Wildflower Walk at Twin Bridges

As naturalists we’re always keen to see spring arrive, so again in 2022 we organized a preview for late March at the Twin Bridges site in Polk County at the bottom of the escarpment outside Saluda.  Given the challenges with parking there, we arranged three different dates, each led by member guides, and saw a total of 22 members participating.  And fortunately the weather cooperated for all three dates, even if some of the hikes started out a little chilly.

Participants were rewarded with a beautiful display of spring wildflowers.  Twin Bridges has perhaps one of the most exceptional displays of Jeweled Wake Robin Trillium (Trillium simile) anywhere with literally thousands in bloom all along the hillsides.  A bit less plentiful but no less impressive were displays of Toadshade Trillium, Dutchman’s Breeches, Fernleaf Phacelia, Wild Ginger, Trout Lilies, Spring Beauties, Large-Flowered Bellwort, Early Saxifrage, Foam Flower, Star Chickweed, and a a variety of violets.  The sharper-eyed also noted the less showy Blue Cohosh in bloom and a few Silverbell blossoms up in the understory.  Recent rains also helped make Melrose Falls an impressive sight at the end of the trail.
Join me in thanking Ken Czarnomski, Lou Dwarshuis and Marilyn Kolton for donating their time as volunteer hike leaders.  For more photos from the event, follow the link here.  https://www.amazon.de/clouddrive/share/cOjK2s40WXZylgnb44XIf7uTfPgTwBr3TYiBP01SRqN