Old Brown Mountain Trail News

Earlier Brown Mountain Trail News

(August 1, 2020) Still some blueberries to pick, mostly in the 1986 burn areas.  Raspberries are almost done, but blackberrys are still ripening.  The trail has only minor (easy step-over) blowdowns, and is fairly clear.  Recent rains have brought Big Run up to flowing healthy, but not too high.  

(May 30, 2020) I worked on the upper part of the trail today.  It wasn't as grown in as I feared, although a lot of trees had blown or fallen down on the trail.  The trail is trimmed out to the Shenandoah Valley view, but some blowdowns remain, particularly in the 2 mile area.  Mountain Laurel has started to bloom, but some plants still have tiny buds.  I expect Mountain Laurel will be blooming for the next 3 weeks or so.  Right now Blackberry and Raspberry plants are blooming, and I expect a pretty good crop this summer, and also for Blueberries.  

(May 23, 2020) I understand they have reopened the Skyline Drive.  But they didn't allow trail maintainers in ahead of time.  So I expect the Brown Mountain Trail, as well as some other trails, are getting badly grown in.  I'll try to get up there as soon as I can.  

(April 11, 2020) They have closed the Skyline Drive and the rest of the Shenandoah National Park due to the Coronavirus.  So hiking and trail work cannot be done.  

(July 13, 2019) The Skyline Drive finally opened at the end of April.  By that time the Brown Mountain Trail had been cleared.  Now is the challenge to keep the summer growth, stimulated by the 2016 fire, cut back from the trail.  By June 29 some blueberries were ripe, although fairly small considering all the rain we've received.  We will try to keep the trail open by work trips twice monthly during the summer.  

(December 23, 2018) There was a major ice storm on November 15, and the Skyline Drive in the Southern Section of the Shenandoah National Park remains closed due to many blowdowns.  Therefore, the Brown Mountain Trail is not accessible at this time.  

(October 2018) We had a lot of downed trees and branches from the remnants of Hurricane Florence in September.  It's been a hard year keeping the trail clear, but with a lot of help and some extra work trips, I think it's mostly clear.  Fall colors are late this year, so they will probably be most vibrant in early November along this trail.  

(May 5, 2018) We've had a late spring, but it's in full bloom now.  Lots of wildflowers out (I counted 28 kinds), especially Dwarf Crested Irises and Polygala (which I thought were gone a few years ago).  Probably the most numerous flowers are those of Blueberries, but they aren't very prominent.  But we should get a lot of blueberries this summer.  Azaleas and Minibush are just starting to bloom at the lower elevations.  It looks like Mountain Laurel will bloom this year, but the plants are not very tall yet.  The water bars were cleaned, and some blowdowns were removed, but the trees across the trail near the summit of Brown Mountain, and the big pine still remain.  And there are still a lot of Wintergreen berries.  

(March 9, 2018) After heavy winds a week ago, the trail was littered with small trees and branches.  I worked to clear out this mess and completed most of the trail.  There is still a big pine tree across the trail around mile 2.6, and a number of blowdowns near the ground across the top of Brown Mountain.  Otherwise, the trail is clear.  But other trails in the vicinity may be peppered with blown down material until their overseers remove it, as the winds were widespread.  Any way, there are lots of Wintergreen berries to be found along the trail.  There probably won't be much Mountain Laurel this year, but lots of Blueberries are likely.  

(November 4, 2017) Looks like I haven't been updating this year--sorry!  Fall colors are great from Skyline Drive to Big Run.  The surviving plants are slowly growing back, but dead trees are starting to fall on the trail more.  It was a great year for blueberries, long past now, but the leaves are a beautiful red.  

