Getting to "the spot" in Roan Highlands?

Hey all, I'm a NENPer living in Vermont. I'm going to be visiting my parents in North Carolina (somewhere near Asheville) and want to get out to the Roan Highlands where I see all those amazing photos of the rocks in the foreground and the sunsets. Anyone know a good website where I can get more info on the area, how to get there, what the hike is like, what the best time of year is? Chance are it will be in early August to Mid August. The flower still in bloom by then? Thanks!

P.S. I think I might be able to swing a visit at the end of June if thats the better time to see the flowers in bloom.

Hi Jon,

Most of those photos you see are taken from Jane Bald in June. It is a 2 mile hike each way from the parking area. In August there should be other wildflowers on the balds, but not any rhodies or azaleas.

I'd recommend grassy ridge bald, which also has rocks and more areas for wildflowers than Jane bald, if you are going in late August. It's about a 3 1/2 mile hike each way, with a lot of ups and downs.

In mid-late June you should have rhodies and flame azaleas. It's worth a special trip.

This is great news! I'm going to try to make it in late June, I hope some of the rhodies and azaleas will still be around by late June. So, I'm trying to find the best route to take. Is the parking area at Carvers Gap the best place to park the car and the parking area you speak of? I plan on backpacking for a few days, so leaving from the parking area, if I understand you right, I would get to Jane Bald first, and then from there a mile or so more is grassy bald? Maybe I will spend my second night there. And then make the walk back the third day?

Thanks for help Matthew.

Peak is usually around the 20th or so for most of the Roan area. It does vary by elevation and composition, and the Roan summit rhododendrons are usually the very last to peak.

I'd recommend parking at Carver's gap and heading on the AT towards Round Bald, Jane Bald and Grassy Ridge Bald.

I stayed last year up on Grassy Ridge bald and recommend it as the best place to camp. Lots of open grassy areas with amazing views. You can trek down to Jane easily if you like, but I find opportunities on Grassy are even a bit better IMO. There is a natural rhododendron "garden" on the back side of Grassy that offers incomparable sunrise opportunities, and there are good sunset options at Grassy as well (although the Jane Bald rocks might be just a touch more scenic for sunsets).

Hopefully I'll see you there -- I'm planning June 21-23 this year.

Thanks so much for all the helpful info, perhaps as the time gets nearer, I will email you and maybe we can meet up!