Spring Wildflower Hike - Willie Duke's Bluff | What’s happening in the Research Triangle

Spring Wildflower Hike - Willie Duke's Bluff


*The event has already taken place on this date: Sun, 03/12/2023
This hike is somewhat difficult and will be off trail, with some bushwhacking and one steep climb. This usually requires about three hours. If there have been recent rains, parts of the trail may be muddy. The hike will lead you to a noteworthy natural area called Willie Duke’s Bluff where you see outstanding displays of spring wildflowers, including some that are rare and unusual in our area of the Piedmont. The site boasts a showy display of spring ephemerals, with extensive areas of Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), along with the rare Eastern False Rue Anemone or Isopyrum (Enemion biternatum) and numerous other wildflowers, including Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), and both Southern or Dimpled Troutlily (Erythronium umbilicatum), and its northern, tetraploid counterpart (E. americanum). The shrub layer consists of Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Pawpaw (Asimina triloba), and Painted Buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica), which will be in various stages of flowering. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants, and bring gloves in case you feel inclined to pull out any invasive Chinese privet seedlings which you might encounter. You will also learn some history and geology along the way. Please feel free to bring water and snacks. Well-behaved dogs are welcome as long as they are under your control and on a 6 foot leash.

Please help us keep this calendar up to date! If this activity is sold out, canceled, or otherwise needs alteration, email mindy@kidsoutandabout.com so we can update it immediately. If you have a question about the activity itself, please contact the organization administrator listed below.

COVID-19 guidelines: As this is an outdoor event, masks and vaccination status are not required to attend. Please practice social distancing to keep yourself and others outside of your group safe and healthy.

If your plans change and you are unable to attend the hike, please contact education@enoriver.org to cancel your registration so that we may offer your spot(s) to our waitlist.

 

Directions: Coming from the west, take Duke Street North from I-85 (Exit 176). Turn right on Murray Avenue (sign to the Museum of Life and Science), go until it reaches Roxboro Street, turn left and look for the brown sign to Stagville. [Coming from the east, you can take Roxboro Street directly from I-85.] Turn right here on Old Oxford Road. Go about three miles until Old Oxford crosses the Eno. Immediately after the bridge, turn left on Snowhill Road. Penny’s Bend parking lot will be on the left immediately after you turn.


*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.

Location:

Penny's Bend Natural Area
4000 Snowhill Rd
Durham, NC, 27712
United States

Phone:

9196209099
Contact name: 
Hillary Harrison
Email address: 
The event has already taken place on this date: 
03/12/2023
Time: 
2 pm
Price: 
Free

Ages

Teenagers Adults & kids together Adults without kids