Warwoman Dell

This week we explored the 1.1-mile nature trail at Warwoman Dell in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Rabun County. I had heard of this trail for many years, and I'm scheduled to lead a walk there for the Georgia Botanical Society, so it was time for a visit. Other hikes can be done from the same parking lot so it is a good place for an afternoon (and they recently added a nice port-a-potty).

Yellow buckeye (Aesculus flava) in parking area

We were in the area for a talk at Foxfire in Mountain City as part of their Native Plant Weekend (they have beautiful trails as well). Warwoman Dell is not far from there, and we were the sole hikers when we arrived after a late lunch in Clayton. It was in the mid-80's but the forest was pleasantly cool as we followed a stream to the waterfall. The area is rich in native vegetation but there is a bit of exotic vinca (!) that has infested the area closest to parking, and there was plenty of wineberry along the path (a bristly exotic relative of blackberry, Rubus phoenicolasius).

Dobhobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana)

Trillium vaseyi with two violet species below:
Viola rotundifolia and Viola hastata

The path was lush with vegetation (including poison ivy so be careful). Blooming things included foamflower (Tiarella sp.), Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum), Solomon's plume (Maianthemum racemosum), rue anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides), Vasey's trillium (Trillium vaseyi), Indian cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana), Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), yellow meadow-parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum), and mountain doghobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana). Yet to bloom were shrubs like cinnamon clethra (Clethra acuminata), mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), great laurel (Rhododendron maximum), and witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). The moistness of the area was certainly reflected in the plant community: northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin) was quite abundant but had finished blooming and jumpseed (Persicaria virginiana) lined much of the path. 

Solomon's plume (Maianthemum racemosum)

Meadow-parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum)

Ferns added to the lush feel and included Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), lady fern (Athyrium asplenioides), broad beech fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera), rattlesnake fern (Botrypus virginianus), and northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum).

Northern maidenhair fern

I was thrilled to spy a couple of blooms on the yellow buckeye trees (Aesculus flava). Mountain basswood (Tilia americana var. heterophylla), Fraser's magnolia (Magnolia fraseri), and birch (perhaps Betula allegheniensis) are part of the community but not blooming. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) was there, including one huge one. Several huge old stumps remain in the area, and we made a guess that they might be old chestnuts. Buffalo-nut (Pyrularia pubera) was just starting to form flowers in the parking area.

A waterfall awaits you at the furthest point of the loop