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2008 Smokies Wildflower and Fall Color Updates
Photos by Karen Key
November 17, 2008 Courtesy of Steve Kemp
Surprisingly, some nice spots of fall color linger at the lowest elevations. Scattered oaks are showing bright reds and golds. This is in nice contrast to the over six inches of snow that fell on the higher peaks over the weekend.
November 10, 2008 Courtesy of Steve Kemp
Excellent colors persist at the lower elevations. Oaks, maples, and dogwoods are showing bright reds and golds. Little River Road and Cades Cove are very dramatic. Suggested trails include Deep Creek, Old Settlers, Little River, Abrams Creek, and Lakeshore.
November 3 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Ace Gap (Beginning to End)
Wildflowers - A couple of Mountain Gentians.
Fall Foliage - Excellent displays of brilliant colored foliage. Foliage is at peak in this area. A great trail for leaf viewing for the first couple of miles from Rich Mountain Road.
November 3 Courtesy of Steve Kemp
Colors are now at peak in the park. If you have been waiting for the best colors, wait no longer. The peak of colors is likely to continue through the weekend as oaks and maples at the lower and mid elevations continue to turn.
October 27 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Little River Trail (Begnning to Rough Creek Trail)
Wildflowers - very few flowers.
Fall Foliage - first 2 miles nice but not outstanding (good number of yellows - few reds).
Rough Creek (Beginning to End)
Wildflowers - very few Filmy Anglica and Whitewood Asters.
Fall Foliage - fair number of yellow (mostly faded/pale) and a few scattered reds (first mile from Little River Trail) - rest of trail rather drab.
Sugarland Mountain (From Rough Creek to Huskey Gap)
Wildflowers - very few Mountain Gentian.
Fall Foliage - higher elevation some pale yellow foliage and a little red foliage - first mile up from Huskey Gap really nice foliage (Blueberries, Sourwood, Red Oak, Sugar Maples outstanding). Views of washes between the ridges are showing nice colors.
Huskey Gap (Huskey Gap to Little River Trail)
Wildflowers very few flowers in bloom.
Fall Foliage - first mile from Huskey Gap breathtaking - very beautiful. Rest of the trail is nice.
Cucumber Gap (Beginning to End)
Wildflowers - very few Whitewood Asters.
Fall Foliage - pale yellow, brilliant red, and orange foliage showing.
Note: Behind the Elkmont Cabins on Jakes Creek the ridge is covered with brilliant red, pink, or orange foliage especially at the end of the road.
Little River Road - Foliage appears at peak. Some of the most brilliant red, orange, and pink foliage I have seen in years. In my opinion it would give New England a run for it's money. Breath-taking.
October 27 Courtesy of Steve Kemp
The higher elevations (above 4,000’) of the Great Smoky Mountains are now at peak color. At the lower elevations, birches, sourwood, magnolias, spicebush, and other trees and shrubs are showing good color. Most of the oaks and maples have yet to turn, so the peak of color at the dramatic low and mid elevations is likely to occur in early November.
October 20 Courtesy of Steve Kemp
As you can see from our web cams and video blog, fall colors are peaking at the higher elevations right now. There are also some impressive colors down low.
Many of the early-turning, lower elevation trees are at peak—tuliptrees, blackgum, sourwood, and black walnut. Yet many of the oaks and maples are mainly green, so it will be another week before colors peak at the lower and mid elevations.
With lots of cool, sunny weather in the forecast, it could be an outstanding year!
Little River Photo by Mari Bland
October 15 Courtesy of Steve Kemp
As you can see from our web cams and video blog, fall colors are peaking at the higher elevations right now.
Lower, many of the early-turning trees are at peak—tuliptree, blackgum, sourwood, and black walnut. Yet many of the oaks and maples are mainly green, so it will be at least another week before colors peak at the lower and mid elevations.
Andrews Bald Photo by Ann Froschauer October 10 Courtesy of Steve Kemp
Fall Colors: Colors from Newfound Gap and Clingmans Dome Road are spectacular. Yet some trees are still green, so the best is yet to come. Little River Road and Laurel Creek Road (to Cades Cove) have brilliant swatches of color thanks to blackgum, sourwood, black walnut, and birch trees. It looks like a banner color year is developing in the Smokies with a peak at the lower and mid elevations at least two weeks away.
