Mile 1818.1 - AT Day 87 The Roan Highlands. Started off the day with a cruisy descent and then up and down to US 19E. There were some really pretty meadows showcasing upcoming mountains, although I got lost in one of them a long with a flipflopper I happened to meet, Ms. Pacman. When I got to the road, I got a quick hitch to the Dollar general in the town of Roan Mountain. I did my resupply and was rewarded with another quick hitch back. One person even offered me a ride before I got there, but it didn't work out after I finished at dollar general. I really appreciate the kindness, especially because it kept me out of the rain today. I then started up towards the roan highlands. I pushed it because I wanted to get through the exposed highlands before any predicted thunderstorms arrived. This climb was long, but eventually I popped out on the grassy Highlands. And my gosh, they were beautiful. Arguably even prettier than Grayson. High altitude meadows with blooming flowers and tons of mountains in the distance. I climbed over hump and little hump mountains before ascending to a ridgeline. I arrived at on the side of Grassy Ridge Bald to another meadow section, just as pretty. I watched as I luckily avoided rain that could be seen on both sides of the ridgeline. I then tagged Jane and then Round Balds before descending to a parking lot in on a popular trail. On the other side, I ascended Roan High Knob via a relatively easy uphill trail through the prettiest subalpine forest I've seen in a while. I took a side trail to the Roan High Knob shelter, the highest on the AT. It is near the summit of the Knob at 6285', so I'm basically camping at the elevation of Mt. Washington, on the east coast! The shelter is an enclosed cavern and I got there just in time as rain came half an hour later. A group of boys and some adult leaders came to the shelter, but they very kindly left to give me my privacy, probably getting rain on more. That's one of the kindest gestures someone has made for me. Today was a great day, with some beautiful highlands views. I also got incredibly lucky avoiding rain and having kind people give me quick hitches and leave the shelter to me. I really have been blessed today! Well see if other people come to the shelter, but for now I have it to myself.
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