My second day of the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage was a hike beginning at Newfound Gap, out a mile of so on the AT, a left turn on the Boulevard Trail, down Alum Cave Trail with a detour to the Jump Off. It was a very cold start, just about freezing. As the day wore on, the temps kept rising until it was hot. We were led by a couple UT botany grads. One is teaching at UT and other in Virginia. Due to the length of the hike, we didn't stop often to look at vegetation. That pace made it difficult for a few folks to maintain the pace. Finally on the last ascent up LeConte, there was a quiet revolt and the group split for a time, but regrouped at the top. Along the way, we visited the Jump Off, a great view of Charlie's Bunion and the Greenbriar valley.
The hike down Alum Cave Trail went quickly. We saw the remnents of what appeared to be a Falcon's lunch - a half eaten bird. It also appeared a recent rock fall had occurred at the bluffs as there were fallen rocks with still living vegetation on them.
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