Early Spring Wildflowers on the Eno

Today we hiked the next section of Mountains-to-Sea Trail, now following the Eno River.  Although it was rather cold today, recent warm weather had caused some wildflowers to start blooming.

The starting point for our hike was West Point on the Eno and we hiked eastward to Penny's Bend Nature Preserve.  After crossing Eno River on a big metal bridge, we went under US-501 and followed the path behind some houses.  The trail crossed a bridge to a small park and then ran along a sewer easement following the river downstream.  Eventually, the trail departed from from the easement and became a more typical trail through the woods.  Like so many sections, I found a dilapidated old barn right along the trail.

Further on, we started spotting more wildflowers.  It was still early, but there were a few spring beauties and rue anemone blooming in Penny's Bend.

Our turnaround spot was the same as the week before - right by the Old Oxford Highway bridge over Eno River.  Just upstream was what little remained of Cameron's Mill - destroyed by many floods on the river.

I also spotted a number of common blue violets blooming here.

After a short break, we headed back.