Tag Archives: North Carolina

Reedy Fork Trail – Falcate Orangetip (Greensboro, NC)

On Saturday, March 19, 2022, the Triad Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at Reedy Fork Trail near Greensboro, North Carolina, to look for the Falcate Orangetip and other early butterflies. The Reedy Fork Trail parallels the Reedy Fork Creek that flows into back waters of Lake Townsend. You will also find signs of deer, raccoon, and beaver on this heavily wooded trail, making it an excellent pick for a moderate hike (or for another day, a scenic bike ride). The total length of the trail is about 3.5 miles. Refer to the website below for a map and additional information.

Meet at the trailhead parking area, GPS coordinates 36.17361, -79.83784, located on the east side of Lake Brandt Road just to the north of Lake Brandt Marina and the dam. Please RSVP to Anne Carlson at the email address below if you plan to participate.

Mount Pisgah, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC

This will be a joint outing with SCAN (South Carolina Association of Naturalists) to Mount Pisgah, located in the North Carolina section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Information from SCAN is included below.

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We will meet at the first Mount Pisgah parking lot to enjoy the views at Buck Spring and for our greetings with photo shoot. There are a few trails to explore from here.

We welcome the Carolina Butterfly Society to join us.

Mount Pisgah Trail
Trail begins at the far end of the Mount Pisgah Parking Area. 1.8 miles to the summit, the first 0.5 miles is fairly flat. The remaining 1.2 miles is moderate to strenuous. Lots of rock steps, for an ascent of 712 feet.

The trail passes through a forest of Northern Red Oaks, maples, birches and pockets of rhododendrons and mountain laurel to a deciduous heath bald at the summit at 5721 feet. An observation deck for a 360-degree view and the transmission tower sit at the summit. To the NE views of Craggy mountains, Asheville and the French Broad River Valley, to the West Shining Rock Wilderness and Cold Mountain and to the SW Looking Glass.

Most of the wildflowers can be seen for the first 0.5 miles. White snake root, Jeruselum artichoke, bee balm, Angelica, Prunella vulgaris Self heal and purple flowering raspberry Rubus odoratus, Joe-Pye weed a butterfly magnet, lots of ferns and mushrooms. Listen for the dark eyed juncos and warblers along the trail. Peregrine falcons are commonly spotted at the summit. Many wildflowers are native and some endangered.

Buck Spring Trail
This 1.1 mile-long portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs between the Mount Pisgah Inn and the Buck Spring Gap Parking Area. The trail passes the site where the mountain cabin of George Vanderbilt’s and Buck Spring Lodge once stood.

Shut In Trail
16.3 miles long and descends over 3,000 feet. Walk the trail in as far as you like and return to back track out.

Directions

From Asheville there are numerous paths to get to the BRP. From Bent Creek River Park/NC Arboretum on NC191, hop onto the BRP and head south, approximately 10 miles, to Milepost 407. Turn left into Mount Pisgah Parking area. Park at the first parking area Buck Spring Gap. Along the BRP there are several tunnels. Check that your headlights are off when you park.

GPS coordinates for Buck Spring overlook: 35.416017, -82.748378

There are 2 parking lots at Mount Pisgah. The first is Buck Spring Gap Overlook where we will meet. If you continue N 0.2 miles you will reach the 2nd parking lot. You can easily walk in between the two lots via road or take a trail. The Mount Pisgah trailhead is located at the far end of the second parking lot.

Lodging and Food

Pisgah campground is a little less than a mile and a half away. There is a trail from the campground to Mount Pisgah trail head.

Pisgah Inn is only a mile away at Milepost 408 which has rooms available with great views. They have a nice observation deck, restrooms and a good restaurant. Restaurant fills quickly so make a reservation if you would like to eat dinner. Dinner served from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Phone: (828) 235-8228, Website: www.pisgahinn.com

There are restrooms located at entrance to Pisgah Inn parking lot.

Temps are cooler in the mountains. Come join and SCAN with us!

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See the website link below for hiking trails and other information about Mount Pisgah.

CANCELLED – Mecklenburg County, NC Dusted Skipper Blitz

CANCELLED

This walk has been cancelled because 3 of the 4 areas we planned to search have been burned and there is no grass around. This walk may be rescheduled for 2023 or 2024.

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Join us on May 7, 2022, in search of the elusive Dusted Skipper. This skipper seems to be rapidly declining throughout the Carolinas and is currently only known in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, from one powerline right-of-way.

We will meet up at Latta Nature Preserve at 10:00 in the Gar Creek Canoe Access parking lot, GPS coordinates 35.34968, -80.92404, to explore a once-reliable location for this skipper. Depending on the size of our group, we may split up into smaller groups to take advantage of extra eyes and search as many suitable locations for Dusted Skippers as we can. This outing aims to attempt to locate additional populations of the beautiful single brooded species. Refer to the website below for a map and additional information about Latta Nature Preserve.

If you plan on attending, please RSVP on the Carolina Butterfly Society website or email Robert Gilson at robert.gilson@faunaventures.com.

This trip will be co-led by Robert Gilson and Chris Talkington. Make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, binoculars, a camera, and your favorite field guide.