April 23, 2024
Broad River Trail
This was very good hike now that the controlled burn was completed and most blowdowns have been cleared. It will be interesting to see if the trail becomes overgrown this summer. The weather was cool. The trail was mostly dry, no extensive roots or rocks, and fairly level with just a few, short climbs. The only caution is the narrow path, especially along several sections across steep slopes where a misstep could lead to a long tumble downhill. And such a great day with numerous varieties of wildflowers along the trail. Although it is named the Broad River Trail, the Dick's Creek section was more scenic with plenty of rapids and cascades. It's a long hike, but actually fairly easy. Parking along the road is available at either end of the trail. TODAY'S HIKERS: Paul Carter, Ken Pardue, Claudia Pardue, Gerald Richardson, Jenny Bell, Matt Henderson, Jack Treadman, Ken Kellerman, Vic Robson, Heather Wall & Mike Bell
The route
8.8 mi · 741 ft climbing · 4h 43m out, 4h 23m walking · 2.0 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
21 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (22)
A scenic cascade midway along the section of Dick's Creek that we hiked. Today's Hikers (L-R) Back: Gerald, Jenny, Matt, Jack, Ken & Vic. Front: Paul, Ken, Claudia, & Mike Jack has a story to tell at the trailhead. A nice start at Farmers Bottom, but no large kiosk anymore. The Middle Fork of the Broad River is a bit lazy at the start of the hike. First sighted wildflowers: Left: Lyre-leaf Sage; UR : Lobed Tickseed Coreopsis; LR:Nettleleaf Sage Passing through the controlled burn area early in the hike. Stoneroot. A first time sighting for many of us. A couple of examples of Catesby's Trillium. One was almost a raspberry color. Clockwise from 10 O'clock: Rue-anemone; Daisy Fleabane; Green and Gold & Dwarf Crested Iris Remnants of an old still. Imagine that! Jack headed up a short hill. Nice trail. So many wildflowers. From 10 O'clock: Pussy-toes; Yellow Star Grass; Blue-eyed Grass & Wild Geranium. Blooming shrubs too: From top: Mountain Laurel, Sweet Shrub & Leucothoe/Dog-hobble More of the Middle Fork of the Broad River. Turning north, Dick's Creek is more exciting with numerous rapids and cascades along our hike. But the most excitement today was the Black Rat Snake warming itself across the trail, then moving up some nearby brush. Quite an acrobat. We stopped at a rock outcropping in Dick's Creek for lunch. Just really nice. Looking downstream on Dick's Creek at our lunch spot at High Shoals.. Going to be a lot of frogs at this spot. A Jack in the Pulpit spotted on our return leg. Almost forgot these Foam Flowers which were in abundance along most of the trail.