CNPA-Charlotte Outing to Roan Mountain June 14-15, 2008

[jschornak]

A brief overview for those who have never visited this area:
Roan Mountain State Park is 2000+ acre Tennesse park (with park elevations ranging from 3000-feet to 3600-feet) at the base of Roan Mountain (which is 6000-feet in elevation). The ten-miles of grassy balds (stretching from Carver's Gap to Big Hump Mountain) will be a primary "photo playground" for this weekend. The balds offer sweeping open vistas. And obviously the dates scheduled are targeting the Catawba Rhododendron blooming, but there are also over 180 species of wildflowers found in this general area (some of which should also be blooming). Other points of interest include: The Appalachain Trail, the Doe River, Elizabethton's antique shops, and the Doe River Covered Bridge.

This is a multi-day outing, so it will obviously require lodging. The CNPA-Charlotte Outings committee intentionally scheduled this outing during the potential peak time for blooms of the Catawba Rhododendron (the 62nd Roan Mountain Rhododendron Festival occurs the weekend following our outing ... this entire time period will be very busy in this general local). This is a good thing, but it will require us to begin planning very earlier (especially with regards to lodging).

I am the Outing Leader for this photography excursion. And I'll make a quick annoucement about this trip at our January 9th monthly meeting. But I wanted to start this forum-thread, so I can convey information via this forum.

So what about lodging? There are many options ... from camping to cabins to hotels to B&B's. My guess is that our group may cover this spectrum, so I wanted to briefly note some (not all) options with pertinent information and contacts. I'll list them here in the order of proximity to our primary photo location (Roan Mountain).

The Roan Mountain State Park has camping ... both tent and RV. You can find most of this information at http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/RoanMtn/ and if you want more information. My web-search also found the following phone numbers: 423-772-4178 and 800-250-8620. There are eighty-seven RV sites (with water and electricity) that rent for $17.50 per night (this may be a 2007 rate) and are available on a "first-come-first-served" basis. I did not see the price for the tent sites. The State Park also has thirty cabins (see the website for more details about these accomodations) that rent for between $83 and $99 per night (during the season we will be visiting) and are available for reservations up to one year in advance (so you could book now ... but I have not been able to verify availability ... if someone calls and finds out before I do, then please kindly post to this forum-thread with that information). This is the closet lodging to our primary photo sites (right in the park).

There is a B&B name the Roan Mountain Bed and Breakfast. You can find more information at the web URL http://www.roanmountainbedandbreakfast.com/. There phone number is 423-772-3207 and there rates range from $75 to $195 per night. They are about 7-miles from the State Park.

There are hotels all over the area. I usually stay at Hampton Inn, so I've documented three here (mostly to give your an idea of rates and locations to search).

Hampton Inn Johnson City
http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=USX0XW4JXC2V4CSGBIU2VCQ?cty hocn=TRIJCHX
423-929-8000
508 North State of Franklin Rd
Johnson City, Tennessee, USA, 37604
$84.60 + tax (king-bed and non-smoking) per night
About 27-miles from Roan Mountain State Park


Hampton Inn Boone
http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=USX0XW4JXC2V4CSGBIU2VCQ?cty hocn=BOOLDHX
GPS coordinates: 00.0000°N, 00.0000°W (NAD83 - source)
828-264-0077
1075 Highway 105
Boone, North Carolina, USA, 28607
$161.10 + tax (king-bed and non-smoking) per night
About 30-miles from Roan Mountain State Park

Hampton Inn Bristol
http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=USX0XW4JXC2V4CSGBIU2VCQ?cty hocn=BRITNHX
GPS coordinates: 00.0000°N, 00.0000°W (NAD83 - source)
423-764-3600
3299 West State Street
Bristol, Tennessee, USA, 37620
$107.10 + tax (king-bed study and non-smoking) per night
About 35-miles from Roan Mountain State Park


It would be helpful for people to start letting me know if they plan to go and where and when they have made lodging reservations. Please check this forum-thread periodically for updates.

Thanks!
John

[debrown]

John,
Sounds exciting and I (tentatively) plan to participate. Will look into lodging options later this week and keep you posted on my progress!

