September 2017

Hello Everyone.

As promised in the last newsletter, August was truly a busy month for SCAN. We visited Jim and Ceille Welch’s home in North Carolina on the 12th, we gathered to witness the solar eclipse on the 21st, and spent a pleasant day at Eva and Sam Pratt’s property in Inman.

The attendance for the trip to Pinnacle Mountain included Brusi Alexander, Carol Jaworski, Jeff Kline, Jan Ciegler, Mary Douglass, Tom Jones, Jerry Bright, Jim Boylston, Sarah and Lyle Campbell, Caroline Eastman, Shannon Edwards, Kathleen and Grady Nance, Ceille and Jim Welch, Eva and Sam Pratt, Greg Ross, Kim McManus, Phil Harpootlian, Paul Kalbach, Rita Zollinger, Marsha and Bob Hamlin, Janie and Steve Marlow, Alison Smith, Ted Pappas, and Gordon Murphy. There were many more folks present from the neighborhood whose names I didn’t record.

We gathered at the Pinnacle Falls community lodge where we were treated to hot coffee and doughnuts, not something we are accustomed to on SCAN trips. Following a brief introduction to the day’s events by Jim, we were taken to a spot new Ceille and Jim’s house. From here we hiked up the road to their beautiful log home where Jim showed us the wildflowers growing in the yard. We spent quite a bit of time here before strolling down a trail that Jim cut through the forest. The trail lead downhill to a mountain stream, then followed along the edge of the stream to Pinnacle Falls Lane where we crossed the stream on a bridge.

From this point, we began our trek on a trail, which was an uphill climb, that would lead back to the lodge. Despite the climb, it was a pleasant hike as the weather was mild. This trail also followed a beautiful mountain stream named Cabin Creek. Many wildflowers were observed on the trails that day, but the spectacular array of fungi was impressive. There seemed to be every shape and color of fungus growing on the forest floor. We followed the trail to a point close to the lodge where we turned onto another short trail to Pinnacle Falls. By this point the humidity had risen to the level that it was feeling warm outside, however, there was one spot at the base of the falls where it felt as if we were standing in front of an air conditioning unit. The falls were beautiful and the pool at its base looked very inviting. Knowing SCAN members propensity to submerge themselves in such bodies of water, it was surprising that no one went in!

When we got to the lodge, we were treated to sandwiches, fruit, lemonade, and iced tea. Yet another thing that we are not accustomed to on our trips. After lunch, we were carried to the head of another trail that leads back to the lodge. By this time, it was threatening to rain, but armed with rain coats and umbrellas, we started the downhill stroll to the lodge. Near the head of the trail is a nice rock bald with mosses and lichen growing on it. By the time we got to the bald, the rain began to fall which made walking on the trail across the top of the bald a little treacherous. So treacherous that Jerry slipped and injured himself. Jim, Sam, and Paul got Jerry back to the road where he was taken for medical help by Jim and Sam. The rest of us continued with the hike, but due to the rain, we walked a little faster than or normal stroll. When we got back to the lodge, we learned that Jerry had fractured his hip and was being transferred to the hospital for treatment. Our day was done so we climbed into our vehicles and headed home.

We need to thank Rita for coordinating the Regional Director’s special, and some special thanks to Ceille, Jim, and all the neighbors that made sure we had had food and beverage, and cleaned up after us. Their hospitality was greatly appreciated. And we can’t forget to thank members Kathleen and Grady Nance for their role in seeing that we had a great day. Grady is the Trail Coordinator for the development and is responsible for seeing that the trails are maintained, and they do have some beautiful trails to explore.

Jerry had surgery the following week and was home by the end of the week. He has been in good spirits despite the severity of his injury, and we hope to see him back on the trails with us in a couple more months.

On August 21st, several SCAN members and a large group of Dave Schruetrum’s friends gathered in Calhoun County to witness the total eclipse. The group gathered on SCAN member Dick Watkins’ property where a clear view of the sky was available. The events of the day included a hike at Fort Motte. I understand that a good time was had by all.

The last trip of the month was our regularly scheduled trip. SCAN members Eva and Sam Pratt graciously opened up their house and property in Inman, South Carolina for us to explore. Participants included Dave Schreutrum, Jan Ciegler, Marty and Dave Kastner, Marsha and Bob Hamlin, Phil Harpootlian, Carol Jaworski, Brusi Alexander, Janie and Steve Marlow, Sarah and Lyle Campbell, Cathy Chandler, Ron Lance, Mary Douglass, Tom Jones, Eva and Sam Pratt, Lydia and Charlie Williams, Kathy Boyle, David Campbell, and Gordon Murphy.

