Hike Roan High Knob and Grassy Ridge Bald Pisgah National Forest, NC

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This hike summits Roan High Knob, Round Bald, Jane Bald, and Grassy Ridge Bald. Starting from the absurdly crowded Carvers Gap Trailhead, I took the Appalachian Trail west first, ascending Roan High Knob. I'm embarrased to admit I had trouble finding the start of the AT, so I spent a few minutes backtracking through the parking lot until I located it along the main road. The trail switchbacks slowly up toward Roan High Knob, the coniferous trees a nice change from the otherwise deciduous forest I'd bee hiking in the last few days. Make a left at the junction along the AT a few hundred feet from the summit, where a sign points to the AT shelter. The summit is located just past the shelter, a small cluster of boulders.

Back at Carvers Gap, I put on my headphones and hiked quickly to disconnect from the major crowds taking the popular trail leading to Grassy Ridge Bald. I saw only one other party on my way up to Roan High Knob, so I kind of knew the crowds must have been migrating this way. The hike was gorgeous from the very start, meadows stretching in every direction and views like I'd never seen before in the southeast. The trail first ascends to Round Bald before dropping down a few hundred feet to the saddle with Jane Bald. The trail begins to steepen as it ascends through a rhodedendron tunnel from Jane Bald to Grassy Ridge Bald. Absolutely stunning. I was thrilled the fog from the last few days cleared for me to get to enjoy this one.

I recommend continuing past Grassy Ridge Bald's high point to check out a nice viewpoint that I also included on my attached map. Thanks to my friend Yossi for recommending Grassy Ridge Bald, and despite the crowds, I couldn't recommend it more as well.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Roan High Knob

6285 ft

3485 rise

Round Bald

5800 ft

160 rise

Jane Bald

5800 ft

40 rise

Grassy Ridge Bald

6160 ft

648 rise

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Starting from Carvers Gap along the Appalachian Trail on the way to Roan High Knob.

Some light switchbacks on a wide trail on the way up to Roan High Knob.

Nothing particularly interesting on the way up to Roan High Knob.

Junction with a spur trail to Roan High Knob.

Roan High Knob Appalachian Trail shelter.

Summit of Roan High Knob.

Roan High Knob shelter summit, view back the way I came.

Back at Carvers Gap, starting up toward Grassy Ridge Bald.

Looking back toward Roan High Knob and the popular Carvers Gap trailhead.

Round Bald summit, view toward Grassy Ridge Bald.

Grassy Ridge Bald center, Jane Bald the minor summit in front of it.

Continuing to Jane Bald.

Looking back at the descent from Round Bald.

Ascending to Jane Bald.

Jane Bald, looking back toward Round Bald.

Descending from Jane Bald toward the saddle of Jane Bald and Grassy Ridge Bald.

Looking back as I ascend Grassy Ridge Bald.

Cute rhododendron tunnel on the way up to Grassy Ridge Bald.

Almost at Grassy Ridge Bald, looking back toward Round Bald (center) and Roan High Knob (left).

Grassy Ridge Bald ahead.

Grassy Ridge Bald.

Just past Grassy Ridge Bald, a side trail leads to a really nice overlook.

Overlook just past Grassy Ridge Bald summit.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!