May 20, 2020
I pulled out of the parking lot for the Salt Lick Point Land & Water Reserve, and started driving south towards the challenging uphill trail at Fults Hill. However, only 2 or 3 miles down the road I passed a sign for the White Rock Nature Preserve. Located at the base of the large bluffs, curiosity got the better of me. I had never been here but remembered thinking I should check it out some day. I guess today was the day, and I believe that I uncovered a gem. Sometimes an unplanned detour is just the ticket.
Uphill climb
The signs from the small parking lot point towards a private gravel road. The road crosses over a small creek and lead into the woods. Almost immediately I stumbled upon a cluster of blooming white trillium. Somehow I hadn’t seen these in recent years so it was a welcome sight. Celandine poppy were also abundant here, as well as a few wild phlox and May apple. Soon the road makes a right turn, and the trail veers into the woods. This is wherethe workout began!
The trail essentially goes straight uphill as the steady incline cuts through the mixed hardwood forest. Wildflowers grace both sides of the trail and there is a large creek creek bottom down the right side of the trail. Perhaps about 1/2 mile in things level off for just a minute where some informational signage is posted about the history of the area. Apparently in the 1920’s it was some sort of limestone mine. I took some quick photos of the signs for later reading because my attention span is too short and I was more interested in the springtime woods.
Ridgetop Trails
Continuing back uphill, the trail comes to a fork with the South Ridgetop Trail going one way for one mile and the North Ridgetop Trail another for 1/4 mile. The trails are appropriately named as they follow a ridge through the forest that was full of blooming dogwoods and May apples. The earthen trail offers easy walking and is simple to follow. Rustic benches and educational signage are placed along the way and there is no real way to get lost. The highlights of both trails are the glades at the end of each trail.
The South Ridgetop Trail terminus is a bit cluttered with signage, blocking some of the view. It was really very tempting to wander the glade but I followed the rules and enjoyed the view from the trail’s end.
The North Ridgetop Trail terminus is also spectacular, serving up a long range view of the Monroe County farmland and the Mississippi River Valley. Once again a few well-placed benches offer up a comfortable resting spot for the tired hiker to take it all in. I am beginning to think I am obsessed with trail-side benches. Perhaps they will be the subject of a future blog post.
Worth a visit
The White Rock Nature Preserve proved to be the perfect companion hike for the Salt Lick Point trails. The areas are similar, offering some challenging hikes through varied terrain and photo-worthy vistas. I found the White Rock trails a bit more challenging but also the scenery more beautiful. I have no doubt that I will add the White Rock Nature Preserve to my regular hiking catalog. In fact, I look forward to returning for a fall color hike on the trails.
For a trail map and additional information, check out this link:
And for the write up for the companion trail down the road at Salt Lick Point Land & Water Preserve, check this out:
Kristi Lemp
This is so great!!