4/14/2009
The Show-Me-Hike at Greenbrier State Forest has been a spring perennial for 45 years, beginning in 1965. This year the annual event includes an evening program on April 24 and the Show-Me-Hike itself on Saturday, April 25.
“All tours are geared for fun, the love of nature, and an opportunity to see and identify common wildflowers,” according to Jeff Layfield, superintendent at Greenbrier State Forest. The program is sponsored by the Old White Garden Club and Greenbrier State Forest. The 2008 event identified 143 spring flowers and some not-so-common spring flowering plants in bloom, exceeding the old record of 137 blooming species. “All tours and the hike pace are geared for all ages and are not considered difficult,” according to Layfield. Dress for a day with nature. Bring a picnic lunch. The event does not cancel if there is rain. For more details, call (304) 536-1944 or visit www.greenbriersf.com and view the event flier.
Event Details
Friday, April 24 – 7:30 p.m.
· In Celebration of Our Areas Wide Diversity of Plant & Animal Life
Enjoy some evening refreshments — coffee and dessert, and this year’s program presented by Biologist and Naturalist Steve Adams of Hot Springs, Virginia, in the Ware Room, White Sulphur Springs Civic Center, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Saturday, April 25
· Charlie’s Bird Walk – 9 a.m.
Our knowledgeable bird leader begins the walk from the entrance to the Cabin area located approximately one mile on the right from the Main Office of Greenbrier State Forest located at Caldwell; one mile south of I-64, exit 175, on Hart’s Run Road.
The Show-Me-Hikes
Meet guides at the Main Picnic Shelter of Greenbrier State, located approximately 1.5 miles on the left from the Main Office. Pick up a Spring Wildflower check list, sip a cup of gourmet coffee and select from tours through Greenbrier State Forest, over Kate’s Mountain, or along the Greenbrier River Trail.
All Day Tours - 10 am to 4 p.m. (or thereabouts)
· Greenbrier River Trail: A tour along Greenbrier River Trail. Return around 4 p.m.
· Kate’s Mountain Tour: This hiker’s hike begins from the Picnic Shelter, goes up Young’s Nature Trail, along Kate’s Mountain Road, down along Rocky Ridge Trail and returns to the picnic shelter by approximately 4 p.m. Bring your picnic lunch for a picnic at Kate’s Mountain Picnic area.
Morning Tours - 10 a.m. to noon
· Black Bear Tour: A moderately difficult hike with a good diversity of wildflowers. Leave your picnic lunch in the cooler as the tour returns for lunch at the picnic shelter.
· Mabel Dowdy Trail: An easy, short walk with several spring wildflowers to view along parts of Mabel Dowdy, Black Bear, Old Roads, and the YCC Exercise Trails. Leave you picnic lunch in the cooler as the tour returns to the picnic shelter by lunch time.
Afternoon Tours - 1:30 to around 4 p.m.
· Shale Barren Tour: An afternoon van tour across Kate’s Mountain to seek out plants specifically endemic to shale barrens -- Kate’s Mountain Clover, Leather Flower, and Bird’s Foot Violet.
· Mabel Dowdy Trail: An easy, afternoon tour with several spring wildflowers to view along parts of Mabel Dowdy, Black Bear, Old Roads, and the YCC Exercise Trails.
Contact Information
Jay Layfield
304-536-1944
jefflayfield@wvdnr.gov