Late summer is beginning to show along the trails around Metcalf Bottoms, with some wildflowers still putting on a strong show while others are fading for the season.

This week’s hike covered Metcalf Bottoms Trail, Walker Sisters Cabin Trail, Little Brier Gap Trail, part of Little Greenbrier Trail and Wear Gap Road. Spotted jewelweed remains plentiful, while cardinal flower, flowering spurge, ironweed and several other species are at or near peak bloom.

Metcalf Bottoms Trail

  • Flowering spurge — Some; at peak bloom
  • Goldenrod — Several varieties; past peak
  • Heal-all — Few; past peak and almost gone
  • Tick trefoil — Past peak and almost gone

Metcalf Bottoms Trail begins at the bridge at Metcalf Bottoms and runs about 0.6 miles to Little Greenbrier School. The trail is moderately difficult. Because of vehicle damage to the bridge, walking across the bridge is currently prohibited.

Walker Sisters Cabin Trail

  • Asiatic dayflower — Few; at peak
  • Cardinal flower — Some; mostly at peak
  • Dog fennel — One; identification uncertain
  • False foxglove — Few; beginning to bloom
  • Field thistle — Few; at peak near the cabin
  • Goldenrod — Several varieties; mostly past peak
  • Great lobelia — Some; various bloom stages, with some appearing defective
  • Ironweed — Some; approaching peak
  • Flowering spurge — Some; at peak
  • Southern harebell — Few; past peak
  • Spotted jewelweed — Many; past peak
  • Tick trefoil — Few; well past peak
  • Water hemlock — Few; at peak, identification uncertain
  • White-top aster — Few; past peak
  • Yellow asters — Several unidentified varieties

The 1.1-mile Walker Sisters Cabin Trail begins at Little Greenbrier School and follows an old driveway to the historic cabin. It is considered moderate.

Little Brier Gap Trail

  • Goldenrod — Several varieties; mostly past peak
  • Southern harebell — Few; past peak

This moderately difficult half-mile trail begins about one mile up Walker Sisters Cabin Trail and connects with Little Greenbrier Trail.

Little Greenbrier Trail

  • Coreopsis — Few; at peak
  • False foxglove — Some; mostly at peak
  • Goldenrod — Several varieties; some at peak

Little Greenbrier Trail begins at Wear Gap Road and extends a little more than four miles to Laurel Falls Trail, which is currently closed for construction.

Wear Gap Road

  • Asiatic dayflower — Few; at peak
  • Black-eyed Susan — Some; at or just beyond peak
  • Cardinal flower — Some; mostly at peak
  • Flowering spurge — Few; mostly at peak
  • Great lobelia — Few; mostly at peak
  • Heal-all — Few; past peak and mostly gone
  • Hog peanut — Some; at peak
  • Joe-Pye weed — Some; just past peak
  • Mountain mint — Few; past peak
  • Northern ironweed — Some; almost at peak
  • Partridge pea — Some; at peak
  • Red clover — Few; at peak
  • Spotted jewelweed — Many; mostly past peak
  • Tick trefoil — Few; past peak and almost gone
  • Virgin’s bower — Large patches in full bloom at one location
  • Water hemlock — Few; at peak, identification uncertain
  • Wild potato vine — Few; at or just beyond peak
  • Wild sensitive plant — Some; at peak
  • Hairy milk pea — Believed to be blooming along the road; identification uncertain

Wear Gap Road runs from the park boundary at the end of Lyons Creek Road to Metcalf Bottoms picnic area and Little River Road.

Photos accompanying this week’s report show field thistle in pink, hog peanut in white, North American ironweed in purple and partridge pea in yellow.

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

Enjoyed this article? Explore more Hiking with Harrington by Tom Harrington.

Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our free newsletter to receive every new article in one convenient email.