Reflection Riding 4.4.2023

 11 SC hikers enjoyed a walk through Reflection Riding Arboretum Tuesday

April 4,2023 under cloudy skies. It was completed in three hours, three miles and 250 feet elevation gain.

 

We had a meeting with Corey Hagen Director of Operations and Outreach educating us of the purpose of this organization with preserving plant, animal and insect life. He explained that they are a key source for encouraging native plant species to

support the local eco system.

 

As it was a short hike we made it a scavenger hunt, we had points of interest we found on an old map so we searched to find them. We found all but one which was a millstone.

 

Some of the pathways were under water. We were off and on gravel roads, paths and we meandered through some wooded areas looking for a trail that had seemed long forgotten.

 

We dropped by the plant nursery to hear from Paige Powell the volunteer coordinator. They suggested projects as a group to adopt a garden on the property to remove invasive species and plant natives. We will be announcing volunteering opportunities soon via newsletter.

If you would like to see a few pictures taken during this hike, click here.  

Rock Creek 4.1.2023

 I was awakened at 5:30 am by a local Tornado Warning on my cell phone. Went to bed this same day to the sound of my standby generator humming and providing power to my home. This latter event was due to a fallen tree limb taking out the power in our neighborhood. But between the 2 events, I managed to lead a really nice hike up to Leggett Overlook on the Rock Creek Loop Trail. As soon as I was awaken by the alert, I checked the local and national weather stations and determined the storm was occurring just south of Sale Creek and the Rock Creek trail. The stations indicated there was a peaceful period between 8am and 3pm. This would give us time to complete the hike with a one to two  hour buffer zone.

 Seven hikers showed up to take advantage of our window of opportunity. We were rewarded with fields of May Apples, budding Buck Eyes, wild Irises and other yellow, pink, white and purple flowers. Spring has definitely arrived. We made our way up to the overlook and had our mid-hike snacks.

While on the overlook, we experienced to winds picking up strength. By the time we reached the bottom of the hike, around 1:30 pm, the wind was blowing with enough bluster to cause some tree branches to fall. The winds showed up a couple of hours ahead of there predicted arrival time, so it was just about at the close of our window that the hike came to an end. It was a very enjoyable 7 mile moderately strenuous hike with an 1100 foot elevation gain.

If you would like to see a few pictures taken during this hike, click here.