5/25/04 Appalachian Tr. Wayah Bald, NC

TRAIL INFO. – Our hike today was on the Appalachian Trail from Wayah Crest to Wayah Bald.

Directions: From Franklin, travel west on US 64 for 3 miles to Old Murphy Road where there is a Wayah Bald sign. Turn right and drive .2 mile to Wayah Road (SR 1310). Turn left and continue for 9 miles to Wayah Gap and FR 69. (Wayah Crest Picnic Area is on the left.)

Another beautiful hiking day! Partly cloudy skies with temps. ranging from the low 60’s to the mid 70’s F. Total hike approx. 9 miles. We rated the trail difficulty – moderate with considerable elevation change.

FLORA IN BLOOM; Yellow Ladyslippers, Pink Ladyslippers, False Lily-of-the Valley, Vasey’s Trillium, Foam Flower, Wood Anemone, Golden Alexander, White Baneberry, Canada Violets, Purple Violets, Jack in the Pulpit, Hooked Buttercups, Yellow Stargrass, Indian Cucumber Root, Indian Physic, Clintonia, Tall Meadow Rue, Cow Wheat, Robin’s Plantain, Perfoliated Bellwort, Bluets, Tall Bluets, Wood Betony, Four-Leafed Milkweed, Blue-eyed Grass, May Apple, Sarsparilla, Rattlesnake Weed, Maple-Leafed Viburnum, Sweet Cecily, Solomon’s Seal, False Solomon’s Seal.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Blue Jay, Robin, Chipping Sparrow, American Redstart, Wood Peewee, Red-breasted Grosbeak, Hooded Warbler, Chesnut Sided Warbler, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Towhee, Tufted Titmouse, Veery, Ovenbird, Red Eyed Vireo.