2019 SPRING HIKE DESCRIPTIONS Friday Hikes, 1–4pm 1. Bluff Mountain Nature Preserve A protected site, the trail is a moderate, 3-mile loop with a 300’ elevation change, traversing the diversity of natural communities that make Bluff an ecological treasure. In just a few dozen steps, you can walk from a Carolina Hemlock forest to a dwarf Red Oak-White Oak forest to a rare flat-rock plant community. A broad, high plateau at 4500 feet containing an unusual wetland—a southern Appalachian fen—adds to Bluff's unique character. Bluff is a fertile home for over 400 species of plants, including Indian Paintbrush, Gray's Lily, Fringed Gentian, Spreading Avens, and the world's only known population of Bluff Mountain Reindeer Lichen. It boasts 25 endangered, rare, or threatened flowering plant species. Length: 3-mile loop Difficulty: moderate Limit: 15 participants at a time Additional Cost: $15.00 goes to the Nature Conservancy. Hike Leader: Doug Munroe. Restrooms NOT available. 2. New River State Park Service Project, US Hwy 221 Access, 358 New River State Park Rd., Laurel Springs, NC 28644. Friday afternoon only 1–4pm near Community Building You can make a difference! Join in a project to remove invasive plants. Bring your pruners, loppers, leather gloves, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants and help rid the area of Multiflora Rose, a Severe Threat alien pest. We may also find Garlic Mustard along the river to be removed. The New River State Park will compensate the NCNPS for our service by giving us one day free access to their Community Building for our meeting and we can feel good about protecting this natural habitat. Leave the Park in better condition than you found it. Of course, we will also botanize as we work. Bring a lunch to eat at the river picnic tables or Community Building and we will look for wildflowers before we begin the work. Project Leader: Diane Laslie. Restrooms available Saturday All Day Hikes 9am–4pm Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, 1481 Mt. Jefferson State Park Rd., W. Jefferson NC 28694 1. Mt. Jefferson Rhododendron/Lost Province/Mt. Ridge Trails full day hike We will hike Rhododendron and Lost Province Ridge trails before lunch and take the Mountain Ridge Trail down the mountain in the afternoon. Hike Leaders: Ranger Tom Randolph and Ethan Hughes. Restrooms available. Rhododendron Trail: The Rhododendron Trail follows a ridge southeast along the crest of the mountain from the summit to Luther Rock, an outcrop of metamorphosed amphibolite. This black volcanic rock is what gives Mount Jefferson its dark appearance. You will experience a spectacular view of neighboring valleys and peaks. The return segment of Rhododendron Trail descends the south side of the mountain. As this area is less exposed to the frigid winds of winter, the trees are somewhat larger than those on the ridge. The trail returns to the picnic area parking lot through a rare virgin forest of large Northern Red Oaks and skeletons of American Chestnuts. Length: 1.10 miles Difficulty: Moderate Lost Province Trail: Near the farthest bend of the Rhododendron Trail Description: Traveling along the south-eastern facing slope of Mount Jefferson, the moderate trail explores a virgin oak/chestnut forest, providing views of Solomon's Plume and other understory species. Point of Interest: A peaceful bird-watching area with some open canopy Length: 0.75 miles Difficulty: Moderate Mountain Ridge Trail (downhill from Jefferson Overlook): This trail offers the hikers beautiful views and an intimate trip through diverse plant communities, while enjoying the craftsmanship of native stone steps. We will shuttle cars for the downhill option of this hike, which may be easier for some. Point of Interest: A wide variety of Appalachian plant communities, amphibolite/quartz rock outcrops, and challenging topographic relief. Length: 2.00 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous Elk Knob State Park, 5564 Meat Camp Rd., Todd, NC 28684; (828) 297-7261. These trails are near the summit of Elk Knob and weather can change from hour to hour so bring appropriate clothing. Winds generally blow so a wind breaker jacket is recommended. Restrooms available. 