It is mid-October and true to form the Parkway has peak color in many areas. It has come on very fast in the last week or so. Although it looks as if some areas will peak later in the month at lower elevations, this may be the best weekend to hit the Parkway to see fall color.

The north end from Rockfish Gap through the Peaks of Otter is certainly at peak color with brilliant yellows, oranges, deep scarlets, and reds being reported. South of Roanoke through Rocky Knob and in Mabry Mill, all the way down to the Blue Ridge Music Center is at peak color. Some rain this weekend may have brought some of the leaves down.

Higher elevations in North Carolina through Grandfather Mountain or south of Asheville may be beyond peak, but not without some great color remaining.

As always we recommend driving some distance on the Parkway so that you change elevation and north/south orientation to be sure to get the best view of fall color. It will be a crowded weekend on the Parkway so be careful and take your time visiting America’s Favorite Drive.

Enjoy October in the Mountains and visit some of the harvest time activities in our neighboring communities. Enjoy the view, but watch the Road.

Fall Color and Woodland Harvests

This field guide includes over 240 full-color photographs of fall trees, shrubs, leaves, and fruits, all clearly identified.

Weekly updates at 828-298-0398 will keep you informed of what’s being reported throughout the Parkway.

Click here for a list of Blue Ridge Parkway tree species and their colors.

Have a safe parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

This is the Blue Ridge Parkway Fall color report for October 13th, 2011. Typically, the Parkway experiences the much anticipated change in fall color around the middle of October. But remember that many factors contribute to variations in when and where the color will peak. The Parkway stretches 500 miles from North to South and meanders from East to West facing slopes. Most importantly, it varies in elevation from just under 650′ at James River in Virginia to over 6000′ south of Mt Pisgah in North Carolina.

So many visitors have been frustrated trying to get to one spot on one day hoping to find leaves in full color. A far better plan is to drive some distance on the Parkway changing elevations and the North/South orientation. If you do that around mid-to-late October then you will catch at least some of the pretty colors we are famous for. You may also choose to review the Virtual Blue Ridge Fall Color Report Archive where you can view the fall color reports from prior years.

In the Northern Districts of the Parkway in Virginia, there are pockets of good color throughout, although not peak color in any place currently. You can find a good mix of red and yellow and green on most slopes including Maples, Sour Gum, Dogwood, and Poplar.

At the Peaks of Otter in Virginia, look for colorful Dogwood, Sourwood, Sumac, Sassafras, Tulip Poplar and Birch.

Around the Blue Ridge Music Center near the North Carolina and Virginia state line, nice yellows coming from the Birch, Tulip Poplar, and Fraser Magnolia. Red is showing on Maples as well.

Lots of fall color reported in the Grandfather Mountain Corridor along with the fall wildflowers of Goldenrod and a variety of Asters. Things are changing fast around Mt Pisgah in the Asheville Corridor with peak color expected next week.

Beyond the French Broad and up to Mt Pisgah the color is nice and close to peak at about 4000′ in elevation.

Enjoy October in the Mountains and visit some of the harvest time activities in our neighboring communities. Enjoy the view, but watch the Road.

Fall Color and Woodland Harvests

This field guide includes over 240 full-color photographs of fall trees, shrubs, leaves, and fruits, all clearly identified.

Weekly updates at 828-298-0398 will keep you informed of what’s being reported throughout the Parkway.

Click here for a list of Blue Ridge Parkway tree species and their colors.

Have a safe parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

The first weekend of October is upon us, and the mountain foliage, true to form, is beginning to make the transition to the color that brings so much attention here in the fall.  Typically the Parkway experiences that change in fall color around the middle of October, but many factors contribute to variations in where and when the color will peak.  The Parkway stretches almost 500 miles north to south.  It meanders from the east to west facing slopes.  Most importantly, it varies in elevation from just under 650 ft at James River in Virginia to over 6,000 ft south of Mt. Pisgah in North Carolina.

Many visitors have been frustrated trying to go to one spot on one day in October, hoping to find the leaves in full color.  A far better plan is to drive some distance on the Parkway, changing elevations and north/south orientation.  Anyone who does this around mid to late October will catch at least some of the peak color that we’re famous for.

In the northern most districts in Virginia, colors are definitely under way, although probably less than 20% showing right now.  Mainly showing are Dogwoods, Tulip Poplar, Virginia Creeper, Sourwood, Black Gum, and a few other species.  Mostly red and yellow colors are showing right now.  Try the section around Clark’s Gap at milepost 40 which is showing nicely along the road edge with color frosting to a rich green backdrop.  At the Peaks of Otter at milepost 80-90, visitors will find Dogwood, Sourwood, Sumac, Sassafras, Sour Gum, and as always Virginia Creeper and even some Poison Ivy which is nice and red.

Around the Blue Ridge Music Center near the North Carolina / Virginia state line, there is a touch of yellow coming from the Birch and Tulip Frasier, Magnolia, and some red splotches showing on Maples as well.  In the North Carolina district around Grandfather Mountain to Linville falls, the color is beginning to show on the mountainside, with elevation as always playing a big role.

Fall wildflowers are Sunflowers, Jewel Weed, Goldenrod, and purple and white Asters around the Julian Price Loop.  In the high elevations north of Asheville around Craggy Gardens and Mt. Mitchell, the color should be delightful this next week, perhaps even close to peak color.  The drive through the Asheville area will still be showing red Sourwood, Dogwood, maybe some early Maples, and even Virginia Creeper.

So enjoy October in the mountains, enjoy the harvest time activities in our neighboring towns, and as we always tell visitors, enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Click here for a list of Blue Ridge Parkway tree species and their colors.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Behind the Scenes tours take place daily at 1 p.m. and additionally at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Each tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Guests will see where the cougars and otters sleep at night, meet black bears that are not commonly on display and even observe a training session. Animal keepers will also answer any questions that may arise during the program. Participants must be capable of walking up and down steep, rough terrain. Closed-toed shoes are required.

In addition to the daily opportunity for a behind the scenes look, the cost of the program has been reduced for October. Behind the Scenes Tours cost $25 per person in addition to regular admission into Grandfather Mountain. Annual pass holders can participate for $20 per person.  For more information, or to reserve a tour in advance, call 828-733-8715.

Grandfather Mountain is a globally recognized nature preserve famous for its 360-degree vistas, native wildlife habitats and Mile High Swinging Bridge. The attraction is located on US Highway 221, two miles north of Linville, NC, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest and participate in educational research activities. For more information phone 800-468-7325.

Here in late September, the fields of the Parkway are full of Black-eyed Susan, Joe-Pye Weed, Queen Anne’s Lace, Ironweed, Goldenrod, and some Butterfly Weed.  There are great displays of Cardinal Flower in a few wet areas.  The staff at the Peaks of Otter is reporting Ironweed and Jewel Weed, Woodland Sunflower, and Pink Turtlehead in addition to all the above species.

Some fall color is showing around milepost 80-90 with Dogwood, Sourwood, and Tulip Tree, along with Virginia Creeper and Sassafras.  A few striped Maple and Sweet Birch are also beginning to show some color.  The meadows and agricultural lands in the Rocky Knob/Mabry Mill area are showing nice displays of Joe-Pye Weed, Black-eyed Susan, Goldenrod, and even a few early signs as well of fall color here and there.

Touch-Me-Nots, Jewel Weed, Spotted Knapweed, Coreopsis, and Goldenrod are all common throughout the North Carolina section, especially around Price Lake.  From Linville Falls through Gillespie Gap around the Minerals Museum, look for Ox-eye Daisy, Phlox, Angelica, Jewel Weed, Yarrow, Ironweed, Coreopsis, and Black-eyed Susan, all common in this area.

Mountain Ash is coming in along around the Craggy Gardens area.  Things seem to be gearing up for a splendid fall showing.  Tall Coneflower, Fleabane, Ox-eye Daisy, and Goldenrod can be found on the Craggy Garden trails as well.  Blueberry bushes on the Pinnacle and Mountain Ash seem to attract visitor’s attention right now.  The beginning of fall color is also beginning to show around milepost 400 with Sourwoods and Dogwoods turning red as well.

