Come out and view one of the first plants to emerge in the new year: skunk cabbage

Ready for spring? Come out and view one of the first plants to emerge in the new year: skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus!  Participants can come to just view the emerging plants, or can ramp up their activity level by joining us in a 2.5 mile loop hike up the south slope of Howard’s Knob.

Dress for the weather; the plants grow in the water and mud so waterproof footwear is recommended.

The plants are close to the parking lot, so this outing is appropriate for those who do not want to do a lot of walking, although the terrain is uneven and wet.

Boone United Methodist Church, 471 New market Boulevard, Boone. – Use the parking lot on the left side of the church, all the way to the back; near the Boone United Trail trailhead.

If you would like to extend this outing, join us in hiking up the south slope of Howard’s Knob on the 2.5 mile loop trail.  We probably won’t see much spring plant growth yet, but it is a lovely hardwood forest.  The trail is moderately steep and does cross the stream.  This will add an additional two hours to the outing. Please wear appropriate footwear, dress for the weather and bring water for the hike.

Pre-registration is not required.

DIRECTIONS FROM BOONE

Head southeast on W King St 1.2 mi / Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto New Market Blvd / Destination will be on the left 0.4 mi

+ DIRECTIONS FROM WEST JEFFERSON

West Jefferson, NC / Head south on N Jefferson Ave toward W 2nd St for 1.6 mi. Continue onto US-221 BUS S for 0.1 mi. Turn right onto US-221 S and travel 12.4 mi. Turn right onto US-221 S/US-421 N and travel for 9.0 mi. Turn right onto Jefferson Rd for 0.3 mi. Turn left onto New Market Blvd for .3 mi. Destination will be on the left.