Trillium Trail

The last of the trails that Sandra and I hiked in Giant City State Park was the two mile long Trillium, which split into two very distinct parts: lower and upper.

The lower transversed moss-filled wetlands at the base of a bluff. This area offers a nice look at the rock formations and various foliage. In particular, it's a great area for viewing spring flowers, though we were a week or two too early for wildflowers. The only blooms we saw were from a small white flower (which we identified but the name eludes me now).



The Shape of Rock




Layers and Divides

About midway through the hike we ascended a fairly steep incline which we even had steps on the upper portion of the rise. At the top of the bluff, the ecosystem change from a wet to a drier environment. No moss, instead, trees of various types and sizes dominated the landscape. We paused for a moment and took in the scene.



Downward

While the top offered impressive views of the valley, the view varied little as the trail progressed. However, one thing which interested me greatly was the number of little dry ravines which cut across the trail. The action of the water after rains and snow melts obviously carved into the rock, exposing step patterns and cracks in the bluff, further illustrating how the Streets of Giant City formed.

The trail follows closely to the bluff edge, so it can be hazardous in wet weather. Also, while overall I enjoyed the trail, the time and effort versus reward wasn't as high on Trillium compared to others, but that might have been partly due to our timing. Locals highly recommended the trail. Depending upon the season, I can see Trillium offering a substantially different perspective, particularly in mid-Spring or Fall, so I am curious to return again and experience the contrasts.