Grassy Ridge

Last Revised: March 08, 2007

Hike from Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge and back, June 19, 1999

Hike Report: Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge, June 19
Steve Perri reporting
Reverse psychology worked for preparation of rain on this trip as the weather for this annual hike turned out to be wonderful. A high pressure system dominated the area and brought cool temperatures and clear skies towards the later part of this week. Since this was a relatively short hike of about 5 miles round trip, we tested a alternate departure time of 10:00 a.m. to encourage sleeping in later and this appeared to work out well. Three new Eastman interns showed up indicating that it would have been less likely for them to go if we had an 8:00 a.m. departure time. Our hike was well-timed for the blossoms and the other festivities of the Rhododendron Festival. We enjoyed our lunch on Jane Bald and continued to the southern terminus of Grassy Ridge where we observed nice views of Sugar Mountain, the Humps, Grandfather Mountain and Yellow Mountain. Significant debate broke out over the observed light colored objects on Yellow Mountain. We couldn't figure out whether we saw sheep, cattle or rocks... but we did see some things that resembled any of them. Those present for this outing were: Summer Interns - Kari Fosser, Jennifer McGuire, Hong Chen; Steve, Mary, and Steven Banks, and Jon, Denise, and Lexi Walker, Beth Lancaster, Donna Vaden, Frieda Kuo, and Steve Perri.

TEHCC has constructed a relocation of the A.T. between Carvers Gap and Engine Gap; some of the photos below depict the A.T. as it was before the relocation. See the Section 6 Photos page for more photos of this area.

All photos by Steven W. Banks (click on the small photo to see a larger photo):

	While climbing "the steps" to the summit of Round Bald, a look back at Carvers Gap. Roan High Knob (elevation 6,285 feet) is in the background (92KB).
	A solitary rhododendron bush on the western slope of Round Bald (93KB).
	A view towards the summit of Round Bald (5,826 feet) in the Roan Highlands. TEHCC has constructed a relocation of the A.T. to eliminate erosion in this area (83KB).
	Distant peaks in North Carolina provide a backdrop for rhododendrons and flame azaleas in full bloom on Round Bald (81KB).
	From the east slope of Round Bald, our hike route passes through Engine Gap, ascends Jane Bald, and then ascends to the summit of Grassy Ridge (79KB).
	View into Tennessee from the rocks near the summit of Jane Bald (elevation 5,807 feet). This is a favorite lunch and rest stop for A.T. hikers (158KB).
	Another view from the rocks near the summit of Jane Bald (91KB).
	From the rocks near the summit of Jane Bald, a look back at Round Bald (near distance), Roan High Knob (middle distance), and Roan High Bluff (far distance) (96KB).
	Crossing the summit of Jane Bald, heading towards Grassy Ridge (99KB).
	Grassy Ridge - one of the jewels of the Roan Highlands (96KB).
	Crossing the gap between Jane Bald and Grassy Ridge (76KB).
	Beginning the climb to the summit of Grassy Ridge (80KB).
	A close-up of rhododendrons on the northwest slope of Grassy Ridge (87KB).
	Spruce, fir, rhododendron, and alder blanket the northwest slope of Grassy Ridge (86KB).
	Grassy balds on the summit of Grassy Ridge (elevation 6,189 feet), the highest peak near the A.T. with a natural 360 degree view (72KB).
	On Grassy Ridge, a plaque honors Cornelius Rex Peake (1887-1964). Cornelius and wife Winnie Lee operated the highest cultivated farm east of the Rockies and fought to protect the Roan Highlands (91KB).
	View from Grassy Ridge: Roan High Knob (left), Round Bald (left center), Jane Bald (center). N.C. 261 is visible in lower left of photo (79KB).
	View to south along Grassy Ridge, towards a large thicket of rhododendrons in full bloom (74KB).
	Distant peaks to the south and southwest in North Carolina fill the horizon (87KB).
	Happy hikers pause for a photo on Grassy Ridge (135KB).