Tom Harrington, Volunteer, Hiker, and Park Naturalist Extraordinaire

August 30, 2010  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Sugarland Mountain (Appalachian Trail to Huskey Gap) - White Snake Root, Pink Turtlehead, Pale Jewel Weed (Yellow Touch-me-nots), Golden Rod Erect, Curtis Aster (1), Filmy Angelica, Love Vine, False Fox Glove, Black Eye Susan, Starry Campion, Coreopsis, Large Flowered Bellwort, Whitewood Aster, and Southern Harebell.

Note: A number of Sourwood, Blueberry, and Witch Hobble foliage are claiming their autumn wardrobe.

Huskey Gap (Beginning to Huskey Gap) - No Report - very little blooms found.

Note: One decent sized rattlesnake was resting at the edge of the trail.

August 27  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Little Greenbrier School (Beginning to End) - Wild Potato Vine and Cardinal Flower.

Walker Sisters Cabin (Beginning to End) -Mountain Gentian, Mountain Mint, Great Lobelia, Dark Jewel Weed, Joe Pye Weed, Cardinal Flower, Wild Golden Glow, Ironweed (very pretty), False Fox Glove, and Southern Harebell.

Little Brier (Beginning to End) - Wild Golden Glow, Cardinal Flower, and Great Lobelia.

Little Greenbrier (Beginning to End) - Southern Harebell, Star Grass, Coreopsis, Hawkweed, Golden Rod Erect ,and Mountain Mint.

Note: Yearling seen on this trail about half way between Little Brier Trail and Laurel Falls Trail. (Non-aggressive).

Fall Foliage Report: On Little Greenbrier Trail some Blueberry, Greenbrier and Sourwood leaves are changing to fall colors. Some of the Sourwood is especially beautiful.

August 23  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Laurel Falls (Beginning to End) - False Fox Glove, Great Lobelia, Southern Harebell, Coreopsis, Golden Rod Erect, Pokeweed, and Whitewood Aster.

Cove Mountain (Beginning to End) - Golden Rod Erect, Joe Pye Weed, Star Grass, Southern Harebell, False Fox Glove, Coreopsis, Whitewood Aster, and Cardinal Flower.

Note: Some of Sourwood Leaves are changing colors.

August 16 Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Appalachian Trail - (Newfound Gap to the Boulevard Trail) - Whitewood Aster, Joe Pye Weed, Wild Golden Glow, Yarrow, Yellow Touch-me-nots, Golden Rod Erect, Heal All, Filmy Angelica, Love Vine, White Snake Root, Black Cohosh, and Pink Turtleheads.

Note: Some of Witch Hobble leaves are changing colors.

August 9  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Bull Head Trail (Beginning to End) - Wood Nettle, Love Vine, Southern Harebell, False Fox Gloves, Coreopsis, Canadian Violet, Gold Rod Erect, Whitewood Aster, Common Milkweed, Wild Golden Glow, Crimson Bee Balm, White Snake Root, Indian Pipe, Yellow Touch-me-not, Filmy Angelica, Pink Turtlehead, and Grass of Parnasus.

Rainbow Falls Trail (Beginning to End) - White Snake Root, St. John's Wort, Golden Rod Erect, Pink Turtle Head, Whitewood Aster, Filmy Angelica, Indian Pipe, Coreopsis, Southern Harebell, Whitewood Aster, and False Fox Glove.

Around Mountain LeConte Lodge - White Snake Root, Filmy Angelica, Wild Golden Glow, Monkshood, Crimson Bee Balm, Orange Touch-me-nots, Bush Honeysuckle, Golden Rod Erect, and Yellow Touch-me-nots.

August 2  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Big Creek Trail (Beginning to End) - Heal All, Yellow Touch-me-nots (Pale Jewel Weed), Purple Flowering Raspberry, Common Milkweed, Wild Golden Glow, Crimson Bee Balm, Whitewood Aster, Black Eyed Susan, Pokeweed, Mountain Mint, Wood Nettle, Love Vine, Asiatic Dayflower, and Naked-Flowered Tick Trefoil.

July 26  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Chestnut Top Trail (Beginning to End) - Coreopsis, Turk Cap Lily (1), Reclining Saint Andrew's Cross, Whorled Wood Aster, Pokeweed, Yellow Touch-me-nots, Basil Bee Balm, and Naked-Flowered Tick Trefoil.

Note: Not many flowers blooming.

First Fall Foliage Report - Some nice red Sourwood leaves.

July 12  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Lumber Ridge (Beginning to End) - Rattlesnake Plantain, Star Grass (1), Coreopsis, Tassel Rue, Mountain Angelica, Wood Nettle, and Four Leaf Milkweed.

Meigs Mountain (From Lumber Ridge Trail to Curry Mountain Trail) - Rattlesnake Plantain, Crimson Bee Balm, and Black Cohosh (1).

July 5  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Rich Mountain Loop Trail (Beginning to End) - Coreopsis, False Fox Glove, Mountain Mint, Saint Andrews Cross, Black Cohosh, Rattlesnake Plantain, Daisy Fleabane, Common St. John's Wort, and Four Leaf Milkweed.

Crooked Arm Trail (Beginning to End) - Wood Nettle, Mountain Mint, Four Leaf Milkweed, Blue Stem Golden Rod, Starry Campion, Star Grass, Daisy Fleabane, Heal All, Saint Andrews Cross, Coreopsis, Rattlesnake Plantain, Heal All,  and Common St. John's Wort.

