karenr111354
07-05-2011, 08:02 PM
FOREST ROAD 74 in BARNARDSVILLE, NC
Info provided by Nancy Baldwin Asheville Region
(from scouting trip on July 2, 2011)
DIRECTIONS:
Take 240W to future I-26W toward Weaverville.
Exit Barnardsville (Exit 15) Takes about 15 minutes from Asheville.
Turn right at bottom of exit ramp toward Barnardsville (Route 197N). Travel about 5 miles to Dillingham Road on R.
Travel Dillingham Rd. for 5 more miles. The scenery of the mountains is lovely - small farms and pastures. Dillingham Rd becomes a gravel road. You will see a sign which says "74 Nat. Forest." Cross the small cement bridge just after the road becomes gravel (and probably see a lot of dark butterflies on the road).
FEATURES:
Mostly, if not all, are Pipevine Swallowtails with a few light blue small Summer Azure butterflies. There used to be a parking area to the right a little ways on but is no longer available. I would suggest that if only a few cars wish to meet that you pull over and park on the left side of road before or just after passing over the small bridge to wait for fellow photographers. Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) is just starting to bloom around the bridge.
Another possibility is to turn right onto a dirt road right after the area which used to be available for parking. This will take you to the designated picnic area which I did not explore. The sunlight is quite dappled all Forest Rd 74 for the next 9-10 miles. In patches of sunlight you will find red flowers of the Bee Balm (Monarda dityma) along with white flowers of the Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron sp.), and Flowering raspberry (Rhubus odorata). In the shade there will be lots of wild Hydrangea blooming white. The Goatsbeard (Arucus) is over. Yellowed flowered bloomstalks remain. There is a rock face on the left used for rappelling practice. There are still 2 small waterfalls at the turn of the road on the left. They were tumbling nicely yesterday. Where horses have dropped their offerings, you might find butterflies clustered (or solo) sipping the sweet remains. I took a photo of a fresh Eastern Tiger Swallowtail at work on one plop. When a butterfly is so engaged it is easy to photograph. Rhododenron maxima is fading fast.
At the end of the 9-10 mile stretch of gravel road is a parking area for the 1/2 mile walk to the falls. Dont wear flip flops as there are wet rocks and roots to traverse. The path is quite nice however. I saw only one wild flower on my walk to the falls. I was glad to see Downy Foxglove (Aurelaria virginica) one place along the path. Its yellow buds will be open in a week.
The falls was quite active not just a dribble as on one past occasion. It comes straight down from a height. I arrived there about was 3 pm and the water droplets had sunlight reflecting from them. Lots of large rocks at the base of the falls.
It is more exciting in May when more wild flowers are blooming but a nice June outing is pleasant.
Cheers, Nancy
Info provided by Nancy Baldwin Asheville Region
(from scouting trip on July 2, 2011)
DIRECTIONS:
Take 240W to future I-26W toward Weaverville.
Exit Barnardsville (Exit 15) Takes about 15 minutes from Asheville.
Turn right at bottom of exit ramp toward Barnardsville (Route 197N). Travel about 5 miles to Dillingham Road on R.
Travel Dillingham Rd. for 5 more miles. The scenery of the mountains is lovely - small farms and pastures. Dillingham Rd becomes a gravel road. You will see a sign which says "74 Nat. Forest." Cross the small cement bridge just after the road becomes gravel (and probably see a lot of dark butterflies on the road).
FEATURES:
Mostly, if not all, are Pipevine Swallowtails with a few light blue small Summer Azure butterflies. There used to be a parking area to the right a little ways on but is no longer available. I would suggest that if only a few cars wish to meet that you pull over and park on the left side of road before or just after passing over the small bridge to wait for fellow photographers. Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) is just starting to bloom around the bridge.
Another possibility is to turn right onto a dirt road right after the area which used to be available for parking. This will take you to the designated picnic area which I did not explore. The sunlight is quite dappled all Forest Rd 74 for the next 9-10 miles. In patches of sunlight you will find red flowers of the Bee Balm (Monarda dityma) along with white flowers of the Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron sp.), and Flowering raspberry (Rhubus odorata). In the shade there will be lots of wild Hydrangea blooming white. The Goatsbeard (Arucus) is over. Yellowed flowered bloomstalks remain. There is a rock face on the left used for rappelling practice. There are still 2 small waterfalls at the turn of the road on the left. They were tumbling nicely yesterday. Where horses have dropped their offerings, you might find butterflies clustered (or solo) sipping the sweet remains. I took a photo of a fresh Eastern Tiger Swallowtail at work on one plop. When a butterfly is so engaged it is easy to photograph. Rhododenron maxima is fading fast.
At the end of the 9-10 mile stretch of gravel road is a parking area for the 1/2 mile walk to the falls. Dont wear flip flops as there are wet rocks and roots to traverse. The path is quite nice however. I saw only one wild flower on my walk to the falls. I was glad to see Downy Foxglove (Aurelaria virginica) one place along the path. Its yellow buds will be open in a week.
The falls was quite active not just a dribble as on one past occasion. It comes straight down from a height. I arrived there about was 3 pm and the water droplets had sunlight reflecting from them. Lots of large rocks at the base of the falls.
It is more exciting in May when more wild flowers are blooming but a nice June outing is pleasant.
Cheers, Nancy