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Smooth Alder flowers and catkins in late winter. (Image from North Carolina Native Plant Society)RMR-007 Late Winter Hiking
March means that winter is lingering, but the days are getting longer and warmer. It is a great time to go for a late winter hike.
Any hike or walk before the trees leaf out will reveal more views. You can see things that will soon be hidden from view until next winter.
This is a great time of year to hike the forested parts of Roan Mountain.
Stop by the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor’s Center. (It is on 143 about two miles from the intersection with Hwy 19-E. Look for the large foot-bridge over the Doe River to to get from the parking lot to the Visitor’s Center by the waterwheel.)
Get a park map. The very helpful people at the information desk will show you the best hiking trails for your skill level.
Things to look for on your hike: flowers. The surprising thing is that some trees are flowering now.
Tree of the week: Smooth Alder
With us today is today is Dr. Frosty Levy of the East Tennessee State University Department of Biological Sciences. He is going to tell us about a flowering tree that at we can see on Roan Mountain and in the Park.
LINKS
E.T.S.U. Department of Biological Sciences
Here is a link to the Google Images Search for: Smooth Alder