Indian Grave Trail (Beginning to End) - Curtis Aster, Pippsissewa, Coreopsis, Rosebay Rhododendron, Basil Bee Balm, Heal All, Star Grass, Four Leaf Milkweed, and a flower that I have not seen previously (appears to be a member of the Snap Dragon or Mint Family. So far have not located it in any of my wildflower books.

Note: The numbers of wildflowers and the quality of blooms is not great.

June 28  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Ramsey Cascades (Beginning to End) - Rosebay Rhododendron, Mountain Laurel, Crimson Bee Balm (very beautiful), Wild Golden Glows (very nice), Wild Hydrangea, Heal All, Daisy Fleabane, Wood Nettle, Poke Weed, Day Flower, Flowering Spurge, and Spotted St. John's Wort.

June 21  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Little River (Beginning to Rough Creek) - Crimson Bee Balm, Wild Hydrangea, Daisy Fleabane, Common Elderberry, Rosebay Rhododendron, Heal All, Yellow Touch-me-nots, and Basil Bee Balm.

Rough Creek (Beginning to End)- Purple Fringed Orchid (2), Wild Hydrangea, Rosebay Rhododendron, Basil Bee Balm, and Tassel Rue.

Sugarland Mountain (Rough Creek to Huskey Gap) - Galax, Flame Azalea, Rosebay Rhododendron, Star Grass, Tassel Rue, Wild Hydrangea, and Pipsissewa.

Huskey Gap (Huskey Gap to Little River) - Rosebay Rhododendron, Pipsissewa, Basil Bee Balm, and Day Flower.

Cucumber Gap (Beginning to End) - Wild Hydrangea. (very few blooms on this trail).

June 14  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Gregory Ridge (Beginning to End) - Flame Azalea. Rosebay Rhododendron, Galax, Wild Hydrangea, Indian Pipe, Blue Eye Grass (1), Sweet Shrub, Canadian Violet, Prostrate Bluet, Starry Campion, Hawkweed, and Pipsissewa.

Special Note:  Flame azaleas are at peak on Gregory Bald.  The best blooms will last about another week (due to intense heat).

June 7  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Middle Prong (Beginning to End) - Wild Hydrangea, Rosebay Rhododendron (1), Spiderwort (1), Heal All, and Daisy Fleabane.

Greenbrier Ridge (Beginning to End) - Heal All, Mountain Laurel, Flame Azalea, Blackberry, Galax, Canadian Violet, Starry Campion, Prostrate Bluet, and Flowering Spurge.

April 9 Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Chestnut Top (Beginning to End)
Blooming now: Trillium Erect, Long Spurred Violet, Star Chickweed, Spring Beauty, Yellow Trillium, Solomon's Seal, Rue Anemone, Bishop Caps, Stone Crop, Plantain Leaf Pussy Toe, Trailing Arbutus, and Halberd Leaf Violets.

Few Blooming: Birdfoot Violet, Common Blue Violet, Little Brown Jugs, Yellow Mandarin, Wild Oats, Purple Phacelia, and Fire Pink (1).

Past Peak - just few left blooming: Toothwort and Serviceberry.

Budded: Lousewort

Note: Except for Trailing Arbutus, most flowers are on the first half mile of the trail from the Wye. About 2/10 of a mile up the trail a large tree fell and pulled much of the earth from the trail. Some work has been done on the footing; however some of the older folks might have difficulty passing through this without a walking stick.

April 5  Courtesy of Steve Kemp

Wildflowers are abundant along the Little River and Cucumber Gap trails in the Elkmont area right now. Trout-lily, hepatica, spring-beauty, and anemone are all blooming. We should have a good peak of bloom between now and April 20 at the lower elevations.

April 3 Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Middle Prong Trail - one-half mile from parking lot - guided walk for Townsend Herb and Wildflower Day.  Average number of blooms : Hepatica and Rue Anomone.  Few Blooms: Trillium Erect and Creamy Yellow Violets.  Budded: Squirrel Corn.

March 29 Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Porter's Creek Trail (Beginning to End)

Many Blooms: Hepatica

Decent Number of Blooms:  Rue Anemone, Dutchmen's Breeches,    Creamy Yellow Violet

Few Blooms:  Trout Lily, Spring Beauties, White-Fringed Phacelia (1) 

Budded:  Yellow Trillium, Large Flowered Trillium, Trillium Erect, Frazer's Sedge

Note:  Between the long foot log bridge and the falls there are many blooms and it is a delightful experience to see this area.   With the weather predictions for the balance of the week, this weekend should bring out many more blooms.  

March 26 Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Little Greenbrier Trail (Beginning to End)

A few Trailing Arbutus are blooming on the first half mile from Wear Gap Road.

March 19 Courtesy of Tom Harrington 

West Prong (Beginning to End)

Few Blooms: Rue Anemone.   Budded:    Yellow  Trillium and Toothwort.     

Archived Reports from Last Year

October 19, 2009 Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Little Greenbrier Trail (Beginning to End) - A few Southern Harebell,  Goldenrod  Erect, Curtis Aster, Whitewood Aster, Mountain Gentian, and White  Snake Root in  bloom (past peak).

Note:   No report on Metcalf Bottoms Trail, Walker Sisters Cabin Trail, or Little  Brier Trail.   Season appears to be over on those trails.   No more wildflower reports until next Spring.

