June 16, 2016 - Back to Roan Mountain

We considered getting up early today and heading up to Roan for a sunrise, but I'm glad we didn't. We got up to Carvers Gap around 8AM and low clouds were really obstructing the views. As we headed towards Round Bald, we passed several photographers heading towards their vehicles that were done for the day. I was thinking that it was a little too early to be giving up!

By the time we headed off Round Bald, the clouds began to lift just a bit, then a little bit more.

 

Our destination today was Grassy Ridge which is about a 3 mile hike one way. In a good year, the rhododendron display can be superb - much better than if you just stop at Jane Bald. We were beginning to see some blue skies as we took the Grassy Ridge trail off of the AT. On the way up is a  rhododendron tunnel and we had to stop for a shot. Then I had to stop for another shot looking back over the tunnel.

The blooms really pick up the farther out you go on Grassy Ridge and it looked like we hit it right at peak bloom. The skies really began to clear once we got to the good stuff on the ridge.

The trail ends (behind us) a little bit farther than we are in the next 2 shots, but I've been there before and the views from here are better. We were surprised at the few people that we saw in the 2-3 hours that we were here. That will probably change this coming week end since it's Rhododendron Festival week end. I'm so glad we don't have to put up with the week end mobs any more!