Advice? (Roan Highland Trip)

“Saw your proposed trip.

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/1227.php

Several of us have experience with that area. Let me know if you need any advice?”

“Overmountain Shelter is one of my favorites on the A.T. and that is a great section to do! Got caught in a hell of a storm that afternoon ~ I think we ran the last 1.7 to Overmountain and it stopped when we were within 50 yards of it. The trails were running like rivers and I fell at least twice in the mud. Ahhhh...memories. ;) Spent a great night watching the storm and the clouds rolling into the valley.”

“The only thing that comes to mind is the first day. All the AT thruhikers say what a tough uphill it is going northbound up Roan. You could start at Hughes Gap and have plenty of time to get to Roan High, esp. if you have a long drive to get to the trailhead. That would be as easier start to the trip. I wish I could join ya.”

“Day 1 could be a bit much. It a beastly climb from Hughes Gap to the Cloudland site. Consider starting at Indian Grave Gap.That would take you over the Beauty Spot and Unaka Mt. Indian Grave to 19-E is 35 miles. With friends we went Iron Mt Gap to 19-E in 3 days. I wouldn't park a car in Haughes Gap and I definitely would not park a car at Bear Branch (19-E).

I don't think the thru hikers will be to the Highlands by mid March.”

“Not for nothing, but I disagree about the northbound hike up Roan being tough. It's a fairly long climb, but not particularly difficult.

If you do start/end at 19E, there is a great B&B with a new hiker hostel called Mountain Harbor that is 3/10 a mile from the trail. Terry and his wife are very hospitable and hiker friendly. Whatever you do, pay the $5 extra dollars for breakfast. You'll thank me for that advice later. :)

ps. Beware of the electric fence that surrounds Rosie, the cantankerous goat.

-lilmountaingirl (too lazy to sign out of GM's account)”

“Thanks for the advice guys. I am not sure yet what we are going to do yet. I know I would like to stay in Roan and Overmountain shelter and also one night on a bald would be killer. The only thing is we would have to carry 4-session tents for 4 days to only use them for one night. That sucks, but feel if the weather was nice that it would be a killer night on top of a bald.

Does anyone know around what Mountain Harbor would charge for us to park a car and shuttle us to either Hughes Gap or Iron Mountain?

Here is a map for anyone that can not make the 4 day hike, but would be able to hike sat sun.

”

“Greenmonkee, that's good advice.

My first time at Roan was when the previous owners were at that b&b. We pulled in about 1 am and slept right in the driveway. I just threw my sleeping pad right on the ground. I made the mistake of touching that fence. In the morning I was greeted by the enormous Great Dane.

The second time I was down there was when the new owners were there. The barn that the old owners lived in has now been turned into a hiker's hostel. We just got a ride up to Carver's Gap from there and left the car at the b&b. The people sure are super nice. It was pretty cold out that morning so he insisted we put our 2 dogs up in the truck with us instead of in the back. I told him that wasn't necessary. One of the dogs is a black lab and would surely leave hair all over, but he insisted.

I'll have to keep the breakfast in mind for the next time I'm down that way.”

“Umm, that was LMG posting with my account, ductape.

We loved that section. It's not that often that you can see so far up and down the trail on the AT.

It's amazing how the hostle is above a barn full of horses and goats yet doesn't smell at all. One of my favorite showers (and by far the best breakfast) on the AT, IMO :) That place is going to get popular real quick.

Hey tnkayaker, you can ask them yourself
http://www.mountainharbour.net/”

“The storm rolling into the Valley, taken from the safety of Overmountain Shelter:




Overmountain Shelter as seen from the northern end of the AT:




What not to do:




Rosie the Cantankerous Goat at Mountain Harbour B&B"

”

“"....northbound hike up Roan being tough. It's a fairly long climb, but not particularly difficult."

2271' gain in 2.6 miles seems like alot to me. The only climb I can think of, in the area, that exceeds that is the Woody Ridge trail in the Blacks; 3000' in 3.3 miles. OMHO”

“I'm surprised that no one has mentioned grassy ridge.”

“TownDawg,

You mentioned Grassy Ridge, What about it? Is this a side trail or on the AT. Please let me know what you are thinking.”

“I slept up with the bulls once. Prowler and I woke in the middle of the night surrounded. It was a little creepy at first. I know they're pretty tame, but them horns is big.”

“Ductape,

I am plaining on camping on Big hump one night. Last time I hiked that section there was a fence then they were on the other side. Which side (north or south of the fence) did u camp on?”

“2271' gain in 2.6 miles seems like alot to me. The only climb I can think of, in the area, that exceeds that is the Woody Ridge trail in the Blacks; 3000' in 3.3 miles. OMHO”

I was thinking about it last night...and I remembered that I was pissed off about something while climbing Roan. ;) That very well could have fueled me right up there because I don't remember it being real hard but I do remember it was kind of long.