(November 5, 2016) Clipping the trail from Brown Mountain Overlook to Brown Mountain.  I'm still having to cut back dead Mountain Laurel branches.  The fall colors near the ground are great!  They are the Sassafras (mostly yellow) and Black Gum (red) sprouts since the fire.  Also Blueberry plants have red leaves.  Most overhead leaves are off.  But with the fire, there are not so many dead leaves on the ground, so the trail is probably better than most years at this time.  A few fall wildflowers remain, in fact I counted 11 different kinds. 

(September 17, 2016) Parts of the trail had gotten rather overgrown before clipping today.  Worst part was across the summit of Brown Mountain, but it is clear now. 

(May 14, 2016) The first check of the Trail since the fire (10000 acres burned, 2nd largest in Shenandoah National Park history)--The fire burned the ground on both sides of the trail until 0.6 mile from Big Run.  Looking at the mountains where the fire was, most look green, some patches are brown, and some are black.  In all, the ground is burnt, and thus black.  The green parts are where deciduous trees have survived, and leafing out.  The brown parts are where there were pine trees, and the heat of the fire killed the trees, but did not burn the needles.  The black parts are where the trees were killed, leaving view of the ground.  The fire fighters tried to leave the trail in good shape, but since then, the many, many mountain laurel bushes that got burnt lean into the trail.  I worked to open up the trail, but was not able to clear the lower part of the trail.  Interestingly, the trail itself was not burnt, even when it had leaf litter on it.  Anyway, the trail is passable, there is a slight smell of smoke, and places are just scorched earth, almost not recognizable.  Very few mountain laurel plants survive to bloom this year, but a few started to bloom. It looks like very few blueberries will be produced this year.  But in upcoming years, we should see more mountain laurel blooms and blueberries, as these are trees that recover from fires well. 

(May 5, 2016) The fires spread to Big Run, but did not continue up Rockytop.  It did burn Patterson Ridge.  The entire circuit hike described on this page was within the fire burn zone.  Many trees appear to have survived, but some patches are scorched, more so on Brown Mountain than on Rocky Mount or Twomile Ridge.  Because of the many rains in the past week, all trails, including Brown Mountain Trail, have been reopened.  It may be a few weeks before I have a chance to check out the trail conditions. 

(April 23, 2016) The fire has spread to about 8000 acres, but has slowed down.  It spread over Rocky Mountain and Brown Mountain, so the Brown Mountain Trail, as well as being closed, has been burned.  Currently the fire is low on Brown Mountain toward Big Run.  Rocky Mount and Twomile Ridge are no longer burning or noticeably smoking.  There are parts of those mountains that are blackened, but the majority of the sides of those mountains still look green-to the extent the leaves came out.  The Skyline Drive is now closed between miles 65-87 (Swift Run Gap to Blackrock Gap). 

(April 19, 2016) The fire has spread to over 2000 acres, and the Brown Mountain Trail, as well as several other trails to the south, is/are closed.  I see the fire has encompassed Rocky Mount and Twomile Ridge, and has climbed high on Rocky Mountain.  The officals are now referring to it as the "Rocky Mount Fire". 

(April 18, 2016) A fire is burning just north of the Brown Mountain Trail.  Although it is referred to as the "Rocky Mountain Fire", it is NOT on Rocky Mountain, at least not yet!  But the Skyline Drive is closed between miles 65-79 (Swift Run Gap to Loft Mountain), and the trailhead of the Brown Mountain Trail is at mile 77, so although the trail is not officially closed (as far as I know), it cannot be reached on the Skyline Drive.  The fire started along the Rocky Mount Trail at a point closer to the Skyline Drive on Saturday April 16, but it has spread out past the summit of Rocky Mount, down to Twomile Run, and up onto Twomile Ridge. 

(April 9, 2016) A windy day.  But only one blowdown to remove, even though we've had a LOT of windy days this year.  A few early wildflowers are out, mostly at lower elevations (such as Serviceberry and Trailing Arbutus, which aren't out yet at the top of the mountains).  There was a calm area around the Slab, but it was very windy, and loud, down at Big Run.  I met a hiking group from Richmond, members of ODATC. 

