Our home here in the southern Blue Ridge is one of the most biologically diverse ecoregions in the world, containing an abundance of different wildflower species. The wildflowers that bloom in the spring, before the trees leaf-out, are called “spring ephemerals” and are most beautiful. Join us for a hike where you will learn the habitats and identity of these wonderful natural neighbors.
Long-time Haw Creek resident Bernard Arghiere is offering two opportunities to hike and learn about the local wildflowers. Participation is limited to 15 people per hike, so register today for one of these educational hikes.
Masters Park to Haw Creek Overlook*
This will be about a 2.5 mile hike roundtrip, starting at the parking lot on Maple Drive and hiking through Masters Park up to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the "overlook" rock area. View all of the wildflowers seen on this trail. This hike will take place on Saturday, April 18 (Sunday, April 19 rain date).
Saturday, April 18 - 10:00 am Register Here
Mountains-to-Sea Trail to CRAVEN GAP*
This will be about a 3.5 mile hike one-way. After first meeting at the Folk Art Center to carpool, the hike will start at the Mountains-to-Sea Trail above Sondley, hiking north on the trail until reaching Craven Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This hike promises to provide some spectacular diversity of wildflower species – two years ago there were over 75 different flowering species on this route, including three different native orchids. This hike will take place on Saturday, April 25 (Sunday, April 26 rain date).
Saturday, April 25 - 10:00 am Register Here
*Please note the following information for both hikes:
- Both hikes require some fitness, as there is significant climbing and rough terrain.
- Please dress appropriately and bring your own water bottle.
- These events are free but you must register so that we can contact you.
- In the event the weather takes a turn for the worse, we will send an email by 9:00 pm the night before postponing the hike to the next day.
- Participation is limited to 15 people per hike, with no more than two participants from one household due to limited group size.
Meet your Guide
Bernie has been studying wildflowers for over 30 years. He completed the Blue Ridge Naturalist program at the NC Arboretum in 2013, and has taught as an instructor at the UNC-Asheville Lifelong Learning Institute since 2006. Bernie is a board member of the Asheville Botanical Garden and has served for 9 years on the Board of Trustees for the North Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.
