The title photo suggests that there were feet of snow on this January day. In reality it was 3 inches, or perhaps 4. It is just that the sign is surprisingly low to the ground.  Still, the depth was perfect for a hike, not so deep as to make trekking a challenge, but enough to make the woods enchanting. The stand-in photographer for the outing was our daughter Caroline who is an educator. She frequently gets snow days off, and is always up for a little adventure – and the photographer was still walking boot bound.

I have had Lloyd Woods identified as a good place for a snow hike since I first visited there – the terrain is manageable and I knew the old growth trees would look outstanding dressed in snow. Within fifty yards of the trailhead we were rewarded.

I have had my picture taken with this iconic Tulip-poplar many times – but it never gets old. This was my first with snow huddling at her base.

Shortly we descended a slight hill that is very familiar to us, to visit an old friend. A Black Walnut that is perhaps the largest walnut that I have ever seen. Amazingly it hosts the largest Wild Grape vine that I have ever found. The grape vine is about the size of my lower thigh.

We climbed a small set of stone stairs and to our right we had this vista. In the distance you can see an old tobacco barn. The first time the photographer and I came here two years ago the trail was not well marked and we got off course, but it was a blessing in disguise as the barn offered some excellent photography. (see link at the end of the article about that hike at Lloyd Woods). Since that visit, the trail’s signage has been much improved.

One of my favorite sightings on winter hikes are White Oaks. They have outstanding architecture. I initially noted this one from a distance.

As we got closer it did not lose any of its allure. I just love the structure and its claim to the hillside.

Within the drip line of this giant we had an outstanding view of Little Grassy Creek, which is on the northern boundary of the preserve. One of my goals for 2024 is to place a bench in this location.

The trees in the creek valley present a cathedral setting,

and Little Grassy Creek is the aisle that invites you further into the cathedral.

As we climbed out of the Little Grassy Creek Valley we found ourselves on the eastern aspect of the property. Here the wood is in transition, having lost many White Ashes to Emerald Ash Borer, and there are numerous large logs on the forest floor. Unfortunately the open canopy results in more sunshine reaching the forest floor which allows for a proliferation of the invasive Bush Honeysuckle, and less so Euonymus.

The trail wove across a couple of ravines to deliver us back to the old growth wood where we could take in the immensity of this White Oak.

The markings on the tree in the above photo, as well as the one below, reflect that Lloyd Woods is a site of annual research on mast (nut) production. The markings indicate the species of the tree: White is for White Oak family, Red for Red Oak family, and Orange for Hickory family.

And as we finished our mile loop Caroline saw the humorous Curtis Gates Lloyd monument for her first time.

Interesting observations on this day were several. First was this mature White Oak tree that displayed the bark that makes them such an important part of the ecosystem. The loose plaques allows for insects and bats to overwinter with some cover.

We enjoyed findings these battle scars. Woodpecker drillings in a line are from Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. 

These Turkey Tail fungi were found on a snow covered ash carcass that laid across the trail.

And lastly a somewhat rare sighting of a Linden tree whose limb broke off in a storm last year. The fruit is winged with a cluster of hard nut-like berries. This branch must have come down in the late summer given the state of development of the fruit.

Later in the hike we found this – the winged bract of a Linden fruit, with the fruits themselves buried in the snow.

One of the fun things about hiking in a wood after a snowstorm is when the breeze dislodges snow from the canopy, showering it down onto you. Peaceful … until it goes down your neck.