Wildflower Hike and Ride at the Big South Fork

Date: April 16, 2012
Contact: Howard Duncan, 423-569-9778

Join Park Ranger Howard Duncan on Saturday, April 21, for a delightful hike along the Big South Fork River looking at the spring wildflowers. You will certainly see some of the more common spring wildflowers and may discover some uncommon ones as well. Wear comfortable walking shoes; bring your wildflower guide, your camera and your interest in discovering nature. For those wanting to bring along their lunch, the Angel Falls Rapid is a beautiful place to enjoy a picnic. The hike is an easy four mile round-trip to the Angel Falls Rapid and back to Leatherwood Ford. Meet Ranger Duncan at the Leatherwood Ford gazebo at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Take a Ride on the Wild(flower) Side. Spring is a wonderful time to ride your horse at Big South Fork. Have you ever wondered about or even noticed those flowers blooming along the horse trail? Take some time on Saturday, April 21, to ride the trails with Park Ranger Sue Duncan in search of spring wildflowers. The group will stop to look at wildflowers along the trail, learn a few of their names and talk about some of their legends and stories. Riders will be traveling to Charit Creek via the Jacks Ridge and Black House Branch trails. From Charit Creek Lodge, riders will follow Station Camp Creek horse trail before returning to Bandy Creek by way of the Duncan Hollow trail. The entire ride will be approximately 15 miles.

This horseback ride will leave from the Bandy Creek Equestrian Trailhead at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. You must bring your own horse. You may want to bring water and a wildflower guide. You may also wish to pack a lunch, as there are a number of beautiful places to stop for a picnic along the way. Riders should dress appropriately for the weather. For directions to the trailhead, please call the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at [phone].