Roan Highlands Appalachian Trail TN/NC Backpacking Trip (Carvers Gap - Hwy 19E)

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Join me for my annual pilgrimage across some of the finest remaining Southern Appalachian balds--with many excellent views from treeless meadows above 5,000 ft. We'll hopefully catch the tail end of rhododendrons, orange 'flame azaleas' and the rare Gray's lily, in bloom. We'll begin at Carvers Gap and Roan Mountain's famous rhododendron gardens on what will be an epic 3-day backpacking trip criss-crossing the North Carolina and Tennessee borders. Many consider this area to be one of the most beautiful sections of the Appalachian Trail!

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This hike is difficult, due to elevation gain, terrain and traversing with a pack. It is a total of 16.4 miles and is a Class D5 Hike. Please note that if leaders are not familiar with your backpack experience, we will have the final say in whether you go or not. Do not attempt this advanced hike if you are inexperienced in backpacking and hiking over difficult terrain. You will need full backpacking gear. Please do not sign up if you cannot hike for 10 miles with a full backpack. If you don't know what you need to bring for a trip like this, this is not a trip to go on, as it is not a beginner hike. Expect a slow pace, at approximately 2 mph, but even with a slow pace it will still be difficult.

All hikers on this hike are required to be knowledgeable and responsible for keeping safe in backcountry areas such as the Appalachian Trail. Be aware of precautionary measures and the environment including information in Backcountry Safety (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c1IGjlTo-ocyalhZ6gL4xKbdmibQa0dlnUfiKRjm3Po/edit?usp=sharing).

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Day 1: Distance covered: 7.2 miles (includes 1.6 miles in and out to Grassy Ridge which can be done without pack.)

Start at Carvers Gap (elevation 5,512 ft.) and the rhododendron gardens, and hike an open meadow to a woodland path and two balds: Round Bald (elevation: 5,827 ft.) and Jane Bald, both with rock formations and beautiful views. We'll reach our highest elevation, along a side trail to Grassy Ridge, of 6,189 ft. The gap to this ridge is surrounded by rhododendron. The views from the far end of Grassy Ridge are spectacular in all directions (see top picture). This is the only peak on the A.T. that is above 6,000 ft. and has a natural 360-degree view in the south. At mile 3.7 we'll pass the Stan Murray Shelter, and at 5.6 miles at the Yellow Mountain Gap (elevation 4,682 ft.) take the Overmountain Victory Trail to the Overmountain Shelter (the Red Barn) where we'll camp for the night. There is a privy at this site. Open fields give a beautiful valley view to the east.

Day 2: Distance covered: 6.2 miles.

Enjoy sunrise while making breakfast, as well as refill water from a nearby stream (I'll bring my water filter, and we will need a few more). We'll take our time setting off for a spectacular hike featuring a series of open balds--open mountaintop meadows--with amazing views on the tops of Little Hump and Hump Mountain. On the top of Hump Mountain (elevation 5,587 ft.) there are magnificent panoramic views of the Doe River Valley to northwest, Whitetop and Mt. Rogers in Virginia to northeast, Beech Mountain to north-northeast, and multiple peak views of Grandfather Mountain to the east. We'll then proceed down a gently descending crest past a memorial for Stan Murray and into some woods. This last wooded section is nicknamed the Devil's Staircase as it is very rocky and a difficult down-hill climb. This will be the last stretch for northbound A.T. hikers in North Carolina while passing alongside some scenic valleys to the Tennessee line at Doll Flats (elevation 4,560 ft.), where we'll camp for the night. There is no shelter there, but many campsites and a nearby stream make this wooded area that sits on the edge of an open farmers hillside field an excellent group spot.

Day 3: Distance covered: 3 miles.

Hike the last 3 miles going downhill through narrow wooded pathways. At Highway 19E, we'll follow the road to Mountain Harbor B & B where we'll run a shuttle to get cars at the top, then grab some good, hot food (and ice cream!) after 2 full days on the trail!

Map: AT: Carvers Gap to Hwy 19E (http://alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/appalachian-trail-carvers-gap-to-us-19e?ref=search#)

Prior trips pictures and video:

Roan Highland Video by Valerie (https://youtu.be/U64OVd7sV6o) from 2012

Roan Highlands Georgia Adventurers Trip 2013 (https://www.facebook.com/valerie.mcnabb/media_set?set=a.4806582492789.1073741830.1542968312&type=3)

Roan 2014 Family Reunion (https://www.facebook.com/valerie.mcnabb/media_set?set=a.10202055506659540.1073741869.1542968312&type=3)

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Supplies (backpack should be no more than 20% of body weight):

Backpack

Tent or hammock/tarp

Sleeping bag

Headlamp/flashlight

2 trail lunches, 2 dinners, 2 breakfast, snacks (please have food prepackaged or double zip locked in freezer grade bags), **message me if you have questions about type of food to bring for backpacking. Some examples: freeze dried/prepackaged is lightweight; can freeze pre-prepared food for 1st night dinner and/or breakfast and throw in/over fire; health food bars such as Cliff or Builder bars; tuna fish in foil packets, etc.