As always, we remind you to drive carefully along the Parkway. Keep your eyes on the road as you enjoy the view. In a few weeks, more indications of fall color will be showing up with peaks commonly coming in early to mid-October.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

It is mid-September and depending on your location you may find a few signs of fall color on some trees along the Parkway. This is just a reminder to the display that always arrives here in the mountains around the middle of October.  Generally the fields full with this time of year with Black-eyed Susan, Joe-Pye weed, Queen Anne’s Lace, Ironweed, Goldenrod and in some places great displays of Cardinal Flower in wet areas.

The staff at the Peaks of Otter in Virginia is spotting Ironweed, Jewel Weed, Woodland Sunflower, and Pink Turtlehead in addition to the above species.  The meadows and agricultural lands in the Rocky Knob/Mabry Mill area are showing nice displays of Joe-Pye Weed, Black-eyed Susan, Goldenrod, and even a few early signs of fall color here and there.

In North Carolina, around the Julian Price Lake loop trail, Touch-Me-Nots, Jewel Weed, Spotted Knapweed, Coreopsis, and Goldenrod are common.  Purple and white Asters are particularly nice on the trail around the lake.  From Linville Falls through Gillespie Gap at the Mineral Museum, look for Ox-eye Daisy, Phlox, Angelica, Jewel Weed, Yarrow, Ironweed, Coreopsis, and Black-eyed Susan.

Mountain Ash is coming on around the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center.  Things are gearing up for a splendid fall showing.  Tall Coneflower, Fleabane, and Ox-eye Daisy, Goldenrod, and White Snakeroot can be found on the Craggy trails as well.

As always, we remind you to drive carefully along the Parkway.  Keep your eyes on the road as you enjoy the view.  In a few weeks, more indications of fall color will be showing up with peaks commonly coming in early to mid-October.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

One can find 42 different species of amphibians along the trails, and of course, this includes the salamander. According to the National Park Service, the Southern Appalachians are the “center of of salamander diversity on earth.” Not only that, but the Blue Ridge Parkway is at the “heart of this zone.”

One can also find more than 250 species of birds along the parkway, including bobolinks, eastern meadowlarks, American kestrels, great blue herons, kingfishers, and peregrine falcons. This is an ideal setting for the avid bird-watcher!

Along with amphibians and birds, the Blue Ridge Parkway is also home to 50 different species of fish, 22 species of snakes, and 7 species of turtles.

We’re approaching mid-September, and depending on your location, you may find that a few signs of fall color are on the trees along the Parkway.  This is just a reminder to a fall that’s display always arrives here in the mountains in about a month, the middle of October.

Generally fields on the Parkway are full this time of year with Black-eyed Susan, Joe-Pye Weed, Queen Anne’s Lace, Iron Weed, Goldenrod, and in some places you’ll see great displays of Cardinal flower, especially in moister wet areas.  The staff at the Peaks of Otter in Virginia is reporting Iron Weed, Jewel Weed, Woodland Sunflower, and Pink Turtlehead, in addition to the above species.

The meadows and agricultural land in the Rocky Knob/Mabry Mill area are showing nice displays of Joe-Pye Weed, Black-eyed Susan, Goldenrod, and a few early signs of fall color here and there.  If you’re in North Carolina around the Cone Estate, Spotted Jewel Weed is nicely in bloom around Trout Lake.  Yarrow is also common along with Bee Balm and Bellflower.  Look for nice Purple-Headed Coneflower just around the visitor’s center at the Linn Cove Viaduct.

From Linville Falls through Gillespie Gap at the Mineral Museum, Ox-eye Daisy, Phlox, Angelica, Jewel Weed, Yarrow, Iron Weed, Coreopsis, and Black-eyed Susan are all common.  Some purple Aster should be in bloom through the Craggy Gardens area and Mountain Ash is coming on.  Everything seems to be gearing for a splendid fall showing.  Tall Coneflower, Fleabane, Ox-eye Daisy, Asters, and White Snakeroot can be found on the Craggy Gardens trail as well.

As always, we will remind you to drive carefully while on the Parkway.  Keep your eyes on the road as you enjoy the view.  In a few weeks, more indications of fall color will be coming with the peak commonly coming mid to early October.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Weather Page Preview

Virtual Blue Ridge now has an updated Blue Ridge Parkway weather information page.  Previously, weather information was being extracted from a daily report that the National Park Service emailed to interested media outlets and park employees. In August, the National Park Service decided to discontinue offering weather reports in the daily broadcast so we had to work on a permanent, more accurate solution.

The biggest problem we had to overcome in developing the new weather content was that we previously offered only a general forecast for North Carolina / Virginia. A general forecast by state is extremely difficult as the elevation changes and geographic conditions can present quite a difference in climate.  You can travel less than 30 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway and experience temperature changes of 10 degrees or more.

The new weather page pulls real-time data from The Weather Channel and allows you to get specific weather details for over 20 cities and towns along the Parkway.  The forecast on the page is currently for 24 hours, but you can click within the weather box for more details and get maps, multi-day forecasts, and more. This system provides a better representation of the weather for the area of the Parkway you will be visiting.  The interface is easy to use and we look forward to expanding it in the future.

Please leave comments below to help us improve the content of the weather information page.

Grandfather Mountain’s

“Hiking 101″ is designed to teach beginners how to successfully complete a day hike.  Presented Saturday, August 20 at 11 am, the class will cover equipment, clothing, footwear and what to pack for a day in the woods.   Whether you consider yourself a seasoned outdoorsmen or a novice, everyone should find this class a great planning discussion before striking out into the unknown.

“There are a lot of variables that one should consider while planning a hiking or camping trip,” said Chief Interpretive Ranger Gabe Taylor. “Having the proper equipment and being prepared for a variety of weather is a must.”

“How High Is That Tree?” will teach visitors to identify the types of trees they encounter and how to use a clinometer to measure the height of a tree.   Participants will make their own clinometers (an optical device for measuring elevation over horizon) and apply the tool not only to trees but also to a variety of other calculations. The program will be offered Saturday, August 27 at 11 am.

Programs with Grandfather’s interpretive rangers last approximately one hour and are free with the price of admission to Grandfather Mountain ($15/adult and $7/children ages 4-12).

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation merged its trails and naturalist departments in June in order to create an interpretive ranger staff that provides visitors with additional ways to experience and learn about the mountain’s diverse environment.

The rangers are also offering guided hikes along the Mountain’s famed Grandfather Trail. A half day hike to MacRae Peak and back (0.9 miles) is $15 per person and a full day hike to Calloway Peak and back (2.4 miles) is $30 per person. A minimum of two people are required to book a guided hike.

These hikes allow participants to learn more about the history, geology, flora and fauna of Grandfather. The Grandfather Trail is strenuous and has some extremely steep sections where hikers use in-place cables and ladders.

To book a guided hike or for any questions on interpretive ranger programming please call 828-737-0833 or send an e-mail.

This is the Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflower Report for the first week of August.  Beginning on the North end around the Peaks of Otter in Virginia, visitors will probably find Jewel Weed, Butterfly Weed, Common Milkweed, Yarrow, Black Cohosh, Woodland Sunflower, and Deptford Pink. All of these are common summer varieties here in the Blue Ridge.  Turks-cap Lily and Joe-Pye Weed are showing nicely now around the Peaks.

Throughout the plateau district which extends from Roanoke to the North Carolina state line, summer blooms are prolific with Black-eyed Susan, Queen Anne’s Lace, Coreopsis, and the bright orange Butterfly Weed common throughout.  Rosebay Rhododendron is still nice in a few places.

In the Grandfather Mountain area, moving into North Carolina, look for Yarrow, Queen Anne’s Lace, and lots of Rosebay Rhododendron blooming along the Parkway.  Spiderwort, Phlox, and Morning Glory are common in the Moses Cone area along with Turk’s-cap Lily and St. John’s Wort.  Joe-Pye Weed is nice around Trout Lake.  Look for Bellflower and Basil Balm around the figure eight trail at the Cone Manor,  Sundrop at Bass Lake, and  Coreopsis in many areas throughout this region of the Parkway.

