Atop the bald on Roan Mountain - 5,826 ft.
Planning a weekend backpacking trip in the Appalachian Mountains can be as overwhelming as the views you experience along the way. Footpaths, seemingly uncountable and running in every direction along the 2,185 miles that make this range, can begin to blur together with one exception: the Appalachian Trail. The A.T., stretching the entire length of the mountain range, is the one constant trail in which I find myself planning my hikes along. I might consider myself a section-hiker in the making, hoping to hike the trail in its entirety over the course of several years; section by section.
I want to share with you one of my favorite areas to hike along the A.T. This weekend warrior’s trip to Carver Gap is one I will hike many more times for a number of reasons:
Views – you will be blown away when you experience the incredible 360 degree summit views, and you will be hiking and camping on these balds the majority of the way.
Ease of Access – finding your way to the A.T. at Carvers Gap is not complicated, there is a parking lot at the beginning, and for about $20 you can hire a shuttle to bring you back to your car.
Solitude – I know I mentioned it being easy to get to and loaded with spectacular views, yet despite what these factors would usually entail, you will most likely find yourself taking it all in with peace and quiet.
Low Mileage – you won’t have to bust ass every day. You will have plenty of time to relax, take in the views, and enjoy your time at camp.
The footpath winds its way through the grassy bald sharing with those who travel it remarkable 360 degree views.
Let’s get down to the itinerary and what you need to know to set out on this adventure yourself.
To get to the trailhead set your coordinates for Roan Mountain State Park. This will bring you in the park via Tennessee Hwy 143. You will find the trailhead about 14 miles up the mountain along the winding road, just before the North Carolina//Tennessee border. We arrived and parked the jeep around 6:30 PM on a summer evening. I say summer because it is important to note we still had about 2 ½ hours of daylight, which you will need. With roughly a ½ mile hike to our first bald (Round Bald – 5,826 ft.), and campsite, this trip is perfect for those who cannot miss a day at the office but also want to begin their hike on Friday. Our goal at this point is to get all our gear situated on our backs, trek about a ½ mile up the mountain to Round Bald and set up camp. We opted out of stopping at McDonald’s along our drive in for the sake of getting to use our gear a little more – I mean who doesn’t enjoy firing up the MSR Pocket Rocket and eating some variety of a Mountain House meal? You might make a different choice here. Within the first few steps you take on the trail you will instantly notice breathtaking views, keep going. Round Bald will set you up for a spectacular sunset and stargazing platform as well as a plenty of space to set up camp. The best is yet to come.
We spent Saturday morning a bit lazily. I’ll remind you- this hike is among my top weekend trips because the mileage is low. So relax, and enjoy the pleasures of an early morning sunrise and instant coffee. Cook a hearty breakfast and let the dew dry from your tents. The day ahead, while moderately challenging, is about a 6-7 mile hike with some elevation gain. You’ll be following the ridge line and will be able to experience arguably some of the most spectacular views among all of the 2,185 miles that make up the Appalachian Trail. Today’s destination is Little Hump. It’s not really marked like Round Bald is with a nice little sign, but you will know it because it is a steep elevation gain leading up to a bald with spectacular views. You will see Big Hump off in the distance, straight ahead. I recommend you camp on Little Hump, though you may decide to push on to camp on Big Hump. Hiking on will leave you with roughly 2 more miles and a huge uphill battle to crest BH. The fact is, from the top of Little Hump roughly 7 miles stand between you and your destination, HWY 19E. From the top of Big Hump, 19E is about 5 miles and mostly downhill. Plan to make a decision where to camp at some point along your trek.
Camping at the top of LH is an amazing experience, and one of my favorite places to pitch a tent. We set up camp, collected fire wood for the night, and began to settle in to make dinner and enjoy another downright stunning sunset. Wind can be an issue atop these balds, and weather can become dangerous fast. Be sure to check the weather ahead of time and keep an eye out for any distant storms. The last place you want to be during a lightning storm is on a blad, exposed to the elements. Luckily for us, we could enjoy fair weather with calm winds.
Stargazing atop the bald is unexplainable – it is something you will have to witness for yourself. I remember stumbling upon the view around 3 AM when I was getting out of the tent to relieve myself from intense hydrating. So many stars were visible it was as if they were touching one another. There was enough light in the sky to navigate through the night without the headlamp. A memory so vivid and beautiful, each time I visit this bald I make sure to experience it again.
Sunday’s hike out is fairly easy, with the exception of the climb up Big Hump. It is steep and long. There is no other way to put it. The good news is once you crest the summit, you are looking at 5 fairly easy miles to 19E. The view at the top of BH is marvelous, much like the other balds, but I promise you will not get tired of these endless views in all directions.
Much of the last 5 miles are wooded, offering plenty of shade and places to break for lunch. Doll flats offers nice area with some large rocks to rest and eat. Upon arriving at 19E you will want to call your shuttle to come pick you up and take you back to your car at Carvers Gap. This is something you will want to prearrange. Mountain Harbour Bed and Breakfast has some mighty fine folks who will be happy to arrange a pick-up date and time to return you to Carvers Gap.
This hike is approximately 14 miles long and great for anyone from beginning hikers to those who have thousands of miles under their boots. The endless beauty you will come to find can be enjoyed during any season and will keep you seeking to experience more. Keep exploring and happy trails!