October 12, 2009 Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Laurel Falls (Beginning to End) -  Whitewood Aster, Curtis Aster, Mountain Gentian, Goldenrod Erect, and White Snakeroot.  

Cove Mountain (Laurel Falls Trail to Park Headquarters) - Whitewood Aster, Curtis Aster, Mountain Gentian, Goldenrod Erect, Great Lobelia (2), False Foxglove (1), Southern Harebell, and Nodding Ladies' Tresses (2).

Note:   Most flowers are well past their peak but still some nice looking blooms: Mountain Gentian, Southern Harebell, and Nodding Ladies' Tresses.

October 5, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Mt. Sterling Trail (Beginning to End) - Small numbers of:   Mountain Gentian, Goldenrod Erect, White Snakeroot, Whitewood Aster, Curtis Aster, and Love Vine.  Some acorns on ground on sections of the trail.

Mt. Sterling Ridge Trail (From Mt. Sterling Trail to Swallow Fork Trail) - No report - very few flowers seen.

Swallow Fork Trail (Beginning to End) - Whitewood Aster, Goldenrod Erect, Filmy Angelica, and White Snakeroot.  A few sections had a decent supply of acorns on the ground.

Big Creek (From Swallow Fork to Beginning) - Small numbers of White Snakeroot, Whitewood Asters,  Goldenrod Erect, and Yellow Touch-me-nots.   Several locations on the trail had acorns on the ground.

September 30, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Abrams Falls (Beginning to Falls) - Hawkweed, Southern Harebell, Whitewood Aster, Curtis Aster, Goldenrod Erect, Great Lobelia, White Snakeroot, Pilewort, Woodland Sunflower, Blue Stemmed Goldenrod, and Joe Pye Weed.  Special Note:   No acorns found on this trail.

September 21, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Chestnut Top (Beginning to End) - Whitewood Aster, Curtis Aster, Goldenrod Erect,  Indian Pipe, Great Lobelia, False Foxglove, and Southern Harebell.

School House Gap (Beginning to End) - Great Lobelia, Goldenrod Erect, Hearts-a-bustin, Curtis Aster, Cardinel Flower, False Foxglove, and Whitewood Aster.

Bote Mountain (Beginning to Finely Cane Trail) - Curtis Aster, Whitewood Aster, Goldenrod Erect, False Foxglove, Hearts-a-bustin, and Great Lobelia

West Prong (Beginning to End) - Southern Harebell, Whitewood Aster, White Snakeroot, Great Lobelia, Hearts-a-bustin, Curtis Aster and Goldenrod Erect.

September 14, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Little River (Beginning to Rough Creek Trail) - Whitewood Aster, Goldenrod Erect, White Snakeroot, Orange Touch-Me-Nots, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots,  Giant Goldenrod, Heal All, Pink Turtle Head, Joe Pye Weed, Great Lobelia, Yellow Crownbeard, Wild Golden Glow, and Smooth Phlox.

Rough Creek (Beginning to End) - Whitewood Aster, White Snakeroot, Black Cohosh, Black Eye Susan, Filmy Angelica, Crimson Bee Balm (1), Goldenrod Erect, and Yellow Touch-Me-Nots.

Sugarland Mountain (From Rough Creek Trail to Huskey Gap) - Curtis Aster, White Snakeroot, Filmy Angelica, Whitewood Aster, Goldenrod Erect, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots, Pinesap, and Yellow Crownbeard.

Huskey Gap (Huskey Gap to Little River Trail) - Curtis Aster, Whitewood Aster, White Snakeroot, Love Vine, Asiatic Dayflower, Goldenrod Erect, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots, and Great Goldenrod.

Cucumber Gap (Beginning to End) - Whitewood Aster, White Snakeroot, Goldenrod Erect, and Pink Turtle Head.

September 7, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Middle Prong (Beginning to End) - Cardinal Flower, Whitewood Aster, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots, Orange Touch-Me-Nots, Goldenrod Erect, White Snakeroot, Wild Golden Glows, and Heal All.

Greenbrier Ridge (Beginning to End) - White Snakeroot, Goldenrod Erect, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots, Black Cohosh, Pink Turtle Head, and Mountain Gentian.

August 31, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Low Gap (From Hiker Parking Lot to Low Gap) - Whitewood Asters, Filmy Angelica, Orange Touch-Me-Nots, White Snakeroot, Stinging Neddles, Coreopsis, Goldenrod Erect,  Tall Bellflower, False Foxglove, Love Vine, Joe Pye Weed, Southern Harebell, Black Cohosh, and Wild Golden Glow.

Appalachian Trail (From Low Gap to Mt. Cammerer Trail) - Wild Golden Glows, Coreopsis, White Snakeroot, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots, Love Vine, Southern Harebell, Joe Pye Weed, Goldenrod Erect, Summer Sweet, Whitewood Asters, and Crimson Bee Balms.

Mount Cammerer (Beginning to End) - White Snakeroot, Whitewood Aster, Goldenrod Erect, Summer Sweet, Love Vine, and Yellow Touch-Me-Nots.

Note:   A good number of Huckleberries and Blackberries along the Appalachian Trail and the Mt. Cammerer Trail.   Some evidence of bears taking advantage of these opportunities.

