Wildflower and Foliage report – 17 October 2023.
Wildflower Reports
Litle River Trail (B to Cucumber Gap Trail)
- Blue Aster – Many – Mostly at peak bloom. Several varieties seen.
- Golden Rod – Few – Mostly past peak bloom – a couple of varieties seen.
- White Snake Root – Few – Mostly beyond peak bloom.
- White Top Aster – Some – Some at peak bloom and some beyond peak bloom.
Blue Aster on Little River Trail
Cucumber Gap Trail (B-E)
- Blue Aster – Many + – Mostly at peak bloom. Several varieties seen.
- Golden Rod Erect – Some – Mostly at peak bloom.
- White Snake Root – (1) – Well past peak bloom.
- White Top Aster – Some – At various stages of the blooming process.
Foliage Reports
Little River Trail (B to Cucumber Gap Trail)
Absolutely breathtaking foliage much of the way. Mostly yellow foliage with some red and some orange. Blended in with the foliage that has not changed it very colorful in the rain. This is an excellent trail for enjoying the colorful foliage.
Cucumber Gap Trail (B-E)
Much of the foliage on this trail was more subdued. A decent amount of yellow foliage. It was raining and somewhat foggy.
Little River Road (From Elkmont intersection to Townsend Wye)
Much of the route is at peak or close to peak so far as colorful foliage is concerned. Estimated 65 to 70% of the foliage that has changed is yellow (some very bright) with the balance of the foliage being red or orange with some pink. For those that enjoy seeing the foliage, few are likely to be disappointed with this section of Little River Road. Please keep in mind a strong front with high winds would likely take down much of the foliage.
Laurel Creek Road (B to E)
Much of the foliage on this route is at peak or close to peak from the Townsend Wye to Crib Gap. On Crib Gap much of the foliage has not changed. Like Little River Road much of the foliage on this road is yellow with some red and some orange.
More from Little River Road
Tom Harrington is a regular hiker who reports on wildflowers in the Smokies.