When we gathered at Eva and Sam’s place, for the second time in August, we were treated to coffee and doughnuts! Now don’t get used to this kind of treatment folks! As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, Pratt property is half pasture land and half forest. They have a small pond that feeds a stream that flows through the forest below the pond dam. Sam says that the pastures are mowed only once a year. We started the day out with a hike through the pastures where we observed many wildflowers, , caterpillars, and many pollinators. The vegetation on the banks of the pond provided a good spot for observing dragonflies. Some of the group walked through the forest, crossed the stream, and emerged on the edge of the pasture. Shrubs and wildflowers were seen in the forest and along the stream. We saw a huge fungus that was very impressive. We casually strolled along the edge of the pasture making our way back to the house for lunch. Over the years Sam has planted many plants around their yard. He has an impressive collection of hawthorns growing along one property line. So, after lunch we were treated to a tour of the hawthorns led by Ron Lance. Ron provided an interesting discussion about each species. There is no doubt that Ron is THE expert on hawthorns!

After the hawthorn tour, we wandered over to a pasture located to the side of the house where there is a large colony of weed. Sam says that they did not plant them and they are naturally occurring. As you can imagine, butterflies were busy sipping nectar as we stood there watching.

Dinner was catered by a local barbeque establishment. We had a wonderful day exploring Eva and Sam’s property, learned a lot about hawthorns, and we did lots of socializing with good friends. Thank you, Rita, for coordinating the trip, even though you were not able to join us, and a special thanks to Eva and Sam for your wonderful hospitality. Last year we saddled Rita with two trips on consecutive months, but this year she coordinated two trips in one month! We really appreciate your dedication and hard work!

This month we are heading to Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area in Pickens County. I hope to see you all there.

The group photographs of the Pinnacle Mountain trip and eclipse gathering were provided by Kim McManus. Pinnacle Falls Henderson Co., NC August 12, 2017