(October 16, 2015) Fall colors are here!  Although the leaves are still majority green, there are a lot of bright colors with the red of Black Gums and some Maples, and yellow of Birch, Hickory, and others.  The trail is in good condition, but it has some fallen leaves on it.  Big Run is about normal flow. 

(August 30, 2015) It's been dry for a while, so Big Run is low and easy to cross.  There are just a few blueberries left. 

(July 24, 2015) Blueberries!  Best crop for years!  There are still a lot of green berries, so there will be some for weeks to come, but they will be fewer and smaller.   

(June 20, 2015) The last of the Mountain Laurel is still blooming at the higher elevations, while blueberries have started to ripen. 

(May 25, 2015) Mountain Laurel has begun to bloom, and probably will be great for the next 2 weeks or more.  At the highest elevation it is just starting and at low elevations near peak, although some plants are just beginning. 

(April 14, 2015) Spring has come to the Blue Ridge mountains!  Serviceberry trees are in full bloom, particularly on the ends of Rock Mountain.  There are also prevalent Trailing Arbutus and Blueberry blooms, although they are early in their blooming season.  We also have the earliest Dwarf Crested Iris and Phlox. 

(October 4, 2014) Fall colors are starting-most Black Gums are changed but not too colorful.  Exception is at the Shenandoah Valley Overlook, where several Black Gum trees have intensely red leaves.  Big Run is low and easy to cross on the Big Run Portal Trail. 

(August 2, 2014) Blueberries are ripe, some may be there a few weeks.  Best season for some time, although not as plentiful as what I remember in the 1990s.  Big Run is down some now, not high, but more flow than usual at this time of year. 

(June 28, 2014) Mountain Laurel blooms now gone; now blueberries are just starting to ripen.  Big Run is high for the summer.  Lots of hikers out.  Trail is fairly clear, and weed whacked for first 200 yards. 

(May 26, 2014) Spring has come, and though later than some springs, the Mountain Laurel is blooming--at lower elevations.  Just small buds at the higher elevations, not quite peak below 2000'.  Interestly, they are less out near Big Run.  A recent rain has Big Run flowing strong.  There has been recent reconstruction of the grade from the Skyline Drive down to the first switchback. 

(November 2, 2013) Fall colors are still prominent, especially at lower elevations.  Red Maple trees sport brilliant leaves, mostly yellow punctuated by reds.  Blueberry and Black Huckleberry leaves are red, although likely to fall away soon.  Sassafras leaves are mostly bright yellow, though some are orange.  Low elevation oaks are red to rust, with some a dull yellow, mostly pretty seen from above. 

(October 14, 2013) Government shutdown ended--Skyline Drive is open again. 

(October 1, 2013) Due to the Federal Government shutdown, The Brown Mountain Trail is not accessible. 

(July 9, 2013) The first 200 yard of the trail from the Overlook has been weed-whacked, so the grass is cleared. 

(July 6, 2013) Mountain Laurel bloom is past, and blueberries are starting to ripen.  Much clearing of brush just below the Brown Mountain Overlook has been done, but grass is high. 

(June 15, 2013) The Mountain Laurel are in bloom, at peak at the highest elevations, just a few blooms left down lower.  The Brown Mountain Overlook is still closed, but the grass behind the wall has been trimmed.  The trail is all clear, but a little close near the overlook.  Besides the Mountain Laurel, notable flowers blooming were Goats Rue and Wild Indigo is starting to bloom.  No ripe blueberries yet. 

(May 18, 2013) Spring has come, and even some Mountain Laurel are in bloom in the lower elevations--more to come.  There is a lot of high grass behind the rock wall of the Skyline Drive, much less once you get to the trail.  The large tree over the trail at 2 miles is still there.  There is also the option of climbing over the upper end.  Fast plant growth is happening, but I got the trail mostly clear.

