It's that time for a rhodie sticky thread! Catawbas have been blooming around the neighborhood for several days, and peak in the high country is maybe 5-6 weeks off.
I'd also like to add info on good scenes for the rosebay rhodies which bloom later especially along streams. They were very good last year along many of the Smokies streams, and I think we don't do them justice, so let's shoot some rosebays and streams.
The Mountain Laurel is also bloom at Fort Mountain State Park in north Georgia.
My wife and I hiked for a couple of hours yesterday. I didn't take the camera though.
I did two days in the Blue Ridge/Roan mountain area, from Devil's Courthouse (another story) to Roan Mountain.
Rhodies are at or near peak at Graveyard Fields along the Parkway. They're showing tight buds with color along Tennant Mountain on the "backside" where I car camped at the jeep road, so not there yet at that location.
Rhodies are at or near peak o the approaches to Craggy Gardens and Mt. Mitchell, and the lower areas of Mt. Mitchell. Past the visitor center, there isn't much yet and the higher peaks aren't showing a lot of color.
The trail at the gnarled trees at Craggy Gardens trail north of the visitor center (going up to the two overlooks) isn't ready yet but the buds are opening and should be ready later this week. Still plenty of unopened buds showing considerable color here. The rhodie at the north entrance next to the guard rail (where a good sunset shot can be had) is in full bloom and ready now. It won't last but a few more days at best.
I didn't go into Linville Falls, but would assume they're near peak there.
So if you're shooting along the Parkway, go now. If you're wanting rhodies on the peaks and slopes, later this week to next week.
Roan Mountain: I hiked to the top of Round Bald to scout. Let's divide Round Bald in halves, top and bottom.
The bottom half is showing a very few open flowers along the rail fence, but mostly buds with a lot of color. The higher you get, the tighter the buds, but up to halfway, most of the buds are showing at least some color. Above the halfway mark, most of the buds are closed showing no color yet. There are a few showing color and even an occasional flower, but this is IMO considerably less than 1% above the halfway mark on Round Bald.
Cheers, Steve
Posted by Thomas Biggs on June 8, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Posted by Steve Hamley on June 11, 2009 at 8:33 AM
Nye reports that Jerry was on Roan Tuesday with substantially the same report I posted for Sunday. Looks like peak on Roan will be sometime next week. Grassy Ridge and Jane Bald may become shootable this weekend if they go off a few days early.
Cheers, Steve
Posted by Steve Hamley on June 15, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Just for the record, I did Craggy and Roan on June 15th, and they are peak. defined as full bloom with some buds.
FYI, there are storms in the high country; be careful out there. I've been there when lightening was a "boom" and cannon roars. Not a good time on the Roan Highlands.
Cheers, Steve
Posted by Thomas Biggs on June 16, 2009 at 9:28 AM
Thanks for the update about Roan, heading down there this weekend.
Posted by Steve Hamley on June 19, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Update 6/19: Rhodies still shootable at Round, Jane and Grassy Ridge although the area's been through strong storms 6/17 and 6/18. Some open areas are not good. I did not go to the Gardens but would expect that they're still good, storm damage notwithstanding. Craggy looks gone because of high wind - gusts around 30-40 mph I suspect today. The road was open both ways at Craggy this afternoon.
Catawbas look better at Water Rock Knob than anywhere; according to rangers the area did not receive a lot of strong wind. Not easy to compose though.
Saw a few rosebays along the Little River, so I'll be scouting those soon.
Cheers, Steve
Posted by Leann Greene on July 3, 2009 at 10:06 PM
07/03
Rosebays blooming in the Boone/ Blowing Rock town area.
Discussion
13 repliesIt's that time for a rhodie sticky thread! Catawbas have been blooming around the neighborhood for several days, and peak in the high country is maybe 5-6 weeks off.
I'd also like to add info on good scenes for the rosebay rhodies which bloom later especially along streams. They were very good last year along many of the Smokies streams, and I think we don't do them justice, so let's shoot some rosebays and streams.
Cheers, Steve
My wife and I hiked for a couple of hours yesterday. I didn't take the camera though.
Bruce
June 6th and 7th:
I did two days in the Blue Ridge/Roan mountain area, from Devil's Courthouse (another story) to Roan Mountain.
Rhodies are at or near peak at Graveyard Fields along the Parkway. They're showing tight buds with color along Tennant Mountain on the "backside" where I car camped at the jeep road, so not there yet at that location.
Rhodies are at or near peak o the approaches to Craggy Gardens and Mt. Mitchell, and the lower areas of Mt. Mitchell. Past the visitor center, there isn't much yet and the higher peaks aren't showing a lot of color.
The trail at the gnarled trees at Craggy Gardens trail north of the visitor center (going up to the two overlooks) isn't ready yet but the buds are opening and should be ready later this week. Still plenty of unopened buds showing considerable color here. The rhodie at the north entrance next to the guard rail (where a good sunset shot can be had) is in full bloom and ready now. It won't last but a few more days at best.
I didn't go into Linville Falls, but would assume they're near peak there.
So if you're shooting along the Parkway, go now. If you're wanting rhodies on the peaks and slopes, later this week to next week.
Roan Mountain: I hiked to the top of Round Bald to scout. Let's divide Round Bald in halves, top and bottom.
The bottom half is showing a very few open flowers along the rail fence, but mostly buds with a lot of color. The higher you get, the tighter the buds, but up to halfway, most of the buds are showing at least some color. Above the halfway mark, most of the buds are closed showing no color yet. There are a few showing color and even an occasional flower, but this is IMO considerably less than 1% above the halfway mark on Round Bald.
Cheers, Steve
Cheers, Steve
FYI, there are storms in the high country; be careful out there. I've been there when lightening was a "boom" and cannon roars. Not a good time on the Roan Highlands.
Cheers, Steve
Catawbas look better at Water Rock Knob than anywhere; according to rangers the area did not receive a lot of strong wind. Not easy to compose though.
Saw a few rosebays along the Little River, so I'll be scouting those soon.
Cheers, Steve
Rosebays blooming in the Boone/ Blowing Rock town area.