This list was produced by SCAN from sightings produced by SCAN members and False Solomon's-seal Black Oak is subject to revision as needed. An Maianthemum racemosum Quercus velutina asterisk (*) indicates a new sighting for racemosum Sweet Birch SCAN. Send any changes or corrections to Solomon's-seal Betula lenta lenta Tom Jones at [email protected]. Please indicate exactly to which flora/fauna Polygonatum biflorum Beaked Hazelnut list you are referring. Thank you. Catesby's Trillium Corylus cornuta cornuta Trillium catesbaei Common Pokeweed Painted Trillium Phytolacca americana Trillium undulatum Starry Campion FLORA Dwarf Crested Iris Silene stellata Iris cristata St.-John's-wort Common Running-cedar Dwarf Iris Hypericum stragulum Diphasiastrum digitatum Iris verna Mountain Basswood Shining Clubmoss Whiteleaf Greenbrier Tilia americana heterophylla Huperzia lucidula Smilax glauca Round-leaf Yellow Violet Cut-leaf Grapefern Common Greenbrier Viola rotundifolia Sceptridium dissectum Smilax rotundifolia Mountain Sweet Pepperbush Cinnamon Fern Common Wild Yam Clethra acuminata Osmunda cinnamomea Dioscorea villosa Spotted Wintergreen Hay-scented Fern Pink Lady's-slipper Chimaphila maculata Dennstaedtia punctilobula Cypripedium acaule Mountain Laurel Bracken Downy Rattlesnake-orchid Kalmia latifolia Pteridium aquilinum Goodyera pubescens Mountain Doghobble New York Fern Cranefly Orchid Leucothoe fontanesiana Thelypteris noveboracensis Tipularia discolor Indian Pipes Ebony Spleenwort Tulip-tree Monotropa uniflora Asplenium platyneuron Liriodendron tulipifera Sourwood Southern Lady Fern Cucumber-tree Oxydendrum arboreum Athyrium asplenioides Magnolia acuminata White Rosebay Christmas Fern Fraser Magnolia Rhododendron maximum Polystichum acrostichoides Magnolia fraseri Hillside Blueberry Common Rockcap Fern Sweet-shrub Vaccinium pallidum Polypodium virginianum Calycanthus floridus Galax Eastern White Pine Spicebush Galax urceolata Pinus strobus Lindera benzoin American Persimmon Virginia Pine Sassafras Diospyros virginiana Pinus virginiana Sassafras albidum Silverbell Eastern Hemlock Yellowroot Halesia tetraptera Tsuga canadensis Xanthorhiza simplicissima Horsesugar Jack-in-the-pulpit Bloodroot Symplocos tinctoria Arisaema triphyllum Sanguinaria canadensis Whorled Loosestrife Common Shorthusk Witch-hazel Lysimachia quadrifolia Brachyelytrum erectum Hamamelis virginiana Snowy Hydrangea Flexible Sasa-grass Pignut Hickory Hydrangea radiata Microstegium vimineum Carya glabra Southern Agrimony Turk's-cap Lily Mockernut Hickory Agrimonia parviflora Lilium superbum Carya tomentosa Mountain Indian-physic Indian Cucumber-root Common Chinquapin Gillenia trifoliata Medeola virginiana Castanea pumila Five-fingers Perfoliate Bellwort White Oak Potentilla canadensis Uvularia perfoliata Quercus alba Mountain Indigo Bellwort Rock Chestnut Oak Amorpha glabra Uvularia puberula Quercus montana Hog-peanut Devil's-bit Red Oak Amphicarpaea bracteata Chamaelirium luteum Quercus rubra Common Sensitive-plant Chamaecrista nictitans nictitans Naked Tick-trefoil Indian-tobacco Golden Chanterelle Desmodium nudiflorum Lobelia inflata Cantharellus cibarius Roundleaf Tick-trefoil Lobelia Cinnabar-red Chanterelle Desmodium rotundifolium Lobelia puberula Cantharellus cinnabarinus Eastern Sensitive-briar Bedstraw Old-man-of-the-woods Mimosa microphylla Galium hispidulum Strobilomyces floccopus Black Locust Summer Bluet Painted Slipperycap Robinia pseudoacacia Houstonia purpurea Suillus spraguei Common Evening-primrose Appalachian Bluet Emetic Russula (mushroom) Oenothera biennis Houstonia serpyllifolia Russula emetica Virginia Meadow-beauty Partridge-berry Elegant Stinkhorn Rhexia virginica Mitchella repens Mutinus elegans Alternate-leaf Dogwood Common Elderberry Stalked Puffball-in-aspic Cornus alternifolia Sambucus canadensis Calostoma cinnabarina Flowering Dogwood Common Ragweed Cornus florida Ambrosia artemisiifolia Blackgum Ragweed FAUNA Nyssa sylvatica Ambrosia trifida trifida Buffalo-nut Pale Indian-plantain Witch Hazel Cone Gall (aphid) Pyrularia pubera Arnoglossum atriplicifolium Hormaphis hamamelidis Oriental Bittersweet Bull Thistle Bumblebee Celastrus orbiculatus Cirsium vulgare Bombus impatiens Hearts-a-burstin'-with-love Horseweed Common Whitetail Euonymus americanus Conyza canadensis Plathemis lydia Eastern Flowering Spurge Coreopsis Patent-leather Beetle Euphorbia corollata Coreopsis major Odontotaenius disjunctus New Jersey Tea Appalachian Flat-topped Acorn Weevil Ceanothus americanus Doellingeria infirma Curculio orthorhynchus Virginia-creeper Robin's-plantain Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Parthenocissus quinquefolia Erigeron pulchellus pulchellus Papilio glaucus Red Maple White-bracted Thoroughwort Silver-spotted Acer rubrum Eupatorium album album Smooth Sumac Big-leaved Aster Fall Webworm Moth Rhus glabra Eurybia macrophylla Hyphantria cunea Eastern Poison Ivy Hollow-stem Joe-pye-weed Eastern Fence Lizard Toxicodendron radicans radicans fistulosum Sceloporus undulatus Queen-Anne's-lace Purple-node Joe-pye-weed Five-lined Skink Daucus carota Eutrochium purpureum purpureum Plestiodon fasciatus American Lovage Small-headed Sunflower Red-tailed Hawk Ligusticum canadense microcephalus Buteo jamaicensis Cowbane Resinous Sunflower Ruby-throated Hummingbird Oxypolis rigidior Helianthus resinosus Archilochus colubris Mountain Golden-Alexanders Leafy Hawkweed Pileated Woodpecker Zizia trifoliata Hieracium paniculatum Dryocopus pileatus Wild Sweet Potato Spotted Cat's-ear American Crow Ipomoea pandurata Hypochaeris radicata Corvus brachyrhynchos Self-heal Opposite-leaf Dwarf-dandelion Carolina Chickadee vulgaris Krigia cespitosa cespitosa Parus carolinensis Appalachian Mountain-mint American Wild Lettuce White-breasted Nuthatch Pycnanthemum montanum Lactuca canadensis Sitta carolinensis Skullcap Rattlesnake-root American Goldfinch Scutellaria sp. Prenanthes sp. Carduelis tristis Appalachian Oak-leach Fragrant Rabbit-tobacco Golden Mouse (sign) Aureolaria laevigata Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium Ochrotomys nuttalli Squawroot Rosinweed Conopholis americana Silphium compositum Princess Tree Licorice Goldenrod Paulownia tomentosa Solidago odora odora Southern Harebell Common Clasping Aster Campanula divaricata Symphyotrichum patens patens Lobelia Witches'-butter Lobelia amoena Tremella mesenterica Sam & Eva Pratt's Place Spartanburg Co., SC August 26, 2017

