More waterfalls and wildflowers

Today, Barbara and I headed to the mountains in search of trilliums (Trillium grandiflorum, below). In fact, despite spotty recollections overall, I can pinpoint exact placement and timing of trilliums and many spring ephemerals from previous hikes. I think my attention to detail has always been very selective.

The trilliums along this trail flower at the same time as ones in our garden, a result of warmer temperatures an hour south but a higher elevation. So, the timing is easy. The trail, not so easy, but there’s plenty of entertainment along the way, from crashing waterfalls to abundant wildflowers.

An occasional pale pink trillium is seen alongside the typical white flowers.

This hike, that begins along the Rapidan and Staunton rivers (below) as they descend Jones Mountain, is not the best trail for viewing trilliums, but it is the earliest to see trilliums in abundance in the wild. A trail with trilliums in greater numbers at higher elevation will be seen in two weeks, but we’ll follow up today’s hike in three weeks to catch the bonus at the top of the two thousand foot climb. A patch of Ladyslipper orchids sits just off the trail at the mountaintop, and some are scattered along our return route if poachers haven’t nabbed them. Sadly, this is a problem along several trails where Ladyslippers are stolen so that others are not able to enjoy the splendid blooms.

Spring ephemerals move quickly into leaf and flower, then fading and disappearing until next spring. Flowers at their peak a week ago are fading, and flowers from a few weeks ago have disappeared with only leaves remaining until they fade in warmer temperatures after capturing energy to survive the year.

Leaves of bloodroot were small and less visible until flowers faded.

There were many star chickweeds at lower elevations with decreasing numbers as we climbed.

While no trail can match the quantity of bluebells and trout lilies from last week’s hike, we are overjoyed by the number of trilliums and other wildflowers after the dull winter.

More wildflowers from this hike, below, and highlights from a new hike two days later. And then, I won’t bother you anymore with wildflowers and waterfalls.

Scattered colonies of Bellworts (Uvularia grandiflora) are beginning to flower.

I’m always happy to see mayapples along the trail.

The emerging mayapple is a beautiful sight.

Pendulous flowers of the striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum).

The next hike

With Barbara off for spring break, we’re off on another hike. This time, a new hike for us, but one that we’ll repeat many times in the future. It will be a perfect follow-up to our river hike. There’s only a small stream at the start of this hike, but many blooms at lower elevations and lots of rock at the top.