I'm heading to Brevard NC this weekend. I'm afraid it will be too early for spring wildflowers, but the waterfalls should be fantastic! Off the Charleston, SC the next weekend. I expect tons of flowers there. I'm so ready for spring!!!!
Posted by Steve Hamley on March 16, 2011 at 1:02 PM
We're still about a month out from peak in the low country, but spring is definitely on the way.
Hey Guys..... Just want to let you know that I hiked Porters Creek Trail to Fern Branch Falls today. I was surprised to find these flowers out already. From parking area To rock fence at the settlers area ...there were Blood root, toothwort, all types of Violets, Hepatica & Spring Beauties. After you cross the main footbridge over Porters Creek you really get into a bunch more of those listed plus Dutchman Britches, Miami mist, White & Yellow Trillium are in bud just about to pop open. The forest floor above the bridge is solid green with hepatica in whites, pinks and lavenders. Absolutely wonderful and in two weeks will be transformed to all Miami mist.
It seems like spring may be. A week ahead of schedule this year???? Porters creek was very full and running crystal clear.
Get ready because thing are going to get real busy in three weeks!
Enjoy,
Harold
Posted by Kirk Greene on March 22, 2011 at 11:15 AM
When do the redbud & dogwoods typically bloom in the Smokies? I'm thinking the 3rd week of April or so typically. I know this will vary year to year but I'm trying to plan a trip and need to schedule vacation time from work. Thanks!
Posted by Steve Hamley on March 24, 2011 at 6:22 PM
Harold,
I hiked the Albright Grove last Sunday, and also saw hepatica and spring beauties near the grove although the more-or-less pine oak woods on the lower section was still pretty bare.
Kirk, that's about right, they tend to be about the same as the dogwoods, maybe a few days earlier.
Here in the triangle area of NC the redbuds peak about a week before the dogwoods. Redbud peak was a week ago, dogwood peak is right now. Not sure if it's different in the Smokies other than the season starting a lot later but I've always been way too late for redbuds in the third week of April (although dogwoods were still very shootable).
Posted by Steve Hamley on April 6, 2011 at 5:30 PM
Folks,
April 6th and the redbuds are good from Tremont to Greenbrier, dogwoods are beginning to open with a few white but mostly green. Slightly green very low, mostly green towards the upper ends of the valleys. There were also white trillium along the Little River Road yesterday if the storm did not beat them down. Yellow trillium are beginning to bloom too.
Roads can be an issue; there were TWO one lane only parts on the road to Townsend, one at the KOA for bridge work that's been on-going, and one on the mountain approaching Kinzel Springs to clean up small slides. I assume this last one is over now.
Gatlinburg also had a one-laner today as I went to Greenbrier, and even during the week that was a mess, but mostly if you were coming north. There was also a posted flagged area on 321 towards Greenbrier, but there was no issue at the time I went through.
Report back from Porters Creek:
Thursday April 14th - most Trilliums were drooping. Still a few white Trilliums up near Fern branch falls. Did find some painted trillium on right side
Of trail before footbridge. Found all kinds of other wildflowers blooming all along trail starting out low with the yellow trillium at peak. Quarter mile up trail you will see showy orchids and dwarf crested iris. Tons of violets yellow, purple and white. Solomons seal and false solomons seal everywhere . Bishops cap at low and high elevations. Wild geraniums starting to come out real nice higher up. Lots of purple phlox above falls along trail. Also I saw lots of mandarin above falls. The fringed phacelia above footbridge is pretty much gone on Thursday . Dogwoods are blooming everywhere in the greenbrier area along the creek. Most of it to high up to shoot with creek background.
I would say that things should really be popping this week all over the smokies.
Heading that way Thursday. I'll hit Porters Creek on Thursday and White Oak Sinks on Friday. Weather looks good for the next few days. Smokies should be full of wildflowers and people.
