When does the rhododendron bloom along the VCT?

I had an opportunity to receive this question this week from an inquiry to the club website. I forwarded it on to our resident flower expert, Eleanor, who offers this reply:

Mothers' Day till the end of May is the time for Rhododendron catawba (lavendar to pink) to bloom in Damascus and not so high areas of the Appalachian Trail. If you want to see catawba in mass go to Grayson Highlands State Park between June 10 and 20, park at Massey Gap and walk up the Rhododendron Trail to the AT -- go south to the Crest Trail (a horse trail) and be impressed all along the walk.
July 4 is usually the peak for Rhododendron maximum (white blossoms) to bloom along the VCT, Straight Branch Road (US58 east of Damascus) and the Appalachian Trail. Some Julys there are more white blossoms than during other Julys.
When you take the shuttle to White Top Station and look up to the open field of White Top Mountain, you can drive up to that open field and find photogenic flowers beside the switchback road and on the AT going north or south from early spring to late fall.