Eric and I have been talking about going to Wigg's Meadow for blueberries over Labor Day weekend. We are thinking Sunday, August 31st. Below is Eric's description of the place - it sounds like great fun. Please plan on joining us! Post a comment if you would like to come so we can plan our carpooling situation.
The place where the blueberries are is called Wiggs Meadow. The time to go is Labor Day weekend. I don't think a lot of people go there but I am sure the Sunday or Monday would be better. From Cohutta you need to allow 3 hours. From here, go north on highway 411 to Etowah, turn right onto highway 310, that meets 39 and goes to Tellico Plains. Turn right onto 68 and go a little bit and turn left onto 165, the Cherohala Parkway. After a while, you will cross the TN/NC state border, cross the first bridge and take the first road to the left immediately after the bridge and go from there.
Keep this in mind, the meadow is at over 5000' elevation and will be considerably colder. You kind of feel like you have left in September and time warped to December. There are no guarantees at all on the amount of blueberries available, but there are hundreds of very large bushes there way taller than a person. There will also be people there conducting bird surveys on the birds that migrate thru. They are always very nice and may even let you help. I have never had a problem taking pictures of them and the birds. Weather is unpredictable, so bring rain gear.
Leif, Shaloy, Laura, Lori and I had fresh blueberry pancakes there. I would like to do that again. Depending on the number of people going, we may have to take several stoves. Other foods for breakfast would be great as well. We need to take as few vehicles as possible because the parking spot is very small.
I suggest leaving early because of the distance and we can also go to Joyce Kilmer State Park, which is about 15 - 20 miles further East. If you are not familiar with that place, it is the only place around that has virgin timber. The trees are huge. I can assure you it is well worth the trip, especially if you like big trees.
2 comments:
Dan and I will definitely plan on coming. We don't know about camping on Saturday night, but maybe. We are both looking forward to it!
Shaloy & I had a great time, the last time we went. The berries were fun, the scenery is fantastic, and getting to visit with the folks counting/tagging birds is super cool. If you haven't been to Joyce Kilmer forrest and seen the huge old growth trees, , that is also something special.
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