April 25th

Laurel Run Park is considered one of the best places for Spring ephemeral wildflowers. The north-facing slope, combined with a limestone substrate, and being in a rugged forested stream valley, make it an ideal place for ephemerals. Laurel Run Park was donated to Hawkins County after the completion of the film “The River,” which starred Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek. We will go past two small waterfalls; Laurel Run Falls and Kiner Falls. Laurel Run is known more for a proliferation of wildflowers. Hillsides covered in trilliums, Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica), Celandine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum), and Dwarf Larkspur (Delphinium tricorne) are stunning. We will also see Largeleaf Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum macrophyllum), Mountain Wood Sorrel (Oxalis montona), Guyandotte Beauty (Synarda hispidula), and Sweet White Trillium (Trillium simile). 

Meeting Place/Time: We will meet at the parking lot near the restroom at 10:00 AM EST. 

Difficulty: Moderate, total distance is four miles. Sturdy shoes that may get muddy are helpful, hiking pole(s) are helpful. (Exciting News: Park has a new bridge across creek. No more rock hopping!)

Registration: https://tnps.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F37605