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| The view of Barren River Lake from the north corner of the trail. |
This is one of the KY State Nature Preserves
that are protected by the KSNPC, and it's one that everyone needs
to walk through, especially at this time of the year. This is a very
biodiverse forest with many species of deciduous trees and
wildflowers. The one mile trail takes you along ridgetops and
down to a stream that runs into the lake. Let me show you.
Click here for more Information
Trail Map and Natural History of Brigadoon SNP
From the small parking lot go through this entrance to begin
your walk along a trail that takes you to a loop trail.
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| Trailhead at the parking lot. |
The beginning trail takes you to this point (photo below) at which
you will turn either left or right; it's a loop trial and you'll end up
back at this point. I went left.
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| Turn left here to continue the walk on a loop trail. |
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| Ebony Spleenwort. (Correct me if I misidentify any organisms...just go to my Profile and e-mail me.) Click here for Information on Ebony Spleenwort |
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| Anytime you see a mushroom what you're seeing are the reproductive structures of that species. The main body of that fungus, the mycelium, is in the soil or under the treebark. Mushroom Information |
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| Walking south on the Loop Trail. |
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| A Beech tree surrounded by Beechdrops, which is a non-photosynthetic wildflower. |
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| Close-up of a Beechdrop flower. Click photo to enlarge. Beechdrops Information |
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| This is the extreme south side of the trail (see map). |
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| Little Helmets (Coprinellus disseminatus) Each mushroom cap was only about 1/4 inch across. I don't advise eating wild mushrooms unless you're an expert, but if you like to eat mushrooms, then click here. |
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| Walking on the ridgetop. |
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| An old leaf of a Bloodroot plant. Bloodroot Information |
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| Valleys on both sides of you. |
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| You can see the lake ahead. |
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| Mushrooms in moss. |
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| At this point you've turned right and are descending into the valley toward the streambed (top of the map). |
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| Looks like Blue-stemmed Goldenrod. |
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| Close-up of flowers. Click here for Information |
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| You can see the streambed, below. |
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| The short steep descent to the creek. |
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| Looks like Stinging Nettle. |
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| Can you see the stinging needles on the top of the leaves? Click photo to enlarge |
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| Gem-studded Puffball surrounded by moss. Very small...about 1/4 inch across |
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| A very tiny fungus called Tuning Fork (Calocera cornea) |
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| Barren River Lake in the background. Take some time here to look around for amphibians and mushrooms and to listen to the many birds migrating through. A chipmunk ran across the streambed as I took this photo. |
Saw and heard a Great Blue Heron, out in the lake water.
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| Photo taken from Cornell Site, below. Information and listen to the call. |
This species of Smartweed was growing in the streambed.
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| A mushroom that looks like a chocolate treat! |
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| Southern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea cirrigera) |
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| Information |
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| Begin your ascent to the top of the next hill, which is the northern most part of the trail. |
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| Colorful rubbery mushrooms |
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| A plant called Southern Horse Balm Information |
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| Looking down at the stream bed that I just left. |
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| A shrub called Mountain Laurel, which has one of my favorite flowers. Click here for Info |
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| A mound of soil covered with what looks like Blue-stemmed Goldenrod. |
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| This is the north corner of the trail... You can see Barren River Lake, below. Take a break and stop, look, and listen. |
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| Zigzag Goldenrod |
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| Close-up of Zigzag Goldenrod flowers. |
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| A species of Asters? |
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| Now you're heading east along the NE edge of the preserve. |
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| Looks like a little patch of Pawpaw trees. Video about Pawpaw trees and fruit. |
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| Explain this! |
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| The only 2 pines I saw on the trail. |
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| Some of the trees are extremely tall. |
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| Saw about 5 White Snakeroot plants on the loop. Information |
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| Turn left here to head back to the trailhead. |
This was a perfect day for a walk in the woods!
If you're in the Glasgow, KY area drive down to
this beautiful Wildlife Preserve and take a walk!
To see Brigadoon in March click here.
In my opinion, late April is the time to see Brigadoon...click here.
Kentucky has some great natural areas to see.
If you're in the Glasgow, KY area drive down to
this beautiful Wildlife Preserve and take a walk!
To see Brigadoon in March click here.
In my opinion, late April is the time to see Brigadoon...click here.
Kentucky has some great natural areas to see.
Get out and explore your surroundings.