September 29 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Legend:
+ many blooms
- few blooms
P past peak
J just started blooming
Middle Prong (Beginning to End) - Whitewood Aster, White Snakeroot, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots, Heal All (2), Curtis Aster, and Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod. All past peak except for Goldenrod and Curtis Asters.
Fall Colors - Sourwood changing. A good number of trees with yellow leaves (could be because of low rainfall).
Greenbrier Ridge (Beginning to End) - Whitewood Aster, White Snakeroot, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots, Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod, Mountain Gentian, and Black Cohosh (2). All but Goldenrod past peak.
Fall Colors - Sugar Maples, Scarlet Maples, Sourwood, and Witch Hobble changing colors in higher elevations. Vistas have a number of reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks showing.
September 22
Legend:
+ many blooms
- few blooms
P past peak
J just started blooming
Gregory Ridge (Beginning to End) - Whitewood Aster, Cardinal Flower (2), Curtis Aster, Green Stem Goldenrod, Giant Goldenrod, White Snakeroot, Mountain Gentian (very nice), and Yellow Touch-me-not.
Fall Colors - Blueberries (getting very colorful), Sourwood, and a few Sassafras.
Gregory Bald (Beginning to End) - Whitewood Aster, Curtis Aster, Green Stem Goldenrod, White Snakeroot, and Mountain Gentian.
Fall Colors - A few Red Oak, Blueberries, and Sourwood. In the lower elevations the Sourwood are getting very colorful.
Bear seen about a mile and a half in from Parsons Branch Road. It ran away.
September 17
Legend:
+ many blooms
- few blooms
P past peak
J just started blooming
Cooper Road (Abrams Creek Campground to Hatcher Mountain Trail) - Cardinel Flower P & -, Whitewood Aster +, White Turtlehead P & -, Great Lobelia P & -,Erect Goldenrod +, Curtis Aster J & +, Southern Harebell P & +, False Foxglove P & -, and Coreopsis P & -.
Fall Colors - Some Sourwood, Blueberry, Scarlet Maples, Sugar Maples and Sassafras leaves are changing colors.
Hatcher Mountain (Beginning to End) - Whitewood Aster +, Great Lobelia P & -, Erect Goldenrod +, Curtis Aster J & +, Southern Harebell P & +, False Foxglove P & -, Star Grass (1), and surprisingly Rue Anomone (2) (very small blooms - first time seen in late summer).
Fall Colors - Some Sassafrass, Sourwood, Blueberry (very bright red and beautiful) and Scarlet Maple leaves are changing colors.
Little Bottoms (Beginning to End)- Cardinel Flower P & -, Whitewood Aster, White turtlehead P & -, Great Lobelia P & -, Erect Goldenrod, Curtis Aster J & +, Southern Harebell P & +, False Foxglove P & -, Coreopsis P & -, Orange Touch-Me-Nots P & -, Flowering Spurge -, Pink Turtlehead P & -, Joe Pye Weed P & -, and Black-eyed Susan P & -.
Fall Colors - Some Sourwood leaves are changing.
September 8 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Legend:
+ many blooms
- few blooms
P past peak
J just started blooming
Low Gap (Cosby Campground to Low Gap) - Yellow Touch-Me-Nots +, White Snake Root +, Whitewood Aster +, Filmy Angelica P & -,
Golden Rod Erect P & +, and Black Cohosh P & -.
Appalachian Trail (Low Gap to Mt. Cammerer Trail) - Yellow Touch-Me-Nots +, White Snake Root +, Whitewood Aster, Filmy Angelica P & -, Golden Rod Erect, Love Vine P & -, and Crimson Bee Balm P & -.
Mount Cammerer Trail (Beginning to End) - Yellow Touch-Me-Nots +, White Snake Root, Whitewood Aster -, Filmy Angelica P & -, and Golden Rod Erect -.
August 29 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Legend:
+ many blooms
- few blooms
P past peak
J just started blooming
Chestnut Top (Beginning to End) - Yellow Touch-Me-Nots P & -, False Fox Glove -, Golden Rod -, Flowering Spurge -, Pine Sap J (1), Coreopsis P & -, Whitewood Aster P & -, and St. Andrews Cross P (1).
