Wild Nature: The Blue Ridge Mountains
June 8-14, 2009
Join us to explore quintessential Appalachia: ancient mountains and thick forests threaded with streams, rivers, and waterfalls. The Blue Ridge Parkway and its surrounding lakes and forests provide important habitat for a diverse array of plants and animals that we hope to find. We’ve chosen some lovely lodges along the way and know you’ll enjoy some of the restaurants we selected to sample local cuisine. June is peak time for blooming azaleas and rhododendrons. We often drive through a tunnel of miraculous blooms!
We start our trip at the southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where the Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the Pisgah National Forest. With elevations ranging from 875 to over 6,000 feet above sea level, the parkway encompasses habitats for species typically seen in the south or lowlands in the East, as well as species common in the mid-Atlantic area and New England.
Driving and hiking on the southern quarter of the parkway, we explore peaks and overlooks with fabulous views, as well as dramatic gorges. If we can tear our eyes away from the scenery, we may catch sight of Black Bears, White-tailed Deer, Red and Gray Foxes and an amazing array of salamanders. We’re likely to see a variety of resident and migrant birds, including colorful species such as Eastern Bluebirds, Pileated Woodpeckers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Orchard Orioles, Wood Ducks and Indigo Buntings. From picturesque ‘balds’ we should spot a variety of raptors including the Peregrine Falcons and Golden Eagles.A number of America’s most beautiful wood warblers nest in habitats of the parkway. With luck and some persistence we should find elusive Cerulean Warblers.
Some of our walks highlight waterfalls and streams that tumble and carve their way through these ranges. In addition, the region preserves important remnants of early American life – the farms, gathering places, artifacts, and crafts of European settlers and native Cherokee Indians. An experienced bird guide, formerly of Arizona and now living in Swannanoa, Wezil Walraven will guide this year’s journey. Wezil’s enthusiasm is contagious and his ability to find nightbirds and elusive songsters is renowned.
ITINERARY
Mon., June 8 Arrival in Asheville, NC / Pisgah National Forest
Arrive in Asheville, NC airport by 3 p.m.; this small airport will make it easy for us to gather. Then we’re on our way down the last quarter of the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Pisgah National Forest, where we will spend the next three nights at the lovely Pisgah Inn. The inn sits on Mt. Pisgah at about at about 5,000 feet elevation. We’re surrounded by incredible views of undulating mountains. Enjoy some time to walk the grounds and see the views before a welcome dinner in the inn’s restaurant.
Accommodations at the Pisgah Inn, Mt. Pisgah, NC (D)
Tue., June 9 & Wed, June 10 Pisgah National Forest/Graveyard Fields
We have several excellent trails from which to choose for the next two days, depending on the group’s abilities and desires. We hope to spot many resident bird species. This is definitely warbler territory: at various elevations we may find Black & White, Worm-eating, Chestnut-Sided Magnolia, Black-throated Green, and Black-throated Blue, and the uncommon Swainson’s, and the most sought after, Cerulean Warblers!
Buck Spring Trail is an easy amble that leads directly from the inn to the site of George Vanderbilt’s Buck Spring Hunting Lodge (the buildings were removed in the 1960s).
The easy to moderate Graveyard Fields Loop Trail traverses an area devastated by wildfires in the 1920s and 1940s. The resulting swathes of stumps reminded people of gravestones – thus the name. Today the Graveyard Fields are a combination of open grasslands and regrowth. Swathes of shrubs such as Blueberry, Bush Honeysuckle, Mountain Winterberry and Serviceberry offer what one former ranger and naturalist called “an outdoor snack bar for Catbirds, Carolina Wrens, Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Flickers, White-tailed Deer and Black Bears.” Some other bird species that are likely are the Veerys, Carolina Chickadees, and Canada Warblers.
The occasional Red Maple and Yellow Birch in the fields mark the gradual recovery of the forest. The trail also offers fabulous views on neighboring peaks. On our way there we cross a stream a number of times, and can stop to enjoy the beauty and splash of two waterfalls.
Just a short drive south on the parkway from our lodge is the trailhead for the Richland Balsam Self Guiding Trail, the highest trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway at about 6,000 feet. The walk begins at the Haywood / Jackson Overlook, which offers marvelous panoramas of mountains on several sides, including Shining Rock, a bare outcrop of white quartz. The easy to moderate Balsam Trail winds through forests of Red Spruce and Frasier Firs that shelter an understory of ferns and mosses. It’s a cool and fragrant walk of a mile-and-a-half. In this coniferous forest we may see Ruffed Grouse, roosting Eastern Screech, Saw Whet and Great Horned Owls, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and both Hermit and Wood Thrushes.
