What’s Hiding in North Carolina’s Ancient Forests?

Exploring two very different worlds in the mountains of Western North Carolina, from the towering old-growth trees of Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to the sweeping mountain balds of Huckleberry Knob along the Cherohala Skyway. In this Hiram's Expeditions Field Log, I'm hiking through the Southern Appalachians, discovering ancient forests, mountain wildlife, wildflowers, and the natural processes that make these landscapes so remarkable. The adventure begins at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest in Nantahala National Forest, home to some of the Southeast's most impressive surviving old-growth trees. Following the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop Trail along Little Santeetlah Creek, wandering beneath enormous tulip poplars, some centuries old, while exploring the rich biodiversity of this Appalachian forest. Along the way, I encounter mountain laurel, eastern hemlock, American chestnut, native wildflowers, fungi, and an eastern black racer. Each offers a glimpse into the ecological relationships and natural history of these mountains. The surrounding landscape also bears evidence of the 2016 Maple Springs Fire, which burned thousands of acres near the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness. Fire-scarred slopes and recovering vegetation provide an opportunity to explore forest succession, ecological disturbance, and how Appalachian ecosystems change over time. After leaving the forest, and receiving a brief word from today's completely legitimate sponsor, Truck Towel, I stop at Maple Springs Overlook before continuing along the Cherohala Skyway toward Huckleberry Knob. At approximately 5,560 feet, Huckleberry Knob is the highest summit in the Unicoi Mountains. The hike crosses open grassy mountain balds with panoramic views of the Southern Appalachians, a remarkable contrast to the dense old-growth forest below. Here, the landscape changes dramatically. Instead of towering trees, there are open mountain meadows, wildflowers, butterflies, and distant ridgelines. Along the trail, I encounter orange jewelweed, bottle gentian, sulphur butterflies, and a pipevine swallowtail. There may also have been a copperhead. It was a stick. From centuries-old forests and recovering wildfire landscapes to high-elevation mountain balds, this expedition offers an interesting look at how elevation, climate, geology, and ecology influence the natural world around us. What begins as a couple of hikes becomes an opportunity to discover the connections between these different environments and the processes that have shaped the Appalachian Mountains over millions of years. The day ends at Spirit Ridge Overlook, with one final look across the mountains before returning toward Lake Santeetlah. As always, there wasn't much of an agenda beyond getting outside, exploring somewhere interesting, and following whatever caught my attention. This is Part One of a four-part Western North Carolina expedition exploring the mountains, rivers, waterfalls, forests, and wilderness of the Southern Appalachians. *FEATURED LOCATIONS:* Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Little Santeetlah Creek Maple Springs Overlook Cherohala Skyway Oak Knob Huckleberry Knob Spirit Ridge Overlook Nantahala National Forest Graham County, North Carolina *ABOUT HIRAM'S EXPEDITIONS* Hiram's Expeditions is an independent outdoor exploration and natural history series about discovering what makes a place the way it is. From Appalachian forests and mountain rivers to remote deserts, ancient geological formations, and rugged coastlines, I explore the landscapes around us through adventure, photography, science, and curiosity. Along the way, I explore everything from geology and wildlife to ecology, water chemistry, engineering, geography, and human history, sharing the interesting connections and unexpected discoveries that make each place unique. This isn't a classroom. It's about getting outside, discovering interesting places, asking questions, and understanding a little more about the world along the way. *Exploring the world and understanding what makes it work.* #JoyceKilmer #HuckleberryKnob #CherohalaSkyway #NorthCarolina #HiramsExpeditions