Celebrate National Parks Week with a wildflower walk in the Smokies

It's National Parks Week through Sunday across the country (see www.nps.gov). Time to celebrate and appreciate all our national wild lands have to offer.

Here in North Carolina, one way to celebrate is by taking advantage of our beautiful Spring weather combination of rain and sunshine and going on a wildflower hunt.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is celebrating with its 56th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. There will be programs through Sunday, including hikes, photographic tours, seminars, art classes and more. Check it out at http://www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org/. To learn more about our most visited National Park, visit www.nps.gov/grsm.

Here's a taste of some of the treats you can find along the trails in the Smokies.

Crested Dwarf Iris (left)
Image by: Wesley Satterwhite
Taken April 2006 Great Smoky Mountains National Park



Showy Orchis (right)
Image by Wesley Satterwhite
Taken April 2006, Great Smoky Mountains National Park




You'll find many varieties of Trillium, including White Trillium, Painted Trillium, Catesby's Trillium, Nodding Trillium, and Wake Robin Trillium in both variations, nodding and erect. Look for them in hillside patches, often hiding beneath their broad trinity of leaves.

White Trillium Pair
Image by Wesley Satterwhite
Taken April, 2006 Great Smoky Mountains National Park


Other lovely specimens include: Foamflower, Solomon's Seal, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Sweet Shrub, Wild Violets (many varieties), Bluets, Phlox, Toothwort, Doghobble...

All are waiting to be discovered. Get out and take a look around.