I hiked Lead Cove Trail to Finely Cane Trial and Bote Mountain Trail from Lead Cove Trail to Finely Cane Trail on Monday, October 21. While I am reporting on the wildflowers that are mostly at peak or well past peak bloom, it is the foliage on some of the trails that is a treat to behold so read on and know what you, too, can find if you venture on this particular hike. Lead Cove Trail is a moderate to strenuous 1.8 mile trail that is most often hiked route. You will find the trailhead about a mile from the entrance to Cades Cove, near Finely Cane trail.
On Lead Cove Trail I saw the following:
- Curtis aster – few: At peak bloom (several other varieties of blue/purple asters blooming)
- Erect golden rod – some: Just beyond peak bloom. (Several other varieties of golden rod blooming).
- White snake root – 1 clump with nice blooms: Most about gone.
- White top asters – many: Mostly well past peak bloom.
- The last half of the trail had some colorful sourwood foliage, but most is rather subdued. Leaves that have turned are mostly yellow.
On Bote Mountain Trail that is from Lead Cove Trail to Finely Cane Trail, I saw the following:
- Curtis aster – few: At peak bloom (several other varieties of blue/purple asters blooming).
- Erect golden rod –few: At or beyond peak bloom.
- Mountain gentian – few: Well past peak bloom but still a few nice blooms.
- White top aster – few: Well past peak bloom.
Trees with brilliant foliage on this trail:
- Red maple*
- Red oak*
- Sourwood*
- Sugar maple*
- Blackberry (red leaves)
- Blueberry (red leaves)
- Greenbrier (yellow leaves)
- Sassafras (some red, some orange and some yellow).
- Tulip poplar – (yellow leaves)
*The foliage on these trees is a true treat to observe in full sunlight with a brilliant blue sky in the background. This is especially true on the first mile down Bote Mountain Trail from the Lead Cove Trail. Trees (and other plants) have colorful foliage.
Then on Finely Cane Trail:
- Curtis aster – few: At or just beyond peak bloom. (Several other varieties of blue Asters in bloom).
- Erect golden rod – few: Just beyond peak bloom. (Several other varieties of Golden Rod blooming).
- White snake root – few: West past peak bloom (about gone).
- White top aster – few: Past peak bloom.
The first half mile of the trail from Laurel Creek Road has some colorful foliage high up in the trees. The second half mile has some yellow foliage which is basically pale. The rest of the trail’s foliage is mostly green.
(Pictures are Harrington file photos)
Tom Harrington is a regular hiker who reports on wildflowers in the Smokies.
