Description: This is a joint outing for TNPS and TCWP. The walk is scheduled in hope of catching spreading pogonia (Cleistes bifaria) and prairie lily (Lilium philadelphicum) in flower. They are both beautiful, the orchid in a subtle way and the lily in a very showy way. We should see a variety of flowers as we walk open area, powerline, and forested area with streams and rock formations. After the main walk there is a quality wetland that can be visited. Attendees can choose a shuttle or walking the whole loop using a road walk portion. As always there is the option of turning back early. If covid prevents a shuttle, we will do an In-and-back-out or complete the loop.

Meeting Places/Times:

1. Marathon Gas Station at the Crab Orchard exit off I-40 east of Crossville (9 AM central time, 10 AM eastern time)
2. Oak Ridge at the Gold’s Gym/Books-A-Million parking lot (meet at the end close to S. Illinois Avenue, near Salsarita’s) in time to leave Oak Ridge at 8:45 a.m. Eastern

Difficulty: Estimated 3 miles for those doing the shuttle and 4.5 for those walking the loop. The powerline part of the walk is the same as some of us did last fall. The flowers of course will be totally different. The trail up the powerline is steep in places.

Lunch: Bring water, lunch, and bug spray

Facilities: At meeting places

Leader: Larry Pounds. If you RSVP it helps with planning and allows contacting in case of cancellation, Phone/email: 865-705-8516, PoundsL471@aol.com