Spring Hike at Lower Howard’s Creek

Spring is finally upon us, so it’s time to plan to get back outdoors and enjoy the promise of brighter days.  The Preserve is filled with a variety of wildflowers, which normally begin blooming by early to mid-March, and reveal a flush of new species every week through May.  We have spent the past several weeks clearing trails to get ready for our spring hikes, and the cold weather has kept the flowers dormant.  Last weeks warmer temperatures and an abundance of rain should have several species breaking their long dormancy, so it’s time to lace up our hiking boots and get moving!  All hikes will meet at our main entrance on Athens-Boonesborough Road.  Private tours are available upon request.  Call for reservations, as space is limited.  (859)744-4888

March 28, Saturday, 10 a.m., Heirloom daffodils and early spring wildflowers:  This hike will feature abandoned home sites throughout the Preserve.  The homesteads will contain some heirloom varieties of daffodils, and between sites the early wildflowers such as trout lilies and bloodroot should be showing their colors.  This will not be a particularly strenuous hike, especially if you’ve been on some of our earlier hikes already this year!

Staff is available for private tours during the week, or on weekend days when public tours aren’t scheduled.  Since this is a Kentucky State Nature Preserve, no dogs are allowed on the hikes.  All children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.  The terrain at the Preserve is quite steep and rocky, so please wear appropriate shoes or boots.  Group size is limited, and it is requested that you make reservations in advance.  Since these hikes are contingent on decent weather, please call the Preserve office if there is a question about suitability of the weather.  Phone number of the office is (859) 744-4888.