Stephanie Hill/The Herald-Dispatch
Chief Logan State Park, Kanawha State Forest, Greenbrier State Forest, Hocking Hills State Park and Carter Caves State Resort Park are among parks across the region hosting wildflower hikes.
Parks around region hosting walks to welcome first signs of Spring in Tri-State
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/entertainment/outdoors/x427531788
Mar 29, 2008 @ 11:29 PM
By DAVE LAVENDER
The Herald-Dispatch
Spring is here. Spring is here. Spring is here.
Repeat it with me.
Now wildflowers and ramps and morels.
While this past week saw spits of snow, Friday's 70-degree temps speak of something wonderful and green to come.
It's April and it arrives Tuesday, no foolin.'
While the woods are usually best alone or with a few, there are some prime-time opportunities to jack-up your wildflower knowledge a notch or two by hitting a wildflower hike.
Here's a look at just of a few of the upcoming hikes set for the region in April.
We'll break it up by state to make it easy.
West Virginia
Wildflower Hike: Saturday, April 5, the 25th Annual Sue Browning Wildflower Hike at Chief Logan State Park. Spend a day at Chief Logan State Park viewing the spring wildflowers on our many trails. Includes continental breakfast, guided hike, lunch and door prizes. $12 for advance reservations. Sponsored by the Logan Garden Council. Call (304) 855-5863.
Spring Bird Walk: Saturday, April 26, the Annual Spring Bird Walk at Prickett's Fort State Park. A Saturday morning bird walk. Staff of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will lead the public on this annual rite of passage. Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring binoculars. E-mail at info@prickettsfort.org or (304) 363-3030.
Memorial Walk: Saturday, April 26, the annual Osbra Eye Memorial Walk at Kanawha State Forest in Charleston. Discover spring in bloom and bud. A diverse choice of led hikes by notable area naturalists. Registration from 9-9:30 a.m. in the pool area. Morning refreshments. Call (304) 925-2771.
National Arbor Day Hike: Friday, April 25, at Cathedral State Park. Enjoy the largest and oldest trees in West Virginia with a hike at Cathedral State Park. Call (304) 735-3771.
Show Me Hike: Saturday, April 26, the Show-Me-Hike at Greenbrier State Forest. Start Saturday with a morning bird walk. Gather at Shelter No. 1 at 10 a.m. to choose from five different hikes, a van tour or children's program. See and identify common, rare and unique wildflowers along the Greenbrier River of the shale barrens of Kate's Mountain. Call (304) 536-1944 or greenbrier@wvdnr.gov.
Ohio
Trail Day: 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 5, at Lake Hope State Park in Zaleski, Ohio. Trail Day and clean up. Help fix up trails, clean up the park, and enjoy fun, food and prizes. Bring work gloves. Call (740) 596-5253 or (740) 596-3030.
Waterfall Hike: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, a Wildflowers and Waterfalls Hike at Hocking Hills State Park. Meet at the Ash Cave parking lot. Observe nature's carpet of wildflowers and sparkling waterfalls. Call (740) 385-6841.
Wildflower Hike: 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 10, Lake Hope State Park, near Zaleski, Ohio. Meet at Hope Furnace parking lot. Call (740) 596-5253.
Wildflower Hike: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 12, a wildflower hike at Serpent Mound in Adams County, Ohio near Peebles. Call (800) 752-2757.Wi
Kentucky
Tygart Loop Hike: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 5, the Michael Tygart Loop Trek at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park near Greenup, Ky. A 9-mile trek named for early Kentucky explorer, Michael Tygart. See a mid-19th century iron furnace, historic cemetery, and iron ore pits and Pruitt Fork Valley, site of several pioneer homes. Hike ends along the lake. Cost is $15 registration fee includes souvenir. Register by calling or e-mailing Claire Earnhart: Claire.Earnhart@ky.gov or (606) 473-7324.
Earth Day Hike: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19, the Michael Tygart Earth Day hike, a 9-mile trek at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park. Registration is $15 and includes souvenir. Register by calling or e-mailing Claire Earnhart: Claire.Earnhart@ky.gov or (606) 473-7324.
Wildflower Hike: April 27-29, the annual Wildflower Pilgrimage & Campers Appreciation Weekend at Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill, Ky. This weekend has been set aside as a special weekend for campers.
Those camping this weekend will get two nights camping for the price of one. Special rates will apply to campers for mini-golf and cave tours. Some of the recreation programs include a Smokey Lake canoe trip, crafts, homemade ice cream and a live performance on Saturday night. Call (800) 325-0059.
Blooming Karst Trek: 9 a.m. Saturday, May 3, The Blooming Karst Trek, a wildflower hike to see natural bridges, Smokey Lake and wildflowers at Carter Caves State Resort Park. Also caving at Horn Hollow Cave. A dependable flashlight, sturdy shoes, a pack lunch and an extra bottle of water is required. The $20 fee includes the guided hike, a souvenir walking stick and a Carter Caves Hiking stick medallion. The trek is approximately 6 miles and 4-5 hours in length. Pre-registration required. Call (800) 325-0059.