I ran into an old camping acquaintance Sunday in the Wilson Creek area Sunday and we spent a few minutes updating one another on our travels. Among her recent exploits: a February visit to Roan Mountain.
Roan Mountain in February? I thought. Risky business being above 6,000 feet in the dead of winter. A better time, I thought, would be … right now.
Massive Roan Mountain straddles the North Carolina/Tennessee line, and is popular for many reasons: its vast balds, sweeping views, and endless skies. What it’s best known for outside hiking circles are its expansive rhododendron gardens. These effusive pink blooms have come and gone in other parts of the state, but because of the higher elevation at Roan Mountain, the rhododendron are just now exploding — and just in time for the July 4 holiday weekend now upon us.
There are multiple ways to explore Roan beyond the traditional two-mile drive to the top ($3 entrance fee) and short walk to the actual gardens.
Here are four adventurous ways to celebrate the Fourth in Roan Highlands.

1. Hike to the gardens. Park in the lot atop Carver’s Gap, (elevation 5,500 feet) and hike south on the Appalachian Trail 1.5 miles to Roan High Knob. This is a more intimate, tree-enveloped hike: you won’t experience Roan’s great views on the way up, but you will, cloud-cover permitting, from 6,285-foot Roan High Knob. Between the elevation and the tree cover, this is an especially good hike option on a hot day. 3 miles out-and-back, moderate to strenuous.
2. Hike the balds. Also starting from Carver’s Gap, hike north on the AT. You’ll gain elevation quickly, passing through an isolated spruce-fir stand, then emerge into vast grassy balds offering 360-views of a who’s who of Southeast peaks. Round Bald (5,826 feet: 300-foot vertical gain in three-quarters of a mile) is your first stop, and you’d be justified if you wanted to plop down and spend the day here, marveling. Jane Bald (5,807 feet) beckons, just three-quarters of a mile beyond (a stretch where rhododendrons and flame azalea will be ablaze). Continue on to Grassy Bald (hanging a right turn off the AT) and top out at 6,189 feet. Now, you can kick back and settle in (though keep an eye on the sky; the weather here can change in an instant). 5 miles out-and-back, moderate.
3. Long hump to Hump Mountain. The Roan Highlands is defined as the ridge running from Roan Mountain north to 5,587-foot Hump Mountain, another stellar bald offering panoramic views. This option is for the hiker who wants to put in more mileage: 11 miles total. Start from the modest AT access point off US 19E and hike the AT north, gradually gaining elevation through a mellow draw. About four miles in, the trail gets rocky for a half mile or so, then emerges into open meadow for the climb up Hump Mountain. Return the way you came. 11 miles out-and-back, moderate to strenuous.
4. Short hump to Little Hump. Like the idea of experiencing a less-visited stretch of the Roan Highlands, but not so much the idea of hiking nearly 11 miles? From US 19E in North Carolina take the entertaining and ever-dwindling Roaring Creek Road north for about five miles to the Yellow Mountain Gap Trailhead. From there, it’s a quarter mile up an old dirt road to the AT. Go right (north) on the AT, initially through tight vegetation then emerging into yet another grassy expanse and the climb to 5,460-foot Little Hump Mountain. You’ve hiked about two miles so far (four miles roundtrip), another two gets you to Hump Mountain (eight miles roundtrip). Return the way you came. 4 miles out-and-back, moderate to strenuous.

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If you go: I’ve never had the good timing to be on Roan Mountain at peak rhododendron bloom. If you go, help the rest of us live vicariously and share a photo or two on our Facebook page.

The post Four ways to celebrate the Roan Highlands appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Note: Most coastal state parks are planning to close Thursday and Friday in anticipation of Hurricane Arthur. Their reopening is dependent upon Arthur’s wrath. Check the North Carolina State Parks website before heading to any park that may be affected by the storm.

Coast

There is, perhaps, no more fretful feeling than not knowing exactly where you are (the more pessimistic among us refer to this condition as being “lost”). You’ve lost the trail (you don’t remember seeing a blaze for 15 minutes), nothing looks familiar, daylight is waning. You think about those cartoons where the protagonist (Spongebob, say) is thrust into darkness, surrounded only by evil eyes.

Now imagine being able to not only figure your way out of a typical hardwood forest, but out of a dense swamp! That should be the case after attending Orienteering 101 on Sunday at Dismal Swamp State Park. The class is on the park’s new orienteering course (thanks to a local Eagle Scout) and should have you feeling better about your plight in the woods.

Logistics: Sunday, July 5, 2 p.m., Dismal Swamp State Park, South Mills. 252.771.6593 to register.

Saturday forecast: High of 88, sunny.

Piedmont

Being outdoors is often about more than just hiking or paddling or climbing or biking. Sometimes, it’s about music, about arts & crafts, about food and, perhaps, beer.

The two-day (Friday and Saturday) Festival For the Eno at West Point on the Eno city park in Durham is one such occasion. For two days, you can hear 65 acts on four stages, wander among various vendors, check out a beer garden and, all the while, help the sponsoring Eno River Association protect the Eno River watershed. Plus, you can do some of your favorite outdoor activities, such as hike on the park’s five miles of trail or paddle the mile-long Eno millpond. A Triangle tradition for celebrating the Fourth.

Logistics: Friday and Saturday, July 4 & 5, West Point on the Eno City Park, Durham. $20, $30 for both days. More info here.

Friday and Saturday forecast: Highs in the mid- to upper 80s, partly cloudy Friday, sunny Saturday.

Mountains

Fall color cascades in North Carolina from the highest, coolest elevations of the west to the warmer, lower east, the spring wildflower display does the opposite. If you haven’t caught the latter since it began in late February, time is running out. But there’s still wildflower action to be had at the state’s highest elevations, including Elk Knob State Park, where on Sunday, a park ranger will lead w wildflower hike.

The hike isn’t long, at a little more than two miles (out and back), but it does involve a good climb. Fortunately, you’ll be stopping often to check out the blooms.

Logistics: Sunday, July 5, 2 p.m., Elk Knob State Park, Todd. For more information, call 828.297.7261.

Sunday forecast: High of 75, mostly sunny.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

The post This weekend: Venture fourth appeared first on GetGoing NC!.