Most people drive the Highland Scenic Highway for the scenery—and rightly
so. There’s not another highway in West Virginia that offers such continuous
vistas. Nevertheless, as the Parkway crosses such high elevations, it creates
and accesses some unique environs for plant communities. Wildflowers and
meadows thrive in the abundant rainfall of the high country. Particularly in
the summer months, I find as much to see and enjoy by the side of the road as
at the vistas. Indeed, it seems as if the entire 23 mile length of the Parkway
is lined with summer wildflowers, both common and rare. It’s like a narrow
garden winding across the summits of the Allegheny Highlands.
TEA CREEK MEADOW
Across from the Little Laurel Overlook north of the Williams River
crossing, lies the Tea Creek Meadow (GPS: Lat. 38.341527, Long. -80.163410).
This 40-acre man-made meadow is composed of fill dirt created by the road cuts
on the Parkway and is chock full of wildflowers all summer long. Early in the
summer, buttercups carpet this gorgeous field in gold. Scattered among the
buttercups are other wildflowers such as yellow goat’s-beard and rough-fruited
cinquefoil.
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| Purple Cone Flower |
In late summer, large patches of crown vetch dot the meadow, along with
purple cone flower, tall bellflower, black-eyed susan, virgin’s bower, field
thistle, and teasel, to name a few. Lovely stands of sweet goldenrod grace the
meadow in September.
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| Sweet Goldenrod |
You can walk among the wildflowers down an easy path mown through the
meadow. The path is part of the Tea Creek Interpretive Trail (TR 489) that runs
the length of the field and then descends the foot of the fill dirt pile into a
small wetland and beaver pond area where a new set of wildflowers grow.
Interpretative signs and benches help educate the mind and rest the weary feet.
The trail loops back up the slope of the fill dirt and onto the flat meadow
where another mown path leads back to the trailhead. The entire trail loop,
probably no more than 0.8 miles, is an easy excursion and well worth it for the
wildflower display.
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| Tea Creek Meadow |
RED LICK OVERLOOK
Continuing to the north end of the Highway, the Red Lick Overlook (GPS:
Lat. 38.309662, Long. -80.137348), the last overlook on the Highway, is a
worthy wildflower stop. In the middle of the parking lot and around the
periphery, some gracious souls have planted a wildflower garden where beauties
abound. Bee balm, tall bellflower, evening primrose, fringed loosestrife, and a
Turk’s cap lily plant flourish in this garden in the wild. The view from the
overlook is pretty sweet, too.
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| Turk's Cap Lily |
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| Bee Balm |
Phyllis and I are eager to explore the Parkway again this year, for we
know that more beautiful wildflowers are just waiting to be found. Whatever
species we discover, a trip along the Parkway in summer is like driving down a
wildflower garden 23 miles long. Add the scenic overlooks, and you have beauty
afar and beauty at your feet. What more could you ask of a lovely summer day in
West Virginia?
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| Red Lick Overlook |
