October 5
Lead Cove (B-E) Whitewood Aster, Erect Goldenrod and White Snake Root.  Note:  Few blooms and most blooms are about gone. Bote Mountain (From Lead Cove Tr. to Finely Cane Tr.) Curtis Aster, Coreopsis, Curtiss Milkwort, Erect Goldenrod, Mountain Gentian (still good display) and Great Lobelia (few nice ones). Finely Cane (B-E) Whitewood Aster, White Snakeroot and Erect Goldenrod.  Not many blooming plants left.

September 21
Big Creek (B-E) –   White Snake Root, Great Lobelia (2 were about 4 and 1/2 feet tall), Goldenrod Erect, Whitewood Aster, Pale Jewelweed (one of the most massive displays that I have seen), Hearts-a-busting, Spotted Jewelweed, Pink Turtlehead (2), Coreopsis, Pokeweed, Daisy Fleabane, Giant Goldenrod, Wild Golden Glow, Crimson Bee Balm (3), Heal All, Filmy Angelica, Asiatic Dayflower, Red Clover and White Clover.  Note:  This variety at this time of year at a lower elevation came as a pleasant surprise.

September 14
School House Gap (B to Chestnut Top Trail) – (Wildflowers) – Ironweed, Cardinal Flower, Erect Goldenrod, Giant Goldenrod, White Top Aster, Great Lobelia, Brown Eyed Susan, White Turtlehead, Southern Harebell, False Fox Glove, Curtiss Milkwort, Curtis Aster, Flowering Spurge, Hawkweed and Mountain Angelica.

Chestnut Top (B-E) – Curtiss Milkwort, False Fox Glove, Erect Goldenrod, Hawkweed, White Top Aster, White Snakeroot, Pokeweed, Wild Hydrangea and Pale Jewelweed.

September 7
Little River (B to Huskey Gap) – Whitewood Aster, Ironweed (1), Cardinal Flower, Pale Jewelweed, White Snake Root (Just starting to bloom), Asiatic Dayflower, Erect Goldenrod, Giant Goldenrod, Joe Pye Weed, Pink Turtlehead (2), Wood Nettle, Spotted Jewelweed, Smooth Phlox and Great Lobelia (2). 

Cucumber Gap (B-E) – Whitewood Aster, White Snakeroot (Just beginning to bloom), Erect Goldenrod, and Pale Jewelweed.  Note:  Not many blooms on this trail.

August 24
Gabes Mountain (B-E) – Whitewood Aster, Wood Nettle, Erect Goldenrod, Spotted Jewelweed, Pale Jewelweed (nicest ones I have seen this year), Pink Turtlehead, Pokeweed and Great Lobelia (At peak bloom – about a half mile from Cosby Entry Road – very beautiful). 

August 17
Anthony Creek (B-E) – Southern Harebell, White Top Aster, Large Bluet, Wood Nettle, Love Vine, Pale Jewelweed, Coreopsis, Erect Goldenrod, White Snake Root (Just starting to bloom), Pink Turtlehead, Crimson Bee Balm (1) and Tick Trefoil.   Note:  There are not many blooms and most blooms are well past their peak except for the White Snake Root.

Bote Mountain (From Anthony Creek to Spence Field) – Erect Goldenrod, White Snake Root, White Top Aster, Wild Golden Glows (nice display), Pale Jewelweed, Filmy Angelica, Doll Eyes (Berries), Crimson Bee Balm, Love Vine and Spotted Jewelweed.  Most flowers beyond their peak except for the White Snake Root, Wild Golden Glows and White Top Asters.

Appalachian Trail (From Spence Field to Russell Field) – Large Bluet, Whitewood Aster, Southern Harebell (nice), Crimson Bee Balm, Heal All, Erect Goldenrod, Spotted Jewelweed, White Snakeroot and Pale Jewelweed.  Most blooms are well past their peak except for the Whitewood Asters (many) and the Erect Goldenrod (just starting to bloom).

Russell Field (B-E) – Whitewood Aster, White Snakeroot, White Clover, Crimson Bee Balms (nicest display that I have seen this year), Black Eyed Susan (1), Yellow Fringed Orchid (1) and Yellow Wood Sorrell.