In the high elevations north of Asheville, Rosebay Rhododendron is in bloom along with some displays of Bee Balm along the higher elevations around milepost 360-370.  Turk’s-cap Lily is common along the road from Mt. Mitchell heading down into Asheville.  There are nice displays of Butterfly Weed around milepost 380 and again close to the Parkway Visitor’s Center in Asheville.  Black-eyed Susans are becoming more noticeable along with Brown-eyed Susan, tall Coneflower popping up between milepost 350 and 370, and Coreopsis is noticeable between the picnic area and Craggy Visitor’s Center.

The Parkway is a beautiful and cool place to spend these very hot days of summer , but it’s not like most other roads. Please take some special precautions while driving.  Above all, slow down, take your time, and use the overlooks to let other traffic that backs up behind you get by.  As we often tell visitors, enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

This is the Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflower report for mid-July.  Around the Peaks of Otter in Virginia, visitors will probably find Jewelweed, Butterfly Weed, St. John’s Wort, Butterfly Pea, Common Milkweed, Yarrow, Black Cohosh, Woodland Sunflower, and Deptford Pink, all of which are common summer varieties here in the Blue Ridge.

Throughout the plateau district, which extends from Roanoke to the North Carolina state line, summer blooms are prolific with Black-eyed Susan, Queen Anne’s Lace, Coreopsis, and the bright orange Butterfly Weed common throughout.  Rosebay Rhododendron is also very nice right now.

In the Grandfather Mountain area in North Carolina, look for Yarrow, Queen Anne’s lace, and lots of Rosebay Rhododendron blooming along the roadsides of the Parkway.  Spiderwort, Phlox, and Morning Glory are common in the Moses Cone area, along with Turk’s-cap Lily and St. John’s Wort.  Coreopsis is also in bloom in many areas throughout.

In the high elevations north of Asheville, Rosebay Rhododendron is in bloom along with some new displays of Bee Balm popping out along the higher elevations from around milepost 360 to 370.  Wild Bergamot is starting to show also.  These should provide a colorful drive for the next month.

St. John’s Wort is thick from milepost 355 to 360.  There are nice displays of Butterfly Weed right around milepost 380 and again close to the Parkway Visitor’s Center in Asheville.  Wild Hydrangea are on display in the Asheville area, Black-eyed Susan, Ox-eye Daisy are more prominent each day.

The Parkway is a beautiful and cool place to spend a July weekend or anytime in the summer, but it’s not like most other roads. Please take some special precautions while driving.  Above all, slow down, take your time, and use the overlooks to let other traffic that backs up behind you get by.  As we often tell visitors, enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Around the Peaks of Otter in Virginia, visitors will probably find lots of Jewel Weed and Butterfly Weed, St. John’s Wort, Common Milkweed, Yarrow, Black Cohosh, and Woodland Sunflower, all of which are common summer varieties here in the Blue Ridge.

Through the plateau district, which extends from Roanoke to the North Carolina state line, summer blooms are prolific with Black-eyed Susan, Queen Anne’s Lace, Coreopsis and the bright orange Butterfly Weed common throughout.

In North Carolina, in the Grandfather Mountain area, look for Yarrow, Queen Anne’s Lace, and lots of Rosebay Rhododendron blooming along the Parkway. Spiderwort, Phlox, and Morning Glory are common in the Moses Cone area, along with Turk’s-cap Lily and St. John’s Wort. Coreopsis is also in bloom in many areas throughout.

In the high elevation north of Asheville, Rosebay Rhododendron is in bloom along with new displays of Bee Balm popping out along the higher elevations from milepost 360 to 370. Wild Bergamot is starting to show also.

St. John’s Wort is thick from milepost 355 to 360 and there are nice displays of Butterfly Weed right around milepost 380 and again close to the Parkway visitor’s center in Asheville. Wild Hydrangea is on display in the Asheville area. Black-eyed Susan, Ox-eye Daisy seems to be more prominent each day.

The Parkway is a beautiful place to spend your holiday weekend, or anytime in the summer, but it’s not like most other roads. Please take some special precautions while driving. Above all, slow down, take your time, and use the overlooks to let other traffic that backs up behind you get by. As we often tell visitors, enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Mid-summer is a great time for blooms here in the Blue Ridge, and remember that your elevation change can make a great deal of difference in what you find blooming along the roadside or down your favorite trail.  If you think you’ve missed a favorite bloom at one favorite spot, head up the mountain and you may find it still on display.

In the Peaks of Otter area, north of Roanoke, Daylily, Butterfly Weed, and common St. John’s Wort are being reported.  Milkweed, Yarrow, Ox-eye Daisy, and Daisy Fleabane are common summertime blooms and are also nicely on display throughout this area.  Don’t miss Black-eye Susan and Woodland Sunflower as well.  The Rosebay Rhododendron, which is the white to pink bloom, is popping nicely in the area of Rocky Knob south through the Blue Ridge Music Center area down to the state line.  Nice displays of the bright orange Butterfly Weed area also showing in this area of the Parkway.

In North Carolina, around the Linville Viaduct Visitor’s Center, you’ll find Bee Balm, Fly Poison, and nice displays of Black-eyed Susan along milepost 297 to 299 and again at milepost 304.  Rosebay Rhododendron is nicely in bloom in many areas around the Cone Estate, and look for St. John’s Wort, Sundrop, and a few remaining Fire Pink.

The far southern end of the Parkway is recovering from some nasty storms lately.  Flowers are still popping up in bloom in many areas.  Look for Fly Poison, and Galax, Purple-Fringed Orchid, Bee Balm, Turk’s-cap Lily, Sundrop, Phlox, and Wild Hydrangea.

The Parkway is a beautiful place to spend your summer, but it’s not like most other roads. Take some special precautions while driving. Above all, slow down, take your time, and use the overlooks to let traffic that backs up behind you get by.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Summer is a great time for blooms here in the Blue Ridge and remember that your elevation change can make a great deal of difference in what you find blooming along the roadsides or maybe down your favorite trail.  If you think you’ve missed a favorite bloom at a favorite spot, head up the mountain and you may find it still on display.

In the Peaks of Otter area, in Virginia, around milepost 80-86, Day Lilly is especially nice right now.  A little further south, look for the bright orange Butterfly Weed, St. John’s Wort, Canada Lily, Milkweed, Yarrow, Ox-eye Daisy, Daisy Fleabane, and Black-eyed Susan.  The Rosebay Rhododendron, the larger white or pink blooming variety, is blooming south of Roanoke to the North Carolina state line and is perhaps nicest through the Mabry Mill area.  Many areas of North Carolina are reporting some remaining Flame Azalea, causing some visitor comments along the way.

In general, look for Sundrop, Columbine, Phlox, Fire Pink, Wild Hydrangea, and Black Cohosh, especially between Parkway headquarters in Asheville and the Craggy Gardens Visitor’s Center.

The Parkway is a beautiful place to spend your summer, but it’s not like most other roads.  Take some special precautions while driving.  Above all, slow down, take your time, and use the overlooks to let traffic that backs up behind you get by.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Early summer is a great time for blooms here in the Blue Ridge. Remember that your elevation change can make a great deal of difference in what you find blooming along the roadside or down your favorite trail.  If you think you’ve missed your favorite bloom at a favorite spot, just head up the mountain and you may find it still on display.

In Virginia through the Peaks of Otter area and across the high elevation of Apple Orchard Mountain look for Mountain Laurel, Columbine, Wild Bergamot, and perhaps a few remaining Catawba Rhododendron.  Bowman’s Root, Yarrow, and Common Milkweed may be on display as well.  Daisy Fleabane, Ox-eye Daisy are very common throughout this area.  Around the Peaks of Otter, look closely for some remaining Fire Pink.

From Rocky Knob down to the Virginia/North Carolina state line you may find Laurel, Catawba, Yarrow, some Fire Pink, Ox-eye Daisy and Elderberry in bloom.  In North Carolina there are reports of Mountain Laurel at Trout Lake and Fire Pink, Spiderwort, Daisy and Coreopsis around milepost 273.  And some great Flame Azalea displays at milepost 274.  Look for St. John’s Wort at Sim’s Pond overlook.  If you’re driving the Parkway in North Carolina from Linville Falls out to Gillespie Gap, look for some displays of Mountain Laurel, Flame Azalea, Fire Pink, Columbine, and especially in the meadows behind Crabtree Falls campground.

