January 1st - Shannon and I parked at Carver's Gap on the Tennessee/North Carolina state line (taking highway 143 from Roan Mountain).  We had a clear, sunny day with mild temperatures for this time of year, but the winds at this high altitude must have been up to 30+ mph gusts making it pretty chilly. 

Our hike started on the Appalachian Trail (north), immediately climbing up the west side of the mountain on a newly constructed section of the trail that was freshly graveled over a drainage matting surface, obviously to accommodate a lot of hikers in this popular destination to the Roan Mountain area.  After a moderate climb winding through a conifer forest and numerous Rhododendrons, we summitted Round Bald (elevation - 5825 ft.).  The views at this summit were breathtaking in all directions.  We looked northeast into Virginia and it's highest peak Mt. Rogers.  Looking more northwest (towards Johnson City and Elizabethton) were the mountains of eastern Tennessee, and the Clinch Mountain range in the distance.  Easterly views showed us North Carolina's Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, and the Black Mountains.  Also easily visible were Grandfather Mountain and Sugar Mountain.  

(Click all images for larger photos)

From Round Bald the nice graveled trail ceased, and our hike continued downhill through Engine Gap, where we soon began the steep climb up to Jane Bald (elevation - 5826 ft.).  This peak lies halfway between Round Bald and our destination Grassy Ridge.  It is again a treeless peak allowing wonderful views in all directions.  Near the summit there were numerous rock outcroppings where Shannon and I stopped for water, an apple, and to take the following photos:  

Following our short break at Jane Bald we descended down a ridge for approximately .5 mile where we left the Appalachian Trail and began our final assent on Grassy Ridge Bald... a 500 foot climb.  The farther we made our way up this trail the more it became a small creek than a trail, making the climb a little slower.  But as we got near the top, much of the trail was in dense Rhododendrons finally giving us a break from the strong winds.  We soon summitted Grassy Ridge (elevation - 6189 ft.) where there is a memorial plaque dedicated to Cornelious Rex Peake.

Leaving the AT Going up Grassy Ridge

Shannon at the Summit of Grassy Ridge

She Wouldn't Have Made it Without Expert Mountaineer "Possum Fuller" Leading the Way

The views atop Grassy Ridge Bald were astonishing, and this expansive bald (along with the extreme winds) gave you the impression that you were above the tree line.

After reaching the summit of Grassy Ridge Bald, Shannon convinced me to go further down the ridge (another .3 miles to the ridge's end) where numerous rock outcroppings covered the side of the mountain.  This trail took us into dense Catawba Rhododendrons which again gave us relief from the wind, and it almost seemed as if you were in a cave of foliage separated only by the trail.  At some points we would emerge up from this "cave" onto rock outcroppings with stunning vistas.  This was my favorite spot of the entire trip, and I was so glad we decided to hike that extra little bit to get to this point.  After reaching the end of the ridge, we found a nice rock that was somewhat out of the wind to have lunch.

We took a few photos after lunch then decided it was time to begin or trek back as the clouds were starting to move in quickly.   Our first hike of 2007 on the Balds of Roan Highlands (which turned about to be around 5.5 miles) gave us undoubtedly some of the best views in the eastern United States.   

One Final Shot From Jane Bald

Topo Map of Grassy Balds of Roan Highlands

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