August 10

Roundtop (B-E) – Wild Potato Vines, Flowering Spurge, Black Eyed Susan, Mountain Mint, Tick Trefoil, Coreopsis, Reclining Saint Andrews Cross, Mountain Angelica (2), Southern Harebell, Curtiss Milkwort, Star Grass, Yellow Fringed Orchid, Wood Nettle, Starry Campion (about gone), Spiderwort (about gone), False Fox Glove, Early Goldenrod and Goldenrod Erect.

August 3

Middle Prong (B-E) – Cardinal Flower (1), Tall Bellflower, Crimson Bee Balm, Pale Jewelweed, Heal All, Daisy Fleabane, Wood Nettle and Rattlesnake Plantain.

Lynn Camp Prong (From Middle Prong Trail to Campsite #28) – Wood Nettle, White Snake Root (Just Starting to bloom), Love Vine, Wild Golden Glow, Crimson Bee Balm (1), Heal All, Rattlesnake Plantain and White Top Aster.

Note:  Most of the flowers are well past their peak, and there are not a lot of plants blooming on these two trails.  There are a decent number of Wild Golden Glows blooming, and they appear to be at peak bloom.  Several flowers were seen which I have not found in the wildflower books as of now.

July 27

Rainbow Falls (B-E) – Crimson Bee Balm, Early Goldenrod, Pale Jewelweed, Wild Golden Glow, White Top Aster, Wood Nettle, Rosebay Rhododendron, Black Cohosh, Love Vine, Tea Berry, White Snake Root, Rugel’s Indian Plantain, Coreopsis, False Fox Glove, Turk Cap Lily, Summer Sweet, Filmy Angelica, Pink Turtle Heads and Indian Pipe (1).

Bull Head (B-E) – Pink Turtleheads, Filmy Angelica, Rugel’s Indian Plantain, Grass of Parnassus (1 – many buds), Michaux’s Saxifrage, White Top Aster, Turk Cap Lily (many), Mountain Saint Johns  Wort (just starting to bloom), Indian Pipe, Wild Hydrangea (1), Wild Golden Glow (many), Rosebay Rhododendron, Wood Nettle, Love Vine, White Snake Root (just starting to bloom), Crimson Bee Balm (many), Early Goldenrod, Black Cohosh, Joe Pye Weed, Pale Jewelweed, Monkshood (a little over halfway up – have never seen in blooming that low in elevation before), Yellow Fringed Orchid, Coreopsis, False Fox Glove, Rattlesnake Plantain, Canadian Violet (2), Sourwood (trees) and Tall Bell Flower (1).

Flowers blooming at LeConte Lodge – Wild Golden Glow (Great show – many blooms – at peak), Crimson Bee Balm (few), Monkshood (nice showing), White Snake Root (just starting to bloom), Turk Cap Lilies (past peak but still nice) and Filmy Angelica.

July 20

Porter Creek (B-E) – Tick Trefoil, Daisy Fleabane, Red Clover, Reclining Saint Andrews Cross, Indian Pipe, Large Bluet, Turk Cap Lily (4), Early Goldenrod (1), Rosebay Rhododendron, Spotted Jewelweed, Pale Jewelweed, Rattlesnake Plantain, Black Cohosh, Mountain Saint Johns Wort, Doll Eyes (berries), Wood Nettle, Heal All, Crimson Bee Balm (3 locations), Tall Bellflower and White Snake Root (at campsite #31). 

July 17

Abrams Falls (B to falls) – Bleeding heart (few), Coreopsis, Tick Trefoil, False Fox Glove, Rosebay Rhododendron, Wild Potato Vine, Heal All, Butterfly Pea (2),  Rattlesnake Plantain, White Top Aster and Star Grass.

July 13

Lumber Ridge Trail (B-E) – Rattlesnake Plantain  (many – at peak), Tick Trefoil, Reclining Saint Andrews Cross, Starry Campion, Star Grass, Coreopsis, White Top Aster, Rosebay Rhododendron (about gone – but one tall shrub covered with blooms at peak bloom), Black Cohosh (about gone), Indian Pipe and Early Goldenrod (just starting to bloom).  Note:  Close to a dozen Yellow Fringed Orchid budded – appear that will be blooming within a week to 10 days.