In high elevations around Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell in North Carolina there are still some Rhododendron on display.  South of Mount Pisgah, reports of Catawba Rhododendron are common.  Some remaining Mountain Laurel and Flame Azalea also are evident in the high elevations.  Graveyard Fields to Devil’s Courthouse is very pretty right now with Laurel and Rhododendron.  Other things you may find as you drive along this area of the Parkway are Fire Pink, Goat’s Beard, Fly Poison, Spiderwort, Sundrops, False and True Solomon’s Seal.

Obviously the Parkway is a beautiful place to spend your summer but it’s not like other roads so take some time and special precautions while driving.  Above all, slow down and take your time.  Use the overlooks to let traffic that backs up behind you get by.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Around the Peaks of Otter in Virginia, look for great displays of Mountain Laurel and Catawba Rhododendron along the roadsides from mile post 80 to 82.  Golden Alexander, Yarrow, Beard Tongue, Bowman’s Root, and Ox-eye Daisy are beautiful as well.  Some Fire Pink is still in bloom around milepost 86 to 88.  Laurel and Azalea, Spiderwort, Rhododendron and some Foam Flowers are showing in the section of the Parkway between Rocky Knob to Mabry Mill.

Read the full Wildflower Report for June 7th, 2011 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

By the way, Devil’s Courthouse is the closest the Blue Ridge Parkway gets to the South Carolina border.  As the crow flies, there’s about 20 miles between the two.  So, when you’re exploring that neck of the woods and you’re looking south/southeast, you will be seeing parts of the South Carolina countryside.  Here is a home video of the long range views this area affords:

Now, let’s get back to my adventure.  February is not the best time of the year to be in North Carolina mountains, but there are still several things to do.  Sapphire Valley Ski Resort (more like a hill than a mountain) offers snow-tubing and ski lifts.  It doesn’t attract a lot of people during the peak ski season, so it’s a good place to take the kids without the crowds you might have in the bigger ski areas located in the Boone area.

Transylvania County is known as the “Land of Waterfalls“.  The area is a sub-tropical rain forest receiving more rainfall per annum than any locale east of the Mississippi.  Couple that with the fact that the area is situated on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and you have the perfect conditions for over 250 waterfalls. In the winter, these waterfalls freeze up and provide for awesome ice formations and an area for local ice-climbers to gear up and have some fun.  Additionally, the barren trees afford the visitor relatively unobstructed views of the Blue Ridge Parkway area waterfalls themselves.

Waterfalls are just just one of the many things the area is known for.  Unfortunately for me, I was on a business trip and didn’t get to partake in any outdoor recreational activities. The high temperature was over 60°F, and I was disappointed I didn’t have more time.  I hope you get to enjoy the area to the fullest when you plan your visit.

My purpose was to visit a potential new client of Horizon Mediaworks and a sponsor of the Virtual Blue Ridge website:  The Preserve at Rock Creek.  They are in the heart of the Sapphire Valley with one of the most unique pieces of property to be found.

It’s now the end of March, and we are excited to announce our partnership with The Preserve at Rock Creek. In the coming months, we will be helping to showcase a truly conservation minded development in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Preserve is an example of a well-conceived earth friendly footprint, with emphasis on land conservation and large estate lots.

Here’s the low-down:

The Preserve at Rock Creek is 320 acres of beautiful forest land that rests on Toxaway Mountain-the highest privately owned mountain in the area with elevations up to 4400 feet.

By blending low density encroachment with nature, the Preserve makes the most of its natural surroundings in an organic layout where 115 species of flora and 100 species of animals make their home.

Large estate lots are cut to take advantage of the incredible long range views the mountain offers. Green minded homes are built to maximize the views for the occupants while minimizing the visibility of homes from adjacent lots. Views, privacy, and being a part of nature are paramount.

The Developer, Tim Bright, is a true land steward. He is creating an entire community using conservation based principals by permanently placing sixty-six percent of the mountain in a conservation easement.

Tim’s land use plan lowers the impact on this piece of heaven on earth using state-of-the-art water erosion and drainage techniques. The infrastructure is well planned with 18 foot wide paved roads, underground utilities, and a state certified water system.

We invite those of you seeking an exclusive and incredible lifestyle living in harmony with nature to explore all that The Preserve At Rock Creek has to offer. Only a limited number of home owners will be able to enjoy this unique mountain property.

I hope you find a chance to visit Transylvania Country and the Sapphire Valley area.  While you’re there, pay a little tribute to our friends at The Preserve.

What’s your favorite thing to do on the Parkway when the weather finally breaks? I like to take leisurely strolls on the trails, hopefully with my camera in tow. Pre-season exploration of the Parkway can bring surprises for photographers –like a newly felled tree, or the lack of people in general in areas that stay crowded during peak visitation times.

But one of my favorites is visiting waterfalls. I must admit, I’ve been a life-long resident of Boone and thought I knew the area pretty well when it came to finding waterfalls, but there are a couple of books and maps at the store that showed me otherwise! Weather breaks like this before winter is officially over and springtime arrives means you may get lucky and find icy waterfalls without having to deal with the cold weather that normally comes with it. Just another bonus for checking out the various falls in the area this time of year.

Here are some of my favorite waterfall guides:

Great Waterfalls of North Carolina

This book is great for a photographer, with easy-to-follow driving directions, ratings for trail difficulty and beauty, and even points out the best photographic locations for every waterfall — a great feature for amateur photographers.

Click Here for more info

This map is incredible, listing more than 300 waterfalls and includes Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Even better is the tear-resistant and waterproof paper because let’s face it, maps like this tend to take a beating after a while so it’s nice to have something stand up to long-term use.

Click Here for more info

Look for Virginia Creeper throughout the northern sections of the Parkway with vines hanging their scarlet necklaces around trees and rocks. Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill area were probably peak this past weekend but lots of color remains. Dogwood and Poplar are also pretty along with Sassafras along the roadsides in areas near the Blue Ridge Music Center. The color there is beginning to fade some. Sourwood, Poplar, Dogwood, Birch, and Beech  . . .

Click here to continue reading this color report on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Fall is still a time for wildflower displays. Goldenrod and Asters are along the roadside with fall blooms such as Black-eyed Susan, Coreopsis, Joe-Pye Weed, and the orange Turk’s-cap Lily. It’s a wonderful time of year for many meadows and roadsides to show off the last of the year’s blooms.

In Virginia the Peaks of Otter is reporting color in Tulip Poplar, Dogwood, and Sourwood on the mountainside. A variety of Oaks and . . .

Click here to continue reading this color report on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Fall is still a month for wildflower displays as Goldenrod and Astor are along the roadsides along with some fall blooms such as Black Eyed Susan, Coreopsis, Joe-Pye Weed and that orange Turks Cap Lily. This is indeed a wonderful time of year for many meadows and roadsides to show off the last of the year’s blooms.

Early signs of fall are present throughout most of the mid-elevations of the Parkway. The Dogwoods have assumed that rusty red and

Click here to continue reading this color report on Virtual Blue Ridge.

September may not seem like a time for wildflowers but the meadow blooms are, to many visitors, among the best of the year. Cooler temperatures and the yearly hawk migration along the spine of the mountains are other reasons to visit the Parkway in September.

Butter and Eggs, Black Eyed Susan, Woodland Sunflower, Ox-Eyed Daisy, Coreopsis and Goldenrod all light up the roadside and meadows with a variety of shades of yellow. New York Ironweed is that deep purple, tall bloom that is sometimes standing next to the more pale Joe-Pye Weed in damp or boggy areas.

Purple-Headed Coneflower may add another shade of purple in a few places. If you notice the very bright red flower growing in boggy wet areas you’ve almost certainly spotted the Cardinal Flower, a favorite of many folks this time of year in the mountains.