August 19, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Meigs Mountain Trail (Beginning to End) - Whitewood Aster, Goldenrod Erect, Coreopsis, White Snakeroot, Day Flower, and Yellow Touch-Me-Nots.

Lumber Ridge Trail (Beginning to End) - Yellow Fringed Orchid (1), Pinesap (1), Goldenrod Erect, Sweet Goldenrod, Hawkweed, Curtis Aster, White Snakeroot, Southern Harebell, Coreopsis, Love Vine, and Star Grass.

August 19, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Laurel Falls Trail (From Fighting Creek Gap to Little Greenbrier Junction) -  Goldenrod Erect,  Heal All, Coreopsis, Southern Harebell, Great Lobelia, False Foxglove, Flowering Spurge, and Whitewood Aster.

August 17, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Anthony Creek (Beginning to End) - Crimson Bee Balm, Whitewood Aster, Goldenrod Erect, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots, Coreopsis, Rosebay Rhododendron, Love Vine, and Joe Pye Weed.

Bote Mountain (From Anthony Creek to the Appalachian Trail) - Goldenrod Erect, Whitewood Aster, Joe Pye Weed, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots,Black Cohosh, Filmy Angelica, White Snakeroot, Crimson Bee Balm, Wild Golden Glow, Orange Touch-Me-Nots, Stinging Nettles, and Monkshood.  

Note:  Bear seen about a quarter of a mile below the Appalachian Trail.

Appalachian Trail (From the Jenkins Ridge Trail to Russell Field) - Heal All, Goldenrod Erect, White Snakeroot, Love Vine, Turk Cap Lily (3), Joe Pye Weed, and one of the best displays of Southern Harebell that I have seen.

Russell Field (Beginning to End) - Crimson Bee Balm, White Snakeroot, Sweet Goldenrod, Love Vine, Tall Bell Flower, Joe Pye Weed, Heal All, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots, and Yellow Fringed Orchid (1).

August 10, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Lead Cove (Beginning to End) - Southern Harebell, Coreopsis, and Whitewood Aster.

Bote Mountain (From Lead Cove Trail to Finely Cane Trail) - Coreopsis (many), Southern Harebell, Great Lobellia (1), Yellow Fringed Orchid (many but past peak), Heal All, Mountain Angelica, and Sweet Goldenrod.

Finely Cane (Beginning to End) - No flowers found.

August 3, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Bullhead Trail (Beginning to End) -False Foxglove, Rattlesnake Plantain, Coreopsis, Tall Bellflower, Goldenrod Erect, Canadian Violet,  Pokeweed, Wood Nettle, Southern Harebell, Love Vine, Summer Sweet, Yellow Fringed Orchid (8), Turk Cap Lily, Rugels Indian Plantain, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots, Whitewood Aster, Wild Hydrangea, Wild Golden Glow, Tea Berry, White Snakeroot (Just starting to bloom) , Bush Honeysuckle (Just starting to bloom), Crimson Bee Balm, Indian Pipe, Monkshood, Joe Pye Weed (just starting to bloom), Grass of Parnassus (just starting to bloom), Pink Turtlehead, Rosebay Rhododendron, Michaux's Saxifrage, and Filmy Angelica (Just starting to bloom).

Around the Mt. LeConte Lodge - Turk Cap Lily, Wild Golden Glow, Bush Honeysuckle, Crimson Bee Balm, Filmy Angelica, and Monkshood.

Rainbow Falls (Beginning to End) -  Rosebay Rhododendron, Goldenrod Erect, Stinging Nettle, Love Vine, Turk Cap Lily, Rugels Indian Plantian, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots, Whitewood Aster, Wild Hydrangea, Wild Golden Glow, White Snakeroot, Bush Honeysuckle, Crimson Bee Balm, Indian Pipe, Pink Turtle Head, Black Cohosh, Michaux's Saxifrage, and Filmy Angelica.

Note:  On both trails a number of blue berry and huckleberry limbs and one limb from a wild cherry tree were broken over so hikers need to be alert for bears more than normal.   On Bull Head there are a lot of blueberrys and huckleberrys on the plants.  There is great variety of the late summer wildflowers in bloom on these two trails for those willing to tackle these trails.

July 27, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Middle Prong Trail (Beginning to End) -  Rattlesnake Plantain, Whitewood Aster, Yellow Touch-me-nots, Rosebay Rhododendron, Crimson Bee Balm, Heal All, Flowering Spurge, Horse Nettle, Ox Eyed Daisy, Mountain Saint John's Wort, and Tall Bellflower.

Lynn Camp Prong (From Middle Prong Trail to Campsite #28) - Crimson Bee Balm, Heal All, Wild Golden Glow, Rosebay Rhododendron, Summer Sweet, and Whitewood Aster.

July 17, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Rich Mountain Loop (Beginning to End) - Basil Bee Balm, Reclining Saint Andrew's Cross, False Foxglove, Rosebay Rhododendron, and Coreopsis.

Crooked Arm (Beginning to End) - Smooth Phlox, Thimbleweed, Rosebay Rhododendron, Reclining Saint Andrew's Cross, Goldenrod, Indian Pipe, Coreopsis, Tassel Rue, Star Grass, Heal All, and Mountain Mint.

Indian Grave (Beginning to End) - Rosebay Rhododendron, False Foxglove, Coreopsis, Basil Bee Balm, and Indian Pipe.

