Lost Creek Falls/Virgin Falls

Wildflower hike with waterfalls on a beautiful sunny day! We started at Lost Creek Falls and wildflowers were everywhere, we saw Jack in the Pulpits. So much rain lately, falls were magnificent! We were the only ones parked at the trailhead. We strolled along looking at the blooms. Stopped at Rylander Cascades and found Purple Phacelia. More of it was along the trail to Virgin Falls on the big boulders. They were covered with blooms. We had a hiker with two dogs pass us, we leapfrogged all the way to Virgin Falls. More water there than we've ever seen. 

Flowers: Jack in the Pulpit, Bishops Cap, Foam Flower, Little Brown Jug, Wild Ginger, Star Chickweed, Sweet Betsy Trillium, one Southern Red Trillium, Yellow Trillium, Long spurred Violets, Blue Violets, Yellow Violets, Purple Phacelia, Phlox, Trout Lily, Allegheny Spurge, Pennywort, Anemone, Hepatica, Squaw root, Spring Beauties, Dwarf Ginseng, Buttercups. 

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CT - Ozone Falls Segment

                                     

It was the perfect day for a hike. The day was sunny and temperatures in the upper 50's. We left a vehicle at the Ozone Falls parking lot and shuttled to the top of Black Mountain to begin our hike. Early spring wildflowers were scarce, but there was lots of water coming over Ozone Falls. The shallow streams were beautiful because of all the recent rains, and steppingstones made it easier to cross them. We enjoyed our lunch beside a small stream. The new steps leading from the bottom of the falls to the top are nice. Hikers were Jay Brain, Craig McBride, Lora McBride, Sara Pollard, Georgeanne Ross, and Wayne Yancey. 

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Heiss Mt. Trailhead

 

Lora and I head out to the Heiss Mt. trailhead for a morning walk. It is a beautiful day and spring flowers are out. We had lunch at Perkins point and then came back. Places to go.

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Savage Gulf

 Got 10.5 miles in at the Savage Gulf today. We did the day loop and then a loop using the Mountain Oak trail. It was a beautiful day.

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Signal Mountain

 

Lora and I headed out to Signal Mountain for a hike. We started at Signal Point and hiked to Edward's Point. It was a beautiful day for hiking. We even soaked up a little sun.

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Indian Boundary Camp TTA

 

Joan, Michael and Sara planned a joint chapter camping and hiking weekend in the Cherokee National Forest, at Indian Boundary Overflow Campground. Those three plus Marietta, Joni, Paulo, Nancy, and me. Surprised so many wanted to go with cold nights forcasted. Most were there on Thursday and hiked around the lake trail. I got there on Friday morning in time to hike with them. It sure was a beautiful day to start hiking. Flatts Mountain trail had spectacular views of Citico Creek Wilderness. Back at camp the temperature dropped fast so we got a fire going before it got dark. Joni came in after dark and got set up. 

Saturday's hikes were Falls Branch, which had old growth forest and a beautiful 70 foot waterfall; Mud Gap to Whiggs Meadow with 360 degree views and good spot for a nap in the sun; Huckleberry Knob which seemed to be really popular. Two balds and great views from 5580 feet up. Highest point on the Skyway. Also saw frog eggs in a mudhole! Michael, Paulo and Sara said their goodbys after the  hikes.  Another cold night with a good fire to enjoy the spectacular star show. Piled on the extra 0 degree quilt, expected temps in the low 20's. Woke up too warm during the night, but got to listen to owls while I cooled off. 

Sunday morning, let's get that fire going. Not sure how cold it got, at 8 am it was 32.  Pack up, caravan to Bald River Falls Trail, managed to find parking for all 5 cars. We found wildflowers blooming! hepatica and something we couldn't ID, plus trilliums with buds, no blooms yet. Very exciting. We hiked as far as the creek crossing and turned back. Had lunch at the campsite by the river. As we were leaving the parking lot, kayakers were in the river, some were going up the first drop of the falls to kayak down it. Very exciting!  

I know we burned lots of firewood and I'm glad it was car camping so everyone could bring extra blankets and quilts. Nancy showed me her new van she bought for traveling. It will be outfitted soon with insulation, a bed, kitchen, and storage. Can't wait for the Van warming camping trip! 

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