We can pack picnic lunches or choose lunch at a local restaurant between hikes. In the evening, dine at your leisure at the Inn’s restaurant. An evening of owling will be offered after dinner in further pursuit of Saw-whet and Eastern Screech, and Barred Owls.
Accommodations both nights at the Pisgah Inn(B , L both days)
Thur., June 11 Fletcher Park / Beaver Dam
Fletcher Park, located in nearby Hendersonville is a low elevation, agricultural hot spot for birds such as Field Sparrows, Yellow-breasted Chats, Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks and Willow Flycatchers. After a morning of birding we will head towards a Wild Birds Unlimited store to see some works from a bird painter of the area. Across the street we have lunch in an authentic Mexican Restaurant.
Our next stop is the Beaver Dam Lake that lies in a 100 year old neighborhood, with second growth trees and a variety of bird species that include: Eastern Kingbirds, Orchard Orioles, Gray Catbirds, Purple Martins, Brown Thrashers, Yellow-throated Warblers, Green Herons and Brown headed Nuthatches.
After a day of birding we will then head towards Black Mountain after a day of birding to settle in at the Mill Creek Inn B&B. Tonight dinner is at your leisure. Some may wish to dine and relax. Nightbird fans can eat early, and join Wezil to search for nightjars and possible resident Eastern Screech and Barred Owls.
Accommodations at Mill Creek Inn, Black Mountain, NC (B, L)
Fri., June 12 Craggy Gardens & Mt. Mitchell
Craggy Gardens, a rich cove forest of hardwood and mixed pine with areas of old growth and herbaceous layer and mountain streams. Birds seen here during this time are Veerys, Black throated Blue & Green Warblers, Canada Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers, Rose breasted Grosbeak and more. Some year round birds include Common Raven, Ruffed Grouse and Winter Wren.
After hiking and birding, we will have a picnic lunch at the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area, before ascending to the highest point east of the Mississippi, Mount Mitchell. The 6,684-foot Mount Mitchell is an excellent area for discovering high-elevation plants and relict bird species such as Pine Siskin, Red Crossbill, and Golden-crowned Kinglet. At day’s end, we enjoy dinner at a great local restaurant.
Accommodations at Mill Creek Inn, Black Mountain, NC (B,L,D)
Sat., June 13 Folk Art Museum / Birding and Dining at the Biltmore Estate
Our first stop of the day is the wonderful Folk Art Museum. After birding the grounds under tall arching trees, we go in to enjoy local crafts and primitive art. Across the street is the newly opened National Park Service’s visitor center where we can also bird on the property and gather the historical information about the area. Enjoy lunch at a local eatery before heading out towards the Biltmore Estate.
Our next stop is the famous Biltmore Estate, on 8000 acres located in downtown Asheville. We will bird along the grounds as we take in the scenery and architecture.
Celebrate with a last night supper at a contemporary restaurant with ambience and wonderful food -- the Fig in the Biltmore Village. At an airport hotel convenient for your next day departure we say our good-byes and good birding!
Accommodations at Holiday Inn Express, Asheville Airport, NC (B,L,D)
Sun., June 14 Return to Asheville Regional Airport
We chose an airport hotel with shuttle so you can leave at your leisure, or stay on to explore some of the shops, restaurants, or the Vanderbilt estate in Ashville. Please note, if anyone wishes to stay on at the Biltmore (please make your own arrangements) we can bid you farewell here after dinner and credit your last night stay.
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Cost of the Journey
The cost of this journey is $2150.00 from Asheville, NC. These costs are based on double occupancy and includes accommodations; most meals as specified in the itinerary, group or hotel shuttle airport transfers, professional guide services, local park and other area entrance fees and miscellaneous program expenses.
These costs are based on a minimum number of 8 participants. With fewer, a small group surcharge (typically $100-$300) may apply.
These tour costs do not include transportation to or from your home to Asheville or items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges, porterage, maid gratuities or beverages from the bar. Single supplement (as available) is $445.00.
Transportation
Please plan to fly into Asheville, North Carolina. The airport is called
Asheville Regional Airport and is served by Continental, Delta, Northwest
and U.S. Airways. Plan to arrive by 3:00 PM Mon. June 8th, or consider
coming in a night early if it looks like you will have tight connections.
Plan to depart anytime that you like Sun., June 14th.
Photo
credits
Red Fox, Pileated Woodpecker, Black Bear, Ruffed Grouse, Red Oak Leaves and Bald Eagle, Tony Beck - to see more of his images, go to: www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/; Indigo Bunting and Eastern Bluebird, William McDougal; all other photos by Peg Abbott.
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