I suggest making this one "sticky" for the rhododendron bloom and the flame azalea. Early spring is about over and there are some rhododendron blooming in Waynesville.
The buds around Black Balsam at least look promising. Any reports from Roan Mountain?
As Thomas has said...it sure is quiet around here! I have the usual Monday off for Memorial Day...any suggestions as to what will be a good location then? When is the usual peak for Rhodies...mid-June? I love Roan Mountain but wouldn't mind something different, and I won't have a lot of time this year. Suggestions???
I have seen some rhodies blooming at Wilson Creek but it has been individual bushes that probably are getting more sun than the others so far.
Posted by Steve Hamley on May 12, 2006 at 12:04 PM
Alice,
I'll have that Monday off too, but I usually stay home on the major holidays. Last Thanksgiving, actually the day after, I went to tremont and there were more people on the trail than I-75. Hotels and campgrounds will be full.
The rhododendron peak is usually about the 15th of June, give or take for weather conditions, so somewhere from the 10th to the 20th usually. Roan Mountain, Craggy Gardens, and around Graveyard Fields are good places to be.
It has been sort of quiet. Usually when it gets this way I try to bait Jerry a little to liven things up....
So now I have a better pano camera than he does, an 80-year old 8x20 Korona!
I'll spend the weekend before Memorial Day in the Reelfoot Lake area. My grandparents live in the area so I'll be out visiting... might be forced to ride out to the lake and look for some foggy morning shots
I was born in Union City, TN but don't get out that way near enough
Posted by Leann Greene on May 15, 2006 at 10:28 AM
I saw some scattered rhodie bushes on the BRP blooming south of the viaduct. Moses Cone trail to the tower had wake robin,trout lily and various other flora still in bloom.Price lake looks like it has been drained down-probably in anticipation of heavy rains. My favorite section of the BRP for stalking deer and spiders is closed for a bridge repair
Posted by Jayne Caruso on May 27, 2006 at 12:37 AM
I was at Grayson Highlands/Mount Rogers this past weekend, no rhodie blooms yet.
I drove along the BRP between Doughton Park and Blowing Rock this past weekend, Flame Azaleas and some Rhoddies were in bloom. I would imagine another 2 weeks before they bloom south of Blowing Rock area.
I went to Cataloochee/Big Creek/Cosby areas of the GSMNP and the mountain laurel is blooming. Didn't see anything else blooming though, other than a few galax in the woods.
I drove the BRP from Hwy 276 to Hwy 215 yesterday. I was with others and couldn't stop and really check things out, but on a drive-by it looked like the Catawbas at Graveyard Fields were about at peak or maybe even a little past. Things are happening fast, but hopefully the cool weather will make them hold a while. Anybody else have any rhodo news?
Catawbas at Graveyard Fields were about at peak or maybe even a little past.
WOW Things ARE happening fast!
Posted by Lori Kincaid on June 5, 2006 at 12:20 PM
Yep, that's how it looked from the road. Graveyard Fields tends to go early, but I'm hoping a closer look will show it isn't as far along as it looked at 35 mph.
I was at Carver's Gap this evening. Buds were swelling with just a hint of color in a few of them. Did not make it on up to the gardens but from the look at Carver's the timing of the festival next weekend seems to be spot on. I plan on being up their again Sunday and will post again on changes seen.
On my way home from Greer, SC this evening I took a little side trip up to Craggy Gardens to check on the progress of the blooms there. At the Craggy Dome Overlook it is still a little early as there are just a few blooms here and there.
The East facing slope down near the Vistor Center have more Rhodies blooming and are probably shootable but still a few days from prime. Mountain Laurel is not really showing anything up near Craggy but is very nice on the drive up from Asheville.
I was up that way tonight too. I went from Brevard to Cowee Mtn overlook, and the rhodies are starting to bloom in that area. Not profuse yet, but in a few days...
I was going to ask the same thing, Matthew. I have been down at the coast.
Talked to Jerry - he said Roan looks good. Should be looking good this coming weekend. Craggy Gardens was so-so, if not off. Graveyard was past peak. So says the dude.
Posted by Thomas Biggs on June 12, 2006 at 7:21 PM
Sounds good for Roan then Heading down that way Friday or Saturday depending on the work situation
Posted by Thomas Biggs on June 15, 2006 at 11:21 AM
Things still looking good on Roan for this weekend?
Posted by Steve Hamley on June 16, 2006 at 9:35 PM
Folks,
Friday, June 16th. Shot at Roan yesterday with Richard, Nye, and Jerry. Did early light at Roan then moved on. I went from Linn Cove viaduct to hwy 215 just south of Black Balsam.
Short story: Only Roan and Mt. Mitchell are worthwhile. Roan is early, expect peak in about 2 days, so Monday/Tuesday look good, probably shootable for 3-4 more days beyond that. One bush ummediately below Jane Bald still mostly buds, while the ones a few feet lower are peak. Fence row at Roan shootable now, but still lots of buds.
Little flame azalea at Engine Gap. Next weekend probably good for FA. Gardens probably 10 days off, maybe more. I didn't go up.
