If you want to add spring mountain specialties to your NC list, this just might be your chance. Our local Asheville-area butterflying group will take you to our hotspots for Silvery Blues, Cobweb Skippers, Mottled Duskywings, Olympia Marbles, Hairstreaks, Elfins, and many others.

Sunday, April 14, we will cover some of the Sandy Mush Game Lands in Buncombe County. On Monday, April 15, we will be in the Hot Springs area of Madison County. Total species seen should be about 40.

Be aware that we will walk about 4 miles in Sandy Mush. Both Bear Creek and Cedar Hill areas are hilly and a mile in and a mile back out. We drive between gated areas. It can be very muddy. Hiking poles recommended. All areas of Hot Springs are mostly flat on dirt roads and in meadows.

Of course, weather is very dicey this time of year. By Thursday, April 11, I should know if the trip needs postponing due to rain. Rain dates will be two consecutive days between April 15 and 19, chosen by the best forecast.

If we are able to keep the dates of April 14/15, anyone wanting to drive up Saturday may find some butterfly action on the Blue Ridge Parkway or around the NC Arboretum. Sandy Mush is 20 – 35 min. from exit 19 off I-26 west in Weaverville, our morning meeting place for those staying nearby; Hot Springs is 45 min. from Weaverville. There is a Days Inn at exit 23 off I-26. There are also B&Bs in both Weaverville and Hot Springs. Pete Dixon has cabins for rent on his farm, which is one of our sites to visit in Hot Springs. I can send further info to anyone interested.

Please contact Gail Lankford (see below) if you have questions, or to sign up for the outing. I will need to know who to expect by April 10. There will be an agreement to sign for this trip. You must agree to never collect or harm any species at any site we visit, and agree that you will not reveal the specific sites containing the Cobweb Skippers or the small population of Olympia Marbles to anyone in the future.

Gail Lankford
[email protected], 828-645-4690 (land line; no text)