Wander into Spring at Enlow Fork's Annual Spring Fling
Time to trek away those winter blues!
Wheeling Creek Watershed Conservancy hosts its annual “Spring Fling” on Sunday, April 26, in State Game Lands 302.
The Enlow Fork of Wheeling Creek has it all – wildflowers, warblers, trout and some cool local history. This big creek became the county line between this western corner of Greene and Washington Counties in 1797.
Today, Enlow Valley is almost as wild as it was back then, a natural wonder for those who come to get lost in the amazing profusion of color that carpets the forest floor and splashes up hillsides for a few short weeks each year.
“Back then” is still alive and well here.
Consider the massive old sycamore standing guard beside the old iron bridge where Greene becomes Washington County. This “marker tree” was bent into directional shape by the Eastern Woodland tribes that hunted here for thousands of years.
(No pilgrimage is complete without taking a selfie with it!)
Pioneer roads followed that hunting path, then farms. Now all that remains of the Fisher homestead is clusters of daffodils and Siberian squill where the house once stood. Native wildflowers are everywhere along the dirt road that is now a hiking trail – twinleaf, trillium, trout lily, squirrel corn, Greek valerian, Dutchman’s breeches Virginia bluebells, Solomon’s seal, phlox, geranium, cohosh, larkspur, Jack in the pulpit, wild ginger and acres of blue-eyed Mary, Collinsia verna, the signature flower of Enlow.
This remote section of the watershed, – now State Game Land 302 – was included in the state’s Scenic River System in 1975. When WCWC was founded in 2000, the spring walk attracted other groups and educators who conduct stream studies, guide tours and share environmental information.
Serious birders with the Ralph K. Bell Bird Club will be in the canopy before 8 a.m., and guided wildflower walks begin informally at 10 a.m. into the afternoon. Dress for the weather, bring a folding chair and personal gear. WCWC will have refreshments, raffles, and environmental updates. A portable toilet will remain onsite for those who visit on later days to catch the wildflowers before they’re gone.
Wheeling Creek is stocked for trout season and is a great place to bring the family and picnic for the afternoon. If it’s too wet for you to walk on Sunday, consider visiting the following weekend while the toilet facilities are still available.
Follow the yellow and purple Enlow Fork Nature Walk road signs to arrive at Spring Fling event parking on Sunday, April 26th. For extra help finding your way, Pete Zapadka has shared a helpful Google Map leaving from the Graysville Volunteer Fire Department.
For more information, call or text Colleen Nelson at 724-833-2622.