Meigs Mountain Trail (From Lumber Ridge Trail to Curry Mountain Trail) – Rattlesnake Plantain (Many – at peak bloom), Wood Nettle, Starry Campion, Rosebay Rhododendron (about gone), Black Cohosh, Yellow Wood Sorrel and Indian Pipe.

July 6

Little River (B to Huskey Gap) – Rosebay Rhododendron, Turk Cap Lily, Daisy Fleabane, Heal All, Wood Nettle, Pale Jewelweed (1), Wild Golden Glow (2) and Black Cohosh.

Huskey Gap (From Little River Trail to Huskey Gap) – Rosebay Rhododendron, Rattlesnake Plantain, Black Cohosh, Turk Cap Lily, Coreopsis, White Top Aster, Indian Pipe, Crimson Bee Balm (2) and Star Grass. 

Sugarland Mountain (From Huskey Gap to Fighting Creek Gap) – Rosebay Rhododendron, White Top Aster, Star Grass, Joe Pye Weed, Tick Trefoil (1), Indian Pipe, Rattlesnake Plantain, Coreopsis and Black Cohosh.

Note: Blackberries, blueberries and huckleberries are starting to ripen, so it should be nice for the bears soon.

June 29

Rich Mountain Loop (B-E) – Ox-Eyed Daisy, Red Clover, White Clover, Basil Bee Balm, Rosebay Rhododendron, Rattlesnake Plantain (1), Coreopsis, White Top Aster (Just Starting to bloom), Reclining Saint Andrews Cross, Tick Trefoil, False Fox Glove (Just Starting), Black Cohosh and Spiderwort (2) (about gone).

 Indian Grave (From Rich Mountain Loop Trail to Crooked Arm Trail) – Pipsissewa, Rosebay Rhododendron, Coreopsis, False Fox Glove (Just Starting to bloom) and Basil Bee Balm.

 Crooked Arm (B-E) – Rosebay Rhododendron, Pipsissewa (few), Coreopsis, Basil Bee Balm, Black Cohosh, Star Grass (1), Daisy Fleabane (about gone), Tick Trefoil, Reclining Saint Andrews Cross and Yellow Wood Sorrel. 

 Note:   Not many varieties of flowers blooming at this time.  Some of the Rhododendron blooms are past peak, others are at peak and there are still some with a good number of buds on them. Most of the blooms are past peak on the other flowers.   For the fall foliage fans a number of bright red Sourwood leaves were seen today.

June 22

Baskins Creek (B-E) – Rosebay Rhododendron (at peak), Pipsissewa and Indian Pipe (few).

Grapeyard Ridge (B-E) – Rosebay Rhododendron (at peak), Pipsissewa, Flame Azalea (about gone), Daisy Fleabane, Coreopsis (few), Pale Jewelweed (1), Large Bluet, Smooth Phlox and Crimson Bee Balm (Wonderful display – mostly first two and a half miles from Greenbrier Road).

June 15

Gregory Ridge (B-E) – Pipsissewa, Rosebay Rhododendron, Wood Nettle, Large Bluet, Star Grass, Galax, Common Cinquefoil, Canadian Violet, Fairywand (2), Wild Hydrangea, Whorled Loosestrife, Flame Azalea and Meadow Parsnip.   Most of these are pass their peak except for the Rosebays and some of the Wild Hydrangea.

Gregory Bald (B to Long Hungry Ridge Trail) – Large Bluet,  Tassel Rue, Galax, Mountain Laurel, Star Grass, Pipsissewa, Prostate Bluets, Flame Azalea*,  Indian Cucumber Root, Wild Hydrangea, Spiderwort (3), Rosebay Rhododendron (few), Whorled Loosestrife and Yellow Wood Sorrell.

*NOTE:   FLAME AZALEAS BLOOMS ON GREGORY BALD APPEAR TO BE AT PEAK BLOOM.  THERE ARE SOME BLOOMS THAT HAVE ALREADY WILTED (WITH THE HOT DAYS RECENTLY); HOWEVER THERE ARE STILL PLENTY OF BUDS.  OVERALL MOST PLANTS APPEAR TO BE IN FULL BLOOM.  WITH THE HOT DAYS CONTINUING BLOOMS PROBABLY WILL NOT LAST VERY LONG.