July 6, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Appalachian Trail (From Clingman's Dome to Goshen Prong Trail) - Purple Fringed Orchid (1), Mountain Saint John's Wort, Blackberry, Yarrow, Turk Cap Lily, Wood Sorrell, Bush Honeysuckle, and Tassel Rue.

Goshen Prong (Beginning to End) - Wood Sorrell, Rosebay Rhododendron, Wild Golden Glows, Crimson Bee Balms, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots, Pipsissewa, Rugels Indian Plantain, and Clingman's Hedge Nettle.

Little River (Beginning to Goshen Prong) - Rosebay Rhododendron, Yellow Touch-Me-Nots, and Turk Cap Lilys.

June 29, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Porter Creek Trail (Beginning to Brushy Mountain Trail) - Rosebay Rhododendron, Wild Hydrangea, Pokeweed, and Thimbleweed.

Brushy Mountain Trail (Beginning to End) - Rosebay Rhododendron, Wild Hydrangea, Crimson Bee Balm, Tea Berry, Pipsissewa, Galax, Rugels Indian Plantain, Mountain Laurel, Starry Campion, and Partridge-berry.

June 22, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Chestnut Top (Beginning to End) - Horse Nettle, Pokeweed, Black Cohosh, Rosebay Rhododendron, Goats Rue (1), Coreopsis, Wild Hydrangea, New Jersey Tea (1 plant blooming), Reclining Saint Andrews Cross (1 plant blooming), Star Grass, and Pipsissewa.

School House Gap (Beginning to End) - Black Cohosh, Rosebay Rhododendron, Coreopsis, Wild Hydrangea, Reclining Saint Andrews Cross, Star Grass, Pipsissewa, and False Foxglove (1 plant blooming).

Bote Mountain (Laurel Creek Road to Finely Cane) - Rosebay Rhododendron, Coreopsis, Star Grass, and Pipsissewa.

West Prong (Beginning to End) - Black Cohosh, Rosebay Rhododendron, Pokeweed,  and Wild Hydrangea.

Treemont Road (Laurel Creek Road to West Prong Trail) - Rosebay Rhododendron, Wild Purple Raseberry, Crown Vetch, and Partridge Pea.

The only flowers blooming in large numbers are the Rosebay Rhododendrons.

June 15, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Gregory Bald Trail (Parson's Branch Road to Gregory Bald) - Galax, Star Grass, Spiderwort, Wild Hydrangea, Goats Beard, Loosestrife, Flame Azalea, Rosebay Rhododendron, Hawkweed, Canadian Violet,  Tassel Rue, Wood Sorrell, Prostrate Bluets, Spring Ladies' Tresses, and Common Cinquefoil.

Gregory Bald Azalea Report Blooms very close to peak if not at peak. About 65% of the shrubs are covered with blooms with a few buds. There are a number of shrubs on the side facing Cades Cove that are not blooming yet. White Flame Azaleas have not started blooming yet. Well worth the trip to the bald.

Legend:

• P (at peak)
• BP (beyond peak)
• JS (just started blooming)
• V (varies at different parts of the trail)
• + (many blooms)
• - (few blooms)

June 8, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Cooper Road Trail (Abrams Creek Camp Ground to Hatcher Mountain Trail) - Galax AP +, White Milkweed JS,  Star Grass P, Ox Eye Daisy AP -,  Hawkweed AP, Red Clover -,  Skullcap (have not determined which kind yet),  Wild Hydrangea JS -, Pipsissewa P +, and Loosestrife AP -.

Hatcher Mountain Trail (Beginning to End) - Star Grass P, Hawkweed AP, Galax AP +, Red Clover P -, Flame Azalea P -, Wild Hydrangea JS -, Skullcap (have not determined which one), and Pipsissewa P +.

Little Bottoms Trail (Beginning to End) - Hawkweed AP, Loosestrife AP -, Indian Pipe P +, Reclining Saint Andrews Cross P -, Galax AP +, Star Grass P, White Milkweed JS, New Jersey Tea P +, Rosebay Rhododendron JS (3), Pipsissewa P, Beard Tongue AP - and White Flame Azalea P - (note two of the shrubs are 12 to 15 feet tall - beautiful - wonderful fragrance - I have not seen white Flame Azaleas previously except on Gregory Bald).

June 1, 2009   Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Alum Cave Bluff Trail (Beginning to End) - Wood Sorrell P, Mountain Myrtle (also called Sand Myrtle) JS +, Dog Hobble BP +, Sweet White Violets P +, Prostrate Bluets P +, Catawba Rhododendrons JS -, Red Elderberry P, Witch Hobble, - and Blackberry JS.

Myrtle Point Trail (Beginning to End) - Mountain Myrtle JS -.

Note:   I estimate that the Mountain Laurel will be blooming and the Catawba Rhododendron will peak within 10 days to two weeks on the Alum Cave Bluff Trail.

May 25, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Big Creek Trail (Beginning to End) - Beard Tongue P + (The most beautiful that I have seen them), Red Clove P -, Mountain Laurel BP -, Solomon's Seal BP -, Alum Root  BP, Blackberry  V, Teaberry JS +, Clinton Lily BP (1), Stonecrop BP +, Dog Hobble +, Thimbleweed JS -, Foam Flower -, Golden Ragwort -, Common Cinquefoil -,  Meadow Parsnip P, Sweet White Violet BP -, Hawkweed BP -, Lyre Leaf Sage -, Indian Cucumber Root BP -, and Common Elderberry JS (1).

