For years now I have wanted to go see the Trillium out in the Thompson WMA - supposedly it's the largest concentration of Trillium in the Northern Hemisphere! Rumor has it that there are over 18 million trillium in this area. Every year all the hiking clubs have hikes out there. Supposedly it's a sight to see. I wanted to see it. The problem is that trillium peak in late April/early May. The same time that the tree pollen peaks. This year the pollen has been a lot better, not sure if it's because we have had a lot of well timed rain, or because I no longer live with an allergy producing dog, or if the allergy shots are finally helping. Whatever it is, I don't care, because it's May and I can go outside without feeling miserable! :-)
So today I decide to head out to see the trillium, or whats left of them. I was pretty sure that the trillium would be past their peak, but I remember seeing trillium in SNP last Memorial Day so I didn't think we'd be too far past the peak.
Before I go any further, I'm sure many of you are wondering, What's a trillium? Contrary to what folks might have posted on my Facebook page, they are not large game, and they are not eaten, rather they are wildflowers! They are pretty cool flowers, they have three petals and three leaves (hence the TRI). I have seen a few in SNP - usually one or two at a time, and they are a special sighting. I was anxious to see what millions of them look like! Here's a pic of the best one that I found:
So today I decide to head out to see the trillium, or whats left of them. I was pretty sure that the trillium would be past their peak, but I remember seeing trillium in SNP last Memorial Day so I didn't think we'd be too far past the peak.
Before I go any further, I'm sure many of you are wondering, What's a trillium? Contrary to what folks might have posted on my Facebook page, they are not large game, and they are not eaten, rather they are wildflowers! They are pretty cool flowers, they have three petals and three leaves (hence the TRI). I have seen a few in SNP - usually one or two at a time, and they are a special sighting. I was anxious to see what millions of them look like! Here's a pic of the best one that I found:
The weather forecast or today called for thunderstorms, but it was mostly for the evening, and while it was cloudy and dreary earlier in the day the sun had come out and I thought it would be a great afternoon to make the trek to Linden and see what's left, or at the very least scout out where to go next year!
I left here at 1:30 and drove the hour out to the WMA in sunshine! I was about 3 miles from the exit off 66 when I saw the dark clouds off to the west. It was still sunny where I was so I pressed on. I found the parking area very easily, everything was very well marked!
I found the parking area I wanted - luckily the Appalachian Trail runs right through the WMA and have a wonderful PATC topo map for the area! As soon as I stepped out of the car I saw about 10 trillium! WOW! All were turning pink, indicating that they were past their peak, but there they were!
Trillium are usually white, however the white color comes from a pigment similar to chlorophyll and when the season is over the chlorophyll drains away and the flower turns pink - much like how the leaves change color in the fall.
As I walked down the old road that was going to link me to the AT I saw hundreds of trillium in the woods - all in various stages of "past peak". I did find many that were still white, however the petals were damaged and they weren't very "photo friendly".
I'd been walking, well out of the car, I was taking pictures so I hadn't gotten far at all, about 5 mins when I heard a distant rumble of thunder. It was still sunny where I was, in fact there was a lovely breeze and the temperature was perfect! The humidity had strangely vanished also, so it was very pleasant out, I had no intention of going back to the car! I pressed on, bushwhacking in places to get good pics of the trillium.
I was hearing thunder about every minute, and while it was clearly a distance from me I wasn't sure if it was headed my way or not. I pulled out my iPhone. Sure enough, I had enough coverage to pull up my Weather Channel App and check the radar! (Who says technology has no place in the wilderness?) There was a huge storm but it was over by Front Royal and extended south - SNP was going to get it bad! Again, it was sunny where I was and it looked like the storm was not headed my way. I continued on.
I reached the AT and headed north. Here there were more trillium, however they were even further past their peak. I couldn't even imagine what it would have looked like a week or two ago! The rumor of 18 million trillium could be true! I wasn't even at the spot where the map had indicated there were trillium! WOW! I'm going to have to come back next year for sure!
By now, the thunder was getting louder and closer and the sky had gotten dark, I decided it was time to turn back. I had only gone less than 1/2 a mile so it didn't take long to get back to the car. By the time I was close to the car it had begun to rain. It wasn't long before it was pouring!
As I was driving back down the road I caught some glimpses of the view to the east and the clouds were pretty awesome! Big puffy clouds with blue sky and sun peaking out, right next to dark storm clouds! I could see the back edge of the storm - it looked like I could wait it out, however it was already getting late in the day and I'd accomplished the goal which was to see if the trillium were still at their peak, and to scout out where to go next year, so I headed home.
I was driving just ahead of the storm and got to watch the clouds shift and change the whole way! I set the cruise for 70mph and enjoyed the sights! Just inside of Prince William County I spotted a VA State Trooper in the median, facing me - I taped the brakes, but I knew I wasn't speeding. I nearly wet my pants when he pulled out behind me! I quickly moved over to the right lane, and he was on the shoulder - he was moving kinda slow so I didn't think he was after me. Then he moved in the right lane and on came the lights! shit!!!! I slowed way down and as soon as I hit the brakes he jumped into the left lane and zoomed past me. phew. I had no idea what I'd been doing so I didn't think he needed me! The car in front of me must have know what they were doing because they pulled over when they saw the lights!
