Hike the Twin Arches Trail at Big South Fork

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Saturday, July 31 2010, 10:00am

Hike the Twin Arches Trail at Big South Fork (BSFRRA) to view the endangered Cumberland sandwort and other rockshelter species. We will hike the 1.4 mile loop trail that goes around the arches and also hike a short out and back portion of the Twin Arches Loop Trail that goes in and out of several rockshelters for another 1.4 miles (2.8 miles total hike, rated moderate). These arches form the largest natural bridge complex known in Tennessee and represent one of the world’s largest such complexes. The two sandstone arches are situated end-to-end, and are commonly referred to as the North and South Arches. The tops of the arches support vegetation adapted to dry conditions and include a mixed pine-oak-heath community, a fragile moss-lichen community and sandstone barrens scattered along the top of the gorge bluffs that support populations of needlegrass, little bluestem, and blazing star. The vegetation appears stunted because of the harsh conditions related to rock outcropping and shallow soil. The vegetative cover on top of the plateau along the trail from the parking area to the arches is dominated by scarlet oak along with other oaks, hickories and pines. The river gorges provide ample site conditions to support rich mixed-mesophytic forest communities below the bluffs containing such species as yellow poplar, eastern hemlock, sugar maple, red oak, magnolias, basswood, yellow buckeye and rhododendron. In the protected environment of some rock shelters, growing in the sand, are a number of rare species, such as Cumberland sandwort and Lucy Braun’s white snakeroot. Only a few other plant species regularly grow in these habitats. If it rains (thunderstorms), we won’t go, so you must reserve a space and provide a way to contact you in case of cancellation. If you RSVP for a space on the hike, you must commit to come or cancel by the RSVP date. Please don’t take a space away from someone who wants to be there! Bring a lunch, water and sturdy boots.

Location : Twin Arches Trail at Big South Fork in Tennessee
Contact : Andrea Bishop (615)741-9141, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Date: Saturday, July 31, 2010 Time: 10:00 a.m. eastern Reservations: Reservations required and space is limited to 20 people. Contact Andrea Bishop (615)741-9141, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Wednesday Jul

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