May 25, 2021
Bartram Trail / Scaly Mountain Trail
A very good day for a hike with mostly clear skies, moderate temperatures between 65-75°F and an occasional light breeze. The trail was in generally dry condition, but does show it is well used with loose rock throughout most of the trail and a narrow path. Its a continue climb to the top of Scaly Mountain with several overlooks near the top. Visibility was limited today with hazy skies, but still nice views. Lots of wild flowers throughout the hike with trillium everywhere, but most were in their last days of blooming. The highlight of the hike for those hiking past the peak is the large, solitary Pink Lady Slipper which has greeted us on every hike this time of the year.
The route
4.2 mi · 1,220 ft climbing · 4h 10m out, 3h 7m walking · 1.3 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%
One photo is shown on the map where it was taken — click it to see it full size.
Photos (42)
The prize today: A solo, very large Pink Lady Slipper Today's Hikers (L-R): Dick, Jenny, Ray, Patti, Trushna, Lynn, Gary, Edwin, Jim, Vic & Mike Indian Physic : Bowman's Root Venus Pride (Houstonia purpurea) Vasey's Trillium (Trillium vaseyi) Yep! That's me with small falls just off the trail. Small falls off the trail. Nice bridge crossing stream feeding small falls Unknown plant about to bloom. . . . anybody? Violet, Primrose-leaved (Viola primulifolia) Cinnamon (Osmunda cinnamomea) White Clintonia (Clintonia umbellulata) Unknown plant with "arrow leaves" . . . anybody? False Solomon's Seal (Maianthemum racemosum) Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum biflorum) Unknown Plant but given the name, "Coronavirus Puff Ball" Buttercup perhaps? Wood Betony / Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis) Nice arrangement of Daisy Fleabane among New York Ferns Saxifrage, Michaux's (Saxifraga michauxii) Squaw Root (Conopholis americana) View to the southwest from approach to Scaly Mountain Squaw Root (Conopholis americana) - best of worst photos Another view of the valley to the southwest of Scaly Moutain - hazy day! Bluet (Houstonia serpyllifolia) Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) Catesby's Trillium(Trillium catesbaei) Red Chokeberry (Photinia pyrifolia) Beautiful colors and form of Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) at the top of Scaly Mountain Fading bloom of White Trillium "Stinking Benjamin" (Trillium erectum) Hazy view to the southwest from Scaly Mountain Typical trail conditions half way up Scaly Mountain showing heavy use Blueberries still in bloom on top of Scaly Mountain Rattlesnake Weed (Hieracium venosum) Catawba Rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense) Another Red Chokeberry Early Buttercup (Ranunculus fascicularis) Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) Lunch time Up we go! Amazing how this tree survives! Great views from Scaly Mountain