April 26 Hump and Little Hump

Grandfather Mountain

We are in the Roan Highland today, hiking on the AT and a side trail. The information for this hike was obtained from Brenda Wiley's blog. Otherwise we would not have been able to locate the trailhead or side trail. Leaving Rt 19E about 15 miles from Spruce Pine, we head up Roaring Creek Road. The road is not signed but there is a sign for Roaring Creek Church at the turn. The road turns from pavement to gravel and finally comes to a dead end at a forest service gate and small parking area about 5 miles from Rt 19E. At the side of the parking area, right side as you approach the parking area, Overmountain Victory Trail heads up on a two track beside a tributary of Roaring Creek. The trail goes through and along several fields. The fields look active. Finally, the forest takes over. We saw many ramps along here. In 1 mile, the trail crosses the AT at Yellow Mountain Gap. Today, the Linville Rescue crew was set up here as a relief station for the Friends of Roan Mountain Spring Naturalist Weekend. 

We spoke with the crew briefly and then head on the AT North. Immediately, we started up Little Hump Mountain. Some of the time we were in open bald, but much of the uphill was in a sheltered forest. The Spring Beauties and Trout Lilies were just opening in the early morning sun. The top of Little Hump is partially open. Soon you head back into the woods where the Spring Beauties make it look like some snow has fallen.

Hump Mountain

When you emerge from the woods, your climb up Hump Mountain is laid out before you. You can see it all and everyone on it. We saw many day hikers and backpackers today. We paced ourselves up the mountain. On top the wind was stiff enough to keep you from sitting for lunch. However, just a bit further along the trail, you dropped down just enough to block the west wind. Here we sat for lunch.

Spring Beauties 

After eating and getting prepared to retrace back to the trailhead, I can see a group of 7 hikers about 1/2 mile off, headed our way. The tall fellow with the white brim hat looks familiar. We wait and sure enough, here come 7 of my hiking friends on their 15 mile 4500 ft forced march toward Carver's Gap.

We hike with them briefly and fall back, pass them at lunch and see them again at Yellow Mountain Gap. On our descent from the AT, we see a couple loading up two sacks with ramps. I pick a few and have them on pizza that evening.