On the north end of the Parkway around Humpback Rocks, Virgins Bower, Spotted Touch Me Not, Black Eyed Susan, Flowering Spurge, Goldenrod and many other late summer blooms are out.

Click here to finish reading this wildflower report on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Naturally many of them come to the Parkway where cooler temperatures and late summer blooms in the meadows are their reward.Here’s the latest of things to look for in virtually every district or every section of the Parkway.

Butter and Eggs, Black Eyed Susan, Woodland Sunflower, Ox-Eye Daisy, Coreopsis, and Goldenrod all light up the roadside and meadows with a variety of shades of yellow.

New York Ironweed is the deep purple tall bloom sometimes standing next to a paler Joe-Pye Weed in damp or boggy areas. Purple Headed Coneflower may. . .

Read the full Wildflower Report for 9/3/2010 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

On the northern end near Humpback Rocks typical summer blooms of Goldenrod, Butter and Eggs, Woodland Sunflower, Black Eyed Susan, Ox-Eyed Daisy, and Queen Anne’s Lace are all very evident. Morning Glory and Purple Headed Coneflower and a few Cardinal Flowers are being reported on the farm at Humpback. At the picnic area, Heal All and Yarrow are also common.

Many of the same species are found around the Peaks of Otter, Yarrow and Black Eyed Susan, Woodland Sunflower, Joe-Pye Weed and Appalachian Bellflower. Virgin’s Bower and Bull Thistle are also common. Look for the pale Touch Me Not between Milepost 80 and 85 and Butterfly Weed around Milepost 90.

Read the full wildflower report for 8/20/2010 at Virtual Blue Ridge.

On the far northern end of the Parkway near Humpback Rocks, Joe-Pye Weed, Morning Glory, Woodland Sunflower, Black Eyed Susan, Ironweed, and Queen Anne’s Lace are all very common.

Stroll through the picnic area at Humpback Rocks and enjoy the Yarrow and Heal All in bloom there. In the Rocky Knob/ Mabry Mill area, Milkweed and. . .

Read the full wildflower report for 8/6/2010 at Virtual Blue Ridge.

To view the video in its entirety, go to the YouTube link below:

You will note in the video that the bison gave several warnings that he was uncomfortable with the approach of humans.  First he tried to move away and place a tree line between the threat and himself.  When the person still came on through the trees the bison then lifted his head and looked at him with his head moving up and down.  The bison then kicked his heels up lowering his head and the woman still kept filming him.  Finally the wild animal stressed by the perceived threat had to revert to flight or fight mode.  Since the threat had kept moving toward him even after he attempted to calmly make flight from the area he most likely felt he had no choice but to fight and attack.

These same behaviors can been seen in any wildlife you may encounter in a National Park even if  it is a  bear, deer, or chipmunk on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Always give wildlife their space.  Revel in the opportunity to view animals in their native habitat, but do not crowd or stress them into instinctual reactions.

This incident once again illustrates the lesson I have told several times on this blog and in my book, “A Park Ranger’s Life”, that park visitors should always enjoy viewing wildlife from afar.

North of Roanoke, Virginia, which includes Peaks of Otter and the high elevations across Apple Orchard Mountain, visitors will find Milkweed, Yarrow, Ox-Eye Daisy, Tall Coreopsis, Queen Anne’s Lace, Black Eyed Susan, Woodland Sunflower and Tall Bellflower.

Visiting Mabry Mill or Rocky Knob you’re likely to find Butterfly Weed, Milkweed, Heal All, Jewelweed, New York Ironweed, Coreopsis, Deptford Pink and the beautiful tall Turks Cap Lily.

Spotted Knapweed and Joe-Pye Weed are new blooms this weekend around Mabry Mill. Rosebay Rhododendron is still showing some blooms but on the decline.

To find out what’s blooming in North Carolina and to read the full Wildflower Report for 7/23 visit Virtual Blue Ridge.

On the north end of the Parkway through the Humpback Rocks area look for Woodland Sunflower, Milkweed, Yarrow, Black Eyed Susan, Fleabane, Ox-Eye Daisy, Queen Anne’s Lace, Viburnum, Goldenrod, Columbine and the bright orange Butterfly Weed. Many of these same species are blooming in the beautiful picnic area at Milepost 5.8.

Through the Peaks of Otter area, look for many of the same species. In addition Milkweed, Tall Coreopsis, and Wild Bergamot are showy right now. Visiting Mabry Mill or Rocky Knob look for. . .

Read the full wildflower report for 7/16/2010 at Virtual Blue Ridge.

This is a great leg stretcher with gradual grades. It is an easy to moderate hike. There is a good amount of roots and stones on the trail, but it is easily maneuverable. To get to the huge views, go right at the first junction on the trail. When the trail splits again, stay on Beacon Heights trail and go left. At the next junction and crest, there will be a bench.

A short walk to the right of the bench, will take you out onto a large flat rock which is a massive crop of quartzite with endless views to the Piedmont and awesome views of the high peaks of Mount Mitchell to the south along the Parkway.

A short walk up some stone steps to the left of the bench will also take you out onto a large flat rock, which is another massive crop of quartzite, with great views of the eastern flank of Grandfather Mountain along the Parkway heading north. There are also huge views of Pisgah National Forest to the east.

This is a “bring a picnic, stretch out on the rocks, and take in the endless views” kind of place! I give this hike a rating of 4 ½ hiking sticks of a possible 5. This is definitely another easy BRP hike with great views. You can find additional information and Blue Ridge Parkway hiking trail maps on Virtual Blue Ridge. Cool Runnings!

This is an easy, slightly inclining trail which is a pleasant 15-minute walk in the woods, meandering through some nice and varied foliage. An extra treat is that many species are marked and identified. In no time, you are walking onto the outcrop of Flatrock which is a massive crop of quartzite. There are incredible 180° long range views of a western panorama. This is definitely one of the great sunset views on the BRP.

We sat for at least an hour on some huge boulders taking in the exceptional good energy. We were able to get some great pictures of our experience.

This is a “bring some sweet tea, kick back on the rocks and watch the sunset” kind of place. Even though this is only 7/10 of a mile hike, I give it a rating of 4 ½ hiking sticks out of possible 5, because of the great sunset views at Flat Rock.

You can get more information on this trail and other great BRP hiking trails in the book “Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway” by Randy Johnson. It is available online at my favorite Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore. Cool Runnings!

On the north end of the Parkway through the Humpback Rocks area look for Woodland Sunflower, Milkweed, Yarrow, Black-Eyed Susan, Ox-Eye Daisy, Queen Anne’s Lace, Viburnum, Goldenrod, Columbine, and Butterfly Weed. Many of these same species are blooming in the beautiful picnic area at Milepost 8.5.

Around Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill, many of the same species are blooming in addition to Jewel Weed, Ironweed, Deptford Pink and Spiderwort. The large white Rosebay Rhododendron is also starting to show up nicely in this area. Farther south near the Blue Ridge Music Center find Ox-Eye Daisy and. . .

Click here to read the full report on Virtual Blue Ridge.

These are scenes from a family hike taken on July 2 on the Apple Orchard Falls Trail just north of the Peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.

The Apple Orchard Falls Trail can be found at the Sunset Fields Overlook at Mile Post 79 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail is a moderately steep downhill hike for approximately 1.4 miles to the falls. The hiker will then have to retrace their steps up hill to return to their car. You should allow at least 2 hours for a leisurely hike. Several other trails can be accessed from this area including the Appalachian Trail.

The area is a beautiful mixture of habitats and abundant in deer, bear, and turkey. As you progress down slope you will detect a thickening of vegetation and increase in humidity as the springs along the mountain side feed into a drainage producing the stream leading you to the falls.

The trail head is on National Park Service land, but the hiker will spend most of this hike on lands managed by the US Forest Service as part of the George Washington/Jefferson National Forests.

Purple Catawba Rhododendron has just about finished its bloom this year except for a few remaining at higher elevations. Rosebay Rhododendron, a much larger variety with white to cream colored or pink blossoms, is coming out in many places right now. Rosebay is especially noticeable in Virginia south of Roanoke to the North Carolina state line.

