I hiked the Roundtop Trail again over the past few days, and the wildflowers are at all stages of bloom. A reminder that Roundtop Trail is the first trail on the right after entering the park from Wears Valley on Lyons Creek/Wear Gap Roads. The trail dead ends at the Little River at the Townsend Wye.  Most likely, the trail would be considered moderately difficult (about 7.5 miles long one way).

This was the first time I recall seeing the Bindweed, which is very similar to the Small Morning Glory, which starts blooming in August.

  • Blackberry – Some – Past peak bloom.
  • Beard Tongue – Few – Past peak bloom.
  • Bowman’s Root – Many – Just past peak bloom.
  • Clinton Lily – (1) – In full bloom.
  • False Solomon’s Seal – Some – Various stages of blooming process (some just starting to bloom).
  • Flame Azalea – Few – Past peak bloom
  • Four Leaf Milkweed – Some – Mostly at peak bloom.
  • Galax – Many – Various stages of the blooming process
  • Hawkweed – Many ++ – Half peak bloom – others past.
  • Hearts-a-bustin – Few – Slightly past peak bloom.

Hearts a bustin-seeds

  • Hedge Bindweed – (1) – At peak bloom.
  • Large Bluet – Many ++ – At or just beyond peak bloom.
  • Maple Leaf Viburnum – Few – Past peak bloom.
  • Meadow Parsnip – Few – Past peak bloom
  • Mountain Laurel – Many ++ – Most past peak bloom; however, in higher elevation on the trail, at peak bloom.
  • Partridge Berry – Many – Mostly at peak bloom.
  • Spiderwort – Some – At peak bloom (colorful).
  • Star Grass – Some – At peak bloom.

Tom Harrington is a regular hiker who reports on his hikes and mountain stories from the Smokies. See more of his column here.

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