Waterfall and Fall ColorWalk

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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.

Linville Gorge^Featured

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.

Station Cove Wildflower Walk

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Despite the long drive, we had a total of 22 members join us for our Wildflowers and Waterfall Walk at Station Cove on Wednesday April 5. The rain held off and we were treated to temperatures in the low 80’s, making this feel more like a summer event! The wildflowers did not disappoint, with highlights including Catesby’s Trillium, Pinxterbloom Azalea, Three-Part and Marsh Blue Violets, Perfoliate Bellwort, Showy Orchis, Virginia Pennywort, Whorled Stoneroot, Dwarf Crested Iris, Violet Wood Sorrel, and Eastern Blue Star.

At the trail’s end a gorgeous waterfall provided a scenic backdrop to lunch on the trail. Some participants made a full day of it, visiting Whitewater Falls on the return trip and even Devil’s Fork State Park for the last blooming Oconee Bells of the Season. A few of the botanical highlights are pictured below.