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20210403 – Ohio River Bluffs Preserve

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Date: 04/03/2021 – Distance: 3.0 mi – Elapsed Time: 2.5 hr – Ascent: 453 ft – Descent: 531 ft – Difficulty: Medium

I arrived at this place on the Ohio River with one of the most spectacular spring wildflower displays in full glory. The Ohio River Bluffs is a 300 acre preserve with a diverse assemblage of wildflowers and backed by amazing bluffs and hardwood forest. The wildflowers trails are complete, however the Arc of Appalachia is continually developing more trails in this amazing site.

A newly renovated parking area just north of US 52 on Gilkinson Hollow Road.
Gilkinson Hollow Road.
The trail begins right across from the new parking lot.
Trails are pretty easy to follow.
Small creek crossing at the start.
It’s a beautiful creek.
Right away the wildflowers appear. I believe this is Jacob’s Ladder.
Toadshade Trillium.
Dutchman’s Breeches.
Dutchman’s Breeches.
Purple Cress.
Wild Blue Phlox.
Virginia Bluebells.
Virginia Bluebells.
Cool burl on this tree.
Jacob’s Ladder.
Dwarf Larkspur, a wild Delphinium.
Wood Poppy.
Jacob’s Ladder.
The trail is well maintained, follows along the Ohio River, and is covered with diverse wildflowers.
Blue Eyed Mary.
The Trout Lilies are mostly done.
Twinleaf.
Still a few White Trout Lilies.
Virginia Bluebells.
Mayapples coming up.
There is a sizeable population of Dwarf Larkspur here.
Dwarf Larkspur.
The Virginia Bluebells are good here too.
And you can see the Ohio River.
The cutleafs are Larkspur but the flower is Rue Anemone.
Look at that Virginia Bluebell cluster.
I’m not good at mushrooms. Have to work on that, but these look good…
There is a small sternwheeler on the river shore.
Cutleaf Toothwort.
There is a side trail going to the ridge that I followed.
The trail disappeared, as it was still being developed, I assumed. But I did see a Bloodroot on the ridge. From here I returned to the trailhead the way I came.

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