The trail is open and accessible for the current wildflower season.
This area is best known for the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail, a 0.9 mile down and back trail that features a boardwalk, waterfall and nearly 50 varieties of wildflowers. This area is frequented in March and April, when wildflowers are in bloom.
Some of the wildflowers you’ll encounter include:
- Bloodroot
- Blue Cohosh
- Celandine Poppy
- Dutchman’s Breeches
- False Solomon’s Seal
- Four-leaved Milkweed
- Great Indian Plantain
- Hooked Buttercup
- May Apple
- Purple Phacelia
- Solomon’s Seal
- Star Chickweed
- Toadshade
- Trailing Trillium
- Virginia Bluebells
- White Trillium
- Wild Hyacinth
- Wild Stonecrop
- Wood Poppy
- Yellow Mandarin
To learn more about wildflowers in this area, Jay Clark conducted extensive research for his book “Wildflowers of Pigeon Mountain.” You can still order copies of this work on Amazon and view pictures of many of the wildflowers features on his website.
If you choose to be a bit more adventurous, the Pocket Loop Trail breaks off from the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail. This 9-mile trail features several wildlife openings, a camping area and will take you to “High Point,” the highest point on Pigeon Mountain featuring vistas best viewed in the winter.
Directions: Take GA Hwy 193 to the intersection of GA Hwy 341 and Hog Jowl Road. Turn onto Hog Jowl and travel south about 2.8 miles. Turn left onto Pocket Road. This road runs about 1.2 miles before dead ending at a parking area. Part of this road is not paved and you may encounter a shallow stream ford just before the parking area.
Remember – you need a Go Outdoors Georgia Hunting, Fishing or Lands Pass License to be on this property.