On Tuesday March 26, 8 intrepid hikers braved the weather to view the spring ephemerals at Twin Bridges led by Randy Richardson.  The following Thursday, 17 naturalists followed the wildflower path to Melrose Falls accompanied by Paul Fredrickson.  On the trek we saw lots of blooming Trillium, Purple Phacilia, Blue Cohosh, Violets of a few varieties, Yellow Mandarin and the stunning Large-flowered Bellwort.

Twin Bridges/Melrose Falls is always a special place this time of year and a big shout-out to Conserving Carolina for providing this location.  More acreage has been recently acquired adjacent to Melrose Falls and Pearson’s Falls to ensure we have clean air and water, scenic beauty and wildlife habitat.
On April 11, we return to one of our favorite places, Big Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  As has been done in the past we will have two alternatives, a wildflower intensive walk and a hike to Mouse Creek Falls.  Both options promise a view of the diversity of this location.  More information to follow regarding this event which will not have attendee limitation.

On Wednesday, October 18, a total of 18 BRNN members made the trip to view waterfalls and fall tree colors.  The weather was perfect. The trees were in their autumnal best and, as always, the attendees were enthusiastic.  

The first waterfall walk was the Cove Creek trail on FS 475 by the Pisgah fish hatchery.  We crossed the newly constructed bridge over Cove Creek and passed cascades that included deep pools best enjoyed in the  summer.

After a mile walk on the trail we descended to the base of Cove Creek Falls.  The water flow was a less than normal, but still was a great show which included a few rapellers (not from our group). 

Lunch was enjoyed on the rocks at the base of the waterfall. 

Following our Cove Creek hike we drove further on FS 475 to the Daniel Ridge trailhead.  

On the trail we saw some of the natural beauty of the Davidson River. 

Stopping for a group picture on the Davidson River bridge. 

We continued to the Tom Springs waterfall, a spectacular cliff with a limited flow of water. 

As we drove to our waterfalls we were treated to the majestic beauty of John Rock pluton with its cap of fall colors. 

This concluded our outdoor adventures for 2023. See you next year!

Eleven BRNN members joined US Forest Service Botanist Gary Kauffman and his intern for an expedition to Linville Gorge to see the interesting and rare plants found there.  Our group travelled south from the Table Rock trailhead towards the Chimneys and learned about a remarkable variety of plants along the way.  Some highlights along this stretch included Carolina lilies, starry campion, Table Mountain pine, wild lily of the valley, witch hazel, fothergilla, sand myrtle, and some interesting fungi, mosses and lichens.  At the end of the trail with a bit of clambering we saw the stars of the show, the rare Hudsonia montana and Liatris helleri.  But the plants weren’t the only attraction; we were treated to amazing views of Linville Gorge and some fascinating Quartzite rock outcrops.  Having spent too much time picking Gary’s brain on the outbound hike, we did not have time to climb Table Rock in the afternoon, but instead stopped along the roadside in a couple of places to see Appalachian sunflowers and some gorgeous yellow-fringed orchids.  All agreed that it was a full but rewarding day.