(April 13, 2013) It was a long winter with several snows in March, then it turned hot the previous week.  The Brown Mountain Overlook is closed for construction, but you can park on the east side of the Skyline Drive just south of the overlook.  There is a designated crossing, and you can walk on or behind the wall to the trailhead.  The entire trail is clear, except a very large tree over the trail about 2 miles from the Skyline Drive, and you can squeeze under it.  Red Maples and Serviceberry trees are in bloom, and many Trailing Arbutus are blooming. 

(November 3, 2012) Oop!  Looks like I neglected updates for a while...
Anyway, it snowed this past week.  Three inches remain at the higher elevations; none remain on Brown Mountain on down.  The snow brought some branches down, but no live tree branches, and I cleaned them up today.  There was a group of 14 hikers passing as I stopped for lunch.  Big Run is running fairly full, and I would expect it would be a challenge to cross. 

(June 2, 2012) The Mountain Laurel are still blooming, but in decline.  Most are still in bloom at the high elevations (high on Rocky Mountain), while almost gone low on Brown Mountain.  Interestly, the best show is at the bottom, near Big Run.  Apparently it is cooler there than a little higher.  I found a few ripe blueberries--a record early.  Due to lots of light rain, there has been a lot of woody growth, but I cleared it out.  Next I'll trim the grass near the overlook. 

(April 21, 2012) It is an early spring, and many wildflowers and leafings are weeks earlier than usual.  Already I saw a Mountain Laurel blooming!  (But most of them still have only tiny flower buds.  But blooming in April!)  On the other end, there were still a couple of Trailing Arubutus still in bloom--all others were gone.  There is a big difference in the leafing at the higher elevations than at the lower ones.  On top of Rocky Mountain, the leaves are still tiny; the are well out down near Big Run.  I found a large number of Polygala out (I thought they had died out a couple of years ago), and the two types of pink Azalea are starting to bloom.  I saw only two budding Pink Lady's Slipper--I hope they aren't dying out.  Big Run's water is still fairly high, so you probably have to wade if you're doing the circuit hike. 

(November 5, 2011) Most of the leaves have fallen, but what remain are quite colorful.  These include maples and even some Black Huckleberry bushes which had already turned in early October.  Even with most leaves down, the trail isn't too bad for leaves on it, much already blown off.  I cleaned the water bars.  A snow on October 28 left some tree bend into the trail, but mostly at the lower elevations.  Big Run is running high enough that you need to wade to cross it. 

(October 8, 2011) Fall colors are already evident.  The Black Gums, some Maples, and some Sassafras are showing red leaves, plus some yellows on Hickory, Birch, and even some Chestnut Oak.  The trail is in good shape, and Big Run is running well, but not high.  I saw 6 hikers, including 4 in the Wanderbirds Club from Washington, DC. 

(September 3, 2011) Big Run remains low even though there's been a lot of rain in the last few weeks.  The trail was trimmed again, no hikers seen although two vehicles were parked at the trailhead.  I found and ate 6 blueberries.  Black Gum leaves are starting to turn red. 

(August 7, 2011) It's hardly rained in the last month and Big Run is low.  Blueberries are almost gone.  With the slow growth and a trimming today, the Trail is fairly clear. 

(July 9, 2011) Ripe blueberries!  Early in the season, so expect them for several weeks.  I trimmed the growth of plants back, but there's an awful lot.  Big Run is at a typical summer level--not too low, but should be easy to cross. 

(June 25, 2011) The first 200 yards of the trail has been weed-whacked. 

(June 4, 2011) Mountain Laurel in peak bloom!  Especially above 2500' in elevation.  Blueberries not yet ripe but may be soon.  A few Serviceberries to be found, but the birds get them quickly.  Dry and hot for two weeks has brought Big Run down to where it should be crossable on the Portal Trail. 

