Two hours up the Lumber Ridge trail, there were a variety of wildflowers. The Lumber Ridge Trail is the perfect hike if you’re looking for a little peace, quiet and solitude. The Lumber Ridge Trail website says the name “Lumber Ridge” likely comes from the logging operations in this area, but the name of the trail is quite appropriate for modern day hikers who wish to “lumber” along with no particular destination or goal in mind.

Below are the variety of wildflowers seen on July 1, 2024 but the photos are actually file photos and not ones from this hike.

  • Coreopsis – Some – Most past peak but a few are at peak bloom – first half mile
  • Curtiss Milkwort – 3 – Just starting to bloom – about mile and a half up trail on the right
  • Downy Wood Mint – Some – Some past peak bloom & some close to peak bloom – about 1.7 miles up trail
  • Horse Nettle – Few – At peak bloom at beginning of trail across from the Tremont dorm
  • Reclining Saint Andrews Cross – Many – At peak bloom, small but colorful
  • Rosebay Rhododendron – Few – Mostly past peak bloom
  • Star Grass – Few – At peak bloom – mostly first half mile
  • Starry Campion – 1 – At peak bloom –  about a mile and a half up the trail on the left below the trail
  • White Top Aster – Many – At peak bloom or just beyond peak bloom – Mostly first half mile up trail

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