For several years now, I've been wanting to go to the Roan Highlands during the month of June to see the rhododendrons. Finally, this year we had an opportunity to get there around the peak time for the rhododendrons, so we took it. We went the day after the Rhododendron Festival in Roan, Tennessee thinking there wouldn't be many people there. To our surprise, the parking area at Carver's Gap on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina was totally full, as were areas off the road. We managed to get lucky and find a spot not too far from the trailhead.
The hike we planned to take was a five-mile round-trip, ridgetop trek on a portion of the Appalachian Trail, along the North Carolina-Tennessee border. The trail connects three balds: Round Bald, Jane Bald, and Grassy Ridge Bald (a bald is mostly grassy mountain top). This portion of the Appalachian Trail is supposedly the most beautiful section of the trail (so why hike any more of the trail?), especially in June when the rhododendrons and flame azaleas are in bloom.
Rhododendron Gardens Overlook
Appalachian Trail, Tennessee
The Extra Mile
The Extra Mile
Flame Azaleas near Jane Bald
Flame Azaleas near Jane Bald
The Extra Mile
The Extra Mile
The Extra Mile
Near Grassy Ridge Bald
