Editing Cloudland (Carvers Gap)

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 | Image Name = Roan_High_Bluff_Overlook.jpg
 | Trail Number = 1000
 | Park = 
 | City = Roan Mountain
 | State = Tennessee
 | Marking = Yellow
 | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}} 
 | Difficulty Rating = Easy
 | Hike Time = 1.25 Hours
 | Round Trip Distance = 2.4 mi
 | Trail Distance = 1.2 mi
 | Trail Type = Segment
 | Elevation Gain = 110 ft
 | Elevation Loss = -110 ft
 | Low Point = 6150 ft
 | Elevation Change = 110 ft
 | High Point = 6,260 ft
 | Parking coords = 36.104285,-82.133195
 | Trailhead coords = 36.104285,-82.133195
 | Medical = Bakersville, NC
}}<!-- 

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 | Comment = 
 | Date reviewed = 08/29/2018
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== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
Hike in mid-June to enjoy the large Catawba rhododendrons, and then head up to overlook platform for spectacular views – or none at all if foggy.

== How to get there ==
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#Take Route 19E to the town of Roan Mountain.
#Turn south onto Route 143 and travel 13 miles to Carver's Gap at the TN/NC state line. 
#At Carver's Gap, if the gate is open, turn right and head up two miles to the [[Rhododendron Gardens]]. A $3 entrance fee is either collected or by honor system.
#Park at the far end of the gravel parking lot, where there is a sign for the Roan High Bluff Trail.

== Route Description==
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The yellow-blazed Cloudland Trail (Forest Service Trail 1000) starts at the western end of the parking lot.  Head north to enter the evergreen forest.  At 0.1 mile, a short side trail veers to the east to a stone-rimmed overlook.  (Encountered a wedding here on a hike.)  Return to main trail to continue north.  Cross gravel loop road at 0.5 mile and again at 0.7 miles.  The latter has a a picnic area. (Parking here cuts the hike to the overlook to 0.7 mile.)  After 0.9 miles, the trail begins to climb up Roan High Bluff to reach a wooden overlook platform with half circle views.  Head back to return to your vehicle.

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
Trail in good condition with a few muddy spots.  Weather in the Roans is quite unpredictable.  Cooler in the summer, so can be wonderfully clear to being fully enveloped in fog.  Temperature was 20°F lower on top than down in town, so might want to bring a light jacket.

Look for Gray’s lilies plus the endangered [http://www.ncnhp.org/Images/115.pdf  spreading avens] and [http://www.ncnhp.org/Images/99.pdf  Roan bluets] near the rhododendron gardens.  

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
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Access to the [[Rhododendron Gardens]] is typically limited to mid-May through September with a $3 day use fee per car.

Per the ranger district, the gate to the Rhododendron Gardens parking area will be closed on Monday, September 30, 2019.  Reopens Memorial Day weekend in 2020.

== After the Hike ==
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Check out the [[Rhododendron Gardens]].  Or hike up to Round Bald on the AT for more views.

== Misc. Information ==
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The northern end of the first parking lot was where the Cloudland Hotel, first built in 1877, sat – offering a summer destination to escape the lowland heat.  It was closed in 1914.

Forest Service website for Cloudland Trail [http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110811&ttype=recarea&recid=48630&actid=63&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110360000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=null&pname=Pisgah+National+Forest+-+Cloudland+Trail+%23+1000]

== Maps ==
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<display_map type="terrain" height="600" width="90%" gkml="https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Cloudland_Trail.kml">

36.104285,-82.133195~Trailhead at parking lot~ ~MarkerG.png
36.104096,-82.134428~Side trail overlook~ ~MarkerE.png
36.098811,-82.138199~Road crossing - parking here~ ~MarkerA.png
36.096252,-82.139731~Road crossing - 0.7 mi left - parking here~ ~MarkerA.png
36.093091,-82.145995~Roan High Bluff overlook~ ~MarkerE.png
36.10506,-82.12222~Roan High Knob shelter~ ~MarkerF.png
</display_map>

== Photos ==
<gallery>
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Image:Cloudland_Trail1.JPG|View from spur overlook
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</gallery>

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[[Category:Tennessee]]  [[Category:Overlook]]  [[Category:Easy]]  [[Category:Dog Friendly]]