Posted by Bruce Watson on April 11, 2009 at 2:54 PM
I'm going to take the 5x4 to GSMNP for a visit before May. I know my way around GSMNP to some degree. But I thought either on my way in, or on my way out, I should visit Max Patch Mountain. I hear good things about wild flowers and vistas, and I've never been there before (sad considering I'm an NC native).
Anyone have any suggestions for trails, wild flower timing, tips, suggestions, what have you, for visiting Max Patch in mid/late April?
Posted by Lori Kincaid on April 12, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Bruce,
Mid-April will be early for the wildflowers at the highest elevations in the vicinity of Max Patch, although you should still find some patchy good displays. Look along the left (north) arm of the Max Patch loop trail after you enter the woods. Also, check out the Appalachian Trail between Lemon Gap and Max Patch.
The recent snow held back the wildflowers in the Harmon Den area (FS road 148 on the way up from I-40 exit 7) so you should be on track for peak in that area, particularly toward the end of April. Cold Springs Creek (along the road) is a nice creek but has few wildflowers right along the creek that can be used in compositions. Better opportunities are for forest scenics here and there along the road where wildflowers are plentiful.
I recommend waiting until late April if you can. My wildflower workshop is the weekend of April 30 and given the recent snow I think we're on track to hit the peak, especially at the higher elevations. Of course, a few days of sweltering Spring weather can change everything.
Hope this helps.
Lori
Posted by Bruce Watson on April 27, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Lori,
I made it to Max Patch yesterday. I couldn't believe the thousands and thousands of trout lillies on the north-western side (?) of the bald. In the Piedmont they don't seem to group like that. More of a few here, a few there kind of thing. The massive cover-the-hillside method just blew my wife and me away. I know -- silly flatlanders. But that's why we travel.
It's been just an excellent year for the spring ephemerals in the mountains apparently. We met an old guy on a trail in GSM-NP who said he'd been hiking the trails hunting for wild flowers for 45 years, and that this year was the best he'd ever seen. All I know is that I've never seen a spring to top this spring in the mountains. Just beautiful!
Thanks for the tips on Max Patch and good luck with your wildflower workshop next weekend!
Discussion
2 repliesAnyone have any suggestions for trails, wild flower timing, tips, suggestions, what have you, for visiting Max Patch in mid/late April?
Mid-April will be early for the wildflowers at the highest elevations in the vicinity of Max Patch, although you should still find some patchy good displays. Look along the left (north) arm of the Max Patch loop trail after you enter the woods. Also, check out the Appalachian Trail between Lemon Gap and Max Patch.
The recent snow held back the wildflowers in the Harmon Den area (FS road 148 on the way up from I-40 exit 7) so you should be on track for peak in that area, particularly toward the end of April. Cold Springs Creek (along the road) is a nice creek but has few wildflowers right along the creek that can be used in compositions. Better opportunities are for forest scenics here and there along the road where wildflowers are plentiful.
I recommend waiting until late April if you can. My wildflower workshop is the weekend of April 30 and given the recent snow I think we're on track to hit the peak, especially at the higher elevations. Of course, a few days of sweltering Spring weather can change everything.
Hope this helps.
Lori
I made it to Max Patch yesterday. I couldn't believe the thousands and thousands of trout lillies on the north-western side (?) of the bald. In the Piedmont they don't seem to group like that. More of a few here, a few there kind of thing. The massive cover-the-hillside method just blew my wife and me away. I know -- silly flatlanders. But that's why we travel.
It's been just an excellent year for the spring ephemerals in the mountains apparently. We met an old guy on a trail in GSM-NP who said he'd been hiking the trails hunting for wild flowers for 45 years, and that this year was the best he'd ever seen. All I know is that I've never seen a spring to top this spring in the mountains. Just beautiful!
Thanks for the tips on Max Patch and good luck with your wildflower workshop next weekend!