Falls Ridge Preserve, Montgomery County, Virginia

[Pa]

Yesterday, 13 April, was a beautiful day in this part of Virginia so I chose to hike the trails at Falls Ridge Preserve, a Nature Conservancy property famous for Spring wildflowers. I was not disappointed. It has a 3.5-mile loop trail that ascends from 1500 feet to about 2100 feet elevation, most of it in a half-mile stretch.

The trail starts in a glade replete with trillium blossoms.

1. Large-flowered trillium (trillium grandiflorum)

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2. Trillium

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After a steep climb, the trail passes through mature hardwood forest.

3. Trail through the forest

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4. Large-flowered Bellwort beside the trail

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Eventually, the hiker gets a view down to Ellet Valley through the trees.

5. View

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Here, the hillside is dotted with wild phlox.

6. Phlox

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After crossing a knob at 2100 feet, the trail descends gradually through woods decorated with blooming redbud.

7. Forest trail

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8. Birdsfoot violets beside the trail

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Back at the bottom, one finds quite a array of wildflower species.

9. Columbine

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10. Rue Anemone and Cutleaf Toothwort

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11. A multi-petaled Hepatica

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12. And a friendly garter snake!

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Thanks for walking along with me.

 

[Binnur]

Very nice set from a lovely day Jim.

 

[Hylander]

Yesterday, 13 April, was a beautiful day in this part of Virginia so I chose to hike the trails at Falls Ridge Preserve, a Nature Conservancy property famous for Spring wildflowers. I was not disappointed. It has a 3.5-mile loop trail that ascends from 1500 feet to about 2100 feet elevation, most of it in a half-mile stretch.

The trail starts in a glade replete with trillium blossoms.

1. Large-flowered trillium (trillium grandiflorum)
View attachment 1682160

2. Trillium
View attachment 1682161
​

After a steep climb, the trail passes through mature hardwood forest.

3. Trail through the forest
View attachment 1682162

4. Large-flowered Bellwort beside the trail
View attachment 1682163
​

Eventually, the hiker gets a view down to Ellet Valley through the trees.

5. View
View attachment 1682164​

Here, the hillside is dotted with wild phlox.

6. Phlox
View attachment 1682165
​

After crossing a knob at 2100 feet, the trail descends gradually through woods decorated with blooming redbud.

7. Forest trail
View attachment 1682166

8. Birdsfoot violets beside the trail
View attachment 1682167
​

Back at the bottom, one finds quite a array of wildflower species.

9. Columbine
View attachment 1682168

10. Rue Anemone and Cutleaf Toothwort
View attachment 1682169

11. A multi-petaled Hepatica
View attachment 1682170

12. And a friendly garter snake!

View attachment 1682171
​

Thanks for walking along with me.

Thanks for taking us along!

 

[asaya]

Very nice Jim including the snake

 

[ahinesdesign]

I really miss the mountains! I grew up near Boone, NC, and spent a lot of time hiking and biking all over northwestern NC and southwestern VA.

Thanks for giving us a glimpse of such a beautiful nature preserve.

 

[Terri French]

I would love this hike.....except for the friendly snake. What beautiful woods you have there.