We had been seeing early spring wildflowers closer to home so we though a trip to Clifton Gorge, an area known for it’s unspoiled beauty as well as wildflowers, to see what might be popping up. Driving to our destination we tempered our enthusiasm by agreeing that sometimes it’s just as important to take note of what one doesn’t see as well as what one does. and besides there are few places in Ohio that are better to take a hike.
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We didn’t have to walk far before we realized we wouldn’t be disappointed. True, some flowers still had a way to go:
Toadshade Trillium’s leaves are beautiful. In this case, the flower, which never really opens up, is a few days away from blooming.
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But other flowers were in full bloom.
Along with the Snow Trillium and Harbinger of Spring, Hepatica is one of the earliest Ohio wildflowers to bloom, (Donna).
Hepatica, in this case sharp lobed, showing it’s leaves which disappear quickly once the flowers bloom, (Donna).
A few Snow Trillium were still in bloom.
Seeming to be a bit early, Wild Ginger was also found.
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Perhaps the most exciting find, Scarlet Cup Fungi, was no a flower at all. It occurs from late winter to early spring and was spotted it in several locations
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We hope to get back to Clifton Gorge in a couple of weeks to see how things have changed and very few things speak of change as clearly as spring.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Wonderful stroll thru Clifton Gorge — thank you for the trek! Do you take a particular trail? I’ve not been there, but would LOVE to go check it out!
Gerry
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We usually start at the gorge parking lot in Clifton and depending how far we want to hike we may go as far as Yellow Springs for lunch, through John Bryant SP and Glenn Helen Preserve, and return. However you can do a much shorter hike just in the preserve itself taking the trail right along the river both ways or taking the rim trail back. Address for the parking lot is: 169 Jackson St, Yellow Springs, OH 45387 itselfedG
I am glad that you did get to see some beautiful flowers on your walk.
The gorge itself would have been enough but what a beautiful lot of flowers you found. That blue hepatica is a knockout!
The scarlet cups are rare here. I’ve never seen one.