Venture to Tanawha Trail,

Avery County, NC

October 20, 2004 with Beth Brinson

We entered the Blue Ridge Parkway near Linville Falls, NC and as we headed toward our first stop at the Linn Cove Visitor Center, the fall color on the parkway was at peak. All along the roadway the leaves of Red Maple, Striped Maple, Sourwood, Sassafras, and Witch-hazel lit up the landscape. A light mist fell as we hiked up the Tanawha Trail to the dramatic rock outcrops. Although the fog and mist obscured the incredible views from the top, the overcast made the colors of the nearby plants even more vivid. After a picnic lunch at Julian Price Park we ended the day with a short hike on the Beacon Heights Trail to another beautiful overlook. Birding was very slow indeed and the fall color appearing through the sweeping mists really stole the show. 

Cucumber Magnolia|
Mountain Holly
Big-tooth Aspen
Fire Cherry
Witherod
Witch Hobble
Chestnut Oak
Northern Red Oak
Minnie-bush

Striped Maple
Red Maple
Serviceberry
Yellow Birch
Sweet Birch
American Chestnut
Cinnamon Clethra
Witch-hazel
Fraser Magnolia

Rosebay Rhododendron
Catawba Rhododendron
Mountain-laurel
Sand Myrtle
Wintergreen
Red Spruce
Frasier Fir
Eastern Hemlock
Turkey Beard