Wildflower Walks

Early spring wildflowers are here, then gone. Catch a glimpse of Appalachian beauties and learn from pros on one of these events:

APRIL 25-26: Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Annual five-day event a variety of wildflower, fauna, and natural history walks, motorcades, photographic tours, art classes, and indoor seminars. On-site registration April 21-25. $30 adults one-day, $50 adults two or more days. $10 student one or more days, free children under 12 with registered adult. Phone registration: (865) 436-7318, ext. 222, www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org.

APRIL 25: Weekend Walk in Shakerag Hollow, Sewanee Herbarium, University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. 1:30 p.m. CDT. 2 miles, moderately strenuous. Free. Yolande Gottfried, (931) 598-5327, ygottfri@sewanee.edu.

APRIL 26: Collins West Wildflower Hike, Sewanee Herbarium at South Cumberland State Recreation Area. Meet at the Collins West trailhead just beyond the Swiss-Memorial School in Gruetli-Laager. Rivals Shakerag Hollow for number and diversity of spring wildflowers. Bring lunch and extra water. 5 miles, strenuous. 10 a.m. CDT. Free. Directions: (931) 924-2980. Yolande Gottfried, (931) 598-5327, ygottfri@sewanee.edu.

APRIL 29: Wednesday Walks at Noon (CDT), Sewanee Herbarium, University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. Meet at the “end” of Tennessee Avenue at the Cross to look for pennywort and other late spring wildflowers and to admire the greening of the plateau. Free. Yolande Gottfried, (931) 598-5327, ygottfri@sewanee.edu.

MAY 2: Tom Pack Falls Wildflower Hike, Sewanee Herbarium at Franklin-Marion State Forest. Meet at the Forest Ranger’s headquarters building on Highway 156 (South Pittsburgh Highway). One of the few spots to see Catesby’s trillium. Abundant wild azalea. 1:30 p.m. CDT. Free. 2 miles. Moderate. Yolande Gottfried, (931) 598-5327, ygottfri@sewanee.edu.

MAY 16: Tennessee Native Plant Society botany hike, Signal Point to Rainbow Lake, Signal Mountain. See wildflowers with botany pros. Moderate 3-miles. 9 a.m. EDT. Bring water and sack lunch. For location and directions: David Lincicome, david.lincicome@state.tn.us and Andrea Bishop, andrea.bishop@state.tn.us, (615) 532-0431.

JUNE 20: Tennessee Native Plant Society botany hike, Lula Lake Land Trust, Lookout Mountain, Ga. See plants of the plateau top and escarpment with botany pros. Moderate. Bring water and lunch. 10 a.m. EDT. Free. Location and directions: Al Good (423) 886-1777. www.tnps.org

JULY 25: Tennessee Native Plant Society botany hike, Signal Mountain. Free. Moderate. Bring water and sack lunch. 10 a.m. EDT. Free. Location and directions: Al Good (423) 886-1777. www.tnps.org

AUGUST 8: Tennessee Native Plant Society botany hike, Roan Mountain State Park. Outstanding destination for nature lovers, hikers, photographers. See rare plants and ecosystems, including Baa-tany Goat Project grassy bald restoration project. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. EDT. Free. Bring water, lunch, sunscreen, sturdy shoes/boots, etc. Location and directions: Jamey Donaldson, tnplanthunter@yahoo.com, (423) 471-1275. www.tnps.org

— Compiled by Kathy Gilbert. Send additions or changes to: kgilbert@timesfreepress.com, (423) 757-6503.