Wildflowers Blooming in the Great Smoky Mountains, 4/8/24

(This report is a reprint from VIP, Mr. Tom H., on 4/8/24, with a photo added for effect)

WILDFLOWER REPORT – CHESTNUT TOP TRAIL (FIRST 3/10 MILE) – 8 APRIL 2024

Bishop Caps – Many – Mostly at peak bloom.

Common Blue Violet – Few – Approaching peak bloom.

Crested Dwarf Iris – Some – About half at peak bloom and half past peak bloom.

Dogwood – Some – Appear to be at peak bloom.

False Solomon’s Seal – Many – Just starting to bloom (probably a week from being at peak bloom depending on the weather).

Fire Pinks – Some – Almost at peak bloom (be sure to look about 12 feet above trail on the left about 2/10 of a mile up the trail).  Nice!

Foam Flower – Few – Past peak bloom.

Hepatica – (1)

Long Spurred Violets – Many – Mostly past peak bloom.

Meadow Parsnip – Some – Approaching peak bloom.

Purple Phacelia – Many – Most at peak bloom (very beautiful).

Rue Anemone – Some – At peak bloom.

Solomon’s Seal – Many – Approaching peak bloom.

Solomon’s Seal Grande – Some – Just starting to bloom.

Spring Beauty – Some – At peak bloom or just beyond peak bloom.

Star Chickweed – Many ++ - AT peak bloom (Especially pretty clumps of these flowers).

Stone Crop – Many – In the early blooming stage.

Sweet White Trillium – Many – Mostly at peak bloom.

Toothwort – Few – Past peak bloom.

Yellow Mandarin – Few – Just starting to bloom

Yellow Trillium – Many – At peak bloom (few budded).

LAUREL CREEK ROAD

Dogwood

Purple Phacelia (first 2/10 of mile from the Wye on the left).

Red Bud

Sweet White Trillium

Yellow Trillium

LITTLE RIVER ROAD (FROM TOWNSEND WYE TO METCALF BOTTOMS

Dogwood

Purple Phacelia

Sweet White Trillium

Wild Columbine

Yellow Trillium

 

Great Smoky Mountains NP Roads Closed

 This just in......Multiple park roads closed due to downed trees. Read more for details. 

GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Most roads in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are closed following a high wind event that occurred overnight. Trees are down across roads and trails. Crews are assessing conditions, clearing trees and will open roads when it is safe to do so. 

The following roads are closed as of 12 p.m.:

Gatlinburg Bypass 

Newfound Gap Road (US 441) between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC 

Little River Road 

Laurel Creek Road 

Cherokee Orchard Road at the park boundary 

Greenbrier Road at the ranger station 

Tremont Road 

Foothills Parkway new section 

Foothills Parkway between Look Rock and US 129 

Wears Gap Road 

A National Weather Service wind advisory and high wind warning remain in effect until 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 26. Wind gusts peaked at 85 mph in the park between 2 and 3 a.m. 

The Sugarlands and Oconaluftee visitor centers are open. Visitors coming to the park today are encouraged to stop in a visitor center for updates on current conditions. Updates will be posted on the park’s website.

Cane Creek Trail & Campsite #2, in Nov., 2023

This was a really pleasant night out in the woods.  This was David L's first night of "backpacking". Now Dave's done a bunch of long, and short, day hikes. And stayed at established "car campgrounds" but this was the first time he carried a BP with the intention of spending a night in the woods. 

The relative ease and distance on this route make for a good first night out for anyone new to the backcountry adventure.  The conditions were mild with moderate temps and no rain.

Though water was still plentiful from the creek near the campsite. 

Maybe in the next few weeks we can get out for another backcountry excursion a little farther in distance and with a little more "terrain".