Wildflower reports – 23 October 2023
Updated: Rich Mountain Trail, not road, in final grouping.
Rich Mountain Road (from park boundary to Indian Grave trail)
- Blue Aster – Many – Most at peak bloom – several different varieties.
- Erect Goldenrod – Few – Some at peak bloom.
- Great Lobelia – Few – Mostly past peak bloom but some nice blooms.
- Mountain Gentian – Some – About half past peak bloom with half at peak bloom. Some nice ones.
- Water Hemlock – (2) – At peak bloom.
- White Snake Root – Some – Mostly past peak bloom (few nice blooms).
- White Top Aster – Some – Mostly past peak bloom.
Mountain Gentian
Indian Grave trail (from Rich Mt. Road to Rich Mt. Trail)
- Blue Aster – Some – Mostly at peak bloom (several varieties).
- Curtis Aster – Few – At peak bloom or just beyond peak bloom.
- Curtiss Milkwort – (2) – Past peak bloom.
- Erect Golden Rod – Few – Some at peak bloom.
- Mountain Gentian – Few – Some at peak bloom and some beyond peak bloom.
- White Top Aster – Few – Mostly past peak bloom.
Rich Mountain trail – (B-E)
- Blue Aster – Some – Mostly past peak bloom.
- Curtiss Milkwort – (1) – Past peak bloom.
- Erect Golden Rod – Few – Various stages of the blooming process.
- Mountain Gentian – Few – Mostly past peak bloom.
- White Top Aster – Few – Past peak bloom.
FOLIAGE REPORTS
Rich Mountain Road (from park boundary to Indian Grave trail)
- Beech – Many – Yellow
- Blueberry – Some – Red.
- Hickory – Some – Bright yellow (very colorful).
- Mountain Maple – Some – Somewhat pale yellow.
- Northern Red Oak – Few – Just starting to turn red.
- Red Maple – Some – Brilliant red.
- Scarlett Oak – Some – Just starting to turn red.
- Sourwood – Many – Brilliant red – some orange – some pink (some in variations of these colors).
- Sugar Maple – Many – Some orange – some yellow – some in variations of these colors).
Sugar Maple
Rich Mountain Road
Note: For those unable to get out on the trails a trip over Rich Mountain Road should be delightful. (One-way curvy gravel road from Cades Cove Loop Road to the park boundary – paved two way from park boundary to Townsend.) The Old Caves Cove Road from the park to Townsend has recently been repaved (narrow & curvy).
Indian Gap trail (from Rich Mountain Road to Rich Mountain trail)
- Beech – Some – Yellow.
- Blackberry – Few – Red (not bright).
- Blueberry – Some – Red.
- Hickory – Few – Bright dark yellow.
- Northern Red Oak – Few – Just starting to turn red.
- Red Maple – Many – Unbelievably beautiful – mostly bright red (try to see in full sunlight).
- Scarlett Oak – Few – Just starting to turn – colorful.
- Sourwood – Many – Some red, some orange, some pink and some in between (brilliantly bright).
- Sugar Maple – Many – Some yellow & some orange. So beautiful that one can hardly believe what they are seeing.
Note: The first half mile of this trail from Rich Mountain Road is a true treat to see in full sun at this time. This trail is a little steep and footing might be challenging for inexperienced hikers; however, one does not have to go far to behold beauty beyond comprehension.
Rich Mountain Trail (B-E)
- Beech – Some – Yellow.
- Greenbrier – Few – Pale yellow.
- Hickory – Few – Dark yellow.
- Red Maple – Some – Various shades of red (mostly bright).
- Sourwood – Many – Bright red, UT orange, hot pink and just about every variation in between these colors.
- Sugar Maple – Many – Some bright yellow & some bright orange.
The English language does not have adequate words to describe sections of this trail so far as the beauty of the foliage at this time. One almost needs sunglasses in full sun. One of the most beautiful sections is about 1.8 miles up the trail. The trail is steep – 2.3 miles one way to the end. If a strong front passes through it likely many of the leaves will be blown down.
Tom Harrington is a regular hiker who reports on wildflowers in the Smokies.