May 18, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Low Gap Trail (from Cosby to Low Gap) - Foam Flower BP -, Stone Crop V +, Meadow Parsnip -, Canadian Violets BP +, Yellow Trillium BP -, Dog Hobble BP -, Doll Eyes BP (1), Sweet White Violets BP, Solomon's Seal A -, Clinton Lily -, False Solomon's Seal V +, Blackberry JS -, Vasey Trillium BP (1), Common Blue Violet -, Erect Trillium BP -, and Maple-leaf Viburnum -.

Appalachian Trail (from Low Gap to Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail) - Common Cinquefoil -, Stone Crop V, Solomon's Seal BP -, Sweet White Violet, Canadian Mayflower P +, Common Blue Violet -, Prostrate Bluets V, Foam Flower BP -, Erect Trillium BP -, Clinton Lily P +, Star Chickweed BP -, Silver Bell BP -, Squaw Root BP -, Dog Hobble P, Red Elderberry JS -, Witch Hobble JS -, Yellow Bead Lily P, and Umbrella Leaf -.

Mt. Cammerer Trail (Beginning to End) - Canadian Mayflower P +, Yellow Bead Lily P +, Common Blue Violet -, Erect Trillium BP -, Painted Trillium - (just about gone), and Red Elderberry.

Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail (Beginning to End) - Yellow Trillium BP -, Clinton Lily V +, False Solomons Seal V, Squaw Root BP +, Sweet White Violet BP, Solomon's Seal BP -, Stone Crop V +, Brook Lettuce BP +, Canadian Violet BP +, Rue Anemone BP (2), Wild Geranium -, Purple Wake Robin BP (2), Crested Dwarf Iris BP (2), Umbrella Leaf BP -, Indian Cucumber -, Vasey Trillium BP (2), Galax JS -, Star Grass -, Mountain Laurel JS -, Hawkweed JS -, Lyre Leaf Sage BP -, Common Cinquefoil -, and Sweet Cicely BP -.

Note:  Most of the flowers that are blooming are on the last two and a half miles of this seven point four trail before reaching the Appalachian Trail. Might be closer to come from Big Creek up Chestnut Branch and the Appalachian Trail.

May 11, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Ace Gap Trail (Beginning to End) - Star Grass P, Meadown Parsnip, Robins Plantain BP-, False Solomon's Seal, Catsby Trillium BP, Beard Tongue BP -, Fire Pinks BP, Yellow Trillium BP -, Spiderwort JS (8), Solomons Seal -, Wild Geranium BP -, Mountain Laurel JS,  Blackberry P -, Flame Azalea P +, Fairywand JS (13), Yellow Mandarin BP -, Rue Anemone BP -, Galax JS -, Little Brown Jugs BP -, Clinton Lily (1),  Hawkweed JS -, and Bristly Locust (1) [Only the third time in 27 years that I have found one in bloom].

May 4, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Walker Sister's Cabin (Beginning to End) -  Yellow Trillium BP, Carolina Vetch BP -, Solomon's Seal, Cancer Root BP -, Robin's Plantain BP +, Lyre Leaf Sage JS, Crested Dwarf Iris BP +, Red Clover JS +, Sweet Shrub BP -, Dog Hobble P +, Sweet White Violet BP, Wild Geranium P +, Dogwood BP -, Common Blue Violet P -, Rue Anemone BP -, Purple Fringed Phacelia JS -, and Flame Azalea P -.

Little Brier (Beginning to End) - Lousewort BP -, Wild Geranium P +, Lyre Leaf Sage JS -, Fire Pink P -, Robin's Plantain BP +, Yellow Trillium BP, Solomon's Seal P -, Common Blue Violet P -,  Umbrella Magnolia JS -, and Flame Azalea P -.

Little Greenbrier (From Wear Cove Road to  Little Brier Trail Junction) - Flame Azalea P -, Mountain Laurel JS -, Star Grass P +, Star Chickweed BP -, Meadow Parsnip JS -, Dog Hobble BP -, and Solomon's Seal -. 

Wear Cove Road (Park Boundary to Metcalf Bottoms)  Wild Geranium P +, Fire Pink P, Lyre Leaf Sage JS -, Purple Fringed Phacelia JS +, Carolina Vetch BP -, False Solomon's Seal P -, Dogwood BP -, Star Chickweed BP -, Crested Dwarf Iris BP -, Wild Strawberry JS -, Rue Anemone BP -, Yellow Trillium BP - Meadow Parsnip P -, and Long Spurred Violet BP -.

West Prong (Treemont Road approx.  1 and a half miles up trail) - Long Spurred Violet BP -, Sweet White Violet P, Yellow Trillium BP +, Crested Dwarf Iris BP +, False Solomon's Seal JS, Black Berry  JS -, Star Chickweed BP -, Birdfoot Violet P -, Foam Flower BP +, Canadian Violet BP -,  Galax JS -, Solomon's Seal P -, Rue Anemone BP -, Cancer Root BP -, and Yellow Mandarin .

