The upward trail from the ravine bottom rises up past a small witch hazel thicket and passes under a bower of spicebush and maple tree branches wrapped tightly together by dense masses of grapevines. Dried leaves of the spicebush were once used by Native Americans and by early European settlers to make a refreshing and allegedly medicinal tea. The pleasant cinnamon-like scent of the spicebush leaves and branches is readily observed by crushing a leaf between your thumb and finger or gently scraping a branch.

Looking down the slope to the left of the Trail you can see hundreds of the distinctive 'umbrella' leaves of Mayapple. This well known wildflower emerges in April, unfurls its umbrella leaves and flowers during May.

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This page was last updated on July 11, 2009  

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