June 1

Metcalf Bottoms (B-E) – Galax (FB – BP), Large Bluet (MB – BP), Bur Cucumber (1 shrub – BP), Wild Hydrangea (MB – AP), Red Clover (AP), Mountain Laurel (MB – BP), Hip Hop Trefoil (FB) and

Hairy Skullcaps (FB – BP).

Walker Sisters Cabin (B-E) – Mountain Laurel (MB – BP), Large Bluet (MB – BP), Flame Azalea (FB – AP), Rosebay Rhododendron (One plant with blooms – JS), Galax (FB – BP), Daisy Fleabane (FB – BP), Red Clover (FB – BP), White Clover (FB – AP), Ox Eyed Daisy (1 – BP), LilyLeaf Twayblade (1) and White Milkweed (FB – AP).

Little Brier Gap (B-E) – Mountain Laurel (MB – BP), Wild Hydrangea (MB – AP), Galax (FB – BP), Flame Azalea (FB – AP), Large Bluet (MB – BP) and Fire Pinks (3 – BP).

Little Greenbrier (From Little Brier Gap to Wear Gap) – Mountain Laurel (MB – BP), Large Bluet (MB – BP), Flame Azalea (FB – AP), Star Grass (FB – BP), Goats Rue (FB – BP – a couple still nice), Wild Hydrangea (MB – AP) and Indian Pipe (3 – yellow in color? – have not seen that before).

Wear Cove Road (Gap to Little River) – Wild Hydrangea (MB – AP), Large Bluet (FB – BP), White Milkweed (AP), Beard Tongue (FB – BP but still beautiful), White Clover (FB – BP), Common Elderberry (MB – JS), Ox Eye Daisy (FB – BP), Meadow Parsnip (FB – BP), Flame Azalea (FB – AP), Red Clover (MB – BP), Japanese Honeysuckle (BP), Daisy Fleabane (FB – BP) and Ox Eye Daisy (FB – BP).

Crib Gap (From Turkey Pen Trail to Anthony Creek Trail) – Large Bluets (FB – BP), Flame Azalea (MB – BP), Wild Hydrangea (FB – AP), Goats Beard (2 – BP), Galax (FB – BP), Mountain Laurel (MB – BP), Partridge Berry (FB – BP) Hairy Skullcap (FB – BP) Pipsissewa (FB –JS) and Lousewort (FB – BP).

May 25

Rabbit Creek (Abrams Creek Ranger Station to Hannah Mountain Trail) –Partridge Berry (AP – MB), Large Bluet (AP – MB), Japanese Honeysuckle (AP – MB –First third of mile), White Cover (AP – FB), Galax (AP – MB), Bowman’s Root (BP), Loosestrife (BP), Mountain Laurel (BP – MB), Blueberry (AP – MB), Blue Eye Grass (AP), Sweet Cicely (!), Daisy Fleabane (BP – FB), Spiderwort (4) (Very beautiful), Flame Azalea (AP – FB), Red Clover (AP – FB) and Star Grass (AP – MB).

Hannah Mountain (From Rabbit Creek junction to Campsite #14) – Large Bluet (AP – MB), Partridge Berry (AP – MB), Galax (Both AP & BP – MB), Star Chickweed (BP – FB), Milkweed (AP – FB), Common Cinquefoil (BP – FB), Mountain Laurel (BP – MB), Blueberry (AP – MB), Star Grass (AP – MB), Hawkweed (AP – MB), False Solomon’s Seal (AP – FB), Loosestrife (BP – FB), Rue Anemone (3) and Daisy Fleabane (BP – FB).  Note: After first 3/4 mile not many blooms.

