Tom Harrington hiked the Finley Cane Trail on Monday, May 20, 2024, from the beginning to 1/10 of a mile from the end of trail.
The national park describes the trail like this:
Explore this 5.2-mile out-and-back trail near Townsend, Tennessee. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 9 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, horseback riding and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You’ll need to leave pups at home – dogs aren’t allowed on this trail.
- Bar Cucumber – Few – Past peak bloom.
- Canadian Violet – Some – Past peak bloom but still nice (about 1-1/2 mile up trail).
- Galax – Many + – Various stages of the blooming process – good number at peak bloom – first 1-1/2 mile of trail.
Indian Cucumber Root
- Indian Cucumber Root – Few – At or just beyond peak bloom – about half way out trail.
- Indian Pipe – Few – At or just beyond peak bloom – Approx. 1 mile out trail.
- Large Bluet – Many + – At peak bloom.
- Mountain Laurel – Some – Slightly beyond peak bloom.
- Partridge Berry – Many ++ – At peak bloom – Blooms are very small but still attractive.
- Sweet Cicely – Few – Cannot decide if just starting to bloom or just beyond peak bloom.
Yellow Wood Sorrel
- Yellow Wood Sorrel – Few – Most of the blooms were closed. About half way out trail.
NOTE: Photos taken from photo files (not taken today).
Tom Harrington is a regular hiker who reports on wildflowers in the Smokies.