In Virginia through the Peaks of Otter area look for Milkweed, Yarrow, Daisy Fleabane, Ox-Eye Daisy, tall Coreopsis, Queen Anne’s Lace, Day Lily, and Black-Eyed Susan.

Click here to read the complete Wildflower Report for June 29th, 2010.

The meadows in the James River area, especially as you cross the river on the south side and begin heading for Peaks of Otter, are just filled with Queen Anne’s Lace and Black-Eyed Susan. It’s a beautiful site right now.

Climbing across Apple Orchard Mountain look out for some Mountain Laurel, Wild Bergamot, Milkweed, Yarrow, Loose Strife, and Daisy Fleabane all in bloom. Coreopsis, Trumpet Vine and Thimble Weed may also be spotted.Some Fire Pink is still visible in the Peaks of Otter area, along with Butterfly Weed and Deptford Pink.

From Rocky Knob to the North Carolina/ Virginia state line look for Ox-Eye Daisy, Black-Eyed Susan, Fleabane Daisy, and Fire Pink all in bloom. The bright orange Butterfly Weed and Day Lily are especially nice right now. In North Carolina around the Grandfather Mountain corridor many. . .

Click here to read the full Wildflower Report for June 21, 2010 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

In Virginia through the Peaks of Otter area and across the high elevation of Apple Orchard Mountain look for Mountain Laurel and Columbine and Wild Bergamot. Bowman’s Root, Yarrow and Common Milkweed may be on display as well.

Daisy Fleabane and Ox Eye Daisy are very common throughout this area. Around the Peaks of Otter look closely for some remaining Fire Pink. In the Rocky Knob area down to the Virginia/ North Carolina State Line look for Laurel in bloom and Catawba Trees, Yarrow, some Fire Pink, Ox Eye Daisy, and Elderberry. . .

Click here to read the full Wildflower Report for June 11th, 2010 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

On the very north end of the Parkway between Rockfish Gap and Humpback Rocks there are tremendous displays of Mountain Laurel that line the roadway in many areas.

Elsewhere in Virginia across Apple Orchard Mountain the Rhododendron is in full bloom along with Yarrow, Milkweed, Bowman’s Root, Loose Strife, Ox-Eye Daisy, Tall Meadow Rue and Clover. Tulip Poplar and Mountain Ash are also out right now and some bright red Fire Pink is still on display around Peaks of Otter, milepost 86 to 87.

Keep reading to find out what’s blooming in North Carolina.

Read the full Wildflower Report for 6/4/2010 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Here are a few tips that will help you understand the dynamics of deer movement and how to avoid collisions that can cause serious property damage and at times personal injuries.

• Deer are most active at dawn and dusk.  This is when they like to feed so you are most likely to see deer on road shoulders. 
• Remember that deer can also be encountered any other time of day.
• Drive the speed limit or below when in areas frequented by deer.  This applies to most park areas.
• Be alert scanning tree lines and road shoulders for deer including the reflection from their eyes at night.
• Once you see deer or the reflection of eyes, slow down, and stay alert for movement.
• If you see deer running across the road in front of your vehicle, do not follow where they are going with your eyes.  Instead look to where the deer came from.  Deer do not travel alone and more deer may come from the same direction.
• At times deer will run down the road in front of your vehicle in a zig-zag pattern.  Drivers are often confused by this behavior.  Their natural instincts are kicking in and this is how they attempt to escape a predator.  If you stop your vehicle, they will finally run off the road.
• Should a deer jump into the road in front of you, hit your brakes and stay in your lane.  More extensive damage and more serious injuries can result from swerving to avoid the deer and striking a tree, rock, or oncoming vehicle.
• You will see devices sold that you can place on your vehicle that make whistling sounds to scare deer away.  It was my experience that these do not guarantee safety and I saw many vehicles with this equipment in place still have collisions with deer.

Today we are facing similar threats to native species of vegetation in the Southern Appalachians.  The new peril is coming in the form of funguses, insects, and exotic plants.

Hemlock Wooly Adelgid was first found on the east coast in 1951 near Richmond, Virginia.  Scientists believe that these microscopic insects originated in Southern Japan.  The adelgids are first noted as a foamy looking substance on the bottom of needles and branches.  The appearance is that they eventually suck the life from the trees to the point that entire stands on mountain sides quickly die.  Along The Blue Ridge Parkway the impact can be seen in the canopies of dead trees in the area of mile post 35 at Yankee Horse Gap and the Peaks of Otter Picnic area where the National Park Service has had to cut down some of these once majestic trees to maintain public safety on trails and roadways.

Dogwood trees provide a beautiful spring displays and provide food sources for birds and animals in the mountains of the East.  These native trees are being eradicated by a fungus known as the Dogwood Anthracnose first identified in the mid 1970s.  Vistas along The Blue Ridge Parkway that were once carpeted with dogwoods are now completely devoid of these trees.  The good news is that individual specimen trees do appear to be resistant to the fungus.  Scientists are studying these individual trees attempting to find an answer to this mystery.

Unfortunately there is no easy fix for either of these important species of trees.  The treatment in the open forest environment does not appear feasible at this time.  One scientist explained to me that the only way to save any single tree is to treat it with as much care as you would give a prized rose bush.  Research continues including experimenting with natural enemies for the adelgids and breeding of fungus resistant dogwood species.  Scientists will continue to work on these challenges as they are still striving to reintroduce the chestnut to the Southern Appalachian mountain slopes.

For more information you can refer to:

http://na.fs.fed.us/fhp/hwa/

http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/dogwoodanthracnose/dogwood%20anthracnose.htm

Bloodroot is showy in some areas along with lots of Trillium and Fire Pink and Phlox showing. Some Pink Azalea, known locally as Pinxter, is in bloom along with the first of the blazing orange Flame Azalea. Not far behind that will come those great blooms that include many more Flame and Pink Azalea and Mountain Laurel.

Read the full Wildflower Report for May 7, 2010 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Trillium – This wildflower seems quite simple when first found, but when examined more closely it reveals a complex symmetry that always draws my attention.  The plant is well named for tri having the root meaning of three is quite descriptive of this low growing plant that can cover some forest floors like a brightly colored carpet.  When in bloom during May every plant has three pedals and layers of three leaves.  Colors vary from a deep pink to a faded almost white.  Although there are several species of this showy plant, the most prevalent species I have seen is the painted trillium.  They generally bloom from April to June and I viewed several impressive displays in the mountains this week.

Azalea – There are two species of native azaleas found in the Southern Appalachians.  The one that is bright pink is known as pinxter flower.  My favorite and much less seen is the orange flame azalea.  Both of these plants are in full bloom now on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.

Many wildflowers will not be seen from a moving car.  Stop and take the time to hike a trail anywhere in the Southern Appalachians within the next few weeks.  Walk slowly, look around you, and you may be greeted with a beautiful gift of nature.

Look for Spring Beauty and Mayapple, early arrivals of the spring, as you walk Parkway trails or look in the moist areas in the mid-elevations from the car. Bloodroot is showy in many areas along with Trillium and a few early Fire Pink.

Some Pink Azalea, known locally as Pinxter, is in bloom along with the first blazing orange Flame Azalea.

Read the full Wildflower Report for May 4, 2010 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

The major threat for winter weather is obviously behind us but there can still be spring snow storms that come our way. So it’s always a good idea to keep current with the local weather forecast and keep a few emergency supplies in the trunk of your car whenever you visit the mountains.

Look for Spring Beauty, Skunk Cabbage and May Apple, early arrivals in spring, as you walk Parkway trails or look in the moist areas at mid elevations from your car. Bloodroot may also be shown in a few areas.

One of the earliest trees to bloom here in the Blue Ridge is Serviceberry which shows its white blooms deep in the forest this time of year. Redbud and Dogwood is rapidly coming on in the lower and mid elevations all along the Parkway.

 Read the full Wildflower Report for April 16, 2010 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Elevation and aspect in the Blue Ridge Mountains are crucial to plant development.  In the spring the temperatures are warmer at lower elevations triggering trees to produce their leaves before their brethren at higher and cooler elevations.  The result is the creeping of green up the slopes over a week or so until the entire mountain range is clothed in many rich hues of green.