This list was produced by SCAN from Common Greenbrier Prickly-pear sightings produced by SCAN members and Smilax rotundifolia * Opuntia mesacantha mesacantha is subject to revision as needed. An Common Wild Yam Longbristle Smartweed asterisk (*) indicates a new sighting for Dioscorea villosa Persicaria longiseta SCAN. Send any changes or corrections to Pink Lady's-slipper Dotted Smartweed Tom Jones at [email protected]. Please indicate exactly to which flora/fauna Cypripedium acaule Persicaria punctata list you are referring. Thank you. Downy Rattlesnake-orchid St. Andrew's Cross Goodyera pubescens Hypericum hypericoides Green Adder's-mouth Passionflower Malaxis unifolia Passiflora incarnata FLORA Small Green Wood Orchid Yellow Passionflower Platanthera clavellata Passiflora lutea lutea Common Running-cedar Tulip-tree Creeping Cucumber Diphasiastrum digitatum Liriodendron tulipifera Melothria pendula pendula Rattlesnake Fern Fraser Magnolia Ti-ti Botrypus virginianus Magnolia fraseri Cyrilla racemiflora Southern Grapefern Small-flowered Pawpaw Spotted Wintergreen Sceptridium biternatum Asimina parviflora Chimaphila maculata Cut-leaf Grapefern Common Pawpaw Sourwood Sceptridium dissectum Asimina triloba Oxydendrum arboreum New York Fern Sassafras Hillside Blueberry Thelypteris noveboracensis Sassafras albidum Vaccinium pallidum Netted Chain Fern Virginia Snakeroot American Persimmon Woodwardia areolata Endodeca serpentaria Diospyros virginiana Ebony Spleenwort Yellowroot Fraser's Loosestrife Asplenium platyneuron Xanthorhiza simplicissima Lysimachia fraseri Southern Lady Fern Leatherleaf Mahonia Climbing Hydrangea Athyrium asplenioides Mahonia bealei Decumaria barbara Christmas Fern Sweet Gum Virginia-willow Polystichum acrostichoides Liquidambar styraciflua Itea virginica Shortleaf Pine Winged Elm Downy Agrimony Pinus echinata Ulmus alata Agrimonia pubescens Slash Pine White Mulberry Entangled Hawthorn Pinus elliottii elliottii Morus alba Crataegus intricata Loblolly Pine Red Mulberry Cream Avens Pinus taeda Morus rubra Geum virginianum Virginia Pine Sand Hickory Five-fingers Pinus virginiana Carya pallida Potentilla canadensis Eastern Red Cedar Mockernut Hickory Black Cherry Juniperus virginiana virginiana Carya tomentosa Prunus serotina serotina Common Dayflower American Beech Hog-peanut Commelina communis communis Fagus grandifolia Amphicarpaea bracteata Splitbeard Bluestem White Oak Eastern Redbud Andropogon ternarius ternarius Quercus alba Cercis canadensis canadensis Giant Cane Southern Red Oak Common Sensitive-plant Arundinaria gigantea Quercus falcata Chamaecrista nictitans nictitans Longleaf Spikegrass Blackjack Oak Butterfly Pea Chasmanthium sessiliflorum Quercus marilandica marilandica Clitoria mariana mariana Flexible Sasa-grass Water Oak Tall Tick-trefoil Microstegium vimineum Quercus nigra * Desmodium glabellum Purpletop Tridens Willow Oak Naked Tick-trefoil Quercus phellos Desmodium nudiflorum Catbrier Post Oak Tick-trefoil Smilax bona-nox Quercus stellata Desmodium paniculatum Whiteleaf Greenbrier Tag Alder paniculatum Smilax glauca Alnus serrulata Bicolor Lespedeza Lespedeza bicolor Downy Trailing Lespedeza Carolina Wild-petunia Indigo Milky Lespedeza procumbens Ruellia caroliniensis Lactarius indigo Eastern Sensitive-briar Poorjoe Mimosa microphylla Diodia teres Pencil-flower Forest Bedstraw FAUNA Stylosanthes biflora Galium circaezans Goat's-rue Sweet-scented Bedstraw Orb-weaver Tephrosia spicata Galium triflorum Acacesia hamata Silky Dogwood Partridge-berry Leaf-footed Bug Cornus amomum Mitchella repens Leptoglossus phyllopus Flowering Dogwood Japanese Honeysuckle Large Milkweed Bug Cornus florida Lonicera japonica Oncopeltus Fasciatus Blackgum Common Ragweed Bumblebee Nyssa sylvatica Ambrosia artemisiifolia Bombus impatiens Hearts-a-burstin'-with-love