Visiting Tennessee:
When I first came to Johnson City, TN, prospecting for a new town to live in, I’d heard of Roan Mountain but I’d never hiked it. With all the buzz surrounding it, I thought it might be just another overhyped tourist attraction. So when I was in the neighborhood, I never visited the place. Instead, I visited local attractions, like Osceola Island on the South Fork of the Holston and Sycamore Shoals along the Watauga River. And with the stellar fly fishing on the South Holston and Watauga Rivers, a few new bars downtown, plus the low cost of living, I was sold on Johnson City becoming my new home.
Moving to Johnson City, TN
A few months later, I officially relocated to Johnson City, TN. That was in December of 2017. I left behind my family, friends, and home for the last 20 years. Those first few days were tough. The stress of moving had finally got to me. Didn’t sleep at all that first night. There was no running water, no internet, no TV. But I started to put everything in its place over the next few days, and weeks.
During this time, I also took a noteworthy break, walking around my new neighborhood one day. Taking the road in front of my home, I headed up the hill. When I reached the top, I could see Buffalo Mountain Park a few miles away. In the blue sky, I spotted a bald eagle, flying toward the eastern peaks of Jane, Round Bald, and, of course, Roan Mountain. A good sign, I thought. But what I really needed to do was to follow it, like the white rabbit.
Driving to Carver’s Gap
After another couple weeks of settling in, I eventually did just that. It was February 20th, when I finally set out in my truck for Roan Mountain. About an hour later, I arrived at the parking area at Carver’s Gap.
Hiking near Roan Mountain
Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see. And pictures will not do these mountains justice.

I was lucky. The day was warm and temperate. And, when I arrived, there were a lot of low-lying clouds shrouding the surrounding peaks, giving me the illusion that I’d reached this dizzying elevation, like I was hiking in the alps, or some fog strewn Scottish peak. As far as the eye could see, there was just peak after peak, layer upon layer of blue mountains. The clouds, all the while, were dissipating in the heat of the day and pushing through the passes toward the west.

The grassy balds were golden, sunny, and stunning. The Cloudland forest was misty, magical, and mysterious. The view toward North Carolina. Exquisite. The mountain peaks, blue and wavy, like a churlish sea. I kept hiking heading north past the Appalachian Trail toward Grassy Ridge Bald.

Then, from there, I went through some woods until the trail just seemed to give way and tumble off a cliff. The end was in front of me, another mountain gap.
Turning toward the east, puffy clouds came straight at me. Spreading my arms, they whooshed all around me. I felt like I was flying. I was free, like the bald eagle that I’d seen a few weeks ago. My eyes watered in the wind.
Suddenly, I discovered something that I’d lost inside of me, years ago, staring at the dull, uninspiring, mind-numbing gray of the cubicle cage. A few words came to me in this landscape, pure and simple, naturally. I memorized them in my heart. Kept repeating them for the rest of the day, as I headed back to the parking area, still in awe of the landscape all around me.
the clouds blew right through me
on a windswept lonely peak
i hung out with
the raven
the vulture
the crow
do i have to tell you
i hiked the ridgeline trail
in the highlands?
for years i was lost
living in a cold dark landscape
but i finally found my way back home today
Directions
If you want to go and hike the trails near Roan Mountain. It is easy. You just have to be near the Tri-Cities area, or around the Asheville area. From there, you will travel to Carver’s Gap. At the parking area at Carver’s Gap, you simply cross the road and follow the trail to Round Bald, Jane Bald, and eventually you’ll come to the split where the AT heads to the left. You head straight here to Grassy Ridge Bald. Please note, the views only get better, and I mean BETTER, the further you go. To get back to your car, simply retrace your steps.
Also note, sometimes, the parking area can be quite crowded due to the rhododendron bloom, which occurs in mid-June, or just due to the popularity of the hike on the weekends. So you’ll probably see lots of people. Maybe even me.
Subscribe:
Thank you for reading my blog post about hiking Roan Mountain. If you’ve enjoyed reading this, please subscribe so that I can send you notices about my future blog posts. Also, feel free to share this post with your friends, family members, and co-workers on the usual social networks.
Can’t wait to hike Roan, and follow your next adventure
Roan mountain is an amazing place to hike.
I liked the poem, and applaud the way you’ve chosen.
I appreciate the positive thoughts.
Great start! Keep going!!
Will cover fly fish areas next.
Great blog my friend, my Dad lives at the base of the apps near va tech. Maybe I’ll see you on the trail sometime!
I appreciate the positive review. I’ll look for you on the trail! Roan, Grayson Highlands, and the Virginia Creeper Trail are among my favorites down here. Thanks for touching base.