The process is again seen in the fall as the cooler temperatures result in the trees at higher elevations starting their brilliant displays of gold, red, and orange.  You can sit back and watch the color move down slopes toward the valleys.

Bloom Tip

I took a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway between mile post 0 and 29 the other day.  Dogwoods are just starting to develop their flowers, but the Service Berry (pronounced sar vis berry by the mountain residents) are in full bloom.  You will find the most spectacular bloom of Service Berry I seen in 25 years between mile post 20 and 22.

Many wildflowers and plants are threatened by man.  Not only does air quality and disappearing habitat destroy plant populations, the greed of man also shares the responsibility.  Many plants in the Southern Appalachian Mountains are collected by people ranging from well meaning visitors who want a few flowers for their table to professional plant poachers stealing plants to sell for profit.

For the occasional visitor who picks wildflowers they do not understand that they are being greedy not leaving the display for others to enjoy.  When flowers in bloom are taken, they do not have the opportunity to leave seed to establish future generations of blooms.  In a park like the Blue Ridge Parkway – the most visited National Park Service unit in the system – where more than 16 million people visit per year, casual flower picking can have a devastating impact on plant populations.  Many times this explains why visitors return one or more years later trying to recapture the excitement of finding a wildflower display at a certain location and it is no longer there.

As you visit the parks of the Southern Appalachians this year, be part of the solution and help to protect our native plants.

• Do not pick wildflowers – Take photos and leave the plants where they can continue to grow and produce seed
• If you see others digging or removing plants within the park – notify a Park Ranger as soon as possible – on the Blue Ridge Parkway you can call  800-PARKWATCH to make a report
• Educate your friends and family members to leave plants where they observe them

Help the National Park Service to preserve and protect our natural heritage for future generations.

You can learn more about the problems with commercial theft of plants in the Southern Appalachians in my book A Park Ranger’s Life: Thirty Two Years Protecting Our National Parks.

This brings to mind the geologic processes that have produced the Blue Ridge Mountains as we know them.  The freezing and thawing cycles through the millennia have served to create the many rock formations, rounded mountain tops, and rock strewn streams that provide the environment of some of the oldest mountains in the world.

During the winter water fills cracks and crevasses in large rocks and is often held in place by snow or ice.  The water then freezes and expands producing pressure within the rock.  This process occurs over and over again through the years eventually breaking the rock into pieces.  These reduced rocks then fall down slope and the freezing and thawing process continues breaking the rocks down to sizes that can eventually be carried by rushing waters during floods further down the slope.  These rocks sit in stream beds and drainages smoothed and polished to form the sparkling pebbled habitat for trout, macro invertebrates, and other aquatic life.

There is very little soil held on the steep mountain slopes of the Blue Ridge.  This perpetual freezing and thawing is one of the contributors to the eroding of the mountains in the Southern Appalachians.

With the absence of vegetation and the surface covered with ice and snow many people think of winter as being a time of idleness in the mountain environment.  In every season there are continuous natural processes occurring that produce or influence the habitats of the wild and their partners, the human race.

Winter weather fronts and storms serve as nature’s ventilation system and flush the brown hues of air pollution from the valleys and piedmont regions.  This cleansing provides for the most spectacular and frequent views from the mountains left to our generation.

Once the leaves fall, the upper and mid canopies open up not only views of vistas but glances of rock formations and the true ruggedness of the land long hidden by lush vegetation.

Human visitation to the mountain parks of the east drops during the winter resulting in a sense of a societal slowing of the normal hectic life style we all lead.  It becomes much easier to find that spot of undisturbed solitude and quiet during the winter months.  If there is a white coating of snow on the ground, this helps to muffle the distant sounds of civilization.

Most wildlife in the Southern Appalachians does not hibernate.  With fewer people and cars around animals are more likely to feel secure and come out of hiding along the roadways and trails.  Winter provides an excellent time to observe bear, whitetail deer, turkey, bobcats, and some say mountain lions (although I am not a firm believer in that one).

If you travel to the Blue Ridge Parkway during the winter and find the snow gates locked across the road, rather than be disappointed you may find this to be one of the best opportunities you have ever had to truly experience the park.  Be sure to have adequate clothing and footwear, and then explore the area behind those gates by foot, cross country ski, or snow shoe.  You may be surprised at the treasure of memories you will find.

Answer:
Fishing is permitted in all Parkway waters with a valid state fishing license from either North Carolina or Virginia. No special trout stamp or license is needed and persons under age 16 can fish without a license. Fishing is not permitted from footbridges, dams or adjacent walls. In trout waters, regulations are posted at the stream bank and are in effect for that stream only. This includes any streams that are catch and release only.

Be aware that many streams meander onto U.S. Forest Service or private land and regulations will vary as the jurisdiction changes.

At Julian Price Lake (Milepost 297), you may rent canoes or bring your own.  Boating is not allowed at any other Parkway lakes.

Visit Fishing on the Blue Ridge Parkway to learn more about the rules and regulations, read fishing reports, and more.

Answer:
The Blue Ridge Parkway like all national parks is managed as a wildlife preserve and hunting is not permitted anywhere within its boundaries.

The Parkway offers special permits to individuals who wish to access U.S. Forest Service land for the purpose of hunting. The permit allows access only from certain Parkway overlooks, and the conditions of the permit must be followed exactly. Information on the Hunter Parking Permit program is available at local ranger offices, from rangers in the field, and from park headquarters.

National Park Service regulations state: As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park. It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances. Check state regulations for Virginia or North Carolina to make certain of your compliance while in the park. Read more from the NPS.

For more information visit our Blue Ridge Parkway Regulations page.

Answer:
Typically the best times to view fall colors occur during the month of October. Peak times normally are mid to late October. However, there is no given time table and many factors can impact fall colors.

Although peak fall colors normally occur during the last two weeks of October, pretty patches of colors can be seen into November.

The Parkway is 469 miles in length and traverses through many elevation changes. Fall colors typically come earlier in the higher elevations than the areas in lower elevations. The lowest elevation measures 649 feet above sea level, while the highest measures 6,047 feet above sea level.

For a complete list of Blue Ridge Parkway Overlook elevations, visit Virtual Blue Ridge’s virtual tour section.

Weather can be a major factor too. Unusually dry or wet summers can have an adverse effect in not only when the leaves begin to change and reach their peak, but also in the depth and richness of their colors.

High winds are not uncommon in the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can marvel at the colors one day only to return the next after a night of high winds and find many of the same trees bare.

When planning a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway for viewing fall colors it is advisable to visit Virtual Blue Ridge for the latest Fall Color Report during the months of September through November. If you find yourself away from a computer, you can call the Parkway Hotline at 828-298-0398 for the latest recording. The fall color reports are updated weekly and are considered to be the best indicator of where and when to travel.

Answer:
The carriage trails located at Moses Cone Manor, the Doughton Park Horse Trail, and the Roanoke Valley Horse Trail all offer trails for riding. However you must bring your own horse. There are no horse rentals directly on the Parkway. Maps of these trails are available on our Horseback Riding page.

Outside of these limited areas horses are not allowed on the Blue Ridge Parkway, in campgrounds, on trails or in parks.

There are many stables within close range of the Parkway that can provide guided tours and activities.

Visit Virtual Blue Ridge to view maps and learn more about horse trails and stables on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel

The National Park Service (NPS) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for proposed vista management within high altitude Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel habitats along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BLRI) in North Carolina.

The project area is in four locations at Craggy Gardens, Mt. Pisgah, the Graveyard Fields area to Richland Balsam, and Waterrock Knob. The project proposal is to set forth a long-term management strategy that would best protect and preserve Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel (CNFS) while providing for an enjoyable visitor experience of traveling the BLRI. The EA analyzes three alternatives:

1. No action (allowing the overlooks and vistas grow up without any periodic cutting),
2. Historic management methods (cutting every 3 years according to rotating schedule as the Parkway currently prescribes)
3. Developing management guidelines and mitigation objectives utilizing mechanical treatment techniques for each individual vista within potential CNFS habitat to satisfy National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and NPS Management Policies .