School House Gap (Laurel Creek Rd. to Chestnut Top Trail Junction) - Sweet Betsy BP 2, Yellow Trillium BP, Long Spurred Violet BP -, Lousewort P, Foam Flower BP, Rue Anemone BP -, Canadian Violet BP -, False Solomons Seal JS -, Carolina Vetch  BP -, Star Grass P -, Hairy Buttercup JS -, Dogwood BP -, Dog Hobble BP +, Sweet White Violet BP, Common Blue Violet P -, Fairy Wand JS -, Catsby Trillium BP +, Golden Ragwort BP -, Solomon's Seal P -, Common Cinquefoil JS -, Crested Dwarf Iris BP +, Lyre Leaf Sage JS -, Birdfoot Violet P -, and Mountain Laurel JS -.

April 20, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Lower Mount Cammerer (From Cosby to the Appalachian Trail) - Erect Trillium, Foam Flower, Showy Orchus, Sweet White Violet, Stonecrop, Rue Anemone, Star Chickweed, Long Spurred Violet, Hairy Buttercup, Bishop Caps, Yellow Trillium, Canadian Violets, Solomon's Seal, Wild Phlox, Large Flowered Bellwort, Spotted Mandarin (one book says it is rare), Yellow Mandarin, Wild Geranium, Dwarf Ginseng, Creamy Yellow Violet, Common Blue Violet, Wild Oats, Halberd Leaved Violet, Wild Strawberry, Blue Cohosh, Plantain Leaf Pussytoe (about gone), Nodding Trillium (a few), Crested Dwarf Iris (a few), Toothwort, Trailing Arbutus, Birdfoot Violet, Wood Anemone, Brook Lettuce, Squaw Root, Meadow Parsnip, Wild Ginger, Purple Wake Robin (1), Little Brown Jugs, Squirrel Corn, Dutchmen's Breeches, Trout Lily, Round Leaf Violet, Bloodroot, Spring Beauty, Early Meadowrue, Golden Ragwort, and Sweet Cie.

Note:  The Lower Mount Cammerer Trail is one of the best wildflower trails, and it appears few people check it out.

Appalachian Trail (From Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail to Chestnut Branch Trail) - Halberd Leaved Violet, Golden Ragwort, Birdfoot Violet, Star Chickweed, Yellow Trillium, and Wild Oats.

Note:  Very few flowers blooming on this section of the Appalachian Trail and the ones that were were within 50 feet of the Chestnut Branch junction.

Chestnut Branch (from the Appalachian Trail to Big Creek) - Yellow Trillium, Star Chickweed, Rue Anemone, Showy Orchus, Common Blue Violet, Wild Oats, Dogwood, Sweet White Violets, Wood Anemone, Bishop Caps, Long Spurred Violets, Wild Geranium, Stone Crop, Meadow Parsnip, Erect Trillium, Brook Lettuce, Foam Flower, Solomon's Seal, Wild Ginger, Squaw Root, Creamy Yellow Violet, Golden Ragwort, Toothwort, and Common Cinquefoil.

Note:  Best blooms first mile of trail from Big Creek.

April 15, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

School House Gap (from Laurel Creek Road to and including White Oak Sinks) - Yellow Trillium, Sweet Betsy Trillium (1), Robin's Plantain, Toothwort (few - past peak), Rue Anemone, Wood Anemone, Sweet White Violet, Star Chickweed, Erect Trillium, Bishops Cap, Catsby Trillium, Little Brown Jugs, Wild Ginger, Golden Ragwort (2), Carolina Vetch, Wild Columbine (few), Blue Cohosh, Large Flowered Trillium, Plantain Leaf Pussy Toe (few - past peak), Shooting Star (great display), Wild Phlox, Creamy Yellow Violet, and Wild Geranium.

Note:  There are places on the unmaintained trail from School House Gap Trail to White Oak Sinks that are very slick and muddy. Hiking sticks and good boots could help prevent a nasty fall.

Chestnut Top Trail (From road about 3/10 of a mile up the trail) - Star Chickweed, Erect Trillium, Purple Phacelia (great), Yellow Trillium (also great), BishopS Cap, Large Flowered Trillium, Solomon's Seal, Foam Flower, Silver Bell, Brook Lettuce (few), Stone Crop (great), Rue Anemone, Long Spurred Violet, Toothwort (few - about gone), Meadow Parsnip (just starting to bloom), Hairy Buttercup (few), Crested Dwarf Iris (few), Firepinks (great), Squaw Root, Common Blue Violet, Yellow Mandarin (few), Jack in the Pulpit (1), Little Brown Jugs, and Lousewort (just starting to bloom).

April 13, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Huskey Gap (Beginning to End) - Smooth Yellow Violet AP+, Hairy Buttercup JS -, Canadian Violets -, Yellow Trillium AP +, Purple Phacelia -, Common Blue Violets AP +, Toothwort BP -, Star Chickweed -, Sweet White Violets AP, Crested Dwarf Iris JS -, Rue Anemone AP ++, Trillium Erect AP +, Halberd Leaf Violet AP +, Solomons Seal JS -, Wild Geranium JS -, Yellow Mandarin JS -, Trailing Arbutus BP, Trout Lily BP -, Squirrel Corn AP, Wild Ginger -, Long Spurred Violet BP -, Dutchmen's Breeches BP -, Bishop's Cap AP +, Wood Anemone JS -, Blue Cohosh -, Spring Beauty BP -, Hepatica BP -, Hairy Buttercup JS -, Robin's Plantain BP - Plantain Leaved Pussy's Toes BP -, and Large Flowered Trillium AP ++.