May 22

Snake Den (B to Maddron Bald) – Galax, Large Bluet, Partridge Berry, Bur Cucumber, Wild Phlox, Clinton Lily, Foam Flower, Wood Nettle, Blackberry, Sweet Cicely, Indian Cucumber Root, Jack-n-pulpit, Dutchmen’s Pipe, Star Chickweed, Canadian Violet, Sweet White Violet, Catawba Rhododendron, Mountain Laurel, Painted Trillium, Fire Cherry, False Solomon’s Seal, Yellow Beaded Lily, and Rosy Twisted Stalk.  Stages of blooms not listed because of such differences in elevation resulting in various stages of blooms.  The Catawba Rhododendron is extremely beautiful in the higher elevations.  Lots of Jack-n-pulpits and Yellow Beaded Lilies.

Maddron Bald (B-E) – Sweet Cicely, Yellow Beaded Lily, Trillium Erect (2), Rosy Twisted Stalk, Painted Trillium, Mountain Myrtle (very beautiful – at peak on bald), Catawba Rhododendron, Jack-n-pulpit (many), Clinton Lily, Meadow Parsnip, False Solomon’s Seal, Dutchmen’s Pipe, Doll Eyes (1), Foam Flower (many), Prostate Bluets, Tassel Rue, Star Chickweed, Silver Bells, Wood Sorrel (many), Canadian Violet, Brook Lettuce, Wild Strawberry (1), Partridge Berry, Mountain Laurel, Huckleberry, Blackberry and Solomon’s Seal.  Stage of blooms not shown because of differences in blooms at lower elevations from those in higher elevations.

Note:  It was the first time in years that I have found Rosy Twisted Stalk in bloom. – Tom

May 19

SPECIAL NOTE:  THE MOUNTAIN LAUREL ON TURKEY PEN TRAIL ARE BEYOND DESCRIPTION – DO NOT RECALL SEEING SO MANY BLOOMS AT ONE TIME – WELL WORTH RECOMMENDING T0 VISITORS – THEY ARE A PEAK BLOOM. ALSO, THE FAIRY-WAND AND GALAX ARE AT PEAK BLOOM AND PUTTING ON A FANTASTIC DISPLAY.

May 18

Turkey Pen (B-E) – Mountain Laurel (AP – MB*), Teaberry (AP – MB), Fairy-wand (AP – MB*), Galax (AP – MB*), Bur Cucumber (FB – BP), Hawkweed (MB – BP), Carolina Vetch (BP – 1 plant with a number of blooms), Blackberry (BP – FB), Solomon’s Seal (BP – FB), White Milkweed (AP), Flame Azalea (BP – FB), Maple Leaf Viburnum (BP – FB), Little Brown Jugs (FB), Yellow Wood Sorrel (FB) and Golden Ragwort (BP – FB).

School House Gap (B to Turkey Pen Trail) – Mountain Laurel (AP – MB), Teaberry (AP – MB), Fairy-wand (AP – MB*), Galax (JS – V), Daisy Fleabane (BP), Sweet White Violet (BP – FB), Carolina Vetch (BP – FB), Red Clover (JS – FB), Star Grass (BP – FB), Blackberry (BP – FB), Meadow Parsnip (BP – FB), Bur Cucumber (BP – FB), Lyre Leaf Sage (BP – FB), False Solomon’s Seal (FB – V), Sweet Cicely (BP – FB), Canadian Violet (BP), Beard Tongue (BP – 1 blooming plant) and Yellow Wood Sorrel (FB).

Bote Mountain (B to Finely Cane) – Daisy Fleabane (BP – MB), Common Cinquefoil (BP – FB), Mountain Laurel (AP – MB), Teaberry (AP – MB), Galax –V-, Yellow Wood Sorrel (FB), Fairy-wand– MB)*, Star Grass (MB), Golden Ragwort (AG – MB), Red Clover (JS – MB), Bur Cucumber (BP – FB), White Clover (AP – FB), Maple Leaf Viburnum (BP – FB) and Hawkweed (BP – MB).

Finely Cane (B-E) – Teaberry (AP – MB), Mountain Laurel (AP – MB), Galax (AP – MB), Canadian Violet (BP – FB), Fairy-wand (AP),  Blackberry (BP – FB), Sweet Cicely (BP – FB),  Indian Cucumber Root (BP – FB) and Bur Cucumber (BP – FB).   Last half of this trail before Bote Mountain Trail does not have that many blooms.

