Wildflower Walks Hikes: North Carolina Mountains [Paperback]

JIM PARHAM grew up North Georgia. The author of numerous outdoor guidebooks, he has hiked, biked, and paddled extensively throughout the Southeast.Veteran outdoor author Jim Parham recommends 59 excursions to help you find native wildflowers in bloom at any time of year in the North Carolina Mountains. Hikes range from .03 to 13 miles, and the guide includes reference sections for flower identification, preferred habitats, and a bloom calendar. Over 300 color photos, with destinations including Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests, DuPont State Forest, the Appalachian Trail, and more.Find wildflowers at their peak in the North Carolina mountainsParticularly rich in trails that aren't commonly covered, especially in the southwestern mountains near Nantahala Gorge, Standing Indian, Highlands, Pisgah Forest, Joyce Kilmer, and DuPont State Forest. . . . Parham's delineation [of] forest types that make the Southern Appalachians so biologically diverse permits easier flower identification by season and drives trail choices in ecosystems as varied as rich cove forests, grassy balds, spruce-fir zones, and more.The perfect regional guide to finding wildflowers in their natural surroundings and for planning a great hike or quiet walk in a beautiful place. The inviting format, sound advice and friendly tone will mean successful ventures for many of us in the outdoors. The book is certain to spark an interest in visiting the botanically rich southern Appalachians.The North Carolina mountains are one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world, so when outdoor author Jim Parham decided to write a guide to the wealth of blooms there, he had his work cut out for him. Included in his book are 59 different hiking routes, habitat descriptions, tips on peak bloom periods, and a wildflower identification checklist. You might end up on top of a grassy bald or gazing at a waterfall, but one goal remains: FindlSA