# Great Smoky Mountains — April 2024

2024-04-26 · Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC

[Read the journal with daily maps](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-smokies-2024)

<!-- Intro: a few sentences about the trip. -->
## Day 1 · April 26

<!-- Day notes go here. -->

**Approx. distance:** about 12 miles.

<!-- Camp: -->

**Observed:** [woodland stonecrop](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211137335), [American alumroot](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211137326), [Umbrella-leaf](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211137325), [Barometer Earthstars](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211137331), [Solomon's plume](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211137346), [meadow-parsnip](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211137602), [painted trillium](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211137351), [Carnivorans](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211137584), [Beech Rooter](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211137590), [Two-leaved Toothwort](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140491), [Triodopsinae](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140493), [hemlock varnish shelf](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140555), [Hooked buttercup](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140569), [Lettuceleaf Saxifrage](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140570), [wide leek](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140617), [yellow fairybells](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140601), [Dutchman's breeches](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140663), [Eubotrys](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140633), [Artist's Brackets, Reishi, and Allies](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140647), [Tree Lungwort](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140661), [grasses](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140627), [Thyme-leaved Bluet](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140662), [Red-stemmed Feather Moss](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140664), [Dust Lichens](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140679), [Carolina Springbeauty](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140676), [pixie cup and reindeer lichens](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140684), [greater whipwort](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140683), [pelt lichens](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140693), [Philomycus](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140692).

## Day 2 · April 27

<!-- Day notes go here. -->

**Approx. distance:** about 12 miles.

<!-- Camp: -->

**Observed:** [Mushrooms, Bracket Fungi, Puffballs, and Allies](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140699), [Dark-eyed Junco](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140746), [Glassy Grapeskin](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140712), [turkey-tail](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211251567), [Winding Mantleslug](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140747), [beard lichens](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140705), [Smooth Lungwort](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140730), [fluted bird's nest fungus](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140782), [large white trillium](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140768), [Turk's-cap lily](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140941), [Cosmantha](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140792), [Sepsis punctum](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211250711), [cutleaf coneflower](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140818), [beebalms and bergamots](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140801), [Alexanders](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140878), [Canadian lousewort](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140827), [Muscoid Flies](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211251960), [Two-spotted Bumble Bee](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211250281), [Prionolabis](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211252302), [early meadow-rue](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140854), [Hooked buttercup](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140852), [Mydaea](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211252555), [Western Honey Bee](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211252934), [Milwaukee Mining Bee](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211253609), [wide leek](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140869), [chickweeds](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140920), [trailing arbutus](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140890), [Root-maggot Flies](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211254585), [robin's-plantain](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140905), [Early Tachinid Fly](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211255068), [North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211255383), [Lasioglossum](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211255742), [Duskywings](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211256030), [wood anemone](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140899), [American Black Bear](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211257264), [Eastern Tiger Swallowtail](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211257936), [painted trillium](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140931), [Megalodacne heros](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140955), [Common Gilled Mushrooms and Allies](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211258886), [Agaricineae](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140972), [American Giant Millipede Complex](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211140981), [Tuft-legged Orbweaver](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211259284), [Vasey's trillium](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141002), [showy orchis](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141008), [woodland stonecrop](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141056), [Wapiti](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211260938), [Cambarus](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211193357), [Dusky Salamanders](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211320262), [Crayfishes and Lobsters](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211192996).

## Day 3 · April 28

<!-- Day notes go here. -->

**Approx. distance:** about 18 miles.

<!-- Camp: -->

**Observed:** [pink lady's slipper](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141036), [white oak](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141018), [red maple](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141067), [striped maple](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141082), [Xeromphalina](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211261523), [Dryad's Saddle](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211192687), [Shields](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141123), [Flesh Flies and Satellite Flies](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211262202), [Xylophagus reflectens](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211262493), [Rove Beetles](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211263297), [Twenty-spotted Lady Beetle](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211263898), [Crescents](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211264362), [Eastern Yellowjacket](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211265476), [Nomad Bees](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211265173), [Northern Parula](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211191680), [Red Admiral](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211264643), [wood anemone](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211182017), [Solomon's plume](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141173), [Purple Phacelia](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211184591), [northern maidenhair fern](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211184631), [Athyrium sect. Athyrium](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211184610), [black cohosh](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141149), [twoleaf miterwort](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141115), [catchweed bedstraw](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141169), [balsams](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141171), [wood nettle](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141163), [Dusky Salamanders](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211267136), [dwarf crested iris](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141176), [basswood](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211141178), [Cephaloon ungulare](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211266560), [Scarlet-bordered Assassin Bug](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211267659).