Trip report for the Big Butt Trail/Mt. Mitchell Venture

June 28, 2004 with Scott Dean

Driving north on the Parkway we stopped at the Craggy Pinnacle parking area to check out a few species of wildflowers and were really socked in by the mist and fog which had us wondering what the day would be like.  One thing about being in the mountains is that you never know from minute to minute what the weather will do.  Continuing on to the Balsam Mountain parking area, we hit the Big Butt Trail and were still socked in but saw a lot of good wildflowers and many which were in fruit - a sure indication that we are approaching autumn and the southward migration of a lot of birds.  By the time we reached Mt. Mitchell the sun had broken through, the wildflowers were resplendent and we had a male Indigo Bunting perched atop a huge spruce tree and he obliged us with quite a show.  Lots of late summer and early autumn wildflowers were evident and we enjoyed our lunch at the picnic area.  After lunch we went to the top of the tower and then, since we had time, stopped at the turnaround spot on the approach road to the Craggy Gardens Picnic area.  This was without a doubt the highlight of the day flora wise.  Fields of Coreopsis, Tall Bellflower, Goldenrod, Joe-pye Weed and lots of goodies provided a perfect end to a great day.