Spring Hikes

Spring-Beauty Wildflowers

March 11, 2019 by admin

Cincinnati’s Springtime Mascot

Spring-beauties are some of the first spring wildflowers you will see starting in March. The flowers will bloom through to May but once it starts getting warm out, spring beauty flowers will fade quickly.

Cincinnati hiking trails for spring wildflowers — Spring-beauty wildflowers are found in woodlands and along the edges of trails.

You can find spring-beauties in just about any woodland setting. Look for them in shaded areas as well as open grassy areas that have yet to be mowed.

Hikes to See Spring-Beauty Wildflowers

One of my favorite places to hike in the spring is the paved trail around the perimeter of Sharon Lake at Sharon Woods. This trail never fails to put on quite a show of spring wildflowers.

Other spring wildflower hikes in the Cincinnati area include Caldwell Nature Preserve, Cox Arboretum, Germantown Metropark, Sugarcreek Metropark, Withrow Nature Preserve, Woodland Mound, and Clifty Falls State Park and Nature Preserve.

Cincinnati has several hiking trails lined with spring wildflowers like spring-beauties. — Small native bees visit spring-beauties for the nectar since it is one of the first flowers to bloom.

Spring-beauties are smaller than a dime in diameter and appear as a brilliant white with vibrant pinkish purple stripes. These stripes serve as nectar guides.

Spring-Beauty & the Bees

Like dandelions, spring-beauties are an early source of nectar for native bees. The small bees visiting the flower as most likely a species of mining bees known as Andrena erigeniae.

hiking around cincinnati just hike — Small bees seek out spring-beauty wildflowers for their nectar. On colder days, you might catch a glimpse of a bee napping until the sun warms them up.

The great thing about looking for and photographing spring wildflowers is that they don’t run or fly away/ Just be careful to stay on the trail because you wouldn’t want to crush upcoming spring wildflowers!

Get started on identifying spring wildflowers with this guide, this one, or this one.

Ah! Spring!

April 18, 2015 by admin

I’m thankful spring is really here! Of course, the number one pursuit this time of year is the ephemeral bounty of spring wildflowers.

Here are some places that are my favorites to head to and take a gazillion pictures.

Germantown MetroPark — Great place to see lots of trillium and trout lilies.

Cincinnati Nature Center — Daffodils and more spring from the ground by the thousands.

Blue Licks Battlefield State Park will surprise you with a variety of colors:

California Woods — Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Virginia blue bells, spring beauties, mayapples, the list goes on and on and changes almost daily.

Sharon Woods — The paved trail around the lake is a cornucopia of spring wildflowers and perfect if you have a issues with mobility or are taking the wee-ones out for an adventure.

Keep in mind not all wildflowers are divas. Some are beautiful plain Jane’s hiding right at your toes!

Hike Often. Live More.

California Woods

April 14, 2014 by admin

Spring Time!

California Woods

This morning, after a busy weekend. I decided I much rather go for a hike instead of write.

So off to California Woods, I went on a search for tranquility and spring wildflowers. The rain was coming down but between the waterproof coat and an umbrella — yes, an umbrella, I was set. I armed myself with a bottle of water and my small camera and headed into the woods.

California Woods Nature Preserve is such lovely retreat especially when it is raining. No one seems to hike when it is raining. Yeah! for me.

I hiked the Twin Oaks, Moon Ridge and Trillium trails. The wildflowers are blooming all over the place.

I was happy to see all of these lovelies in one hike!

On the Twin Oaks trail you’ll see trillium.

Dutchman’s breeches were thick on the Moon Ridge and Trillium Trails

Mayapples were popping up everywhere. I didn’t see any blooms yet, but plenty of new shoots and a few buds like this one.

And, a new one for me: Squirrel Corn. Yes, you can bet I’m going to do more research on this one. What a bizarre name?

Then, on the Trillium Valley Trail there was…wait for it….wait for it…..yes, white trilliums!

Throughout the forest and especially at the little nooks and crannies at the bottom of large trees were the outstanding spring beauties.

And, there was phlox.

My recommendation to you? Go hiking!

Kids, Adventures, & Nature

March 26, 2014 by admin

Getting kids out in nature is as simple as going outside. But, getting them to slow down and experience nature and see it as a great place to discover new things might be challenge. Here is a journal book for April that I created to make your life easier. Just print it on both sides and fold in half to make a book for your kids to record their field discoveries.

Have a great time on your next adventure! ~ Tammy

Click the image to download the printable pdf or click here: Cincyhikes.com Phenology Book_April

Spring Beauties

April 20, 2013 by admin

This weekend is the perfect time to go looking for spring wildflowers. You can find spring beauties along the edges of the woods especially on ground that stays damp or is in the shade or both.

They are very small and low to the ground. You can see them at Sharon Woods and many other trails around the area.

Laundry is Out!

April 19, 2013 by admin

By far one of my favorite flowers is the springtime flower Dutchman’s Breeches. These dime sized flowers are lined up neatly on the line.

You can find these little gems at Germantown MetroPark, Sharon Woods, and pretty much any woodland setting with a shaded slope. Keep in mind Leave No Trace principles and resist the temptation to collect these gorgeous little flowers.