands 7 times and full bloom or no bloom it never disappoints



The other cool thing in to look for on the balds are the Gray's Lilies, but I think they peak more
in July a little bit after the Rhododendrons. I've seen these from Roan up to a little past Grayson Highlands
but not outside of that area. Here is the wiki link which has some pics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium_grayi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium_grayi)

Didn't know until I clicked on your link but it looks like I have had some luck finding the illusive Gray's Lillie!

Headed up Hump Mountain
42314

Near the Priest in Central Virginia
423154231642317

[illabelle]

Gorgeous! Thanks for posting this, Gambit. :)

[saltysack]

I’m doing this section again this weekend...forecast looks terrible and likely only blooms I will see are the infamous TP blooms.....


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[Gambit McCrae]

I’m doing this section again this weekend...forecast looks terrible and likely only blooms I will see are the infamous TP blooms.....


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Looks like at least 2 more weeks before some nice spring weather moves in

[johnacraft]

When is the best time to hike in the Roan Mountain area to see the rhododendron bloom? Late May to mid June is what I have heard. Is that correct?

Both Roan Mountain, TN, and Bakersville, NC, have rhododendron festivals around the third weekend in June, which I take as an indicator of when they usually peak:

http://www.roanmountain.com/rhododendron-festival/

http://www.ncrhododendronfestival.org/

[hikernutcasey]

My experience is late May would be too early. It does vary somewhat from year to year but typically mid June is a good bet with the knowledge that it can be a week or two on either side of that.

[Gambit McCrae]

Both Roan Mountain, TN, and Bakersville, NC, have rhododendron festivals around the third weekend in June, which I take as an indicator of when they usually peak:

http://www.roanmountain.com/rhododendron-festival/

http://www.ncrhododendronfestival.org/

I always shoot from "June 20th". This year I will be going June 16th weekend and then heading back the next weekend June 23rd. Then 2 weeks later I will be flying up to Allentown, PA to finish my final 115 miles outside of New England completing Pennsylvania :)

[saltysack]

Looks like at least 2 more weeks before some nice spring weather moves in

Any idea how iced over AT is going over Roan mtn currently? I’m hoping to get snow with all the precipitation predicted to cover the ice...last time I did Roan was in February was more like ice skating on way down!


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[coach lou]

2012 I hit it way late, my second attempt to see the blooms but did get some great wildflowers just before Overmountain Shelter 7/28/2012
42309 42310423114231242313

2016 When I went I hit it on peak weekend - 6/20/2016
42299423004230142302

2017 I went and a storm knocked the flowers off of all but one bush however there were some other things blooming along the way - 6/26/2017
42303 4230442305423064230742308

I have walked the Roan Highlands 7 times and full bloom or no bloom it never disappoints




Didn't know until I clicked on your link but it looks like I have had some luck finding the illusive Gray's Lillie!

Headed up Hump Mountain
42314

Near the Priest in Central Virginia
423154231642317

Is this the week we crossed coming down Big Hump?

[coach lou]

oops, I see the date now.

I will make my way down there again this week....some day!