Date: 03/21/2021 – Distance: 2.4 mi – Elapsed Time: 1.5 hr – Ascent: 318 ft – Descent: 275 ft – Difficulty: Medium
How about some early spring wildflowers? The tiny Snow Trillium is very rare, and I caught it in its glory along with a few other early ephemeral wildflowers. Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve near Yellow Springs, Ohio is characterized by a deep cut gorge, dramatic dolomite cliffs, and amazing wildflowers. I was seeking the elusive Snow Trillium, and it was here in bloom. I frequent this place often. It’s one of my favorite places in Ohio. I also love the Hepatica, which is plentiful here, and also in bloom, along with the tiny Harbinger of Spring.
Look for this sign on SR 343 just west of Clifton, Ohio.
A historical marker with some background.
Trailhead off SR 343.
This sign is hard to read, but it gives some good history.
History…
Geology…
Natural History…
This new map is so much better than the one they had before. The map shows all of John Bryan State Park with Clifton Gorge on the right third starting at the dog leg in the river.
Be careful…
This place is rich with spring wildflowers.
These are only a few of what you might see.
Getting ready to drop into the gorge from the nature center on the John L Rich Trail.
It’s a deep one. Be sure to go the other way too. I did not today.
It gets really narrow on the northeast part. That trail is called the Narrows Trail.
Ramps aka Wild Leaks.
The cliffs are amazing here.
Hepatica.
Bloodroot getting ready to open.
The Little Miami flowing pretty good today.
You can see the cliffs on the opposite side without the tree cover.
They’re dramatic.
These are the new Hepatica leaves, which happen after the flowers.
Hepatica with last year’s leaves.
Dutchman’s Breeches.
I’m not sure but it looks like it had a flower spike last year.
I never noticed the rock embedded in this trees roots.
Hepatica.
Hepatica.
Woodland Stonecrop.
Dutchman’s Breeches with a tiny flower bud.
Actually it may be Squirrel Corn. They are very similar in the leaves, but the flower has a different shape.
The wildflowers cover the rocks.
Lichen on the cliff.
I love this trail.
Amphitheater Falls.
The little connector to the right takes you up the cliff to the North Rim Trail. It used to be a road for the old paper mill which was just ahead.
Harbinger of Spring. These flowers are tiny. They are also called Salt and Pepper.
This is where the paper mill was, one of the seven mills which used to be on this stretch of river, two remain preserved.
The Blue Hole.
Ramps.
Toadshade Trillium.
Purple Cress.
Cutleaf Toothwort.
Snow Trillium.
It’s only two inches tall.
So delicate and sometimes comes up even before the snow is fully melted. Do not touch it.
What a splendid flower.
Near the North Bridge.
Climbing up to the North Rim Trail.
Trail left goes into neighboring John Bryan State Park. The right goes back to the nature center.
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