May 12

Appalachian Trail at Newfound Gap to Sweat Heifer – Spring Beauty, Trout Lily, Bluets, False Solomon’s Seal, Star Chickweed, Painted Trillium, Common Blue Violets, White Fringed Phacelia, Dandelion, White Trillium, Wild Phlox, Witch Hobble, Bluebeard Lily.

May 11

New Legend – Many Blooms (MB), Few Blooms (FB), Blooms at Peak (AP), Blooms Beyond Peak (BP), Just Starting to Bloom (JS), Blooms Almost Gone – AG)

Lumber Ridge Trail (B – Two Miles) – Lyre Leaf Sage (FP – BP), Bur Cucumber (FB – AP), Galax (JS), Star Grass (AP), Mapleleaf Viburnum (MB – AP), Solomon’s Seal (BP), Fairywand (MB – JS), Sweet White Violets (FB – BP), Rue Anemone (FB – BP), Long Spurred Violets (FB – AG),  Brook Lettuce (FB – BP), Crested Dwarf Iris (FB – AG), Blackberry (MB – AP), White Milkweed (FB – JS), Meadow Parsnip (FB – BP), Yellow Wood Sorrel (2), Hawkweed (MB – AP), Carolina Vetch (FB – BP), Sweet Shrub (MB – BP), Star Chickweed (FB – AG), Common Cinquefoil (FB – Varies), Vasey Trillium (27 – BP), Common Blue Violet (1), False Solomon’s Seal (FB – AP), Large Bluet (MB – BP), Skunk Meadow Rue (FB – AG)  and Dog Hobble (FB – AG).

SPECIAL NOTE:  MOUNTAIN LAUREL ON FIRST MILE UP LUMBER RIDGE TRAIL ARE AT PEAK BLOOM – MANY BLOOMS – “ONE OF BEST DISPLAYS I HAVE SEEN IN A NUMBER OF YEARS.  FOR THOSE INTERESTED IT WOULD BE WELL WORTH THEIR WALK-UP THIS TRAIL.” Tom Harrington

May 5

Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap toward Clingmans Dome, about a mile in Spring Beauties are still covering the ground on both sides of the trail, along with Trout Lilies, Sweet White Trillium, and Canadian Violets.

May 4

Cooper Road Trail (Abrams Creek Ranger Station (includes driveway to campground and campground) to Hatcher Mountain Trail – Lyre Leaf Sage (MB –V), Crested Dwarf Iris (BP), Rue Anemone (FB), Dog Hobble (MB – AP), Meadow Parsnip (FB), Daisy Fleabane (MB – BP), Red Clover (FB – JS), White Clover (FB – JS), Solomon’s Seals (AP),  Fire Pink (MB – V), Cross Vine (FB – BP), Carolina Vetch (FB – BP), Blackberry (MB – V), Golden Ragwort (FB – BP), Wild Phlox (BP), Wild Geranium (MB – AP), Stone Crop (FB – AP), Yellow Trillium (FB – AP), Sweet White Violet (MB – AP), White Fringed Phacelia (FB – BP), Star Grass (MB – AP), Common Blue Violet (FB – AP), Hooked Butter Cup (FB), Little Brown Jugs (MB), Common Cinquefoil (MB – AP), False Solomon’s Seal (FB – V), Foam Flower (MB – BP), Doll Eyes (FB – JS), Vasey Trillium (FB – BP), Catesby Trillium (MB – BP), Wild Oats (FB – BP), Star Chickweed (FB – AP), May Apple (FB – BP), Pinxter Flower (FB – BP), Mountain Laurel (FB – JS), Wild Confrey (FB – JS),  Alum Root (FB – BP), Bristly Locust (FB – AP), Flame Azalea (FB – AP), Birdfoot Violet (FB – BP), Plantain Leaf Pussytoe (FB – BP), Bur Cucumber (FB – AP), Skunk Meadow  Rue (FB – BP), Early Buttercup,  Low Hop Clover (MB – AP)  and Blueberry (MB – AP). 

