Synchronous fireflies/Rhodo Blooms/Accomodations

Hi all,

I understand the synchronous fireflies are expected to put on their ';show'; 6/6-6/14 this year. We were planning on coming 6/20-6/27. How does it work, is there likely to be much synchronous firefly activity that late in June, or apt to be all over? Also, are we likely to still see some of the Catawba Rhodos and Flame Azaleas anywhere near Asheville or the Smoky Mountains as we will be visiting both. Regarding accomodations, does anyone have any feedback on Cumberland Falls, Richmond Hill Inn, 1900 Montford Inn or other Inns/B%26amp;Bs in Asheville, or Dry Ridge Inn in Weaverville (in case we stay just outside Asheville) Folkestone Inn or Hemlock Inn in Bryson City? You have all been so helpful in the past and the reason you%26#39;ve still not seen a trip report from me on N.C. is that N.C, for some reason has become the ';holy grail'; for us in that we keep planning trips there but still haven%26#39;t made it for various reasons that keep cropping up! This time we just might do it! Thanks again!

Synchronous fireflies/Rhodo Blooms/Accomodations

The best place in the world to see unbelievable display of flame azalea is the trail to Andrew Bald in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Go for it and you won%26#39;t regret. You should still see some Catawba Rhododendrons blooming along Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Falls and Rhododendron Gardens.

www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/fireflies.htm

www.nps.gov/grsm/parknews/firefly-09.htm

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60742-i251-k19820…

Synchronous fireflies/Rhodo Blooms/Accomodations

The warm wet weather produced a great but early firefly mating season in Elkmont ..the synchronized show is this week and you can get there only by riding the park-and-ride shuttle. It may be over by the time you get here.

Likewise, late June is late for the native rhodo or azalea blooms, even at very high elevations...they are okay right now now but past their peak.

Richmond Hill Inn burned down in a fire this spring. There are reviews here on the other B%26amp;B%26#39;s you mentioned . Sourwood Inn NE of Asheville is also nice for a remote location with scenic views; Secret Garden Inn and Spa in Weaverville is hidden in the middle of that small town and is very romantic and has very good spa services.

Well, thanks again for your help Places and Mangonboat. But, it seems like once again I %26#39;ve missed the peak of the things we wanted to see most coming for a Spring/Summer trip! Maybe it makes sense to wait until next Spring and be sure to plan earlier in June for fireflies and Catawba Rhodos. It%26#39;s just weird that we never get there for one reason or another! This year this was the only time we could get for now.Guess I should book the much longed for foliage trip now! But just in case, Places, it does seem like the Flame Azalea blooms late June on the places you mentioned or is their peak be earlier this year too? Do you have to hike a long way to Andrew Bald and Gregory Bald? Can you drive and hike part way? Thanks so much.

I would call Elkmont campground the day before leaving and ask if people are still seeing the fireflies and how far in you have to walk. Since the trolleys will not be running by then, you can drive there yourself.

Hello Gardeniafairy, I hiked yesterday on Blue Ridge Parkway and it seems rhododendrons and azaleas are blooming much earlier this season, I think because all rains here in the mountains of NC. The forest road was so muddy I had to turn around and went on another trial but there were more wildflowers which I usually don%26#39;t see in June.

I heard Flame Azaleas on Andrews Bald are almost done. The trail to Andrews Bald is an easy hike less than 4 miles round trip but Gregory Bald is another story. It is a long about 18 miles round trip and challenging in places. Most hikers camp overnight. There is no way to drive up closer to Gregory Bald. For Andrews Bald the trailhead is at the end of Clingmans Dome Road but you still need to hike 4 miles. If you ever want to see profusion of wildflowers in the end of April or begining of May I can tell you about a couple of places where you don%26#39;t have to hike this far.

If you are coming on June 20th you should visit Roan Mountain. It is about 2 hours northeast of Asheville near Bakersviile. It has the largest rhododenrun gardens in the world. It is quite breathtaking. You will be there at full bloom on June 20th. Here is some info.

http://www.roanmountain.com/gardens.htm

Don%26#39;t hold your breath about Roan Mountain this year. Too much rain.

Don%26#39;t hold your breath about Roan Mountain this year. Too much rain.

Places and Jaded24Fan, thank you for your insight and taking the time to help me. I guess once again I have missed the prime window! The site you sent looks gorgeous Jaded24Fan, but from what Places said and what I %26#39;ve heard about other spots in the area, they probably did bloom early due to those heavy rains. I%26#39;ll call the number on their website Monday just to verify, but it looks like I won%26#39;t make it again this season. However, reagrding a fall foliage trip to Asheville and the GSMNP, I think I%26#39;ll try to do something I rarely seem to be able to do----plan way ahead! Thanks again.