May 20

The early morning weather is clear and cold as I hike through a section of Lumberjack Park that is to become an extension of the current nature trail. From the south trailhead, I hike west on Madison Rd. over the Pine River, turn right and make my way through a dense wooded area where I’m amazed to see the ground bursting with hundreds of white Trillium flowers. In all my nature walks around here, I’ve never seen so many of them in one area. What’s even more amazing is the many deer that live in these woods haven’t eaten them. While beautiful to look at, they are extremely fragile and picking them effectively kills them, ensuring none will grow in their place. Pink blossoms of Spring Beauty, although not completely open, also blanket the forest floor. Smaller patches of Phlox, Yellow Bellwort, Violet and Wild Geranium are evident as well. All of these wildflowers, called spring ephemerals, occupy a short, yet glorious interval in the park, blooming and setting seed during a small window of sunlight between snowmelt and when the trees leaf-out. While heading northwest through the campground, I pause to look and listen to a Baltimore Oriole perched high in a tall tree. Next, I veer off the trail to the river’s edge where I observe the gently flowing water reflecting the surrounding landscape. On the muddy shoreline, I notice opossum and duck tracks as well as weasel and deer. Just ahead, I spot a May apple plant displaying a tiny green flower bud and a few fern fiddleheads that are tender and tasty this time of year. On a nearby log, I spot some “hairy” Coyote scat as well. Leaving the woods, I pause once again as the babbling river flows over some rocks. Continuing past some pavilions to Lumberjack Rd, I cross the bridge to the north trailhead of the current nature trail. After doing some grooming and adding a few signs to this area of the park, we hope to have the “Campground Trail” open to the public by next summer.

Floor is barren brown

Nature’s ways to keep

Green shoot reveals

Midst of forest deep

Stalk soon appears

From muddy ground

Three leaves sprout

Single bud so round

Three pedals white

Unveiling you bring

Dainty Trillium flower

Speaks to me of spring

D. DeGraaf