Don

[tomdills]

I just reserved a room at the Roan Mountain Bed & Breakfast for the June 13-15 weekend. Ann Campbell is the innkeeper there and as of this afternoon all rooms except the Rose Room are available. The rates are not on the website but I got them and they are posted below:

Cloudland Room $90 +tax
Governor's Room $85 +tax
Iris Room $80 + tax
Rhododendron Room $75 + tax

Check the website for room descriptions. Note: some of the rooms have shared bath.

Contact Ann at 423-772-3207 or by e-mail at campbell79@comcast.net .

http://www.roanmountainbedandbreakfast.com/

[jschornak]

Tom,

Thanks for posting the information. And thanks for moving this thread up from the "back of the bus". The outing is coming up so soon and I worry that people are going to have trouble finding lodging with the Rhodie Festival occuring the next weekend.

But don't worry this outing is " A GO", even if it's just Kathy, you, and me.

Thanks!
John

[donnaeaton]

Count me in! I'm planning on being there!:)

[epayne]

Hello All, Count Ann and I in, I just reserved a room at the Roan Mountain B&B. Looking forward to the weekend. From my past visit to the mountain I recommend you bring clothes for all weather options.
Best regards, Edgar Payne

[dawnita]

John, are you planning on camping?

I am planning on going for the weekend and camping. If any other females want to camp with me, I have tent space available. I am also quite a good camp cook. My camp will be available to the group to do smores on Saturday night.

Dawnita

[hiltonta]

Sorry I won't be able to go on this outing.

I have been many times in the past and I know you will have a good time.

It is a beautiful place and a great time of year to be there.

Toby

[dawnita]

Change of plans. I too will have to pass on this trip at this time. It being Father's Day we are going to be doing family stuff.

Dawnita

[debrown]

I'm in! Staying at Best WEstern in Banner Elk!!

[jschornak]

All,

I made a quick scouting trip over to the Roan Mountain Gardens and Carver's Gap on Sunday (June 1st) after the Grandfather Mountain Nature Photography Weekend. So I'm posting some updates here for your review ... we can talk about it again next Wednesday at our June meeting, but we have at least one participant from another region who will not be there.

As everyone who participated at Grandfather Mountain probably noticed, there were hardly any blooms at mid to higher elevations. So I got nervous about Roan Mountain, and went to check it out. Indeed the Rhodies are behind schedule at Roan. An employee at the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center told me she thought they would bloom at the end of June.

The Balds near Carver's Gap were still very beautiful (very green and lush). There were also wonderful atmospherics going on all afternoon. The Gardens were socked-in with low cloud-cover by late afternoon ... not very surprising since Roan (like Grandfather and Mitchell) often "makes its own weather".

I think we should be able to find parking, but I've never visited in June (not while I had a driver's license anyway). So we shall see ... if "push comes to shove" we can park down at the State Park and carpool up the mountain. But the early start time I plan may also reduce our risk.

I plan on making this trip "Rhodies or no Rhodies", but I wanted to practice full-disclosure so no one gets disappointed. Although that should not be an issue for those people that heard Nancy Rotenberg speak at Grandfather Mountain! If everyone shows (from those who have indicated they would), we should have a manageable and fun group. I'm really looking forward to shooting this beautiful location.

Thanks!
John

[tomdills]

John, thanks for the update! Kathy & I saw Marcia at lunch Monday and she said she hadn't had a chance to talk to you since you got home, and I wondered what you had been doing that got you home so late! Now we know!

Not having been to Roan before I am looking forward to the weekend, with or without the Rhoadies! It sounds like there should be plenty of opportunities at the park and perhaps some of the surrounding towns.

[guybryant]

John,

Amy and I decided to join ya'll for Roan Mt. We got a room at the Comfort Inn in Blowing Rock for Saturday night. I will leave Valdosta Friday afternoon and drive the 7 hours to Charlotte. I'll stay with Amy Friday night and we'll get up early Saturday morning and join ya'll on the mountain. Let us know where and what time to meet. We'll stay Saturday night and join the group for any Sunday activities then I'll drive home Monday morning. See you there.

Guy

[scott.foster]

Hey John,

I'll be there. I am planning to drive up Friday evening. I will be staying at the Pixie Inn again.

