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Staff Report

Fireside yoga and snake tours are just two of the activities planned in February at Roan Mountain State Park.

Fireside yoga was a popular event in 2021. This year, the weekend begins with a session at 7 p.m. on Feb. 18 and continues with sessions at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 19 and 10 a.m. on Feb. 20.

Sessions will include a Winter Twist With Wendy Smith, the park’s yoga instructor, that will “Wring out the Winter Blues,” and a heart-centered session that is said to help “Warm yourself from within.”

Sessions are $12 per person and will be taught next to the fireplace in the state park’s conference center.

This Saturday, Ranger Phil Hylen will take guests through the park and give them a chance to discover and experience the many types of snakes that call Roan Mountain and the Appalachian Highlands home. “You may be surprised to learn about the types of snakes we do and do not have in the high country,” Hylen is quoted as saying on the park’s website.

This event is free, but limited to 20 guests, and those in attendance will meet at the park’s conference center at 1 p.m.

Hylen will also lead a trip on Feb. 20 to explore the mining history and geology of Roan Mountain during the Peg Leg GeoVenture.

“This fun geology adventure will have participants learning some early methods of exploring without modern technology while exploring evidence of late 1800s iron mining operations in the hills of the park on a 0.5 mile hike along the Peg Leg Mine Trail. After exploring, guests will break open their very own piece of ‘ore’ to keep,” Hylen said on the website.

The Peg Leg GeoVenture will take place at 2 p.m. on Feb 20. The cost is $10 per person.

Ranger James Holland will also lead a few activities during the month, including the Tomahawk Toss, where attendees will “learn how to throw a tomahawk,” and Backpacking Trail Meals, an event where Holland will teach attendees how to prepare a variety of backpacking trail meals.

“The focus will be on preparing homemade, lightweight meals that are simple, easy, and made with affordable ingredients. Feel free to bring your backpacking stove,” Holland said on the website.

For more information on all these events and more, visit https://tnstateparks.com/parks/events/roan-mountain/#/?park=roan-mountain to learn more or register.