When: March 18, 2023 @ 10:00 am
Join Nantahala National Forest Botanist Maria Dunlavey and Mainspring Conservation Outreach Associate Skye Cahoon for this special opportunity to see one of our earliest and rarest spring wildflowers!
This little flower has only been found in two places in the entire state of North Carolina.
Although it’s small, Harbinger-of-Spring (Erigenia bulbosa) deserves its billing as the star of the show. The delicate little flowers are each scarcely larger than a snowflake, and equally as pretty! We will likely encounter other early spring wildflowers starting to wake up from their winter slumber, as well as sedges, walking ferns, and other botanical delights along this hike.
Because of the rarity of Harbinger-of-Spring, participants are asked to refrain from sharing georeferenced photos or otherwise publicizing the location of the plant.
This hike is approximately 3.6 miles round trip and will take 3-4 hours. The first 0.2 miles are on the AT at a moderate grade, with the remainder of the hike on Forest Service roadbeds at gentle grades. Total elevation gain is about 500 feet. We will meet near the Fontana Marina in Graham County, after registering you will receive an email detailing where to park to meet the hike leaders. Please fill out the form below to register, and email Skye with any questions.
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