Staff and friends of the Sequatchie Valley Institute will lead hikes twice this month to see the wildflowers of the Sequatchie Valley. Expert naturalist John Johnson of the University of Tennessee’s forestry program will accompany both times.
Hikers can expect to see ragwort, dwarf buckeye, phlox, bloodroot, trout lily, trilliums, wild geranium, dogwoods and redbuds, among other species.
Hikes begin at 11 a.m. CDT (noon EDT) Saturday and April 17. Early birds who arrive by 10 a.m. CDT can enjoy a hayride pulled by a biodiesel tractor up the hill to the start of the hike. There will be a choice of a long, strenuous hike deep into the gulf or a shorter, more relaxed walk.
The institute’s gardens, hand-crafted homes and crafts gallery will be on view through 5 p.m. CDT.
Visitors are encouraged to bring cameras to photograph the wildflowers and picnic lunches to enjoy in the woods.
A sliding-scale donation of $5 to $20 will go toward the nonprofit’s educational programs.
SVI is in the Cartwright community halfway between Dunlap and Whitwell, 45 minutes from Chattanooga. For directions, call 423-949-5922 or e-mail officemanager@svionline.org.