From
"The Parkway Milepost"
From
"The Parkway Milepost"
(Get Your copy of the official Parkway newspaper at any Visitor Center)
"Fall Migration"
Unlike waterfowl and songbirds that migrate largely undetected during night hours, many large and majestic hawks can be observed in the higher elevations during the day as they fly southward in fall and northward in spring.
Surface winds produced along mountain ridges deflect upward, creating strong uplifts for them to soar upon. As the morning sun rises and heats the countryside, it forms columns of warm air that rise thousands of feet. Hawks fly into the warm air and soar in tight circles, riding the thermal high in the sky. They then glide out of the thermal in a long descent until they find another. Using the rising thermals and strong updrafts along the ridges, hawks can cover dozens of miles in a single day with a minimum of effort.
Hawk migrants from as far away as New England and Canada pass through. Beginning in September, several thousand broad-winged hawks may pass by on a good day. Larger red-tailed hawks become noticeable during October and into November as they glide southward along high ridges. Cooper's hawks and American kestrels are also seen, as well as ospreys, red-shouldered hawks, northern harriers, northern goshawks and, very rarely, both golden eagles and bald eagles.
Unlike most other kinds of butterflies that have a very short life and fly very little distance, monarch butterflies are more like migratory birds. They may fly thousands of miles to spend the winter. Next spring they will return to lay eggs.
The Blue Ridge Parkway crosses one of the major mountain gaps that monarchs also cross in their flight south. Cherry Cove Overlook, Milepost 415, lies in the migration path and makes a good spot to observe a bit of their long journey. Although they travel alone, not in "flocks," thousands of monarch butterflies may pass a given point each day.
"Rough Ridge on the Tanawha Trail"
by David Turlington
The entire eight-mile Tanawha Trail in the Grandfather Region of the park is well known to hikers as a place of exceptional beauty. The trail itself, used historically by Native Americans and early European settlers, has existed in some form for thousands of years.
However, the 1.45-mile section that passes over Rough Ridge is especially scenic and provides hikers an easy opportunity to enjoy the grandeur of this trail without commiting to an all-day excursion.
Two access points to the Tanawha Trail make Rough Ridge easily accessible. The Wilson Creek Overlook at Milepost 303.7 and the Rough Ridge parking area at Milepost 302.9 each provide a beautiful route to Rough Ridge. This section of trail is moderately strenuous, but well worth the walk. In fact, the Rough Ridge section may be the most spectacular of the entire trail. Much like an alpine meadow in appearance, the landscape also boasts occasional firs and Catawba Rhododendron.
Perhaps the most spectacular are the jagged rock formations from which Rough Ridge takes its name. Some are estimated at between 750 million to a billion years old. The vegetation that survives in the rocks also endures sun-baked summer afternoons and deep snow-covered winters with temperatures well below freezing for weeks at a time. Wind chills frequently drop to well-below zero. Yet, the ecosystem flourishes.
This rare place on the Blue Ridge Parkway, pristine and primitive, is part of the Grandfather Mountain Biosphere Reserve. The trail provides a unique opportunity to see plants, animals and scenic vistas not available anywhere else on earth. If you find yourself on this stretch of the Parkway, stop awhile and enjoy the views - you will be sure to appreciate why places like Rough Ridge are protected for all of us.
"Plants and Animals are Fragile - Please Stay on the Trail"
The Blue Ridge Parkway has unique habitats that seupport rare and endangered plants and animals. Many of these plants are being threatened by footsteps. It is a significant problem, but one that can be alleviated by the simple practice of staying on the Parkway's trails. There are several especially sensitive areas, including the Tanawha Trail around Grandfather Mountain, the Craggy Pinnacle Trail at Craggy Gardens, and Devil's Courthouse.
Whether you suspect the presence of rare plants or not, it is a good practice to stay on the trail - if for no other reason - to protect all plants and to prevent erosion.
http://www.nps.gov/blri/3press.htm
Revised 10/17/2002
For more information, contact Peter_Givens@nps.gov