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Hike Description:
Join TN Valley Wild Ones members and hike leader, Zach Irick, for a unique wildflower and rare plant exploration at Rock Island State Park, in Rock Island, Tennessee. Rock Island State Park is within the Eastern Highland Rim, along the Caney Fork River, and contains one of the rarest of all ecosystems. This is the best remaining example of a limestone riverscour, within a small length of river gorge between two impoundments. It is a remnant of a once more extensive river course scour habitat which is in now mostly underwater. Effectively the last of already globally rare habitat, this now critically endangered ecosystem is nearly all that remains of the limestone riverscour, which is just downstream of the Great Falls dam and just upstream of Twin Falls. It is a unique glade-grassland feature that is only kept from returning to shrub and woodland by heavy riverscour during frequent flooding events historically. It now relies upon dam releases and occasional flash floods to serve the same purpose in keeping soil from accumulating on the bare limestone rock base of the river gorge. Our exploration will start down some steep initial stairs, then opens up to unique cliffs, cracks and crevices, pits, pools, rock formations and waterfalls along the river. There is potential for water releases on short notice, and alternate trails will be available at the park or nearby if this spoils our plans. We will view unique plants in their natural habitat, several of which are rare or endemics. Recently, this area was the subject of botanical inventory by SGI. They encountered many plant species of conservation interest, such as Pringle’s aster, maidenbush, white prairie clover, Cumberland leatherflower, shining bluestar, stiff-leaved goldenrod, Carolina willow, interior bushy St Johnswort and an undescribed dwarf species of big bluestem and many others. Riverscours only allow for deposits of soil in cracks between bare rock, which favors these and other disturbance dependent species. In addition to its botanical wonders, if you enjoy fossil hunts, or are a butterfly or bird enthusiast, you will be in awe of this site.
Hike Leader: Zach Irick is the Southern Appalachian Grassland ecologist/botanist for Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI), with extensive experience in our region and beyond. He’s an active guide for botanical outings with Wild Ones, SGI, and the GSM Wildflower Pilgrimage, as well as advises and coordinates with the Chattanooga City Parks and others in our region in discovery, restoration and recovery of remnant native grasslands.
Rating: Moderate for a short elevation gain/loss at access trail and some wet and/or uneven rocky terrain.
Distance: 1-2 miles of explorations.
Duration: Approximately 4 hours on site for exploration, photography and discussion.
General waiver. Bring plenty of water, insect repellent, sunscreen, parasol/umbrella +/- poncho depending on the weather, appropriate sturdy boots for uneven rocky surfaces, with some loose gravel or wet surfaces. Hiking poles/stick as needed. Bring snacks and lunch. No pets at any of our Wild Ones hikes, please.
Links: Video link Dr Estes discusses the scour, iNaturalist Rock Island scour species, blog post by SGI |