School House Gap (Beginning to End) - Black Eyed Susan P & -, Southern Hairbell P & -, Coreopsis P & -, Goldenrod -, Flowering Spurge -, False Fox Glove -, Whitewood Aster P & -, Orange Touch-Me-Nots P & -, Joe Pye Weed -, Ironweed J & -, and Cardinal Flower -.
Bote Mountain (Beginning to Finely Cane) - Crane Fly Orchid, Goldenrod -, Great Lobelia -, Southern Hairbell P & -, Coreopsis P & -, and False Fox Glove -.
West Prong (Beginning to End) - Cardinel Flower -, Goldenrod - , and Ironweed J & -.
Fall Colors: Some Sourwood leaves are changing. On Chestnut Top there was one Scarlet Maple that had a good number of leaves changing.
August 11
Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Legend:
+ many blooms
- few blooms
P past peak
J just started blooming
Snake Den (Beginning to End) - White Wood Aster +, Pink Turtle Head P & +, Black Cohosh P, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots P & -, Rattlesnake Plantain P & -, Goldenrod, Rudgel's Indian Plantain P & -, White Snake Root J & -, Joe Pye Weed J & -, Love Vine P & -, Crimson Bee Balm P, and Summer Sweet P & -.
Appalachian Trail (From Snake Den Trail to Low Gap) - `Yellow Touch-Me-Nots P & -, Rosebay Rhododendron P & -, White Snake Root J & -, Summer Sweet P & -, Joe Pye Weed J & -, Love Vine P & -, Turk Cap Lily (2), Whitewood Aster +, Indian Pipe (4), Goldenrod J & -, Crimson Bee Balm P & -, Wild Golden Glow, Black Cohosh P & -, and Filmy Angelica J & -.
Low Gap (Low Gap to Cosby Campground) - Wild Golden Glow -, Filmy Angelica J & -, Yellow Touch-Me Nots P & -, Goldenrod J & -, and Whitewood Aster.
Note: Blueberries on Snake Den and the AT are sweeter than they have been for several years. Smaller Blackberries on Snake Den and the AT are also sweet. Bear seen on Snake Den (observed me for 15 to 20 seconds before going into the undergrowth).
August 4 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Legend:
+ many blooms
- few blooms
P past peak
J just started blooming
Appalachian Trail (From Newfound Gap to Clingman's Dome) - Wild Golden Glows (very beautiful), Orange Touch-Me-Nots P & -, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots P & -, Love Vine P & -, Whitewood Aster +, Ox Eye Daisy P & -, Turk Cap Lily P & +, Crimson Bee Balm P & -, Common Elderberry -, Red Clover P & -, Rudgel's Indian Plantain P & +, Pink Turtle Head, Filmy Angelica J & -, Wood Sorrell -, Indian Pipe -, and Golden Rod J & -.
Fall Colors: Appalachian Trail (From Newfound Gap to Clingman's Dome) - Witch Hobble. Many leaves have turned. Colors vary (Red, Burgandy, Burnt Orange).
July 28 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Legend:
+ many blooms
- few blooms
P past peak
J just started blooming
Lead Cove - (Beginning to End) - Coreopsis, Black Cohosh P & +, and Rattlesnake Plantain P & -.
Bote Mountain - (from Finely Cane Trail to AT) - Coreopsis P & +, Black Cohosh P & +, Crimson Bee Balm + (very beaufitul), Wild Golden Glow + (also very beautiful), Heal All P & +, Red Clover P & -, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots -, Rosebay Rhododendron P & -, Hairy Angelica (1), and Turk Cap Lily -.
Finely Cane - (Beginning to End) - No report - very few flowers seen.
July 21 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Legend:
+ many blooms
- few blooms
P past peak
J just started blooming
Alum Cave Bluff (Beginning to End) - Rosebay Rhododendron P & +, Whitewood Aster J & -, Crimson Bee Balm -, Wild Hydrangea +, Mountain St. John's Wort P & -, Bush Honeysuckle +, Wild Golden Glows J & -, Wood Sorrell -, Filmy Angelica J & - (1 bloom seen), Rugels Indian Plantain + (Just starting to bloom in the higher elevations), Mountain Krigia J & -, Dwarf Rhododendron P & -, and Michaux's Saxifrage +.
Myrtle Point (Beginning to End) - Dwarf Rhododendron P & -, Michaux's Saxifrage +, and Bush Honeysuckle +.
