Wildflower season is once again blooming here in the mountains of western Virginia. This blog will give reports on the flowers I have seen here in Bath County, Virginia and in the surronding Allegheny Highlands. You can visit www.bathcounty.org for more information about the natural resources of Bath County including trail guides and photos. Happy Hunting.

Over on the Walton Tract, the first Trout Lillies and a few Hepatica are in bloom. Of course Colt's Foot is starting to popup along the roads around the county. Skunk Cabbage flowers can still be found in the wet areas and the winter leaves of Puttyroot orchid and Crane-fly orchid are still around. Puttyroot can be found along the road into the Walton Tract, at a number of sites along the road at Lake Moomaw, along the trails in Hidden Valley and many other sites around the county. Crane-fly orchid is harder to find. A small patch can be seen along the Cobbler Mountain Trail.

One of the best early season wildflower walks is the road into the Walton Tract. Find a place to park and walk along the road. Be carefull where you park. The Bloodroot and Trout Lilly grow right to the edge of the road in many spots. Go over the hill to the canoe launch for Trillium and Virginia Bluebells later in the spring.