Hatcher Mountain (From Cooper Road Trail to Little Bottoms Trail) – Star Grass (MB – AP),  Blackberry (MB – AP), Hawkweed (MB – AP), Blueberry (MB – AP), Daisy Fleabane (FB – BP), Robin’s Plantain (MB – BP), Crested Dwarf Iris (MB – BP), Dog Hobble (MB – AP), Mountain Laurel (FB – JS), Star Chickweed (FB – BP), Common Cinquefoil (MB – AP), Bristly Locust (FB – AP), Catesby Trillium (MB – BP), Solomon’s Seal (FB – AP), Sweet White Violet (MB – AP), Rue Anemone (FB – AP), Gay Wings (FB – BP), Common Blue Violets (BP), Fire Pinks (MB – V), Sweet Shrub (AP), Robin’s Plantain (MB – BP), White Milkweed (1)  and Frazer Magnolia (FB – AP). 

Little Bottoms (B-E) – Common Cinquefoil (MB – AP), Sweet Shrub (MB – AP), Birdfoot Violet (MB – BP), Golden Ragwort (FB – BP), Fire Pinks (MB – V), Crested Dwarf Iris (MB – BP), Hawkweed (MB – AP), Mountain Laurel (FB – JS), Dogwood (1 Tree – AP), Umbrella Magnolia (FB – AP), Little Brown Jugs (FB), Lyre Leaf Sage (FB – V), Foam Flower (MB – BP), Blackberry (MB – AP), Star Chickweed (FB – AP), False Solomon’s Seal (FB – V), Catesby Trillium (MB – BP), Daisy Fleabane (MB – BP), Star Grass (MB – AP), Cross Vine (FB – BP),  Prostate Bluet (MB – AP), Seersucker Ginger, Meadow Parsnip (FB – AP), Robin’s Plantain (MB – BP), Common Yellow Wood Sorrel  and Flame Azalea (FB – AP). 

April 28

Ace Gap Trail (B-E) – MANY BLOOMING:  Wild Geranium (AP), Catesby Trillium (100s of them – AP), Star Grass (AP) and  Common Cinquefoil (AP).

GOOD SHOWING OF BLOOMS:  Yellow Trillium (AP), Sweet Shrub (AP), Rue Anemone (AP), Meadow Parsnip (AP), Solomon’s Seal (AP), Daisy Fleabane (BP), False Solomon’s Seal (AP – at far end of trail just starting to bloom), Fire Pinks (AP), Common Cinquefoil (Some areas AP but at beginning BP), Dogwood (AP and Flame Azalea (AP – very very beautiful).

FEW BLOOMING:  Hispid Butter Cup (AP), Stone Crop (AP), Carolina Vetch (BP), Common Blue Violet (AP), Birdfoot Violet (BP), Large Flowered Bellwort (JS), Yellow Mandarin (AP), Plantain Leaf Pussytoe (BP), Wild Oats (AP), Striped Maple (JS), Little Brown Jugs (BP), Gay Wings (1), Halberd Leaf Violet (AG), Star Chickweed (BP), Squaw Root (BP), Crested Dwarf Iris (BP), Vernal Dwarf Iris (BP) and Blue Berry (JS).

BUDDED:  Mountain Laurel, Hawkweed and Galax.

April 26

Oconaluftee River Trail (B-E) – Sweet White Violet, Long Spurred Violet, Hispid Buttercup, Dog Hobble, Foam Flower, Solomon’s Seal, Toothwort, Star Chickweed, Crested Dwarf Iris, False Solomon’s Seal, Canadian Violet, Showy Orchis, May Apple, Fringed Phacelia, Wild Stonecrop, Dogwood, Large Flowered Trillium, Jack-n-pulpit (1), Bed Straw, Bluets, Golden Aster, Blue Phlox.

April 20

West Prong (B-E) – Sweet White Violet, Long Spurred Violet, Hispid Buttercup, Dog Hobble, Foam Flower, Solomon’s Seal, Toothwort, Star Chickweed, Crested Dwarf Iris, Yellow Trillium, False Solomon’s Seal, Doll Eyes, Canadian Violet, Showy Orchis, Little Brown Jugs, Umbrella Magnolia, Squaw Root, Rue Anemone, Yellow Mandarin, Trillium Erect, Sweet Cicely, Large Flowered Trillium, Cancer Root, Daisy Fleabane, Wild Oats, Striped Maple, Common Cinquefoil, Dogwood, Frazer Sedge, Blue Berry and Prostate Bluet.

