Backpacker

50 10.2017VIEW WITH A ROOMThe rhododendronson Roan’s Grassy Ridgebloom in June.``````CLIMB INTO THE CLOUDSROAN HIGH KNOB SHELTERCHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST, TENNESSEE``````Thru-hikers are hard-pressed to find anything more than athree-sided, bunker-style lean-to along the entire 2,180-milelength of the Appalachian Trail. So when the climb up to RoanHigh Knob lands the weary at the foot of a four-walled 1933log cabin, it might as well be a five-star hotel.Compared to the rest of the AT hut system, amenities in thisold fire warden’s hut are far from spartan: It’s got easy accessto a year-round stream, a fire pit, a cook prep shelf on the frontporch, a second-story loft (with an actual windowpane), plus``````enough room to sleep 15. But those aren’t the only things thatgive this hut an air of the high life: At 6,285 feet, it also sits atthe highest elevation of any shelter along the AT.Access the hut on a .6-mile hike through rhododendrontunnels from the eponymous parking area. Next day, continuenorthbound on the AT to check off one of its best bite-sizesections: Descend 1.5 miles through mist-drenched spruce-firforest to Car ver’s Gap before strolling as many as 7 miles overRoan’s famous balds for views down the valleys that drop offeither side of the massif. Return the way you came.``````Trailhead Roan High Knob Season Ye a r- r o u n d AmenitiesWooden platform (bring a pad) Reservation Free; first-come,first-serve Contact tehcc.orgPHOTOS BY (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) MARK VAN DYKE; SETH K. HUGES; ADAM COLLINS