Utensils for eating/drinking

2 liters water (water sources are available, see guide in Backcountry Safety in link for more information about how much to carry)

Rain gear/poncho/lightweight waterproof jacket

Extra clothes (up to you): socks, shirt; sweat pants and long sleeve shirt/jacket for night (prepare for cooler nights)

Flip-flops for camp (if you'd like to take boots/hiking footwear off)

Toiletries

Whistle

Sunblock

Bugspray

Navigation/communication- compass, map, phone, extra charge (or hike with a buddy equipped with this)

Emergency Information Card (see Backcountry Safety for details) in outside pocket of backpack

Can share

Water Filtration (I will have my pump filters/Steri Pens to share--4 people can fill quickly with my model. Many people opt for single person drip filters, etc. If using Steri Pen, you'll need a 1-2 liter container that stands upright)

Stove (If you don't have one, please let us know. I'm sure someone can share with you)

Rope to hang bear bag (just need a few)

Camp saw/knife (need 1 or 2)

Fire starters: matches/candle ends/lint/sawdust pellets, etc. (I'll bring some)

First aid kid (Alex and I both have one)

Optional/luxury items (will add weight)

Hiking poles

Electrolyte Powder (especially in hot weather)

Sleeping pad/mattress

Backpack pillow

Backpack camp chair

Wine/spirits to share (please drink in moderation & be mindful that there may be some who refrain and keep noise level low/be respectful of quiet time at 10 pm)

S'mores/cookies/chocolate to share

***There are many ways to hang a Bear Bag. Here is one:

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Times:

6:30 am - Mansell Crossing Park & Ride if this is your carpool location

6:45 am - sharp, leave Mansell Park & Ride (if carpool location)

11:30 am - Mountain Harbor Bed & Breakfast and Hiker’s Hostel parking lot (Mountain Harbor B & B/Hostel: 9151 Hwy 19 E. Roan Mountain, TN 37687 (423) 772-9494--we'll need to pitch in and pay apx. $5 per car/per night to park 1/2 cars here) The remaining cars will shuttle everyone to Carver's Gap near the top of Roan Mountain in Roan Mountain State Park, TN. It is 17.4 miles to Carver's Gap parking lot. If we are short on shuttle space the folks at Mountain Harbor will shuttle you at $20 per person. If you bring a dog (well trained, on a leash), that will need to be factored into shuttle room as well (dog = 1 person), and may push you to the pay for shuttle status, though I do not anticipate/have not had trouble shuttling everyone before. It is a 17.5 shuttle to the top of Roan Mountain.

12:30 pm - begin hike, Carver's Gap parking lot, Roan Mountain State Park, TN-143, Roan Mountain, TN

**Please have GPS maps loaded and phone calls/contacts made prior to arriving in Roan Mountain area as often phone reception is not available.

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I encourage as many of you who can to carpool. Unless you are experienced driving in the mountains and using maps, please join a carpool. A suggested carpool location is Mansell Crossing Park and Ride, Exit 8 off Hwy 400 & Mansell Road, meeting at 6:30 am, and leaving at 6:45 am. The commute from there, one way, is approximately 300 miles. If not driving, be prepared to pay your share of carpool expenses. Many groups use/charge .37 (rideshare.com) cents per mile divided by number in car, but check with driver. If transporting a dog, dog = 1 person.

We will determine carpool cars/shuttle cars in advance. We will be hauling gear and hikers and will need adequate cars to do so. A few weeks before, I will get in touch with group to do this. If you are bringing a dog (well-trained, friendly and on a leash), you will need to drive shuttle group to top (dog = 1 person). If you need a ride, there are a number of ways to find one: 1) Message a driver and ask (look on Google Spreadsheet for list of drivers), 2) post on Comments below, then get in touch with a driver via Message, and 3) both. Check with driver for meeting time and location. We'll meet at Mountain Harbor B & B/Hostel (9151 Hwy 19 E. Roan Mountain, TN 37687 (423) 772-9494) at 11:30 am sharp.

I'll need everyone's email address and phone number (send via Message on my Georgia Adventurers profile page) as that is how we'll update as we get closer to date: I'll email Google Document (you can add questions, etc., at bottom and edit, for example, carpool page if you are a driver, etc.) and send text messages (as needed).

**Priority RSVP status may be given, particularly to members on Wait List, to paying ($5 annual) members.