Good evening from the Smoky Mountain Doodle family in Seymour, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Right now, at 7:00 pm, the temperature outside is 63 degrees. Today has been sunny and very pleasant – low tonight should be 39 degrees. This is going to be a very beautiful weekend in the Smoky Mountains with highs in the mid to upper 60’s.
Did you know that the Great Smoky Mountains are home to more than 1600 species of flowering plants? During each month of the year, some forb, tree or vine is blooming in the Smokies. From late April thru early May, look for yellow trillium, beard tongue, Solomon’s seal, spiderwort, fire pink, hawkweed, pink lady slippers, Catesby’s trillium, yellow mandarin, rue anemone, wild geranium, little brown jugs.
Here are a few hikes for viewing wildflowers in April:
Porters Creek Trail – This hike begins in the Greenbrier area of the national park and takes hikers past several homesteads, waterfalls, and a beautiful array of wildflowers.
Meigs Creek Trail – This hike begins at the Sinks Waterfall on Little River Road in the national park. This hike is a lesser known trail, but it boasts waterfalls, beautiful streamside settings, and lots of flowering plants.
Roaring Fork Motor Trail Hikes – This area of the park is home to the Trillium Gap Trail, Baskins Creek Trail, and Grapeyard Ridge Trail. The Roaring Fork Motor Trail reopens in late March, so April is a great time to explore this beautiful area of the national park.
Little River Trail – This level hike in the Elkmont area of the national park is perfect for beginners and it features lots of April wildflowers.
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.”
The Hedrick Family
Song of Solomon 2:12 “Flowers are appearing on the earth. The season for singing has come. The cooing of doves is heard in our land.”