During Kathryn’s internship, we hiked through the Cherokee National Forest, finding Benton Falls and then following the Clemmer Trail (check out her photos through the link). It was certainly one of the most “adventurous” outings we had. Our trip was around six miles, and as we approached mile four, we were joined by a nasty thunderstorm. We became instantly soaked, strong winds seemed to shake the entire forest, the lightning was too close for comfort, and the thunder roared from both sides of the trail... only two miles left! Needless to say, we made it through safely, leaving with a renewed respect for nature. As we were driving back up to the trailhead, we saw a black bear crossing the road (luckily not on the trail with us). This tree was found at one of the overlook areas near the trailhead, and it has a lovely view of the Ocoee River! Looking back, this may have been my favorite trip of the summer.
Interesting Note: Black walnuts are allelopathic, which means they release a chemical (juglone) that is harmful to nearby plants; this allows the tree to gain a competitive advantage. These conduits of chemical warfare defend their territory from any oncoming plants looking for a share of their resources. Basically, the black walnut is a badass in the plant world.