Bote Mountain (B to West Prong Trail) – Wild Strawberry, Common Cinquefoil, Dogwood, Long Spurred Violet, Star Grass, Common Blue Violet, Lousewort, Fairywand, Sweet White Violet, Catesby Trillium, Daisy Fleabane, Dog Hobble, Hispid Buttercup, Trillium Erect, Solomon’s Seal, Yellow Trillium, Star Chickweed, Birdfoot Violet and Toothwort.

School House Gap (B to Chestnut Top Trail) –  Yellow Trillium, Hispid Buttercup, Trillium Erect, Sweet Cicely, Wild Phlox, Long Spurred Violet, Foam Flower, Star Chickweed, Rue Anemone, Canadian Violet, Doll Eyes, Bishop Caps, Sweet White Violet, Catesby Trillium,  Jack-n-pulpit (1), Wood Anemone (2), Daisy Fleabane, Little Brown Jug, Bed Straw, Golden Ragwort, Dog Hobble, Wild Geranium, Carolina Vetch, Crested Dwarf Iris, Star Grass, Dogwood, Wild Oats, Common Blue Violet, Halberd Leaf Violet, Birdfoot Violet  and Plantain Leaf Pussytoe.

Chestnut Top (B-E) –  Wild Oats, Star Grass, Catesby Trillium, Common Blue Violet, Common Cinquefoil, Flame Azalea (few), Solomon’s Seal, Umbrella Magnolia, Birdfoot Violet, Dogwood, Halberd Leaf Violet,  Carolina Vetch, Squaw Root, Rue Anemone, Lousewort, Yellow Trillium, Foam Flower, Long Spurred Violet, Star Chickweed, Dog Hobble, False Solomon’s Seal (nice), Yellow Mandarin, Hispid Buttercups, Bishop Caps, Sweet Cicely, Blackberry, Purple Phacelia (very beautiful – nice displays), Sweet White Violet, Meadow Parsnip, Stone Crop (outstanding), Cancer Root, Little Brown Jugs and Fire Pinks (very vivid red).

April 12

Twentymile Trail to Twentymile Loop Trail – Sweet Betsy in abundance, Yellow Trillium, Crested Dwarf Iris just getting started, Blue Phlox, Star Chickweed, Rue-Anemone, Toothwort, Catesby’s trillium, Foamflower, Solomon’s Seal just getting started, Wild Geranium, Long Spurred Violet, Halbred Leaf Violet.

April 11

Cucumber Gap (B-E) – Star Chickweed, Sweet White Violet, Spring Beauty, Trillium Erect, Common Blue Violet, Trout Lily, Wood Anemone, Creamy Yellow Violet, Painted Trillium (9 very small blooms), Long Spurred Violet, Halbred Leaf Violet, Rue Anemone, Toothwort, Bishop Caps, Blue Cohosh (just starting to bloom), Yellow Trillium, Canadian Violet, Frazer Sedge, Solomon’s Seal, and Squirrel Corn (few).  Following budded:  Brook Lettuce, False Solomon’s Seal, Foam Flower and May-apple.  Note:  The Trillium Erect, Wood Anemone, Trout Lily and Rue Anemone are putting on a majestic display.

Little River (B to Cucumber Gap) – Yellow Trillium, Trillium Erect, Solomon’s Seal, Blue Cohosh (Just starting to bloom), Common Blue Violet, Creamy Yellow Violet, Celandine Poppy, Frazer Sedge, Toothwort, Star Chickweed, Jack-n-pulpit (1), Spring Beauties, Stone Crop, White Fringed Phacelia (few), Rue Anemone, Bishop Caps, Yellow Mandarin, Squirrel Corn, Wild Ginger, Hepatica (few), Wood Anemone, Hispid Buttercup (few) and Large Flowered Trillium.  Following budded:  Wild Phlox, Lousewort and Brook Lettuce.  Note:  Most of the blooms first mile and a half.

Chestnut Top (First half-mile) – Purple Phacelia, Bishop Caps, Toothwort (about gone), Star Chickweed, Yellow Trillium, Trillium Er