Plantain Pussytoes Eastern Pondhawk Euonymus americanus Antennaria plantaginifolia Erythemis simplicicollis American Holly Maryland Golden-aster Widow Skimmer Dragonfly Ilex opaca opaca Chrysopsis mariana Libellula luctuosa Winterberry Common Horseweed Blue Dasher Ilex verticillata Conyza canadensis canadensis Pachydiplax longipennis Shortstalk Copperleaf Southern Horseweed Whirligig Beetle Acalypha gracilens * Conyza canadensis pusilla Dineutus emarginatus Tooth-leaved Croton Leafy Elephant's-foot Crawling Water Beetle Croton glandulosus septentrionalis Elephantopus carolinianus Peltodytes muticus Carolina Buckthorn Elephant's-foot Predacious Diving Beetle Frangula caroliniana Elephantopus tomentosus Neoporus undulatus Virginia-creeper Common Dog-fennel Flower Scarab Beetle Parthenocissus quinquefolia Eupatorium capillifolium Euphoria sepulchralis Muscadine Hyssopleaf Eupatorium Soldier Beetle Vitis rotundifolia rotundifolia Eupatorium hyssopifolium Ditemnus bidentatus Red Maple Torrey's Eupatorium Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Acer rubrum * Eupatorium torreyanum Papilio glaucus Red Buckeye Fernald's Eupatorium Spicebush Swallowtail Aesculus pavia pavia * Eupatorium fernaldii Papilio troilus Winged Sumac Hollow-stem Joe-pye-weed Cloudless Sulphur Rhus copallinum Eutrochium fistulosum Phoebis sennae eubule Smooth Sumac Beaked Hawkweed Red-banded Hairstreak Rhus glabra Hieracium gronovii Calycopis cecrops Eastern Poison Ivy Fragrant Rabbit-tobacco Juniper Hairstreak Toxicodendron radicans radicans Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium Callophrys gryneus gryneus Tree-of-Heaven Cutleaf Coneflower Gray Hairstreak Ailanthus altissima laciniata Strymon melinus Chinaberry Tall Goldenrod Eastern Tailed-blue Melia azedarach Solidago altissima altissima Cupito comyntas Devil's-walking-stick Licorice Goldenrod Gulf Fritillary Aralia spinosa Solidago odora odora Agraulis vanillae Queen-Anne's-lace Long-stalked Aster Variegated Fritillary Daucus carota Symphyotrichum dumosum Euptoieta claudia Sanicle Starved Aster Silvery Checkerspot Sanicula canadensis Symphyotrichum lateriflorum nycteis Carolina Jessamine lateriflorum Pearl Crescent (butterfly) Gelsemium sempervirens Frost Aster Phyciodes tharos Common Milkweed Symphyotrichum pilosum pilosum American Lady (butterfly) syriaca Southern Crownbeard Vanessa virginiensis Butterfly-weed Verbesina occidentalis Common Buckeye (butterfly) Asclepias tuberosa Common Ironweed Junonia coenia White Milkweed * Vernonia gigantea Red-spotted Purple (butterfly) Asclepias variegata Alder Cone Fungus Limenitis arthemis astyanax Mountain-mint Taphrina alni-incanae Creole Pearly-eye (butterfly) Pycnanthemum incanum Berkeley's Polypore Enodia creola Lyre-leaf Sage * Bondarzewia berkeleyi Carolina Satyr (butterfly) Salvia lyrata Hermeuptychia sosybius Monarch (butterfly) White-tailed Deer (remains) Danaus plexippus Odocoileus virginianus Dun Skipper Euphyes vestris Silver-spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus Hoary Edge (skipper) lyciades Southern Cloudywing Thorybes bathyllus Common Checkered-skipper Pyrgus communis Clouded Skipper Lerema accius Fiery Skipper Hylephila phyleus Crossline Skipper Polites origenes Whirlabout (skipper butterfly) Polites vibex Little Glassywing verna Sachem (skipper butterfly) Atalopedes campestris Zabulon Skipper Poanes zabulon Skiff Moth Caterpillar Prolimacodes badia Spiny Oakworm Anisota stigma Snowberry Clearwing Hemaris diffinis Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens Eastern Wood-pewee Contopus virens Carolina Chickadee Parus carolinensis Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina Eastern Woodrat Neotoma floridana SCAN trip to Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Pickens County, September 23, 2017

