The scene at Carvers Gap at noon was compounded by road construction. The parking areas were almost full - still some room in the overflow but with all the confusion, most folks tried to get in the others and blocked traffic as they tried. One woman drove her car off the side into a nosedive ditch. She was ok but seemed overwhelmed by her predicament.
We are finally on the trail and looking at the big balds that we'll climb. There are lots of people out including about 40 Governors School students. The air is breezy and cool for late June.
Distant mountains surrounded us. I could see the Smokies, the Blacks, Grayson Highlands, Linville Gorge mountains, Grandfather, Beech and Sugar (hard to miss with that ugly condo cube on top.
Most folks are out here today to see the Flame Azalea. That includes me. It appears to all be same species but some slight color variations. There was one which was distinctly yellow. My photo of it had a bit too much sunlight, so it is not pictured here,
These photos were all taken in one area, less than an acre in size.
Catawba Rhododendron was also blooming. The word is that it is not blooming up in Cloudland. There are two Rhododendron festivals scheduled for this weekend. They might get a glimpse of the bloom up above but I suspect the prime bloom will occur in a week.
Stan Murray Shelter has a cool looking mouse proof food bag hanger.
Our hike ended at Roaring Brook parking area on the Overmountain Victory Trail.
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