The storm followed me home! When I got home the sky was dark grey and the clouds were were really cool! The breeze was cool and pleasant. I decided to sit on the front step and watch! My next door neighbor stepped out and he agreed that it was a lovely moment so he sat down on his step and we both watched the brewing storm! There was tons of lighting, right over the house across the street! Mike's wife and children returned home, and another neighbor stepped out to watch the storm with us. It was at that point that Mike's 8 year old said "I'm going to watch the storm from a safe place!" That's right, do as we say, not as we do! :-)
I can't wait to go back next year and see the trillium in full bloom! Until then, check out my pics in my Picasa album!
I found the parking area I wanted - luckily the Appalachian Trail runs right through the WMA and have a wonderful PATC topo map for the area! As soon as I stepped out of the car I saw about 10 trillium! WOW! All were turning pink, indicating that they were past their peak, but there they were!
Trillium are usually white, however the white color comes from a pigment similar to chlorophyll and when the season is over the chlorophyll drains away and the flower turns pink - much like how the leaves change color in the fall.
As I walked down the old road that was going to link me to the AT I saw hundreds of trillium in the woods - all in various stages of "past peak". I did find many that were still white, however the petals were damaged and they weren't very "photo friendly".
I'd been walking, well out of the car, I was taking pictures so I hadn't gotten far at all, about 5 mins when I heard a distant rumble of thunder. It was still sunny where I was, in fact there was a lovely breeze and the temperature was perfect! The humidity had strangely vanished also, so it was very pleasant out, I had no intention of going back to the car! I pressed on, bushwhacking in places to get good pics of the trillium.
I was hearing thunder about every minute, and while it was clearly a distance from me I wasn't sure if it was headed my way or not. I pulled out my iPhone. Sure enough, I had enough coverage to pull up my Weather Channel App and check the radar! (Who says technology has no place in the wilderness?) There was a huge storm but it was over by Front Royal and extended south - SNP was going to get it bad! Again, it was sunny where I was and it looked like the storm was not headed my way. I continued on.
I reached the AT and headed north. Here there were more trillium, however they were even further past their peak. I couldn't even imagine what it would have looked like a week or two ago! The rumor of 18 million trillium could be true! I wasn't even at the spot where the map had indicated there were trillium! WOW! I'm going to have to come back next year for sure!
By now, the thunder was getting louder and closer and the sky had gotten dark, I decided it was time to turn back. I had only gone less than 1/2 a mile so it didn't take long to get back to the car. By the time I was close to the car it had begun to rain. It wasn't long before it was pouring!
As I was driving back down the road I caught some glimpses of the view to the east and the clouds were pretty awesome! Big puffy clouds with blue sky and sun peaking out, right next to dark storm clouds! I could see the back edge of the storm - it looked like I could wait it out, however it was already getting late in the day and I'd accomplished the goal which was to see if the trillium were still at their peak, and to scout out where to go next year, so I headed home.
I was driving just ahead of the storm and got to watch the clouds shift and change the whole way! I set the cruise for 70mph and enjoyed the sights! Just inside of Prince William County I spotted a VA State Trooper in the median, facing me - I taped the brakes, but I knew I wasn't speeding. I nearly wet my pants when he pulled out behind me! I quickly moved over to the right lane, and he was on the shoulder - he was moving kinda slow so I didn't think he was after me. Then he moved in the right lane and on came the lights! shit!!!! I slowed way down and as soon as I hit the brakes he jumped into the left lane and zoomed past me. phew. I had no idea what I'd been doing so I didn't think he needed me! The car in front of me must have know what they were doing because they pulled over when they saw the lights!
The storm followed me home! When I got home the sky was dark grey and the clouds were were really cool! The breeze was cool and pleasant. I decided to sit on the front step and watch! My next door neighbor stepped out and he agreed that it was a lovely moment so he sat down on his step and we both watched the brewing storm! There was tons of lighting, right over the house across the street! Mike's wife and children returned home, and another neighbor stepped out to watch the storm with us. It was at that point that Mike's 8 year old said "I'm going to watch the storm from a safe place!" That's right, do as we say, not as we do! :-)
I can't wait to go back next year and see the trillium in full bloom! Until then, check out my pics in my Picasa album!
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| Trillium |
1 comment:
1) I thought speed limits in Va. were 65. Even so, to get tagged for 70 in a 65 would be cruel and unusual punishment. Georgia has a 10 MPH leeway written into law (only exceptions: residential areas, school zones and historic districts)
2) Did you know lightning can strike up to 6 miles away from a storm cloud? As NWS severe weather advisories are fond of mentioning, "If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning."
Be safe!!!
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