I did not go into Grandfather, but nothing along Linn Cove Viaduct or visible on the Parkway side of the mountain.
Nothing at Linville Falls. Mountain Laurel past peak, visitor's center lady said rhodies were just starting, but I walked both sides of the river and didn't see a bud.
Mt. Mitchell is as good as I've seen it and at peak, although you'd never guess it from the approaches. If there's something you want from there, go now.
Craggy is sparse. Our fave sunset overlook is not shootable, scraggly, few blooms. The sexy trees on the Craggy Pinalcle trail are shootable now, but the rhodies are a tiny bit past and they're not as good as last year.
Black Balsam/Graveyard Fields: nothing there from the road. I did not go out the spur road to the parking lot.
Hwy 215: Few small bushes near peak just down from the top. It seems more large trees have fallen at the cascade that crosses the road, so Jerry better be glad he got his shots there when he did. Barring someone clearing the debris, it may be years before it's like it was. But they may clear it; what's there could clog the culvert if it got in there, and that could wash the road out in a heavy rain.
How beautiful! I'm ready to go...I'll be up at 4:00 am headed out!
Posted by Thomas Biggs on June 18, 2006 at 8:48 PM
Nice Richard!
Did you get anything last night? I've got one processed, but my sad attempt at a sun star didn't really work out. I can see right know if I'm gonna try that again I need some better grads
Posted by Thomas Biggs on June 18, 2006 at 10:47 PM
We drove the parkway and up to Mt. Mitchell and then to Asheville. I agree with Hamley, Mitchell has the best Rhodies I've seen including Roan. Craggy is a bust, although the neat tree off the trail at the northernmost pullout with all the grass and ferns is beautiful as always - go shoot it if you're in the area.
I was up at Roan yesterday afternoon from about 3 to 6:30. Got some decent shots on the bald across from the parking lot, primarily the old fence. Had to leave and get back to work so I couldn't stay as late as I would have liked. My wife and I plan to be back up on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday if possible. We plan to stay in one of the hotels in Banner Elk. I'd like to meet anyone who is up there. I drive a black 2002 Ford Explorer with NC license plate ENX-5397. I will be using a Sinar F2 4X5 so feel free to give me a shout if you see me up there. My hat has the Nature Photographers Network patch on the front. Matthew Cromer, Jack Riley, and Scot Hoerner are the only ones in the group I have met personally so if you see me feel free to say hello.
Hey Thomas, great shot. Those rhodies really pop. I arrived at about 6:20am this morning (got up at 4:17!) and got up the mountain as quick as I could, but was too late for sunrise. I think I got a few good shots though, I am about to download now. I was not too impressed with the blooms though. I went on to Crabtree Falls since it was overcast and had a good day there.
I went through the rhododendron gardens area at Roan and the flowers are not at peak yet. Maybe another few days to a week.
Posted by Steve Hamley on June 20, 2006 at 7:58 PM
Folks,
Good stuff first - Water Rock Knob has good rhodies and flame azalea in the vicinity. Not a bad thing to do if you have something in mind around the southern Parkway.
Also drove the Little River Road, and saw some nice looking rosebay rhodies, so it will soon be time to hit the rivers.
I shot Roan last afternoon (Monday 19th) and this morning (Tuesday 20th). Got some neat fog and overcast Monday, was going to knock off Jerry's fence shot but the grass looked like someone had pastured cattle there - gee you guys have big feet! Saw Bob Poe there late and had a nice chat.
This morning, clear as a bell, so sunrise lasted 30 seconds and the sweet light 3 minutes. So I had plenty of time to drive the Parkway, stop for breakfast at the Switzerland Inn, and just enjoy the drive. It was a beautiful morning to do almost anything but shoot color transparencies, and I did shoot some 8x10 B&W along the way.
Mitchell is still good - blooms holding well. Round Bald a tad past peak but shootable. Didn't go to the Gardens, but reports were that there's nothing there yet. Anybody with a Gardens report later in the week please post.
Thanks for the good update. I got some good stuff at Roan on Thurs making it all the way out to Grassy Ridge and enjoyed shooting with you and the others for sunset.
Did sunrise early at Roan on Sat and then headed out to Mt. Mitchell. I was loving the soft light and intimate shots over there. I think I got my two best of the trip in that area.
While I'm waiting for my film to travel across the country and back, I'd love to see what some of these other digital shooters got!! Wake up SENP!!
John
Posted by Steve Hamley on June 21, 2006 at 7:35 AM
Apology for the late post but I was at the Gardens Wednesday, 6-28, to check on the progress of the blooms. It is not looking promising. Some rhodies were past and others were peak but overall not what I would call a good year for blooms at the Gardens. In short the bushes were not full of color. Observations were made from driving through the parking area only so it may be better out on the trail or from the platform. Maybe someone who has explored more might post about it.
This is not to say some good shots might be had but that IMHO it is a lackluster year for this area. Carvers Gap to Round and even Jane were much better.
On a side note I did notice driving up to Carver's Gap some Gray's Lilles blooming right along the ditch on the TN side. These were alongside the left hand side of the road and near the top.
