Sunlight and a Fern

I took this photo not far from MOM's tree while my middle daughter was having a snack at the top of the hill. Hell's Hollow Trail.

Remembering a Summer Walk

Right now everyone is fighting colds but at least the kids are recovering.

One Side of Alpha Falls

Oh those tree limbs! They try to sneak into almost every shot.

Alpha Falls in McConnells Mill

Alpha Falls in McConnells Mill.

Trillium Along Kildoo Trail

A Trillium along the Kildoo Trail in McConnells Mill.

Water and Moss

This photo was taken at the base of Alpha Falls in McConnells Mill.

Rays of Sun

A photo along Hell's Hollow Trail near the falls in McConnells Mill. This part of the path narrows and winds through a few patches of Touch-me-nots and other plants. Watch out for the Poison Ivy!

Reflection

This was taken along Hell's Run on a side path from Hell's Hollow Trail.

The View from Cleland Rock

On this day there were two Red-tailed Hawks circling the gorge. The view from here is simply amazing and having the added bonus of the Hawks along with their occasional calls, made it all the more special.

My batteries were getting low so every shot was taking forever to process. It seemed every time they would swing into view either my camera was not ready or I was not.

I missed taking a picture when they were fairly close. However this photograph captured them circling a good distance away. One is the little spec in the top left corner. The image to the right is a close up of that spot. The other one is the little dot right above the horizon line near the middle of the photo.

See I did get them... sort of. It makes me chuckle giving directions on how to read the small dots in the photo.

Stinging Nettles at Hell's Falls

As the trail winds down to Hell's Hollow Falls, you can view this small waterfall before the main 'drop' which is right outside the frame of the photo. A Stinging Nettle and few Wild Ginger plants are growing next to the tree.

My oldest and I managed to see Harry Potter in between the flat tires, birthdays, teething babies, over-energetic kids, school shopping and the general craziness of the weekends anymore. We both enjoyed it... except for the flat tire part.

Hell's Run

A picture of Hell's Run taken from the first bridge along the Hell's Hollow Trail in McConnells Mill.

According to the DCNR website, in dry periods this section of the stream will run in a small underground cave.

Alpha Falls - View from Below

Another look at the falls. This photo was take on July 26, 2009 in McConnells Mill.

Hell's Hollow Falls - Gnarled Roots

A shot of the exposed roots of the tree that grows right next to the falls. It is not hard to miss, since it is the first thing you see after climbing down the stairs from the path above.

Canadian Wild Ginger

We believe the plant with the heart-shaped leaves in the bottom right is a Canadian Wild Ginger (Asarum Canadense). Also known as Canadian Snakeroot, it grows in rich woodland soil in eastern North America. According to one source, the leaves should not be eaten. The roots have been traditionally used as a flavoring, as well as a medicinal herb by Native Americans.

There are warnings over the concentrations of the carcinogen aristolochic acid in the roots. Aristolochic acid has been linked to a disease known as Balkan Nephropathy. Since the cases are listed in Europe, I don't know how valid the information is. In any case, consuming Wild Ginger may not be good for you.

The other plants we have not identified yet. I am curious about the plant right above the ginger but I don't know if we will figure that out right now.

More Info: Wikipedia • USDA • Wild Ginger Farm • American Beauties

Looking Up

This is a shot slightly above Hell's Run right before you cross over the first bridge in Hells Hollow.

First Bridge in Hell's Hollow

This is a photo of the first bridge you come to when hiking on the Hell's Hollow Trail at McConnell's Mill. It crosses Hell's Run and is very close to the parking area. As far as I know there are no trolls living under it. Just kidding.

This photo was taken on July 26, 2009.

Hell's Hollow Falls - A Couple More Shots

More shots of Hell's Hollow Falls in McConnell's Mill.

Hell's Hollow Falls

Today we hiked the Hell's Hollow Trail in McConnells Mill, or 'the Mill' for short. After a week of raining off and on, the falls were quite nice with all the extra water.

Hell's Hollow - Early July

This photo was taken on July 3, 2009.

A Little Out of Focus...

But I think it can be overlooked. My wife spotted the sun peaking through the trees and suggested taking a picture - which I am glad she did.

This was taken on the side trail to the Alpha Falls in McConnells Mill. You can see the top of the ridge on the bottom left. July 3, 2009