Lodge area - Crimson Bee Balm J & -, Wild Golden Glows J & -, Turk Cap Lily J & -, Mountain Krigia J & -, and Bush Honeysuckle +.
July 14 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Legend:
+ many blooms
- few blooms
P past peak
J just started blooming
Porter Creek - (Begining to Brushy Mountain Trail) - Pokeweed J & -, Rosebay Rhododendron P & -, Red Clover -, Rattlesnake Plantain, Crimson Bee Balm P & -, and Wild Golden Glow J & -.
Brushy Mountain - (Beginning to End) - Rudgels Indian Plantain A & +, Rosebay Rhododendron (P at lower and mid elevations and A in higher elevations) & +, Teaberry +, Rattlesnake Plantain +, Crimson Bee Balm A & +, Wild Hydrangia P & -, and Galax P & -.
June 2 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Legend:
+ many blooms
- few blooms
P past peak
J just started blooming
Bull Head - (Beginning to End) - Mountain Laurel +, Catawba Rhododendron +, Galax J, Flame Azalea (1 shrub),
Yellow Parsnip P & -, Canadian Violet P & +, Blackberry +, Stonecrop P & -, Sweet White Violet +, Clinton Lily -, Umbrella Leaf +, Foam Flower P & -, Dog Hobble P & - (about gone), Yellow Bead Lily J & +, Toothwort P & -, Red Elderberry J & -, Rosy Twisted Stalk P & -, Trillium Erect P & -, Teaberry -, and Hairy Buttercup -.
Rainbow Falls - (Beginning to End) - Red Elderberry J & +, Sweet White Violet P & -, Prostrate Bluets -, Painted Trillium P & - (about gone), Yellow Bead Lily -, Foam Flower P & -, Umbrella Leaf -, Catawba Rhododendron, Clinton Lily -, Dog Hobble P & -, Umbrella Magnolia -, Canadian Violet P & +, Blackberry, Wood Sorrel -, Mountain Laurel, and Galax J & -.
May 26 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Legend:
+ many blooms
- few blooms
Middle Prong Trail - (Beginning to End) - Blackberry, Mountain Laurel, Red Clover -, Sweet White Violet, Lyre-Leaved Sage +, Wild Strawberry - Doll Eyes (1), Commmon Cinquefoil +, and Blue Eye Grass -.
Past Peak: Canadian Violet +, Dog Hobble +(about gone), Foam Flower -, and False Solomon's Seal -.
Greenbrier Ridge - (Beginning to End) - Blackberry (has not started blooming in higher elevations) +, Lyre-Leaved Sage, Thimbleweed, Meadow Parsnip, Sweet White Violet +, Clinton Lily, Umbrella Leaf -, Common Blue Violet -, Blue Eye Grass -, MIchaux's Saxifrage -, and Umbrella Magnolia +.
Past Peak: False Solomon's Seal, Prostrate Bluet, Canadian Violets, Dog Hobble, Star Chickweed -, Squaw Root (about gone) -, Toothwort (2), and Silver Bells -.
May 19 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Legend:
- few blooms
+ many blooms
Ace Gap (Beginning to End) - Meadow Parsnip, Sweet Shrub, Four Leaved Milkweed, Blackberry, Mountain Laurel +, and Star Grass.
*Past Peak: Yellow Trillium -, Beard Tongue, Solomon's Seal -, Spiderwort -, Fire Pink (about gone) -, Hawkweed, Pink Lady Slippers, Catsby Trillium, Yellow Mandarin -, Rue Anomone -, Wild Geranium -, Beard Tongue, Little Brown Jugs -, Robin's Plantain (about gone) -, and Flame Azalea.
**Just starting to bloom: Fairywand - False Solomon's Seal, Galax -, and Indian Pink (2).
May 12 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Legend:
+ many blooms
- few blooms
P past peak
J just started blooming
Greenbrier School (Beginning to End) - Blackberry J, Mountain Laurel J, Golden Ragwort J, Dog Hobble P, Wild Geranium P & +, Yellow Trillium P & - and Sweet Shrub.
Walker Sisters Cabin (Beginning to End) - Yellow Trillium P & -, Lyre Leaf Sage P, Carolina Vetch P and -, Sweet Shrub,
Flame Azalea -, Dogwood P & -, Dog Hobble P, Mountain Laurel Pand Solomon's Seal -.
