On Monday, September 23, I hiked Lumber Ridge Trail B to top of the ridge. The Lumber Ridge Trail is the perfect hike for a little peace and quiet with only the chatter of the birds in the trees to interrupt your solitude.

A little over a mile from the trailhead, hikers will observe the intermittent views of the surrounding mountains as they appear through the trees.

Monday, I saw quite a few beauties still blooming so come on up to see for yourself.

  • Black Eyed Susan – few: Well past peak bloom at beginning of trail E
  • Blue Asters – many: Different species of them. Some at peak bloom and many just starting to bloom.
  • Curtis Milkwort – some: At peak bloom or just beyond about 1.5 miles up the trail on both sides.
  • Erect Goldenrod – many: + – Most past peak bloom and some at peak bloom.
  • False Fox Glove – some: Just starting to bloom.
  • Great Lobelia – many: Most past peak bloom; however, some are at peak bloom.
  • Hearts-a-busting – few: Well past peak bloom about 2.3 miles on the trail on the right.
  • Mist Flower – few: Appear to be at peak bloom at beginning of the trail.
  • Mountain Gentian – many: In the early blooming stage – few at peak bloom.
  • Pilewort – few: Past peak bloom approximately mile and a half up trail and not very pretty.
  • Pink Turtlehead – few: At peak bloom on left below trail about 1.8 miles up the trail in a draw.
  • Southern Harebell – some: Mostly past peak bloom and very small but neat: about two miles up the trail.
  • White Snakeroot – many: At various stages of the blooming process with some at peak bloom and some beyond peak bloom or some just starting to bloom.
  • White Top Aster – many: ++ – Mostly at peak bloom.

 Notes:  1. Photos shown are from files – not made today.

2.There are a variety of blue (purple) species of the Blue Asters and Goldenrods on the trail.

Tom Harrington is a regular hiker who reports on wildflowers in the Smokies.