Discussion
39 repliesI suggest making this one "sticky" for the rhododendron bloom and the flame azalea. Early spring is about over and there are some rhododendron blooming in Waynesville.
The buds around Black Balsam at least look promising. Any reports from Roan Mountain?
Steve
I'll have that Monday off too, but I usually stay home on the major holidays. Last Thanksgiving, actually the day after, I went to tremont and there were more people on the trail than I-75. Hotels and campgrounds will be full.
The rhododendron peak is usually about the 15th of June, give or take for weather conditions, so somewhere from the 10th to the 20th usually. Roan Mountain, Craggy Gardens, and around Graveyard Fields are good places to be.
It has been sort of quiet. Usually when it gets this way I try to bait Jerry a little to liven things up....
So now I have a better pano camera than he does, an 80-year old 8x20 Korona!
Steve
I was born in Union City, TN but don't get out that way near enough
Lori
Lori
Steve
The East facing slope down near the Vistor Center have more Rhodies blooming and are probably shootable but still a few days from prime. Mountain Laurel is not really showing anything up near Craggy but is very nice on the drive up from Asheville.
Will have the kids with me.
Talked to Jerry - he said Roan looks good. Should be looking good this coming weekend. Craggy Gardens was so-so, if not off. Graveyard was past peak. So says the dude.
Friday, June 16th. Shot at Roan yesterday with Richard, Nye, and Jerry. Did early light at Roan then moved on. I went from Linn Cove viaduct to hwy 215 just south of Black Balsam.
Short story: Only Roan and Mt. Mitchell are worthwhile. Roan is early, expect peak in about 2 days, so Monday/Tuesday look good, probably shootable for 3-4 more days beyond that. One bush ummediately below Jane Bald still mostly buds, while the ones a few feet lower are peak. Fence row at Roan shootable now, but still lots of buds.
Little flame azalea at Engine Gap. Next weekend probably good for FA. Gardens probably 10 days off, maybe more. I didn't go up.
I did not go into Grandfather, but nothing along Linn Cove Viaduct or visible on the Parkway side of the mountain.
Nothing at Linville Falls. Mountain Laurel past peak, visitor's center lady said rhodies were just starting, but I walked both sides of the river and didn't see a bud.
Mt. Mitchell is as good as I've seen it and at peak, although you'd never guess it from the approaches. If there's something you want from there, go now.
Craggy is sparse. Our fave sunset overlook is not shootable, scraggly, few blooms. The sexy trees on the Craggy Pinalcle trail are shootable now, but the rhodies are a tiny bit past and they're not as good as last year.
Black Balsam/Graveyard Fields: nothing there from the road. I did not go out the spur road to the parking lot.
Hwy 215: Few small bushes near peak just down from the top. It seems more large trees have fallen at the cascade that crosses the road, so Jerry better be glad he got his shots there when he did. Barring someone clearing the debris, it may be years before it's like it was. But they may clear it; what's there could clog the culvert if it got in there, and that could wash the road out in a heavy rain.
Steve
I'll be there Monday afternoon, overnighting to Tuesday.
Steve
Did you get anything last night? I've got one processed, but my sad attempt at a sun star didn't really work out. I can see right know if I'm gonna try that again I need some better grads
I went through the rhododendron gardens area at Roan and the flowers are not at peak yet. Maybe another few days to a week.
Good stuff first - Water Rock Knob has good rhodies and flame azalea in the vicinity. Not a bad thing to do if you have something in mind around the southern Parkway.
Also drove the Little River Road, and saw some nice looking rosebay rhodies, so it will soon be time to hit the rivers.
I shot Roan last afternoon (Monday 19th) and this morning (Tuesday 20th). Got some neat fog and overcast Monday, was going to knock off Jerry's fence shot but the grass looked like someone had pastured cattle there - gee you guys have big feet! Saw Bob Poe there late and had a nice chat.
This morning, clear as a bell, so sunrise lasted 30 seconds and the sweet light 3 minutes. So I had plenty of time to drive the Parkway, stop for breakfast at the Switzerland Inn, and just enjoy the drive. It was a beautiful morning to do almost anything but shoot color transparencies, and I did shoot some 8x10 B&W along the way.
Mitchell is still good - blooms holding well. Round Bald a tad past peak but shootable. Didn't go to the Gardens, but reports were that there's nothing there yet. Anybody with a Gardens report later in the week please post.
Steve
Thanks for the good update. I got some good stuff at Roan on Thurs making it all the way out to Grassy Ridge and enjoyed shooting with you and the others for sunset.
Did sunrise early at Roan on Sat and then headed out to Mt. Mitchell. I was loving the soft light and intimate shots over there. I think I got my two best of the trip in that area.
While I'm waiting for my film to travel across the country and back, I'd love to see what some of these other digital shooters got!! Wake up SENP!!
John
Steve
This is not to say some good shots might be had but that IMHO it is a lackluster year for this area. Carvers Gap to Round and even Jane were much better.
On a side note I did notice driving up to Carver's Gap some Gray's Lilles blooming right along the ditch on the TN side. These were alongside the left hand side of the road and near the top.