Posted in Hiking, Park visit

Clifton Gorge in Spring

Bob and I visited Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve in early April. Since the foliage isn’t out yet, visitors can get a clearer view of the Little Miami River than would be available in summer, plus the river is swollen from all of the spring showers.

Looking down at the falls at Clifton Gorge

The bare branches that are extending over the falls in the above photo will block part of the view after the leaves have emerged.



After observing the falls from above, we moved upstream and looked back at it.

From farther upstream, you can see how narrow the gorge becomes right after the falls.

Then we started heading downstream.

Water rushing between the cliffs
Farther downstream the river widens again

This seasonal waterfall was a mere trickle when we saw it last summer.

This is a small, seasonal waterfall.
This is the top of the seasonal waterfall as viewed from a bridge on the upper trail.

Although the trees are mostly bare-looking, some early spring flowers were already blooming.

Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullari)
Grape hyacinth (Muscari botryoides); this is an “escaped,” cultivated flower.
Sharp-lobed hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba)
Plantain-leaved sedge (Carex plantaginea)
I think of these as “moss flowers”, but they are really moss sporophytes.

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is in Greene County. See our overview of Clifton Gorge for a more complete description of this nature preserve, including map and address.




More on Waterfalls

© Deborah Platt, Robert Platt and TrekOhio.com 2012 to 2021


One thought on “Clifton Gorge in Spring

  1. Wonderful photos! Dicentra is one of my favourites, Dicentra spectabilis is commonly known as “bleeding hearts” over here – it’s a beautiful plant. Another lovely post 😀 x

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