Venture to Roan Mountain 

June 20, 2007

We always tend to forget how high Roan Mountain and the associated peaks stand above the nearby forests and as we climbed higher into the Highlands of Roan. The fog became thicker and the wind blew stronger and boy, it seemed certainly colder than the balmy 55 F our thermometer indicated. And, from living here in the North Carolina Mountains, we all should have known better. So, after adding more fleece and raincoat layers we headed for a hike in the fog on Round Bald. With the wind making waves in the grass and the fog making the woodlands dark and foreboding, it was certainly an atmospheric climb. Thankfully the sun broke through as we reached the banks of flame Azaleas and they almost seemed to glow in the sparse sunshine. Aside from the purple carpet of Catawba Rhododendrons, botanical highlights were several Gray's Lilies were also in bloom (always a real pleasure to see), as well as several clumps of the localized Robbins Ragwort. Later in the morning the clouds parted to welcome a beautiful day, but the wind never stopped blowing, making the birding very difficult indeed. Despite this, we did manage a very nice Alder Flycatcher, several Pine Siskins and a somewhat cooperative Black-throated Blue Warbler.

Scott Dean and Simon Thompson

Scott holding fort at the Robbins Ragworts

Flame Azaleas in the fog

Close up of Catawba Rhododendron

Saxifrage michauxii

Gray's Lily

Robbins Ragwort