Members' Hike - Gunstocker Creek area Members Only
Members Only Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Lots of Physical Activity
Guide: Southeastern Grasslands Institute botanist and southern grassland ecologist Zach Irick will lead a tour to view native plants from prairie and glade ecosystems of the Ridge and Valley
Join Zach Irick and fellow Wild Ones members for a hike along the limestone prairie ecosystem just south of the Hiwassee river near Georgetown, TN. This is a unique opportunity to see a rarely viewed, botanically interesting area, some of which is unavailable to the public and known only to a few. Some of the private land involved is undergoing recent restoration efforts since being conserved. A unique mix of soils and geography from ancient weathering of the Cumberland Plateau and western Appalachians by the Tennessee and Hiwassee rivers has led to a mix of several endemics. Threatened by development, agriculture/silvaculture, invasives and natural secondary growth reforestation, these remnants tend to be overlooked, but are hidden gems. They are best maintained with partial clearing and occasional fire and some are naturally difficult for tree species to maintain a foothold due to shallow soils. We hope to see many blooms of our target species, the smooth stiff-leaved goldenrod (Solidago rigida glabrata), plus residual blooms on prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum). Several aster (Symphyotrichum sp), sunflower, boneset, goldenaster and prairie grass species will be encountered as well. May include some roadside botanizing and a large powerline cut along it’s access road.
Bring snack/water and lunch, insect repellent, sunscreen, appropriate shoes for trail hiking and hiking poles/stick. No pets at any of our Wild Ones hikes please.
Rating: trail and off trail, but easy. Some areas are loose and rocky or can be slick or muddy depending on recent weather.
Distance: 2 miles approximately plus exploration along select additional locations nearby.
More details and registration coming soon!