Posted by Steve Hamley on April 21, 2011 at 7:49 PM
Folks, 4/21
Spring is waning in the lower river valleys; white oak sink is fast disappearing and this weekend will be the last if that.
But spring moves up the mountain and there are chances at the Cove Hardwood trail, Chimneys, and Blue Ridge. Sarvis bloom at Graveyard fields in a week or two is probably the next icon shot. Following that, maybe oat grass and wake robins at Craggy Gardens in May.
Cheers, Steve
Posted by Bruce Painter on April 22, 2011 at 10:35 PM
Hiked the Gahutti trail Fort Mountain State Park (GA) today. Found some nice pink lady slippers, Dwarf Iris, Nodding Trillum, and what I belive to be Red Trillum, Marsh Blue Violet. Solomon's Seal too but it has not bloomed yet. Several others but I admit that I know very little about flowers so I'm not sure of the names of most of them.
Discussion
15 repliesModerators, it's time for a sticky spring thread!! Post your spring pics and outings for the rest to enjoy.
I'll be out more this spring and hope to see you in the woods.
Cheers, Steve
Cheers, Steve
It seems like spring may be. A week ahead of schedule this year???? Porters creek was very full and running crystal clear.
Get ready because thing are going to get real busy in three weeks!
Enjoy,
Harold
I hiked the Albright Grove last Sunday, and also saw hepatica and spring beauties near the grove although the more-or-less pine oak woods on the lower section was still pretty bare.
Kirk, that's about right, they tend to be about the same as the dogwoods, maybe a few days earlier.
Cheers, Steve
April 6th and the redbuds are good from Tremont to Greenbrier, dogwoods are beginning to open with a few white but mostly green. Slightly green very low, mostly green towards the upper ends of the valleys. There were also white trillium along the Little River Road yesterday if the storm did not beat them down. Yellow trillium are beginning to bloom too.
Roads can be an issue; there were TWO one lane only parts on the road to Townsend, one at the KOA for bridge work that's been on-going, and one on the mountain approaching Kinzel Springs to clean up small slides. I assume this last one is over now.
Gatlinburg also had a one-laner today as I went to Greenbrier, and even during the week that was a mess, but mostly if you were coming north. There was also a posted flagged area on 321 towards Greenbrier, but there was no issue at the time I went through.
Cheers, Steve
What is the latest report in the Smokies. Are the yellow trilium and purple phlox blooming near chimney picnic area yet on 441???
Does anyone know the conditions on the Porters Creek Trail ?
Would love to here info???
Harold
Check out this post on Porters Creek from this past weekend.
http://williambritten.com/wordpress/wildflowers/porters-creek-trail-wildflower-report/
Sounds excellent!
Headed to Porters Creek Thursday morning...will report when I get back. May stop in Cosby Creek area also.
Thanks,
Harold
Thursday April 14th - most Trilliums were drooping. Still a few white Trilliums up near Fern branch falls. Did find some painted trillium on right side
Of trail before footbridge. Found all kinds of other wildflowers blooming all along trail starting out low with the yellow trillium at peak. Quarter mile up trail you will see showy orchids and dwarf crested iris. Tons of violets yellow, purple and white. Solomons seal and false solomons seal everywhere . Bishops cap at low and high elevations. Wild geraniums starting to come out real nice higher up. Lots of purple phlox above falls along trail. Also I saw lots of mandarin above falls. The fringed phacelia above footbridge is pretty much gone on Thursday . Dogwoods are blooming everywhere in the greenbrier area along the creek. Most of it to high up to shoot with creek background.
I would say that things should really be popping this week all over the smokies.
Good luck!!!
Harold
Spring is waning in the lower river valleys; white oak sink is fast disappearing and this weekend will be the last if that.
But spring moves up the mountain and there are chances at the Cove Hardwood trail, Chimneys, and Blue Ridge. Sarvis bloom at Graveyard fields in a week or two is probably the next icon shot. Following that, maybe oat grass and wake robins at Craggy Gardens in May.
Cheers, Steve
Bruce