Little Brier Gap (Beginning to End) - Lousewort P & -, Mountain Laurel J & -, Fire Pinks P, Solomon's Seal, Pink Lady Slipper -, Frasier Magnolia, Wild Geraniums P & +, Blackberry J & -, Yellow Trillium P & -, Vase Trillium J & -, Clinton Lily J & -, Star Grass and Flame Azalea P.
Little Greenbrier (Beginning to End) - Pink Lady Slipper, Mountain Laurel J, Star Grass +, Dogwood P & -, Crested Dwarf Iris P & -, Bowman's Root P & -, False Solomon's Seal, Yellow Trillium P & -, Yellow Mandarin P & -,
Rue Anomone P & -, Frasier Magnolia -, Stone Crop P, Vasey Trillium J & -, Trillium Erect P & -, Common Blue Violet -, Wild Oats -, Yellow Lady Slipper (1), Hawkweed P, Clinton Lily J & -, Meadown Parsnip P & -, Squaw Root P & -, Toothwort P & -, Birdfoot Violet P (1), Common Cinquefoil P & -, Star Chickweed + and Galax J & -.
May 5 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Little River (from Elkmont to Rough Creek Trail) - Lyre Leaf Sage, Dogwood, Sweet Shrub, Sweet White Violet, Yellow Trillium, Doll Eyes, Dog hobble, False Solomon's Seal, Meadow Parsnip, Foam Flower, Toothwort, Cancer Root, Showy Orchus (largest display I have seen - great quality), Robins Plantain, Wild Strawberry, Solomon's Seal, Stonecrop (many), Wild Ginger, Brook Lettuce, Lousewort, Trillium Erect, Canadian Violet, Wild Phlox, Bishop Caps, Common Cinquefoil, Golden Ragwort, Squaw Root, Umbrella Leaf (just starting to bloom), Common Blue Violet, Hairy Buttercup, Prostrate Bluets, Wild Geranium, and Blackberry (just starting to bloom).
Rough Creek (Beginning to End) - Dog Hobble, Sweet Whtie Violet, Foam Flower, Trillium Erect, Wild Phlox, Yellow Mandarin, Meadow Parsnip, Star Chickweed, False Solomon's Seal (just starting to bloom), Toothwort, Common Blue Violet, Brook Lettuce, Prostrate Bluets, Wild Geraniums (Colors brilliant), Canadian Violets, White Fringed Phacelia (about gone), Hairy Buttercup, Solomon's Seal, and Large Flowered Trillium (well past peak).
Sugarland Mountain (from Rough Creek Trail to Huskey Gap) - Common Blue Violet, Painted Trillium (large numbers - blooms mostly small), Solomon's Seal, Large Flowered Trillium (well past peak), Prostrate Bluets, Meadow Parsnip, Wild Oats, Yellow Mandarin, Trillium Erect, Toothwort, Squaw Root (well past peak), Yellow Trillium, Wild Geranium (very beautiful), Star Chickweed, Stonecrop, Canadian Violets, Foam Flower, Rue Anomone (well past peak), Halberd- Leaved Violet, and Star Grass.
Huskey Gap (from Huskey Gap to Little River Trail) - Squaw Root (well past peak), Wild Oats, Lousewort, Common Cinquefoil, Star Grass, Meadow Parsnip, Canadian Violets, Stonecrop, Bishop Caps (well past peak), Robins Plantain (well past peak), Star Chickweed, Wild Geranium, Large Flowered Trillium (well past peak), Foam Flower, Rue Anomone (well past peak), Halberd-Leaved Violets, Brook Lettuce (well past peak), Sweet White Violets, Yellow Trillium, Doll Eyes, False Solomon's Seal, Hairy Buttercup, Solomon's Seal, and Common Blue Violets.
Cucumber Gap (Beginning to End) - Dog Hobble, Foam Flower, False Solomon's Seal, Canadian Violets, Sweet White Violets, Brook Lettuce, Umbrella Leaf, Bishop Caps (past peak), Wild Geranium, Rue Anomone (well past peak), Trillium Erect (well past peak), Yellow Trillium, Star Chickweed, Doll Eyes, Common Cinquefoil and Wild Phlox. Note: Rattlesnake was laying on trail.