2. Summit Trail & Area Full Day Hike The 1.9-mile (one way, advanced) Summit Trail is a well-maintained gravel trail and rewards the hiker with a breathtaking view from the top. Upon reaching the summit of Elk Knob, hikers have spectacular views of The Peak, Three Top and Bluff Mountains, Mount Jefferson, Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchell, Mt Rodgers (Va.), and the Iron Mountains in Virginia and Tennessee. The trail runs through various types of northern hardwood forests from Red Oak, Sugar Maple, and Black Cherry near the start of the trail to American Beech, birch, and buckeye subtype through boulder field forest and finally a stunted beech gap forest near the open top. The rocky forest floor is rich in spring wildflowers and they are likely to be at peak bloom somewhere along the elevation gradient, with early-to- late spring ephemerals to be found on the same hike. Point of Interest: Hikers will catch glimpses of the mountainous terrain of Watauga and Ashe counties. Length: 1.9 miles One- way Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Hike Leader: Ranger Brandy Belville 3. Beech Tree Trail & Maple Run Trail Full Day Hike We will hike the Beech Tree and Maple Run Trails, if time permits; additional time will be spent near the head of the Summit Trail. Both trails are loop trails and classified as easy. The trails are natural surfaces which contain some exposed rots and rocks so a walking stick is recommended. Elevation changes, when they occur, are gradual. We should see lots of spring ephemerals including but not limited to Trout Lilies, Jack in the Pulpit, Yellow Mandarin, 2 species of Ginseng, 4 species of Trilliums, Star Chickweed, and Yellow Ladys Slippers. We should also see lots of the summer and fall bloomers just emerging and they are always fun to ID at this time of year. Hike Leader: Mark Rose Beech Tree Trail: The Beech Tree Trail is an easy 1-mile loop around the picnic area. The majority of the trail penetrates a large American Beech forest at 4,500 ft. Length: 1.00 miles round-trip Difficulty: Easy Maple Run Trail: The 1-mile Maple Run Trail is an easy loop trail that connects the office to the trailhead parking area. Wake Robin and Giant Trilliums may be seen from the trail in spring. Length: 0.50 miles one-way Difficulty: Easy Saturday Half Day Hikes 1. Bluff Mountain Nature Preserve A protected site, the trail is a moderate, 3-mile loop with a 300’ elevation change, traversing the diversity of natural communities that make Bluff an ecological treasure. In just a few dozen steps, you can walk from a Carolina Hemlock forest to a dwarf Red Oak-White Oak forest to a rare flat-rock plant community. A broad, high plateau at 4500 feet containing an unusual wetland—a southern Appalachian fen—adds to Bluff's unique character. Bluff is a fertile home for over 400 species of plants, including Indian Paintbrush, Gray's Lily, Fringed Gentian, Spreading Avens, and the world's only known population of Bluff Mountain Reindeer Lichen. It boasts 25 endangered, rare, or threatened flowering plant species. Length: 3-mile loop Difficulty: moderate Limit: 15 participants at a time Additional Cost: $15.00 goes to the Nature Conservancy. Hike Leader: Kelly Clampitt. Restrooms NOT available. 2. New River State Park Wagoner Access Road, 1477 Wagoner Road Access, Jefferson, NC 28640 Fern Trail & Running Cedar Trails The fern trail has a small section running along the river. After it leaves the river it goes along the side of the ridge above the river, through a second-growth forest of mixed hardwoods and pines. True to its name, the trail is lined by a variety of ferns to explore, including rattlesnake, interrupted, fragile, sensitive, hay-scented, broad beech, maidenhair, and wood ferns, just to name a few. One of the highlights is a boulder with Walking Fern climbing on it. In May, the forest floor should be alive with an array of spring ephemerals such as Mayapple, Jack-in-the- pulpit, trilliums, Wild Ginger, and Showy Orchis. This trail connects to the Running Cedar Trail. Trail Length: 1.00 miles each trail Trail Difficulty: Moderate Trail Surface: Natural surface Hike Leader: Paul Bailey. Restrooms available. Sunday Half Day Hikes 1. Bluff Mountain Nature Preserve A protected site, the trail is a moderate, 3-mile loop with a 300’ elevation change, traversing the diversity of natural communities that make Bluff an ecological treasure. In just a few dozen steps, you can walk from a Carolina Hemlock forest to a dwarf Red Oak-White Oak forest to a rare flat-rock plant community. A broad, high plateau at 4500 feet containing an unusual wetland—a southern Appalachian fen—adds to Bluff's unique character. Bluff is a fertile home for over 400 species of plants, including Indian Paintbrush, Gray's Lily, Fringed Gentian, Spreading Avens, and the world's only known population of Bluff Mountain Reindeer Lichen. It boasts 25 endangered, rare, or threatened flowering plant species. Length: 3-mile loop Difficulty: moderate Limit: 15 participants at a time Additional Cost: $15.00 goes to the Nature Conservancy. Hike Leader: Doug Munroe. Restrooms NOT available. 2. Mountains to the Sea Trail near Tompkins Knob Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway near Milepost 274.1. This 1.6-mile section of the Mountain to Sea Trail from the southern boundary of Jeffress Park to the Tomkins Knob parking area has a firm surface with few rocks and a moderate incline.