Scott

[randy]

I'll be there! Staying at the Pixie.

[tomdills]

I just called the US Forest Service number (1-828-682-6146) for an update and the person I spoke to said that they expected the rhodies at Carver's Gap to be just about at peak color this weekend, with blooms on "The Roan" to be spotty but on their way, probably peaking sometime over the next couple of weeks due to the higher elevation.

I think we ought to be able to find something to shoot this weekend - looking forward to seeing everyone there!

[tomdills]

Thanks to John for putting together a great weekend, what an incredible place! Despite the stormy weather on Saturday I believe a good time was had by all. I saw a number of fantastic previews on quite a few LCDs and am looking forward to seeing some images! I only took time to process a few of my own and posted one of my sunrise shots on my blog (http://tomdills.blogspot.com/). More to follow over the next few days.

I think this outing needs to have a permanent spot on our calendar!

[scott.foster]

Ditto to Tom's comments!

John, thanks for everything; I appreciate your time and effort towards making the outing a success.

It was nice to get out with my camera, see everyone and swap stories. I look forward to the next time.

Scott

[epayne]

Ann and I had a wonderful weekend as well. Thanks again for a wonderful outing. I agree it should be an annual event.
Edgar Payne & Ann Larsen

[debrown]

Sounds like a great weekend for you guys!! Maybe you can help me a little!!

I am going to attend the inaugural outing of the Foothills Region at the Julian Price Memorial Park - Mileposts 295-296 on the BRP this weekend saturday morning. I have to be there by 8am. My thoughts were to possibly to up to Boone or vicinity on Friday and spend the night rather than driving up Saturday morning. Further I was considering shooting late Thursday on Roan Mountain. So a couple of questions:

1. I saw Tom's great sunrise images...how about sunsets from the same or nearby locations...any good?
2. Would it be possible to get up to the location for sunrise images and then back to the BRP by 8am considering the hike and all?

[jschornak]

Don,

No ... you would not be able to get the 6:20am sunrise from the Round Bald location that Tom shot his sunrise and get back to the BRP at Price Lake by 8:00am.

I would think you could shoot sunrise on the BRP closer to Julian Price.

But you definitely should visit Roan Mountain and try a sunset in that area. There are no guarantees, especially on Roan for sunrise or sunset ... like Grandfather Mountain and Mount Mitchell "it makes its own weather" (so often it's socked-in.

Have fun and good luck finding something!

[tomdills]

Don -

You could do sunrise at Roan and make it to Price Lake, but you would need to head back immediately after sunrise and would spend more time hiking than shooting! I'd recommend going there when you have more time.

Regarding sunrise on the Parkway, Beacon Heights (MP 305) is usually a good spot, although the sun will rise over Rough Ridge this time of the year so you might not get the best angle on it from there. Wilson Creek Valley Overlook (MP 302) should have a decent view, and there is a spot alongside the road, just south of the Green Mountain Overlook (right around MP 301) that has a good valley view most of the year. There are two places, one good and one not. You'll need to check which is which since I don't remember!

I'm half tempted to join you Saturday but I'm waiting to hear back on an assignment that may take me to Sylva this weekend.

[debrown]

Thanks, guys, really appreciate your help!! I think I will take Tom's advice and find a spot nearer or on the BRP for Saturday Morning.

[sjennings]

I agree with the others who attended Roan Mountain! I had a great time and really enjoyed it there. I, too, think it would be good to include it again next year. Thank you John for all the work you did to put this together. I really appreciate it!

[donnaeaton]

Roan Mountain was spectacular and it definitely should be an annual outing! It was a great time and a beautiful area! A big thank you to John for all his hard work and great information. It was really nice seeing everyone too!:D

[tomdills]

Hey, gang! I've posted a few more Roan Mountain shots on my blog (http://tomdills.blogspot.com/), including a pretty cool group photo!

[debra.dandro]

OK – Now I’m really jealous that I missed this outing. Sounds like you guys had a wonderful time and got lots of great shots. We can definitely add it to our Outings list for next year, and hopefully I’ll be able to join you guys next time. Take care and hope to see all of you again very soon! A special thanks to John for all his efforts on this Outing and keeping all our Outings on track!