Round Mountain is a dome-shaped peak in Bland County, near Bastian. A forest service road, aptly named “Round Mountain Road,” runs directly across it lengthwise. Round Mountain is also home to an extensive system of trails that cumulatively cover over 22 miles. The trails are well-maintained but fairly primitive, and range from moderate to strenuous; some also incorporate fairly steep elevational changes. At its peak Round Mountain reaches an elevation of nearly 4000 feet, and while none of the trails reach quite this high, many are at elevations of 3500 feet or higher. As a result, these trails can be an excellent location to find localized breeders such as Blackburnian Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Black-throated Blue Warbler and others. Even at the lower elevations, the woods along these trails are thick with Blue-headed Vireos, Ovenbirds, Scarlet Tanagers, and an assortment of warblers that includes Black-and-White, Worm-eating, Black-throated Green, and Northern Parula. If you arrive at dawn or dusk, you may catch a singing Eastern Whip-poor-will before it retires for the day. Though not yet reported from here in eBird, this location is also a fine spot for Ruffed Grouse, so listen for their drumming or hope to flush one from the road early in the morning. Cerulean Warbler is another species as yet unreported, but worth keeping on your radar.
The system of trails on Round Mountain is accessed from any of several parking lots on Round Mountain Road. Parking Area Two is located approximately a mile up from the base of the mountain at an elevation of about 3500 feet. It is the best access point for most of the trails in the Round Mountain trail complex. This parking area directly intersects the Genesis Loop Trail, a 3.5-mile loop that in turn joins the Wheels Up Trail and the Chimney Loop Trail. At just under 3800 feet, the 3-mile Chimney Loop provides the highest elevation in this system of trails. From Chimney Loop, you can continue onto the Meadow Loop Trail, and from there to both Goose Trail and Salamander Trail. Most of these trails are at elevations of around 3600 or higher, so it is possible to find high elevation breeders. Even right around the parking area, you may hear the resonant songs of Chestnut-sided Warblers or Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. Blue-headed Vireos are quite common here, and other breeders include Veery, American Redstart, and Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, and Blackburnian Warblers. Though not reported yet, Ruffed Grouse is also likely here, and it is worth keeping in mind even less common breeders such as Brown Creeper or Red Crossbill. From the Genesis Loop Trail, the Wheels Up Trail descends the mountain quickly to connect with the 6-mile South Fork Trail, which can also be reached via the Salamander or Goose Trails. At about 2800 feet or less for most of its length, the South Fork Trail has fewer high elevation breeders, but passes through dense mountain laurel thickets where Worm-eating Warblers are abundant and Swainson’s Warbler, though unreported thus far, is a distinct possibility. At the eastern end, near the parking area, it also passes through some large cutovers and a powerline cut-through, where edge species such as Eastern Towhee, Indigo Bunting, and Yellow-breasted Chat may be found. The South Fork Trail runs east-west along the southern base of the mountain, ultimately terminating at Parking Area One to the east, and Parking Area Three to the west.
Accessibility: All of the trails on Round Mountain are accessible from any of the parking areas located on either Round Mountain Road or Burkes Garden Road. Parking Area Two is located closer to the top of the mountain, at an elevation of about 3500 feet. Round Mountain Road is unpaved and often very steep, likely making it inaccessible for birders who are not driving vehicles that handle well in rough terrain. This author drives a Mazda6, a mid-level sedan, and found it impossible to get further than Parking Area One. Though the roads are rutted at spots, they are not substantially impassable under normal conditions. If you cannot make the drive, it is possible to reach Parking Area Two by hiking up Round Mountain Road, though this is a steep and difficult hike. Parking Area Two provides direct access to the Genesis Loop Trail, which in turn links to both the Wheels Up Trail and the Chimney Loop Trail. Each parking area has a signboard with a trail map; it is wise to snap a photograph of the map so that you can easily refer to it while hiking the trails.
Owner/Manager: U.S. Forest Service; a map of the trails can be found here
eBird Hotspot: Round Mountain Trails—Parking Area Two
—Matt Anthony