Wildflower Hikes.........

[Rob]

When is it considered to be "peak" wildflower season in the BNF area? It seems that I all too often miss out on some of the better wildflower blooms i this area. Two years ago I hit it just right at Indian Tombs Hollow, the following year was a bust, almost all had peaked a couple of weeks prior and the mosquito population was fairly heavy. What are some of the "must see" areas? I really want to step up my wildflower photography efforts this year and any info would really help. Please keep any sensitive areas protected and feel free to PM me with any of that information ( ladyslipper, bog plants etc.) Thanks in advance......... ..

[Joshua Szulecki]

Peak in Sipsey is between the last week in March and the last week in April.

I am currently working on my schedule for the spring, and I will fill everybody in on my non-sensitive hikes in a few days. Since you have been on a sensitive hike with me before, you'll be welcome on the hikes I will not be publicly disclosing the locations. That is my policy for everybody, btw. If I've hiked with you before and I think you won't disclose a location, I'll be inviting you on the hikes I consider sensitive. I might get my schedule done today, but probably not, since I'm still working out a few weekends in May and June. One big holdup is some difficulty getting TNC to answer a question regarding access to one of their sites.

I can tell you to expect Virginia Bluebells and Trillium to be showing up in Sipsey between the last weekend in March and the first weekend in April, if this year is normal.

Trout lillies should be out soon if not already. They are definately already out in Talladega in some locations.

Ladyslippers show up from the second weekend in April through May, depending on the species and the location.

[Rob]

Thanks Josh. I am looking forward to any planned hikes for this purpose and would be happy to participate as my schedule permits.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Okay... What I can confirm is that I will likely be in Bankhead the first three Saturdays in April, the 3rd, 10th, and 17th. One Sunday will also involve Cane Creek Preserve, probably the 18th. I'll probably be staying in AL on the 17th-18th weekend.

I expect to be in the Smokies (probably only a dayhike, which is actually possible from Nashville, if a little tedious) the last weekend in April. The dog restriction really cramps my style...

May will bring forays into Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, and possibly even Illinois.

June will bring me to Virginia and the Smokies, or more likely, the areas surrounding.

I'm still sorting out the exact schedule and will post what I can post when I've got it.

Any reports of wildflowers you see in the coming weeks will be helpful in sorting out when to go where, since every year is different.  

[WolfVanZandt]

Last year, the third week in March, trout lilies, bluebells, and triliums were all blooming. We've started out spring cycles in Alabama, so maybe we'll be lucky again this year.