Note:  This would be a good trail to recommend at this time - the best blooms are in the first mile and a half up from Newfound Gap Road. The Large Flowered Trillium and the Trillium Erect are wonderful.

Cucumber Gap (Beginning to End) - Star Chickweed -, Spring Beauty AP +, Common Blue Violet -, Toothwort BP -, Sweet White Violets -, Smooth Yellow Violets +, Trillium Erect -, Trout Lily BP -, Dwarf Ginseng -, Wood Anemone -, Long Spurred Violet BP -, Yellow Trillium -, Blue Cohosh -, Frasier's Sedge BP -, Bishop's Cap AP +, Yellow Mandarin JS -, and Wild Phlox -.

Little River (Beginning to Huskey Gap) - Sweet White Violets -, Common Blue Violets -, Long Spurred Violets BP -, Star Chickweed -, Yellow Trillium AP +, Trillium Erect AP +, Meadow Parsnip JS -, Wild Ginger AP ++, Hairy Buttercup JS -, Frasier's Sedge BP -, Toothwort BP -, Trillium Erect AP +, White Fringed Phacelia -, Spring Beauties AP, Smooth Yellow Violet, Rue Anomone AP, Solomon's Seal JS -, Canadian Violets -, Large Flowered Trillium AP, Squirrel Corn AP, -Brook Lettuce JS -, Bishop's Cap AP +, and Yellow Mandarin JS -.

Handicapped Accessible Nature Trail (near Sugarlands) - (Beginning to End) - Sweet White Violets AP, Common Blue Violets, Yellow Trillium -, Toothwort BP -, Solomon's Seal JS -, Star Chickweed -, Squaw Root JS -, Brook Lettuce JS - Wild Phlox JS -, and Foam Flower JS -.

April 13, 2009  Courtesy of Steve Kemp

Wildflowers now blooming on the Old Settlers Trail (Greenbrier end) include:  crested dwarf iris, blue phlox, trout lily, bishop's cap, star chickweed, hepatica, yellow trillium, hairy buttercup, dwarf cinquefoil, rue anemone, and false Solomon's seal.  Many trails will be at peak in the next 10 days.  Get on out there!

April 6, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Ace Gap (Beginning to End) - Robin's Plantain, Wild Geranium, Rue Anomone, Plantain Leaf Pussytoes, Carolina Vetch, Common Blue Violet, Birdfoot Violet, Bloodroot, Yellow Trillium, Service Berry, Star Chickweed, Trailing Arbutus, Dogwood, Stone Crop, and Hedgehog Wood-Rush Sedge.

Note:  Few blooms except for Rue Anomone and Trailing Arbutus. Halberd Leaf Violets are covered in buds.

March 30, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Porters Creek Trail: Bishop Caps JSB -, Trillium Erect JSB -, Toothwort BP -, Spring Beauty Close to P +, Dutchmens Breeches P + (the best display of this flower that I have seen anytime, breath taking), Squirrel Corn P, White Fringed Phacelia JSB - (about 1/5 of the way to being at peak), Trout Lily -, Wild Ginger -, Wild Geranium JSB -, Fraser's Sedge P -, Prostrate Bluets JSB -, Birdfoot Violet JSB -, Sweet White Violets, Phacelia (will be at peak mid to late next week depending on the weather), Rue Anemone P +, Star Chickweed -, Bloodroot BP -, Large Flowered Trillium P +, Yellow Trillium JSB -, Long Spurred Violet, Smooth Yellow Violet -, Common Blue Violet -, Wild Phlox JSB -, Hepatica, Halberd Leaf Violet, Wood Anemone -, Robin's Plantain JSB -. Note: It's well worth taking this trail to see the Dutchman's Breeches and others.

March 25, 2009  Courtesy of Steve Kemp

Redbud and service berry trees are beginning to bloom in the Smokies! This is truly one of the most beautiful times in the park. Good places to see the flowering trees include Little River Road and Cades Cove.

With scattered showers and warm temperatures this week, the stage is set for an outstanding spring wildflower bloom. The peak of spring woodland wildflowers is predicted to occur the second week of April.

March 23, 2009  Courtesy of Steve Kemp

Greenbrier area now has some fringed phacelia and trout lily, plus lots of hepatica, spring-beauty, Dutchman's britches, and violets.

March 20, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Gregory Ridge Trail (Beginning-End) - Rue Anemone - Halberd Leaf Violets and Round Leaf Violets. (Blooms start about a mile up the trail from Forge Creek Road and continue for another 3/4 of a mile).

Gregory Bald (from the Bald to Parson's Branch Road) - Trailing Arbutus and Round Leaf Violets.

March 16, 2009  Courtesy of Tom Harrington

Chestnut Top: Star Chickweed, Hepatica, Spring Beauty, Long Spurred Violet, Common Blue Violet, and Trailing Arbutus. The Yellow Trillium, Toothwort, and Stonecrop are budded. West Prong: Hepatica, Spring Beauty, Trailing Arbutus, Halberd Leaf Violet, Toothwort (1), Common Blue Violet, and Rue Anemone.

March 9, 2009 First wildflower report for the season!

The upper section of Porters Creek Trail (beyond the long foot log) has a riot of hepatica right now. Also some scattered spring beauties. Based on these harbingers, the peak of spring woodland wildflowers should be the second week of April.