(May 7, 2011) We've had a lot of rain and wind this spring, but there was little blowdown/fallen branches on the trail.  The Azaleas are in bloom (won't be for long) and the aroma is heavenly!  Mountain Laurel will be blooming in a few weeks.  I saw some Polygala which I hadn't seen over the last three years.  Big Run is running fairly high, and can be a challenge to cross. 

(February 3, 2011) A fairly big snow fell on January 26, which has mostly melted, but it has raised the water level of Big Run, which had been dry at US 340.  It's more moderately high, but crossings on the Portal Trail would be difficult to stay dry-footed, not unusual for winter.  Some snow remains high on the mountains, but the Skyline Drive has been closed most of the time from the snow. 

(December 11, 2010)
The Park Service has cut down all the brush below Brown Mountain Overlook.  Some of the remains crowd the Trail.  It is passable, but I had to pull some branches reaching into the Trail, and will no doubt have to do some more, down to the second switchback.  The leaves are all down, and though some places have leaves covering the Trail, it's not too bad.  A lot of branches had fallen from winds, and I cleared them, as well as the waterbars.  Big Run is running fairly high. 
As I headed out through a shallow snow, I found only one set of footprints--only one hiker since the snow fell, about a week before.  No cars were parked at the Overlook.  But I met two hikers coming up, and soon after that I was overtaken by 7 hikers of the Charlottesville Chapter of the PATC, led by none other than Ken Moss, my co-overseer. 

 

(October 30, 2010)
Fall colors past peak, but there are still a lot of pretty colors.  Now it is mostly Maples (red and yellow), Hickories (yellow), Sassafras (yellow or orange), and Tuliptrees (yellow).  Oak leaves have mostly become brown.  I was out with co-overseer Ken Moss, and we cleared several blowdowns in the first 2.5 miles of the trail (shouldn't be any past that).  Ken has a GPS which gives distances a little less than what I have, but I think the GPS cuts switchbacks! 

(October 15, 2010)
Fall colors are evident, although not yet at peak.  Black Gums (red) and Sassafras (yellow or orange or red) are most colorful, although Black Gums may not hold their leaves much long.  Hickories are bright yellow at the low elevations, and you can see the hickory concentration near Big Run if you view from Brown Mountain.  Black Huckleberry plants have red leaves now, too.  Maples have started to turn, but they should look better later.  Oaks are mostly green still.  Lots of trees have already lost leaves due to the drought, but the ones remaining should have reasonable good color changes.  Big Run is flowing down to at least one mile from US 340, but is low and should be easy to cross above the Portal.  There are a few blowdowns (between Mile 1.2 and 2.5) that were duck-unders that have settled into inconvenient height--I'll try to get them cleared in the next month or so. 
Work on the Skyline Drive continues, and they have Swift Run and Sandy Bottom Overlooks closed.  As construction continues, they may close the Brown Mountain Overlook, cutting off access to the Brown Mountain Trail.  It hasn't happened yet, but may in the next few months (or maybe next spring if they stop for winter). 

(September 11, 2010)
It's dry again, but not yet as dry as in July--the new leaves are still green, but the brown ones are still on.  There are some early fall colors on the Black Gum, Red Maple, and Sassafras trees, making for a colorful hike.  I opened up some close growth in the middle of the trail, not much else needed work.  Again, there were 2 cars at the overlook, but I didn't see any hikers on the trail.

(August 7, 2010)
We've had more rain, and many plants that turned brown are putting out new leaves.  Almost no blueberries found.  We had some vicious windstorms in the Valley, but little more than branches down.  The only trees needing sawing were Sassafras that bears pull down.  Big Run is low, but enough water to swim in at the bridge.  There were 2 cars at the overlook, but I didn't see them on the trail. 

(July 10, 2010)
It has been very hot and dry, but it rained July 9.  The drought has been very damaging: almost no blueberries are available (rare, small, and not as good tasting, although many have not yet ripened), and many plants have apparently died or gone dormant--the leaves just turned and orange brown, especially in the slab area.  No hikers or cars at the overlook. 