The Blue Ridge Parkway is proposing as its third and preferred alternative a very labor intensive approach whereas the landscape architect and resource manager for the Parkway will personally supervise the vista management. This assumes that these individuals will be on site when the cutting of these vistas actually occurs. These contracts will be more expensive as the prescription for these will be from on the ground instructions which would go some thing like this: “cut right here, yep, leave that tree; no, not that one — yes, it is ok to leave that one.”

This is not a model for any efficient and effective program of vista management that I have personally witnessed, the crew simply does there job with regard to exclusive plant species which are left standing. Every three years, presumably, this scene would be repeated and the decisions on the ground will be subjective in park manager’s verbal directions to cutting crews.

Currently, the Parkway does not have the staff to manage the preferred alternative. The preferred alternative states that “Biologists and Landscape Architects in the Resource Planning and Professional Services Division would be responsible for the vista management program with potential CNFS habitat and would determine which trees can be cut at each individual vista and any other mitigation measures that are needed.” The Blue Ridge Parkway does not have a traditional resident landscape architect who has the time commitment to give to this program. There are only two park biologists qualified to serve this requirement and their offices are not even in the districts where the program will be administered.

NPS Management Policies of 2006 has language which states that the Service must protect and strive to recover rare, threatened, or endangered species native to national park system units that are listed under (NEPA), and undertake management programs to inventory, monitor, and restore and maintain listed species’ habitats. It is the opinion of this author that continued vista clearing as prescribed in the Historical Management Method (Alternative 2) does not diminish habitat as the CNFS never had this area as habitat in the first place. NPS / BLRI listing of disadvantages in its 127 page document expresses its own self-doubt in stating that “cyclic maintenance of vistas could have an impact…” and that the “Park Service could be out of compliance…” This author contends that there is a big difference in “could” and “would.”

Documented studies (references are available) have shown that the rate of increase of visits to the Blue Ridge Parkway diminishes when Parkway views are compromised or lost. This factor has a direct impact on local tourism revenues.

The operating budget for the Blue Ridge Parkway has only increased one-half of one per cent since 1980. Funding for the National Park Service or the Blue Ridge Parkway is not expected to be increased significantly in the years ahead despite current funding initiatives. A quarter of the permanent work force of the Blue Ridge Parkway has been lost since 2002 and those vacancies still remain unfilled – including the positions of a landscape architect, community planner, and public information officer.

Another twenty-five per cent of the work force is eligible for retirement in the next four years. If the Park Service commits to its preferred alternative, it will more than likely find itself down the road unable to service the highly labor intensive management alternative, give up because it can’t keep up, and then completely abandon any vista clearing management program in the CNFS critical habitat areas. The originally conceived and designed historical views of the Blue Ridge Parkway would (I didn’t say could) be lost forever.

Responses are encouraged as the issues are multi-facetted. Individual questions can be responded to in postings.

Answer: The Blue Ridge Parkway is a natural wonder that meanders through the Southern Appalachian Mountains. These mountains are the source of many major rivers including the New River and Yadkin River. As such, many waterfalls have been created as the small streams and rivers have washed away topsoil and dirt, but couldn’t get past the granite and quartz (among other rocks and minerals).

Some of these waterfalls are accessible quickly and easily from the Parkway roadway. We have compiled a list of the more common waterfalls that attract thousands of photographers and sightseers on an annual basis. You can view the list on our Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls page.

If you are interested in finding out more about some of the more obscure waterfalls, as well as more details on our list of waterfalls, you might find some of the books below to be quite helpful. We have ranked them based on reviews from customers of the Virtual Blue Ridge Parkway Bookstore:

• Waterfalls of the Blue Ridge: A Hiking Guide to the Cascades of the Blue Ridge Mountains
• North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide
• Waterfalls of Virginia and West Virginia: A Hiking and Photography Guide
• Waterfall Walks and Drives in the Great Smoky Mountians and the Western Carolinas

One of our personal favorites is Linville Falls at Milepost 316 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. In the fall of 2004, there were several hurricanes (some downgraded to Tropical Storms) that passed along the Blue Ridge Parkway and caused considerable damage, including the destruction of the Linville Falls Visitor Center. The Visitor Center was later rebuilt, but it’s hard to appreciate the power of water as it rushes from the mountains when the rain is heavy. The Blue Ridge Parkway was lucky enough to catch the force behind the Linville River as it plummeted into the Linville Gorge at Linville Falls.

Here are 2 videos, one on a normal day and one shot during Hurricane Ivan (one of the several that passed through this area in 2004).

Normal Day at Linville Falls:

Hurricane Ivan Attacks the Blue Ridge Mountains:

The Peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 86 in Virginia is probably the most known area for viewing deer. They have almost become regarded as a nuisance and for years visitors would be inclined to hand feed them which is strictly against park regulations. To alter this behavior, the park service began an extensive poster campaign titled “Dead Doe” which convinced the observer that a fed deer was a dead deer. Deer are not domestic animals (except in the rarest of circumstances) and should be always be regarded as wild and unpredicable.

Approaching wildlife is dangerous … and not a smart move.

Remember to view wildlife at a distance. Not the way this guy did! Close up nature films are best seen on the National Geographic Channel.

A deer, my bumper, and I ...

I grew up in the Blue Ridge in the small town of Waynesville. My weekends were spent in the woods with my dad and granddad, learning the natural history of wildlife — part of which was the behavior of deer. I remember being coached many times “where there is one, there will probably be two — or more”. That advice gave me my first buck at the age of 8.

The same advice still applies as I coached my wife after we were married in 1993 and she began to follow me on her BMW motorbike on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You learn to scan the shoulders of the road, for not to do so could prove fatal. She always follows far enough behind to do an emergency controlled crash stop; for whenever we see a deer on the shoulder, we prepare to come to a complete stop.

My park service friends in high deer population areas like Floyd County Virginia are always reporting their close and real encounters and their hoods and front bumpers are testiment.

My time finally came because I was focused on a glorious sunrise; deer on the shoulder was at the lowest level of consciousness. I saw the motion belatedly and slowed instinctively. The first deer bounded successfully across; the second was not so lucky. The third and fourth that I saw in my rear view mirror were luckier still, as they had not yet made the decision to cross to the other side.

My best advice? Where there is one, there will probably be two — or more. Be prepared for anything.

A view off the escarpment ...

I enjoy solitude and the Parkway can provide it – particularly in winter.

Early one morning my decision was to get on the Parkway at Hiway 80 near Burnsville, NC. No one would normally go here because the Parkway is closed north towards Little Switzerland (because of downed trees) and the Parkway is closed south of the Mt. Mitchell turnoff (because of a fallen retainer wall at Craggy Gardens). The evening before I was a guest of Bill and Judy Carson, proprietors of the Orchard at Altapass. And from their front porch at Little Switzerland and looking south off the escarpment, the valley above Marion was a literal sea of sloshing cloudcover. We could see blue sky above and the the tops of the South Mountains below — an occurrence of visuals which only happens maybe once a year.

If only this would wait until morning …

In my round trip to Mt. Mitchell the next morning, I did not encounter one automobile — only a deer which proved fatal only for her. It almost spoiled my day, but what I was to behold was a unique sunrise that must have been prepared just for me.

Share the Journey!

Von Plott and his Plott Hounds

A recent post on the Mr. Morton “A View to Hugh” blog site prompted childhood memories of hunting bears and growing up in Waynesville, the county seat of Haywood County. The question posed was as to the identity of the person in the photograph who by sleuth was identified as Von Plott (mountainized short name for “Vaughn”), the founder of the cold nose strain of Plott hounds according to our friends at LuckysPlott Website. The black and white photograph was taken by Mr. Morton, the second of sepia tone was provided by the Plott family. Identity confirmed!

The Plott Hound remains a venerable and respected stock of my home town. I am sorry to say that I did not grow up on the head of Plott Creek, but close enought to say that I did.

And even the National Park Service thinks enough of the story to honor it with an interpretive sign at Milepost 458 between Soco Gap and Cherokee.