I slept up with the bulls once. Prowler and I woke in the middle of the night surrounded. It was a little creepy at first. I know they're pretty tame, but them horns is big.”
ductape
1:22:21 PM
3/07/07

That would freak me out for sure! I woke up near Mt. Rogers surrounded by the feral ponies and it freaked me out! But they were trying to get in my tent...LOL”

“We slept inside the fence, on the very top. It was pretty windy. There was a firepit up there. I have no idea who felt like carrying firewood all the way up there, but we sure didn't.

There was a great spot right before the big climb up there that we had planned on staying at, but there was some kind of a festival or somehting going on down there. It was seriously like tent city. There were a few medium sized groups and a group of boy scouts who all had the same idea as us.”

““I'm surprised that no one has mentioned grassy ridge.”

Sometimes things are better left unsaid.”

“I need to get down there soon.”

“edoc -- you are prolly right. sometimes it's just better to own a few secrets.”

“So what is the point of this tread called "Advice" if your guys are going to keep "secrets" and not provide the advice that I am asking for?”

“On the last map you posted you can barely see Grassy Ridge. There is a campsite symbol at the end of the "p" in Engine Gap. After Round and Jane balds, Grassy Ridge is straight ahead directly in front of you. To get there you take a right where the AT bears left and down the side of the ridge and heads to Stan Murray shelter. That is heading northbound.
Grassy Ridge has a distinction of being one of the few balds with a 360 degree view at that altitude, or at least above 5000 ft. It is also known for being very windy because of its height and the fact that it is bald. Except for a few shrubs on it, it would be very exposed. I would bring a tent that would hold up well in the wind or you might just blow away!”

“Karo

Thank you for taking the time to fill me in. I have hiked this from Carvers Gap to 19E once in the past but missed Grassy Ridge.

Once agan thanks”

“Don't feel bad. I missed it the first time as well. Don't feel too cheated though. That whole area is so beautiful. The stretch from Carver's Gap to Doll Flats is probably the most scenic hike I've been on.

I rolled an ankle pretty hard and left some gear on the way down Big Hump the first time. It took me FOREVER to get down to Doll Flats where we followed a quad trail out to a road and got a resident to give us a ride. Good thing we were able to get out of the woods there too. I never would have made it through rock city the rest of the way down to the highway.”

“tnkayaker

per Webster
advice:an opinion or recommendation offered as a guide to action

I will be happy to offer generalizations, sometimes specifics. On this site (and others)I will not give out all I know about every trail, campsite, and water source in an area. People need to explore for themselves. Come hike with me and I'll share some tidbits.

(BTW, It has been stated Grassy has the distinction of being the only mountain on the AT both above 6000 feet with a natural 360 view. I can't figure out how that jives with Mt Washington.)

Other mountains on AT above 5000 feet with a 360 view are Standing Indian, Thunderhead, Big Bald, Round Bald, Hump (Big and Little), Wilburn Ridge, and the Whites.

cheers!”

“edoc

Thanks. I would be happy to hike with you sometime. How about the 16th 17th 18th and 19th or any of those days. The person that was going with me just backed out. So what do u say lets go hiking.

Needing someone to come along!!!”

“I'd love to but
1. I work Friday
2. I'm taking my sons Webelos den on a trip Saturday
3. A dinner a la casa Sunday night
4. Webelos meeting Monday

I need about a 4 month lead time (Though I told my wife I'm doing a 4-5 day 61 mile loop sometime this summer. Promises to be way cool. On some of the lessor known/lessor trammeled trails of NC. No shelters, no traffic, poorly blazed, possibly overgrown in places; a true adventure!)”

“edoc

Sounds good let me know when and were.”

“Drop me a line if'n interested in future hikes”

“It's not quite 4 months away, but I'd really like to hit up this area in June when the rhodies are in bloom. I'll have to double check, but I think the second and third week are supposed to be the best?”

“Its about the 2nd week. Not quite sure how crowded the area is at that time. The Gardens can be full but the Rhodos are everywhere. Don't forget Grayson Highlands, Smokies, Waterrock Knob, Big Bald, and Shining Rock”

“I think the statement was that Grassy Ridge has the only unobstructed view above 6000 ft. Mount Washington has towers and the weather station and Clingman's Dome has the big UFO. I do remember reading this somewhere, just can't remember where, must be old age!”

“Does anyone know another assess point to Hump Mountain and also to Overmountain shelter?

Thanks Guys”

“TNKAYAKER -- There are several. Are you not doing any research at all? Do you have any of the ATC books?”

“Not to be a smart ass but get a map and look at it. All your questions will be answered.”

“i've heard the statement many times about Grassy Ridge being the only 6000+ft peak with 360 degree views (in the south).

Can't understand that one bit, I mean it's not even close. Black Balsam Knob? Tennent Mtn? Shining Rock (well maybe)? Sams Knob? Mt. Mitchell, even with a 10ft tower instead of the 60 footer? There's at least 3 or 4 more natural ones, and 2 more if you count towers. I suspect the person who came up with that saying hadn't been to all the six thoudand footers.”

“AT guidebooks state Grassy Ridge is the only mountain over 6000' on the AT with a natural 360 degree view. That still doesn't jive with Mt Washington (which the trail goes over) compared to Grassy (which the trail skirts the summit).”