(June 5, 2010)
Mountain Laurel still out, at least at higher elevations, lower elevations about done.  A few ripe Serviceberries, and I picked the first blueberry, although it wasn't fully ripe.  A storm last night washed a lot of debris on the trail, although it is not eroded.  No hikers or cars at the overlook seen. 

(May 15, 2010)
Mountain Laurel is already out!  In places, especially at lower elevations, some bushes are in full bloom; others are just starting to bloom.  It looks like the next two weeks will be good for Mountain Laurel blooms.  First ripe Serviceberry--at the Rocky Mountain E summit.  A lot of spring growth had to be cut back.  Only two Lady's Slippers, although there are several other plants there.  Water levels are still dropping, and it should be easy to cross Big Run on the Portal Trail.  No hikers seen this day, but there was one car left at the overlook. 

(April 10, 2010)
Spring has come with vengeance with the first 7 days with high temperatures of 80° F or more.  The trees have started to leaf out, even at the higher elevations of this trail.  It looks more like the end of April.  On the other hand, ground wildflowers were delayed, but many early ones came and went very quickly.  Serviceberry and Trailing Arbutus are in bloom, but may not be much longer.  There are few other wildflowers out yet.  Water levels are dropping, but slowly. 
I whacked away at some of the bent-down plants.  A group of 9 hikers from the DC area hiked this trail this day. 

(March 19, 2010)
Extended warm days combined with rain have brought an end to the snow!  On March 19 there were still a few small snow patches in the shade of Rocky Mountain by the Trail, but probably not much longer.  I hiked the Trail and cleared off the branches and blowdowns so the trail is clear.  Big Run is flowing high, and it is not recommended hiking the Portal Trail unless you have waterproof boots or like to wade in freezing water.  No wildflowers yet.  The snows bent down the plants into the Trail some, more work in the next months. 

(February 23, 2010)
The snowiest winter around here continues.  Less than a week without snow on the ground, after a warm rain (and very high water!) on January 24.  On the 29th I checked part of the Trail--not too bad, but the snow mashed down some berry plants on the side of the trail, and I'll have a lot to trim even before spring growth.  Then five snows within two weeks fell starting January 30.  The whole month of February with snow on the ground and the Skyline Drive closed!  Maybe it will be melted by early March...

(January 6, 2010)
It snowed on December 5 (5") and again on December 18 (20+"), and it has been cold in most of the time since.  The snow has not melted, except on south-facing slopes (and the Brown Mountain Trail mostly faces north), and the Skyline Drive remains closed.  We had a lot of rain in November and Big Run is flowing strong, so even if you could get there, you'd have to wade! 
I haven't been on the trail since October, and am anxious to get out there again. 

(October 17, 2009) - Fall colors in force!  Leaves are changing early this fall, and with the current cool weather, I thought things would be changed more up on the mountain than down here, but it's still greener up there so far due to the Hickories plentiful here.  Still there are lots of colors to be seen.  Yellows are provided by Birches, Witchhazel, and some Maples and Sassafras.  Reds are provided by Black Huckleberry plants, a few remaining Black Gums, Maple-leafed Viburnums, and some Maples and Sassafras.  Most impressive are red leaves on the berry plants by the trail in the Rocky Mountain burn area (about 2.4 miles from Skyline Drive).  I was hoping the Scrub Oaks near Big Run Portal would be red, but no so--brown once again.  Big Run flow is still low, and it goes dry more than a mile upstream from US 340. 

(September 19, 2009) - I found very few blueberries, and picked only 5.  Still--that's a long season, as I've seen ripe ones since June.  Black Gums and blueberry plants are getting red leaves, as are some maples.  The rest of waterbars were cleaned and four minor blowdowns were removed.  Surprisingly, I didn't have to get Sassafras trees out the the trail. 