On Saturday September 23 we will meet at 10:30 AM at one of the ‘angler access’ points on Eastatoe Creek, Jocassee Gorges WMA. Named for the steep-walled coves that characterize the landscape north and east of Lake Jocassee, the Jocassee Gorges tracts were purchased from Duke Power by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources in 1998. The acquisition has protected an area of outstanding biodiversity, as well as opened up special recreational opportunities such as trout fishing and bear hunting. Equally significant is the simple fact that these tracts together constitute such a large, scenic, and remote property.

The highest mean annual rainfall in the eastern half of the United States makes for an abundance of cold swift creeks such as the Eastatoe. We visited Eastatoe Creek back in July 2015 on Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve; now our visit will take us to a section of the creek several miles downstream. This is the southernmost of the Jocassee Gorges tracts, encompassing 770 acres of characteristically mountain forest though at a lower elevation (~1000 feet) than most of South Carolina’s mountain region (2000-plus feet), allowing relatively easy access and not-too-strenuous walking.

The southernmost of the Jocassee Gorges tracts, outlined in yellow, is just off SC-11.

We’ll start out at a fishing pier adjacent to the parking area and explore both upstream and downstream along Eastatoe Creek, following informal but well-worn creekside paths. About 70 yards downstream the creek becomes shallow (knee high at most) and sandy-bottomed, and here we can easily cross. On the far side is the mouth of a tributary and, just above, a small waterfall.

Eastatoe Creek.

Plentiful stream habitat means we’ll have a good chance of finding salamanders, such as Desmognathus spp. Jocassee Gorges is regarded by SCDNR biologists as exceptional for both abundance and diversity of salamanders.

A great diversity of plants has also been documented by SCDNR in Jocassee Gorges. Heritage Trust lists over a hundred endangered, threatened, or ‘watch-list’ plant species for Pickens County, most based on observations in the mountain region. And according to the Heritage observation database, the rare Asplenium trichomanes has been reported from the immediate vicinity of our visit. Let’s keep an eye on rock outcrops for this fern!

Another plant that deserves our attention is the water hemlock Cicuta maculata. Considered the most poisonous plant in the North American flora, it is often found along creeks. I photo-graphed this plant just downstream from the fishing pier.

How to get there:

From the junction of US-178 (Ann Street) and SC-183 (Main Street) in Pickens, go 8.5 miles north on US-178 and turn left onto SC-11 (Cherokee Foothills Scenic Hwy). Go 4.9 miles southwest on SC-11 and turn right onto Roy F Jones Rd. Go 1.2 miles west on Roy F Jones Rd; on your right you’ll see a turn-off with an SCDNR / Duke Energy sign that says “Angler Access Area: Dug Mountain.” Turn here and park in the parking area. Latitude/longitude (WGS84) is 34.95848N 82.85298W.

Looking at the map, it does seem that E Preston McDaniel or Shady Grove Roads would be the more direct routes, but US-178 is the route I took.

Route to Jocassee Gorges WMA, Dug Mountain Angler Access Area.

Where to eat:

Fiesta Mexican Restaurant

Address: 712 West Main Street, Pickens SC 29671 One-half mile west of the junction of of US-178 (Ann Street) and SC-183 (Main Street) in Pickens.

Phone: (864) 878-8255

Menu:

Hope to see everyone there!

-- Kathy Boyle phone 803-603-6466