Joe DeLoach reporting
Event Date: April 7th
The most frequent question I received on this hike was “How far ahead did you plan it?” as it turned out to be a gorgeous day with lots of water and 17 species of wildflowers in bloom. Although the warm winter and spring resulted in the early spring flowers having already bloomed and gone, later spring flowers including vernal and crested dwarf iris, erect trilliums, foamflower, and a particularly nice patch of bleeding heart made for a very nice display. Seven of us hiked together up the 1.3-mile trail, which had been improved by the Forest Service with three of the former stream crossings removed by relocations and a new bridge. Everyone navigated the one remaining crossing without incident. The crossing of Dry Creek to reach the rough Phillips Hollow Trail at the former parking area is no longer evident. While having lunch at the falls, Ken Weakley and his family arrived; they had other plans which kept them from going with us, but used the route from the Trail Wiki to find the trail and us. Hikers included Donna Ashby, Rhoda Bliese, Alan Gamble, Chris Neglia and his 7-year old son Joe, Monika Wiedmann, and Joe DeLoach.