Saw about 35 Species of Wildflower on this lower elevation (Average 3230 ft) hike on the MST beside the Blue Ridge Parkway. Saw two new species of Phacelia, a rare Spotted Mandarin, 2 new kinds of Zizia (Golden Alexanders) and tons of Large-flowered Trillium and Dwarf Delphiums. One of the best days of wildflowering ever.

Pretty much Winter at 5000 feet. Hiked this short trail from Beetree Gap to Graggy Gardens Picnic Area. Nothing growing much except Spring Beauties, Quaker Lady Skyblue Bluets, and some Wake Robin Trllium buds. Was testing my mountain legs on this short which was mainly uphill for 400 feet. Was preparing for another hike at lower elevations on the MST from Bull Gap to Craven Gap later that day.

Having a perfectly jolly run around Sunview Lake when I was stopped by a road crew widening the bridge at the east end of Sunview Lake. They were polite but would not let me cross. So I had to turn around and head back missing some early spring wildflower photo ops on the other side of the bridge which would add 2 miles to my run and I wasn't in the mood for that. Did take a few Henbit and Speedwell shaky pics. Should be attached to this post.

Started cold and windy from BeeTree Gap right down from the Graggy Gardens Picnic area. We walked along the ridge up and down over Potato Field Gap, the Boulder before Lane Pinacle, Lane Pinacle, Wolfden Knob, Bull Mountain, Rich Knob, Rattlesnake Lodge and ended at Bull Gap. A lot of ups and down but more downs. Very humid and strenous at times but cool winds kept blowing the Gaps and cooled us down. About 10 Carolina Mountain Club members made the hike - all retirees. Didn't keep a bird or wildflower list but saw a few flowers that I knew and a few I didn't: Mountain Krigia, Spotted Wintergreen, Flowering Spurge, Fire Pink, Elderberry, Poke Milkweed, Yarrow, Rosebay Rhododendron Blooming, Mountain Meadow-rue, Solomon's Plume, Solomon's Seal, Summer Bluet, Daisy Fleabane, Dwarf St Johnswort, Black Cohosh, Squawroot, Aniseroot, Smooth Heart-leaf Aster, Turk's Cap Lily, Japanese Spraea, and more. Most CMC members are pretty good with Wildflowers so I had help.

Hiked the Mountains to the Sea Trail from the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area to Beetree Gap and back to the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center on the Blue Ridge Park. All in all a 900 foot elevation gain which made it seem lot longer than 3.58 Miles. But it was beautiful and cool (low 60s) with a light breeze. Took it easy and talked to a few retired couples who were enjoying the day. Had a few early Spring Wildflowers like Dutchman's Britches, Spring Beauty, Wood Anemone, Wake Robin Trillium, Large-flowered Trillium, Fringed Phacelia, Robin's Plantain, Canada Daylily and American Rowan blooming. At 5000 feet elevation it was early Spring or Late Winter, my favorite times of the year. Will send some pics tomorrow.