View Full Version : Roan Highlands
I would like to take my wife for a weekend trip to the Roan Highlands area and would like to take advange of the Rhododendron Blooms. Does anybody know when the peak will be?
I thought of the same thing, the State Park's Festival is on the 17-18 th of June I think. There is a website for the peak. I'll try to find it and post on here.
The Solemates
06-09-2006, 10:09
mid-June to early July is usually peak. they may be just a week or so later for the roan highlands since they are at a little bit higher elevation.
So if I plan a trip the 23rd through the 25th I should be in good shape for some color.
The Solemates
06-09-2006, 10:43
So if I plan a trip the 23rd through the 25th I should be in good shape for some color.
that sounds right, but it does vary from year to year....
Pennsylvania Rose
06-13-2006, 11:05
Call the Greasy Creek Friendly (828) 688-9948. Connie and Philip's hostel is just a few miles away from Roan Mtn. and they told me to call them for blooming dates if I was going to be in the area in June. Or call the Appalachian/Toecane Ranger District (828) 682-6146.
I'm beginining to think I am the link man. Maybe I need to change my screen name. If you don't see the link soon, pest me via PM. You'll be glad you did. I'll need to do some digging to find it.
I'm subscribed. Would like to be there when the color peaks, but cyberhiking the Roan Highlands suits my schedule and budget better at this time. Take losts of pics, post your best to the gallery and link in another post to this thread please!
WhiteBlaze.net is the next-best thing to being there. Didn't I once hear something similiar to that somewhere before?:-?
Not long ago, someone I know moved to north Georgia. One the way home from somewhere one day, he drove through the Chattahoochee National Forest about this time of year.
Somewhere, possibly near Suches, he spied growing in the woods the most amazing plant he'd ever seen. When he got home, he emailed me to tell me about his experience and to ask what it was that he'd seen.
I knew right away that he had seen Rhododendron calendulaceum, flame azalea, for the first time in his life. It pleased me to hear of his experience and brought to memory my own first encounter with that plant.
When I Googled some information to send back to him in reply, I found pages posted to the web by Mr. Hyatt. I hope you will enjoy the page I have linked and see also some of his other pages, especially those pertaining to Gregory Bald.
http://www.tjhsst.edu/~dhyatt/graphics/roan.html (http://www.tjhsst.edu/~dhyatt/graphics/roan.html)
Pennsylvania Rose
06-14-2006, 09:21
Great link with beautiful pictures. We hiked through the area in April. Hope I can go back some June.
I am thinking of going over there this weekend. I will either stay at Roan High in the old Firewarden's cabin or hike to Grassy Ridge and try out my new tent. I will update this post by Friday, June 16.
Pennsylvania Rose
06-14-2006, 10:37
According to the Companion, camping is not permitted on Grassy Ridge because of sensitive rare plants. Just thought you should know ahead of time.
I'm eager to hear about your experience if you did.
I went with Karo this past weekend. The Rhododendrons were not quite at peak yet. Next weekend should be better.
Penn. Rose, you can camp at Grassy Ridge. We asked the Rangers about it just to be sure.
Hikerhead
06-20-2006, 19:10
The Rhodo's were at or near their peak at Mt Rogers this past weekend. I'll post a shot.
Gray Blazer
06-20-2006, 21:12
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WhiteBlaze.net is the next-best thing to being there. Didn't I once hear something similiar to that somewhere before?:-? [/quote]
Me, all the time!!!!
here are my pics from trip
http://community.webshots.com/album/551515633kerYIS
wilconow
06-21-2006, 14:32
I'm planning a trip July 4th weekend from Beauty Gap to 19E. I've the ATC guidebook for the area, and was wondering if there are many good tentsites along that section IN ADDITION to the few listed in the guidebook.
Thanks