Posted by Steve Hamley on April 2, 2007 at 9:49 PM
MWNP Folk,
Below is a copy of the post on SENP from my scouting trip Sunday, April first. Spring is a week early at least. Since I posted the report below, I've had word that the Cove Hardwood trail at the Chimneys Picnic Ground is very good for trillium, and the Whiteoak sink is shootable with the purple phlox (today, 4/2), al;though trillium are not fully out. If you're headed this way, you might want to check the spring wildflower thread on SENP.
"Folks,
Things are popping quickly this year. Today (4/1) I did Tremont, Little River Road, Roaring Fork, and Greenbrier, and saw Alice in Greenbrier.
Dogwoods in Tremont are shootable, about half in full bloom and half with a still greenish tinge. The bad thing is the downed trees from last October's storms spoiling many compositions. The dogwood closest to the bridge downstream of the bridge we all shoot at is mostly dead and has only two blossoms, although there a couple more further downstream blooming. The area where Jerry and a bunch of us shot last year is quite good right now. If you want Tremont, try to go this week/weekend. Didn't see many trillium though. It's less green than in most years because many of the other trees are not leafed out well.
Same goes for the Little River Road, good dogwoods and redbuds (redbuds near peak), blooming large white (sweet?) trillium, columbine, and even a few sprigs of firepink here and there.
Trillium on the back (Greenbrier) side of Roaring Fork are at peak, and seem to show some storm or insect damage. If you want Roaring Fork, go ASAP.
Greenbrier looked early at the entrance but got near peak going up the Porter's Creek trail. The trilliums by the water Jerry, Richard (I think) and I have all shot are at peak and I would have reshot the composition today had the blooms not been wet and droopy from the rain. The blossoms appeared undamaged though. The crested dwarf iris are blooming, and the purple ladyslippers are about 6 inches high. I'd also guess the famous phacelia carpets are in full bloom above the third bridge, so if you want Greenbrier, go ASAP.
This is the earliest I've seen a lot of this stuff go off, so get going if you can.
I also suspect the Whiteoak Sink will be good very soon based on the appearance of purple phlox-like flowers along the LRR and in Greenbrier, and my last scouting trip about 10 days ago which yielded two shots when I expected zero. That's probably my next hike although there's no way I can do it before Wednesday at the very earliest.
Glad I'm leaving on Thursday to drive down. Now if only I can find all these places...
Posted by Robert Helms on April 3, 2007 at 8:29 PM
Thanks, Steve it's very considerate of you to pass along the info! I'm not sure if I'll make it down or not, but I wish you all a wonderful spring.
Posted by Josh Anderson on April 4, 2007 at 11:01 AM
Looks like I might have to take a roadtrip this week/weekend since I have 5 days off.
Thanks for the update.
Posted by Jack Graham on April 4, 2007 at 11:18 PM
Josh& the gang
If I was not leaving for Arizona next Wed... I'd join you. Sounds like an interesting time to be there.
JG
Posted by Steve Hamley on April 5, 2007 at 9:05 AM
Folks,
Update 04/05
I guess you are aware that it is cold outside. Night temps in the low- to mid-twenties are expected in the mountains for 3-4 nights. When you do get here, sheltered, low-lying areas might be a good bet. Although wildflowers and wild trees are more resistant to cold than their domesticated kin, we are expecting an impact of some sort given the early spring. Winds are also predicted to be 15-25 mph for a couple of days although we haven't seen anything like that yet.
There will be spring, but you may have to look for it in non-tradtional places. If spring is early in the high country, places like the Blue Ridge Parkway and Roan Mountain might be good, and to the south along the Cherohala Skyway/Tellico areas.
I actually did the Whiteoak Sink yesterday and had a productive day until about 12:30 when the clouds turned off to a blue-sky day. Got a couple of shots later on that have good potential.
Also went around Cades Cove and it surprisingly doesn't seem quite as far along as some other parts of the park.
Discussion
7 repliesBelow is a copy of the post on SENP from my scouting trip Sunday, April first. Spring is a week early at least. Since I posted the report below, I've had word that the Cove Hardwood trail at the Chimneys Picnic Ground is very good for trillium, and the Whiteoak sink is shootable with the purple phlox (today, 4/2), al;though trillium are not fully out. If you're headed this way, you might want to check the spring wildflower thread on SENP.
"Folks,
Things are popping quickly this year. Today (4/1) I did Tremont, Little River Road, Roaring Fork, and Greenbrier, and saw Alice in Greenbrier.
Dogwoods in Tremont are shootable, about half in full bloom and half with a still greenish tinge. The bad thing is the downed trees from last October's storms spoiling many compositions. The dogwood closest to the bridge downstream of the bridge we all shoot at is mostly dead and has only two blossoms, although there a couple more further downstream blooming. The area where Jerry and a bunch of us shot last year is quite good right now. If you want Tremont, try to go this week/weekend. Didn't see many trillium though. It's less green than in most years because many of the other trees are not leafed out well.
Same goes for the Little River Road, good dogwoods and redbuds (redbuds near peak), blooming large white (sweet?) trillium, columbine, and even a few sprigs of firepink here and there.
Trillium on the back (Greenbrier) side of Roaring Fork are at peak, and seem to show some storm or insect damage. If you want Roaring Fork, go ASAP.
Greenbrier looked early at the entrance but got near peak going up the Porter's Creek trail. The trilliums by the water Jerry, Richard (I think) and I have all shot are at peak and I would have reshot the composition today had the blooms not been wet and droopy from the rain. The blossoms appeared undamaged though. The crested dwarf iris are blooming, and the purple ladyslippers are about 6 inches high. I'd also guess the famous phacelia carpets are in full bloom above the third bridge, so if you want Greenbrier, go ASAP.
This is the earliest I've seen a lot of this stuff go off, so get going if you can.
I also suspect the Whiteoak Sink will be good very soon based on the appearance of purple phlox-like flowers along the LRR and in Greenbrier, and my last scouting trip about 10 days ago which yielded two shots when I expected zero. That's probably my next hike although there's no way I can do it before Wednesday at the very earliest.
Good hunting!
Steve"
Steve, thanks for the update.
Thanks for the update.
If I was not leaving for Arizona next Wed... I'd join you. Sounds like an interesting time to be there.
JG
Update 04/05
I guess you are aware that it is cold outside. Night temps in the low- to mid-twenties are expected in the mountains for 3-4 nights. When you do get here, sheltered, low-lying areas might be a good bet. Although wildflowers and wild trees are more resistant to cold than their domesticated kin, we are expecting an impact of some sort given the early spring. Winds are also predicted to be 15-25 mph for a couple of days although we haven't seen anything like that yet.
There will be spring, but you may have to look for it in non-tradtional places. If spring is early in the high country, places like the Blue Ridge Parkway and Roan Mountain might be good, and to the south along the Cherohala Skyway/Tellico areas.
I actually did the Whiteoak Sink yesterday and had a productive day until about 12:30 when the clouds turned off to a blue-sky day. Got a couple of shots later on that have good potential.
Also went around Cades Cove and it surprisingly doesn't seem quite as far along as some other parts of the park.
Good luck,
Steve