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Crimson Trail , 7 May, 2022
Mississippian lodgepole limestone was the goal and footpath of seven hikers who met on a Saturday morning for a spring hike. Traveling east on the Riverside Nature Trail from Spring Hollow we gradually, then steeply, climbed to the top of the limestone layer, the China Wall. Views of the Wellsville Mountains, Logan Canyon, Beirdneau Peak, and the Wind Caves unfolded in the distance. The greening foliage and lovely wildflowers required closer examination: false Solomon's seal, arrowleaf balsamroot, mountain bluebells, yellow violets, birchleaf mountain mahogany, serviceberry, steershead bleedingheart, leopard lily, and others.
We enjoyed a sunny lunch break at Spring Hollow Group B picnic tables before returning to the trailhead.
The trail was in excellent shape, mostly dry with no obstructions. Many other hikers were encountered along the way.
Trip Summary:
- Seven participants: Dave P., Teresa, Julie, Dave W. Laurel with Zinnia Dog, Susan, and Jane (leader)
- Drove 7 miles up Logan Canyon to the Spring Hollow day use parking lot (3rd Dam)
- Started hiking about 8:25 a.m. and returned to Logan at 12:20 p.m.
- Overcast with a chilly wind at the beginning, alternating with calm and sunny throughout the day. Rain was forecast but it did not happen.
- Hiked the Riverside Nature Trail and the Crimson Trail in a 4.2 mile loop with 1000 feet elevation gain
Thanks to
Jane for the narrative and photos and Dave W. for
photos and GPS data.
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| Cache Hikers
on the Crimson Trail |
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| Below the
cliffs of the "China Wall" (left) and on top
(right) |
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| Glimpsing the
Wellsville Mountains in the west (later views were
better) |
Wind Caves (looking north, across
Logan Canyon) |
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| Moss-covered rock | Spring Hollow Creek, near the end of
our hike |
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| Arrowleaf
Balsamroot (Balsamorrhiza sagittata) |
Spring Beauty (Claytonia lanceolata) | |
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| Oregon Grape (Mahonia repens) | Bluebells (Mertensia) |
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| Indian
Paintbrush (Castelleja) |
Long-stalk Spring-parsley (Cymopterus
longipes) |
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| Not yet in
bloom: Rattlesnake Plantain, (Goodyera
oblongifolia), left and Leopard Lily or
Spotted Fritillary (Fritillaria atropurpurea)
right |
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| Goosefoot
Violet (Viola purpurea) |
Steershead Bleedingheart (Dicentra
uniflora) |
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| Wild Carrot or
Fernleaf Desert Parsley (Lomatium dissectum) |
Milkvetch (Astragalus) |
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Our
GPS track shows about 4.2 miles and over 1000
feet of ascent.
You can look at our route using Google Earth or download our GPS file. |
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