I hiked the Curry Mountain Trail this past weekend. Curry Mountain Trail is a 3.3-mile trail from the Metcalf Bottoms area to Meigs Mountain Trail. The foliage on Little River Road between Metcalf Bottoms and the Wye and on Laurel Creek Road from the Wye to Cades Cove is very colorful at the present time. It is a real treat to see the colorful foliage reflected on the water in Little River.
The surrounding ridges/ hillsides look like a patchwork quilt with the various colors on display. The colors of foliage are close to peak if not at peak in sections of the park. A major weather front could result in much of the foliage being blown down, so if one wants to see the foliage near or at its best, they should get out to see it as soon as possible.
Foliage is more enjoyable on a clear day in full sun when the sky is brilliant blue.
Wildflowers
- Blue/purple asters – few: At or just beyond peak bloom.
- White snake root – few: Well past peak bloom (about gone).
- White top aster – few: Well past peak bloom (about gone).
Brilliant foliage
- Blueberry
- Red maple
- Red oak
- Sourwood
- Sugar maple
Less brilliant foliage
- Beech: yellow
- Frazier magnolia: yellow/gold
- Hickory: yellow/bronze
- Indian cucumber root: yellow
- Mountain maple: pale yellow
- Tulip poplar: yellow
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Notes: Photos shown are from file folder (not made today).
Tom Harrington is a regular hiker who reports on wildflowers in the Smokies.
