On this last day of September, few flowers are seen along this climb up the mountainside that leads to a short stretch of the Appalachian Trail that Barbara and I are hiking today. A few asters and fewer phlox are seen, but near the peak the common witch hazels (Hamamelis virginiana, below) are beginning their autumn bloom.

Scattered witch hazels have dropped leaves to reveal the small, ribbon-like, yellow flowers, but foliage hides many, just as it does in the garden. Later flowering Vernal witch hazels and Asian crosses in the garden are more ornamental with larger, fragrant flowers unimpeded by leaves as they bloom in mid and late winter. Flowering of the native, common witch hazel along the trail is clear evidence that the change of season is approaching, and I wonder how many hikers notice the splendid, but scattered blooms.

While mountain trails are littered with yellow leaves, this is not a sign of autumn but a result of the late summer drought. A few weeks ago poison ivy drooped limply in the heat, but just like in the garden, after a few rain storms most of the forest has revived with little permanent injury. And, no matter that autumn foliage colors might be muted due to dryness, in the next weeks roads through the park will be jammed with leaf watchers. I doubt many will notice the witch hazels. Barbara and I will seek other trails more easily accessed, but hopefully with more autumn flowers.