I hiked the Old Sugarlands Trail on Aug. 10, making my way from the trailhead to the junction with the Bullhead Trail. Late summer is beginning to show itself along this historic route, with some flowers well past their peak while others are just getting started.

One of the best finds of the day was the cardinal flower. I counted six, all just beginning to bloom. They were located about three-tenths of a mile before the Bullhead Trail trailhead. Wild blue phlox also was just starting to bloom, while the southern harebells were at peak.

Cardinal Flower

Higher along the trail, heal-all was especially plentiful and at peak bloom. I also found one wild sensitive plant shrub covered with blooms. Several other species were fading, a reminder of how quickly the wildflower season changes from one hike to the next.

Wildflowers and other finds

  • Cardinal flower — 6; just started blooming.
  • Coreopsis — Few; slightly past peak bloom.
  • Daisy fleabane — Few; past peak bloom.
  • Doll’s eyes — Few; berries, not blooms.
  • Goldenrod — Few; several varieties, past peak bloom.
  • Heal-all — Many-plus; at higher elevation and at peak bloom.
  • Hearts-a-bustin’ — Few; seed pods not fully formed.
  • Reclining St. Andrew’s cross — Few; past peak bloom.
  • John’s wort — Few.
  • Southern harebells — Few; at peak bloom.
  • Thimbleweed — 1; past peak bloom.
  • Tick trefoil — Few; well past peak bloom.
  • White-top aster — Few; past peak bloom.
  • Wild blue phlox — Few; just starting to bloom.
  • Wild sensitive plant — One shrub covered with blooms.

The Old Sugarlands Trail begins on U.S. 441, or Newfound Gap Road, across from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park headquarters building. The trail is 3.8 miles long and ends at Cherokee Orchard Road. About 1 1/2 miles from the start, the trail begins a steep climb that continues for an estimated 1 1/2 miles.

The last time I hiked this trail, erosion was a major problem. This time, I was pleased to see the outstanding work park maintenance crews have done. Their recent improvements have made a noticeable difference along the route.

Tom Harrington is a regular hiker who reports on his hikes and mountain stories from the Smokies.

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