The singer Sheryl Crow once said, “No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still spring up in the middle of nowhere.” She’s right, of course. Blossoming amidst the occasional chaos of our lives, wildflowers are a reliable gift every spring.

Perhaps it’s because they, like us, grow in a beautiful fury. Their magnificent, dazzling colors intermittently paint landscapes, fields, and forest floors. Unlike the planned patterns of flowers in curated gardens – which have their own certain variety of splendor – wildflowers are impetuous marvels that abide only by nature’s frenzied rule of design. 

Sometimes hidden, sometimes prominent, they give us reason to search, to explore, to pause as we take in their untamed glory, and to reflect on how beauty in its purest form is breathtakingly imperfect.

One of the best spots in North Carolina to spend a day refreshing yourself in the mix of all the colorful chaos is Grandfather Mountain State Park. Here, park rangers offer guided wildflower hikes along the Profile Trail.

Thanks to the 3.6-mile trail’s high elevation, which climbs from 4,034 feet to 5,675 feet at its pinnacle in Calloway Gap, Grandfather Mountain’s Profile Loop is also a place where you can still catch many of the season’s wildflowers in bloom. 

Park Ranger I Amelia Gallina, who conducts guided wildflower hikes, says that there’s no true peak to wildflower season because varieties bloom at different times of the year. For instance, one of Grandfather Mountain’s most popular flowers, the rhododendron, is only now hitting its stride.

Meanwhile, wild hydrangea, Canada and sweet white violets, yellow fairybell, mayapple, and “Purple Beauty” creeping phlox, just to name a few, blanket the mountainside in blooms.

Among Grandfather Mountain’s other flora attractions are more than 14 rare and endangered wildflower species, according to Ranger Gallina.

There are also bounteous species native to the region. Some – although neither rare nor endangered – are unique here because of the ecosystem, while others, which you might recognize from your own backyard, thrive in the mountain’s pristine, protected landscape.

If you’d like to plan a ranger-guided wildflower hike at Grandfather Mountain State Park this season, call the park’s office at 828-963-9522 to arrange a date and time. Be ready to provide information about your group’s size, hiking abilities, and any special accommodations.

Also, before your trip, stop by any Mast Store location or check out Mast Store Online for a selection of trail maps and wildflower guides.

If you’d like to do your homework in preparation of what wildflowers you might expect to see, “Field Guide to Wildflowers – Eastern Region” from the National Audubon Society provides a sweeping overview of nearly 1,300 flower species handily grouped by color and shape. With full-color, close-up photos, concisely detailed descriptions, and spiral binding, this compendium is an excellent, accessible reference for flower lovers on any excursion they might take east of the Rocky Mountains in North America. 

For briefer, more regional information, Mast Store also offers pocket-sized plant identification pamphlets from Waterford Press. Specific to each of the four states with a Mast Store location (North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia), these illustrated guides highlight upwards of 100 species of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. This series also features ecoregion maps highlighting prominent botanical sanctuaries within each state. Laminated, lightweight, and durable, these manuals are ideal for travel.

Pisgah Map Company’s “Grandfather Ranger District” is a great resource if you plan to extend your visit to Grandfather Mountain past a guided hike. This extensive map collection covers terrain well beyond the borders of Grandfather Mountain State Park. It includes natural and scenic points of interest throughout the Pisgah National Forest like Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River; the Linville Gorge Wilderness; the Blue Ridge Parkway and Linn Cove Viaduct; and Lake James State Park.

If you go on a wildflower hike this spring, most importantly (as Ranger Gallina will remind you before you head out), please respect the natural landscape and abide by Leave No Trace principles. As beautiful as they may be, it is imperative NOT to pick wildflowers. Not to mention, it’s illegal if you do pick them! 

Instead, admire these sensations of nature and allow their spectacular colors and delicate splendor to flourish undisturbed. As you step onto the trail to exchange the frenzy of your world for theirs, pause to remind yourself that these flowers’ wild majesty will return to greet you for years to come as long as we continue to respect the beautiful, chaotic world we all share.