Date: 02/25/2023 – Distance: 1.8 mi – Elapsed Time: 1.5 hr – Ascent: 345 ft – Descent: 262 ft – Difficulty: Medium
Whipple State Nature Preserve is 548 acres along the Ohio River just west of Portsmouth, Ohio. It has amazing wildflowers and some dolomite limestone cliffs. There is only one trail and off trail hiking is not permitted. The ridgetops, in addition to the views, even feature some small limestone prairie areas.
The sign can be easy to miss on SR 247 just north of US 52. See my Parking waypoint below.Parking is very limited along SR 247 with room for only a few cars.There is only one trail.Sorry for the reflection, but there is a map at the trailhead kiosk.Several endangered species can be found here.Turkey Tail fungus.The rock composition is dolomite limestone.At the top of the initial climb, the trail splits into a loop.White Trout Lily.The ridgetop is pretty flat.Looking toward the other side of the ridge.Selfie.As you descend, you begin to see the cliffs.There are slump blocks too, which have fallen from above.Hepatica is blooming.Here’s a better shot of the Hepatica. The leaves, which are from last year, fade right as it blooms, followed by new leaves, which remain until next year.These slump blocks are covered with moss and flowers.Hepatica is such a beautiful flower.This is a Bloodroot beginning to bloom.The Hepatica loves the limestone.Deer track.Coyote scat. Notice the fur.This is a Wood Poppy coming up. It gets beautiful yellow flowers.They must have had a controlled hunt this winter.A better shot of the Wood Poppy.Orange Peel fungus.Something has been rooting through the leaf litter. Probably deer or turkeys.The sun was behind the cliffs, making them hard to photograph.Walking Fern also likes the limestone.Back on the ridge, you can see for miles. I was looking east and you can see the Ohio River.Puttyroot Orchid leaf.The other side of the ridgetop, looking west.I always check these holes in trees, which often harbor animals, including squirrels and sometimes owls.Similar to the Puttyroot but it is not.
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