Note: Stage in blooming not listed for most flowers because of various stages flowers would be in on same trail because of changes in elevations on these trails.
May 2 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Legend:
+ large number of blooms
- few blooms
P past peak
J just started blooming
Low Gap (from Cosby to the Appalachian Trail) - stonecrop + (have never seen so many of these blooming), false Solomon's seal J, showy orchus -, sweet white violet, foam flower + (very beautiful display from hiker parking lot for about a quarter of a mile above the Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail), meadow parsnip +, golden ragwort P, rue anomone P, brook lettuce, toothwort P, bishop caps P, wild phlox P, trillium erect P, hairy buttercup, yellow trillium, long spurred violet P, common blue violet +, may apple P, Canadian violet +, dog hobble J, painted trillium - (very small), wood anomone J, star chickweed P, witch hobble J and white fringed phacelia + (at Low Gap).
A T (From Low Gap to the Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail) - spring beauty P, common blue violet +, white fringed phacelia (at Low Gap) +, star chickweed, dutchmen's breeches P & -, witch hobble J, trout lily P, prostrate bluets +, painted trillium - (very small blooms), sweet white violets, serviceberry, wood anomone J, trillium erect P, meadow parsnip, crested dwarf iris, halberd leaved violet P & -, yellow mandarin + and golden ragwort P.
Lower Mount Cammerer Trail (Beginning to End) - yellow mandarin +, yellow trillium +, star chickweed, common blue violet +, wood anomone, trillium erect P, smooth yellow violet P & -, spring beauty P & -, rue amomone P, toothwort P, Canadian violets +, meadow parsnip +, wild phlox P & -, hairy buttercup +, squaw root P, halberd leaved violet P & -, crested dwarf iris + (like a carpet - about 3 miles from Cosby beautiful - well worth the walk), golden ragwort P & -, wild oats -, blue cohosh P & -, stone crop +, large flowered bellwort J, foam flower, common cinquefoil +, Dogwood, star grass -, nodding trillium + (very beautiful), Vasey trillium J & -, wild geraniums (beautiful) and Silverbell P.
April 21 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Legend:
P past peak
+ many blooming
- few blooming
J just starting to bloom
Cooper Road (From Abrams Creek Ranger Station to Hatcher Mountain Trail) - fire pinks +, golden ragwort P, rue anomone +, stone crop -, foam flower, yellow trillium -, dog hobble J, trillium erect -, may apple -, star chickweed, prostrate bluets, Catsby trillium +, sweet white violets +, common blue violets, Carolina vetch P, Solomon's seal J, wild geranium, dogwood, gay wings, birdfoot violet, blackberry -, plantain leaf pussy toe, halberd leaf violet J, star grass -, common cinquefoil and robin's plantain P.
Hatcher Mountain (From Cooper Road Trail to Little Bottoms Trail) - halberd leaf violet, common cinquefoil, gay wings + (must be at least a 100 of them at peak), common blue violet -, trailing arbutus P, Catsby trillium, rue anomone, sweet white violet, dwarf crested iris, plaintain leaf pussy toes, birdfoot violet -, robin's plantain P, fire pink +, star chickweed, dogwood and golden ragwort P.
Little Bottoms (Beginning to End) - common cinquefoil, Catsby trillium +, plantain leaf pussy toe P, dwarf crested iris, golden ragwort P, star chickweed -, star grass -, sweet shrub J, fire pink +, birdfoot violet -, robin's plantain P, gay wings, little brown jugs, wild ginger, prostrate bluets, dog hobble J, wweet white violets +, Carolina vetch P, foam flower, wild geranium, hairy buttercup -, wild oats J, dogwoods and common
blue violets.
April 14 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Chestnut Top (Beginning to End) - long spurred violet, dwarf crested iris, fire pinks (the most beautiful and the largest number that I have seen there), dog hobble (just starting to bloom), halberd leaf violet, dogwood, squaw root, yellow mandarin, hepatica, lousewort, birdfoot violet, trailing arbutus, plantain leaf pussy toe, wild oats, common blue violet, sweet white violet, Solomon's seal, bishop caps, purple phacelia, trillium erect, foam flower, yellow trillium, star chickweed, rue anemone, stonecrop, toothwort, spring beauty, meadow parsnip, serviceberry, Michaux's saxifrage, and Catsby trillium.
