September 24th, 2008 -  I volunteered today to help with some restoration work on the Balds of the Roan Highlands.  This is a project initiated by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy in an effort to restore the grassy bald areas back to their original and rare state.  The balds are basically disappearing due to many changing environmental factors... allowing woody plants to encroach such as blackberry and alder, and subsequently larger trees.  This is putting this very extraordinary ecosystem at great risk to slowly fade away.  Since I love the Roan Highlands, I wanted to help with the project of restoring them.

We met at Carver's Gap at 9:00, and our 6-person team was led by Ecologist Nora Schubert of the SAHC.  My friend David Ramsey also co-led the outing.  

Linda Rests While David Sharpens His Tools

We hiked across Round Bald and Jane Bald, and then up to the beginning of Grassy Ridge where we began our work just to the right of the blue-blazed trail.  The clear skies and low humidity gave us wonderful views and great weather to work.

Today mostly consisted of lopping down Alder bushes and carrying the limbs to a point outside of the restoration area.  Once most of those were removed, Nora mowed the smaller brush with a blade on a weed-eater.  I felt we accomplished a lot for our small team.             

David Tells Us a Story While Eating His Apple

Our Leader - Nora Schubert

We stopped working about 4:00 p.m. and took our time hiking out to enjoy the wonderful scenery.  David and I tried to pick out the surrounding mountains, and I took some time to photograph.

This turned out to be a very pleasant day.  We worked hard, and I left feeling that I'd helped out a bit.  I'm also planning on joining the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy very soon.  To read more about their wonderful efforts, and everything they do click here.

Total Miles Hiked:  3.5 

Getting There:  

Driving - From Elizabethton take Rte. 19E to the town of Roan Mountain.  Turn right onto Rte. 143 and proceed 12.8 miles to the TN/NC state line.  This is Carver's Gap.  There's a parking lot on your right.    

Trails - To get to Grassy Ridge...

After parking, cross the road and head north on the Appalachian Trail.  You will cross the summit of Round Bald in approximately .5 mile, and then Jane Bald at ~1.0 mile.  After the next gap and ascent you'll see a blue-blazed trail on your right.  This leads to Grassy Ridge.