(BEDFORD) – Plans have been finalized for the annual White River RC&D Wildflower Hike on Saturday, April 13. This year the popular event will be held at Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest near Paoli. The wildflower hike will be led by Kay Yatskievych, author of Field Guide to Indiana Wildflowers and Carroll Ritter of Outdoor Connections.
There are two identical hikes to accommodate the numbers of people who normally sign up. A morning and afternoon session are offered, each led by Yatskievych and Ritter. A maximum of 25 people are accepted for each session, and the hikes fill up fast. In between the sessions, we encourage people from both hikes to join us for a picnic lunch. The comradery of eating together outdoors is always fun.
A modest $12 fee is charged. Please arrive 15- 20 minutes before the hike begins to sign in. Parking is available at the Christ the King Catholic Church parking lot across the road from the entrance to Pioneer Mothers. The address is 833 S. Triangle Road, Paoli, IN.
The morning hike begins at 10:30 am and goes to Noon. The afternoon hike will be from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. Copies of Kay’s book will be available.
Pre-registration and payment are required. The hike is conducted if it rains but canceled if severe weather approaches. A port-a-john will be available.
In previous years the hikes have filled up early, so make your reservations early by contacting Michael Wilhite at the Orange County SWCD, 573 SE Main St, Paoli, IN 47454 or by calling (812) 203-3033, or emailing Michael.Wilhite@in.nacdnet.net.
The White River RC&D is honored that Kay returns from Texas to lead our annual hikes and will be pleased to have you join us at the Forest Service Pioneer Mother Memorial Forest property. This section of the Pioneer Mothers property is fairly flat and is an easy walk. For several years the area was inundated with invasive garlic mustard, but the invasives are now under control, and the native wildflowers are coming back and people can enjoy them again.