School House Gap (Beginning to End) - sweet white violet, trillium erect, foam flower, yellow trillium, rue anemone, toothwort, Catsby trillium, long spurred violet, dogwood, birdfoot violet, plantain leaf pussy toe, common blue violet, wild phlox, common cinquefoil, daisy fleabane, little brown jugs, golden ragwort, and serviceberry.
White Oak Sinks - long spurred violet, large flowered trillium, toothwort, star chickweed, yellow trillium, foam flower, stone crop, wild columbine, little brown jug, rue anemone, sweet white violet, bishop caps, Catsby trillium, wild phlox, redbud, golden ragwort, wild geranium, and squaw root.
Bote Mountain (Beginning to Finely Cane) - long spurred violet, dogwood, lousewort, plantain leaf pussy toe,
sweet white violet, and Catsby trillium.
West Prong (Beginning to End) - sweet white violet, bishop caps, trillium erect, foam flower, yellow trillium, star chickweed, rue anemone, toothwort, long spurred violet, dwarf crested iris, dog hobble (just starting to bloom), dogwood, squaw root, trailing arbutus, plantain leaf pussy toe, redbud, and blue cohosh.
April 7 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Alum Cave Bluff Trail - (Beginning to End) two areas with a decent number of spring beauties blooming and a few prostrate bluets blooming.
NOTE: Along Newfound Gap Road nice wildflower blooms - large flowered trillium, yellow trillium, white fringed phacelia, rue anomone, and trillium erect. It appears that the white fringed phacelia could be within a week of peaking along the road.
April 5 Courtesy of Jim and Eleanor Burbank
White Oak Sinks (Townsend Visitor Center Herb & WF Hike) -
In Flower Leaves Only
Spring Beauty Yellow Trillium
Giant Chickweed Large-flowered Trillium
Rue Anemone* Wild Columbine
Hepatica May Apple
Bloodroot Sedum Stonecrop
Toothwort Wild Geranium
Redbud Tree Galax
Common Violet Fairy Wand (not many yet)
Sweet White Violet Dwarf (vernal) Iris (not many yet)
Early Yellow Violet Shooting Star (not many yet)**
Long-spurred Violet Virginia Bluebells (not many yet) **
Flowering Dogwood (tree)
Wild Blue Phlox (not many)
Dandelion
Golden Ragwort
Bishop's Cap
* most abundant at this time
** report from friends, not worth going there yet
April 1 Courtesy of Steve Kemp
Cove Hardwood Nature Trail (Chimneys Picnic Area) - the wildflowers are outrageous! Trout-lily, spring-beauty, white trillium, and hepatica galore. I would say they are at the early end of peak. They will probably continue to be superb through the weekend of April 12-13.
March 31 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Meigs Mountain (Beginning to End) - Many many hepatica and rue anomone. Additionally: spring beauty, bloodroot (few), common blue violet, longspurred violet, halberd-leaf violet, sweet white violet, Fraser sedge, trout lily (few), and plantain-leafed pussy toes.
Lumber Ridge (Beginning to End) - Many trailing arbutus. In the first tenth of a mile from the Treemont Institute:
rue anomone, common blue violet, plantain-leafed pussy toe, star chickweed, round-leaf violet and daisy fleabane (1). About a half mile up the trail one birdfoot violet.
March 18 Courtesy of Jeanie Hilten
Chestnut Top Trail - spring beauties (lots), bloodroot, sharp-lobe hepatica, star chickweed, sedges, grasses, and blue violet.
In bud: yellow trillium, and stonecrop.
March 16 Courtesy of Steve Kemp
Porters Creek Trail - The first hepatica are now coming into bloom. Flowers should be very good there over Easter weekend.
February 19 Courtesy of Tom Harrington
Chestnut Top (Beginning to End) - Two Spring Beauties blooming about 20 feet up the trail from the trailhead.
Listen to Bird Voices recorded inside the park!
If you're
interested in wildflowers you can see
a nice book about them written by my boss
by clicking on this link: Wildflower
Guide Book.
If you want to come
look at the darn things for yourself,
we have a Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
every year for just this purpose.
Check it out at http://www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org/
For all the trail and fall foliage updates from 2007, click here.
For a humorous and scholarly article on upsidedown wildflowers and other writing about wildflowers,
click here.
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