Smith Bridge - Jackson River Scenic Trail

On Monday we returned to the Jackson River Scenic Trail for our afternoon bike ride. Smith Bridge is currently the northern end of the trail.

Smith Bridge is an old road bridge that at one time had asphalt over a wooden deck. It's now closed to motor vehicles, but is open to foot and bicycle traffic.

Lon biking over the bridge.

There are a number of largish holes in the deck. It's a bit unnerving, but overall the bridge feels solid!

Wildflowers

Each week brings new wildflowers to the trail.

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are just about done blooming.

But Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) is just beginning to bloom.

As is Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) -- one of my favorite wildflowers. The umbrella-like leaves do a good job of hiding the flowers in late April and early May, and then the green "apple" fruit, which mostly appears in June and ripens over the summer, is also well hidden.

Star Chickweed (Stellaria pubera) looks as if it has 10 petals, but it's really 5 deeply-cut petals.