Spring Ephemerals (and more!) in The Globe (Thunderhole Road)

Come out and see spring ephemerals and other spring wildflowers with us along Thunderhole Road in Pisgah National Forest.

Saturday, April 18, 2026; Rain date Sunday, April 19 Same time and location

10AM to 2:00PM

Parking is limited; we will shuttle from Blowing Rock Outlet Mall (Shoppes on the Parkway) at 9:30AM  https://www.shoppesontheparkway.com/

Join us for an easy out and back hike along Forest Service Road 4071 (Thunderhole Road) in Pisgah National Forest.  There will be a diverse array of spring ephemeral wildflowers to appreciate, as well as several invasive species to observe and discuss.  For those who don’t mind getting their feet wet, hike leader John Dwyer will return back on the Thunderhole Creek Trail, crossing the creek several times before climbing back up to the road.  The trail involves several wet-foot crossings.  Poison ivy and stinging nettle are present along this trail, so long pants are recommended. Trekking poles may be useful if choosing to hike the trail back. Alternatively, participants can walk the road back.  Dress for the weather and  terrain and pack water and food.   Total hike distance is 4.9 miles along the road, 4.3 miles along the trail.

We will meet at the southeast corner of the parking lot at Shoppes on the Parkway  at 9:00AM and depart for the trailhead at 9;30AM. https://www.shoppesontheparkway.com/  Depending on the number of participants, we my need additional drivers willing to shuttle hikers the 4.5 miles to the trailhead.  Four Wheel Drive is not required but the gravel road can be washboarded in some spots.

Refer to this website if it looks like we will need to move to the rain date of Sunday, April 19.

Pre-registration is not required.