Hiking on Monday, July 15, 2024, took me by the Lynn Camp Prong Cascades on the Middle Prong Trail. I hiked from the beginning of the Middle Prong Trail to the Panther Creek Trail. The dry weather has impacted conditions at the Cascades with water very low.
Here’s what the National Park Service website says about the Cascades:
Lynn Camp Prong rushes and tumbles over and around numerous rocks as it cascades down the mountain beside the Middle Prong Trail. The trail follows the route of an old logging railroad, so it offers easy walking on a wide, relatively level path. Enjoy blooming wildflowers along the trail from spring through summer.
How to Get There: Hike 1.4 miles roundtrip from the Middle Prong Trailhead. Park at Middle Prong Trailhead at the end of Upper Tremont Road (unpaved but well-maintained).
- Crimson Bee Balm – Some – At or just beyond peak bloom – so brilliant!
- Daisy Fleabane – Few – Well past their peak.
- Doll Eyes – Some – Berries (not blooms).
- Flowering Spurge – Many – Well beyond peak bloom.
- Heal All – Many – Mostly in the early blooming stage – some beyond peak bloom.
- Pale Jewelweed – (1) – At peak bloom – Note: Have seen very few in bloom this year??
- Rosebay Rhododendron – Some – Some at peak bloom – many past peak bloom – few just starting to bloom.
- Saint Johns Wort – (1) – At or just beyond peak bloom.
- Tick Trefoil – Some – At or just beyond peak bloom.
- Wood Nettle – Many – Past peak bloom.
Doll Eyes
Crimson Bee Balm
Notes: These photos are taken from file photos (not made today). Display of blooming flowers marginal in both numbers and quality.
Tom Harrington is a regular hiker who reports on wildflowers in the Smokies.
