I was in mountainous Rabun County in northeast Georgia last weekend for one of my most favorite events of the year, the Georgia Botanical Society’s annual Wildflower Pilgrimage.
The three-day gathering of wildflower enthusiasts, held each year in a different part of the state, celebrates the superb beauty and diversity of spring in Georgia. Several field trips during the events take participants into surrounding areas to see first-hand the local botanical treasures.
The brochure for this year’s pilgrimage whet our appetites for the forays that were scheduled in and around Rabun County.
“The 377 square miles of Rabun County comprise the most northeastern section of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Geographical Province,” the flier noted. “This beautiful area of scenic valleys, high rugged mountains, clear streams and lush forests is attractive year round, but offers a special floristic bounty each spring.”
Last weekend, though, we were a little apprehensive over what we would find -- or not find. Spring came early this year to Georgia and much of the rest of the South. Numerous Southern Appalachian mountain wildflowers reached their peak bloom two or three weeks ago, much earlier than usual.
Accordingly, we weren't surprised to find that many of the most colorful spring wildflowers were already faded, even though they usually are at their showiest in early May.
But to our delight, we found this to be true mostly at the lower elevations. Higher up, we came across blooms galore.
A rule of thumb is that for every 1,000 feet gained in elevation, there is a drop in average temperature of two degrees Fahrenheit and a change in climate that is equivalent to traveling 200 miles north at a constant elevation. Generally, spring wildflowers bloom later the farther north they are.
At our pilgrimage’s headquarters in Clayton, Rabun's county seat, the elevation is about 1,925 feet. A lot of the wildflowers at that elevation already have bloomed.
Only a few miles north of Clayton, though, is Black Rock Mountain State Park, Georgia‘s highest state park. As one of my field trips last weekend, I walked the park’s 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail. The marked pathway reaches elevations of more than 3,500 feet as it winds through several distinct environments and crosses Black Rock Mountain's cool north slope before climbing across the summit and following the Eastern Continental Divide.
The difference in elevation between Clayton and the trail is about 1,600 feet, the equivalent of about 320 miles north, biologically speaking. It was along the trail that we found what we were seeking -- pink lady’s slippers, Catesby’s trilliums, Canada violets, spiderworts, May apples, Catawba rhododendron and many other wildflowers in full bloom.
In the sky: The moon is last quarter tonight, rising about midnight and setting around midday, said David Dundee, Tellus Science Museum astronomer. Mercury is low in the east just before dawn. Bright shining Venus is very low in the west just after dark. Mars rises out of the east at dusk. Saturn rises out of the east just after sunset.
If You Go
Black Rock Mountain State Park
With six peaks over 3,000 feet in elevation, Black Rock Mountain on the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Rabun County is Georgia’s highest state park. Four hiking trails run through the 1,743-acre park, affording superb views of mountain vistas, a 12-acre lake, lush mountain forests, cascading streams and other natural features. Roadside overlooks also provide spectacular 80-mile vistas. The park’s diverse habitats and more than 80 inches of rain per year support a huge array of species, including lush growths of wildflowers in spring. Rental cabins, campsites and picnic shelters are available.
From Clayton, go three miles north on U.S. 441 to Mountain City. Turn left onto Black Rock Mountain Parkway at the brown sign for the park. Follow signs to the visitor center, trail head parking lots and other park facilities.
$5 parking fee. Open daily 7 a.m.-10 p.m., March 16-November 30.
3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway, Mountain City, Ga. 30562. 706-746-2141. GeorgiaStateParks.org/BlackRockMountain.