(September 12, 2009) - On August 29 I cut out a tree fallen over the trail about 1 mile from the Skyline Drive.  Today I worked on waterbars down near Big Run.  Only a few blueberries found down low, and the few chinkapins were picked off.  Big Run is low, but trickling as it goes under the bridge in the Portal.  Some places on the trail may have Sassafras trees bend down by the bears, but not the lower part. 

(August 8, 2009) - Blueberries still ripe, although rather small and maybe dried up at lower elevations.  At higher elevations, there should be some for another month.  Big Run is down lower than in July, even after two big rains in the last week. 

(July 11, 2009) - Blueberries are ripe at all elevations, but early in the season at higher elevations.  There's been little rain in the last three weeks, and Big Run is way down, although still at healthy levels for summer.  Stream crossings should be fairly easy now. 

(June 13, 2009) - Mountain Laurel is near peak at highest elevations, most flowers have dropped off below 2000' elevation.  Although I worked hard to keep the trail open, it's a little tight in the middle parts.  Most places are well open, and there was little in the way of branches reaching into the trail.  First blueberries ripe, but expect mid July will be best time.  With all the rain, berries are plentiful and big.  Just a few serviceberries ripe--although good, it seems the birds or bugs get them pretty quick.  Big Run is still quite high. 

(May 16, 2009) - Deerberry and Minniebush in bloom.  Mountain Laurel is starting to bloom below 2000' elevation.  Probably two weeks or more until peak on Rocky Mountain, and I expect a good bloom of them.  Only 4 Pink Lady's Slippers in bloom, down from nearly 20 a few years ago.  No Dwarf Crested Iris found, I think they've come and gone already.  Big Run still fairly high. 

(April 11, 2009) - Spring is a little slow.  Only Red Maples and some Trailing Arbutus in bloom, plus some Serviceberry below the top of Brown Mountain.  Trail is all clear.  Big Run even higher than earlier--you can hear it from 1000' above on Brown Mountain. 

(March 7, 2009) - Trail has been cleared, not too much fallen considering winds we've had.  Even though it's been a dry winter, Big Run is still running too high to cross dry-shoed. 

(January 1, 2009) - Although we just had a very windy day, the Trail is all clear. 

(October 13, 2008) - Fall colors are getting good.  Birches are bright yellow, and Sassafras redder than usual.  Black Gums are a great red, although leaves may drop soon.  Unfortunately, the oaks probably won't be a good red near the Big Run Portal this year.  Trail is clear, and no more trees have been pulled down by bears. 

(September 20, 2008) - Only a few blueberries or black huckleberries left.  Trail has been cleared.  Biggest problems are when bears pull down Sassafras trees into the trail. 

(July 19, 2008) - Blueberries are plentiful.  Still early in the season for them.  Parts of the trail are a bit grassy, but the worst parts have been trimmed.  Big Run is fairly low and warm. 

(June 7, 2008) - The trail needed some more clearing.  Mountain Laurel is in full bloom, and some Silkgrass is out.  It is past season for Azalea (a few Minibush still in bloom), Irises, and Lady's Slippers.  The first blueberries have ripened.  Big Run is flowing, but slowing each day of the heat wave. 

(May 21, 2008) - The trail was cleared most recently on May 17.  Early Azalea and Minibush were in bloom.  The last of the Dwarf Crested Iris was blooming, and the very first Mountain Laurel and Silkgrass blooms were open (peak Mountain Laurel will probably be in early June).  I could find none of the Polygala flowers, and there were only 15 Lady's Slippers in the patch. 

(April 20, 2008) - The trail was cleared most recently on April 19.  Serviceberry trees are in bloom, and are prominent in many places on the trail, particularly burn areas and open rocky areas.  Trailing Arbutus is still in bloom and Dwarf Crested Iris has started to bloom.  Some blueberry plants (mostly those pruned to the ground) are blooming already. 

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