General Information
Each trout lily flower opens in late morning or early afternoon, follows the sun, and closes at dusk, so to see the open flowers go in the afternoon. If it is raining heavily or very dark and cloudy in the morning, the flowers may stay closed into the afternoon, but if the sun comes out later in the afternoon, they may open then. Each individual flower re-opens for several days, with overall numbers of flowers in bloom beginning gradually, increasing, peaking, then declining over the course of a few weeks. Depending on the winter weather the overall bloom may be anywhere from three or four weeks long, usually encompassing mid-February, rarely into March. Once the bloom has finished for the year any remaining guided tours will be cancelled and the gate locked will be locked. Once the season ends access to the property is permitted only in the following circumstances
The trout lilies grow on a slope, so visitors need to wear boots or shoes WITH TREADS that may get damp or muddy. Bring a walking stick if desired. Some sparkleberrry walking sticks are provided for visitor use during your time at the preserve and you can purchase one with a donation. The trails may be slippery when wet, please proceed with caution.
Cameras are highly recommended! Please take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints. You may want to bring a hand lens or magnifying glass to look at the tiny twayblade orchids or small parts of other flowers. You can actually take photos through these lenses, if you don't have a close-up camera lens.
Unfortunately there is no access for people with significantly limited mobility who cannot complete a walk of several hundred yards on a slope. If you have minor limitations, be sure to come on a day when the ground will be dry, come with an able-bodied companion and bring a walking stick or cane. You probably will want to stay on the wider trail to the best views or walk along the upper trail. We have had very happy 90+ year old visitors, but only you can decide what is best for you.
There is a parking area inside the gate. Vehicles used by visitors (cars, trucks, four-wheeler s, bicycles, motorcycles, etc) are not allowed on the property beyond the designated parking area. Limited use of vehicles beyond the designated parking area by volunteers are permitted for the purposes of trail maintenance and parking access.
Visitors are asked to sign in with the volunteer greeters or at the kiosk. There are laminated maps to use while you are there and color brochures that you may take if you want one to keep or share. (You can also find/print a copy from the link here.) Then proceed downhill to the slope. For a short walk to the best views, go straight down on the wide trail and come back the same way. Other trails are marked for those who want to enjoy a longer walk.You can make a large loop by continuing from the best views onto the lower trail, which carries you to a lovely view of Wolf Creek, then continue uphill and exit out the driveway. Or turn right onto the upper trail, with overlook views and tiny twayblade orchids, and come out as you came in. Or as you leave the parking area, proceed down the big trail and soon turn right onto the upper trail, making the loop counter-clockwise. There is also The Orchid Loop off of the big trail to the left as you go down slope, which wanders thru an area with two other species of orchid plants (not blooming) and other interesting habitats and plants not found on the main loop. The orchid loop comes out at the bottom of the best view area.
The lower trail wanders through shrubbery, so if you want to stay on a more established trail, we recommend you turn around at the bottom of the western side trail (where there are the best views). On the upper trail (where there are good overviews) you can go back or exit to the road to the parking area rather than continuing down slope.
You may also walk south of the parking area towards Trillium Creek in a fairly open area with some large patches of trillium and rain lilies (not blooming yet), but no trout lilies. The small creek is quite delightful, and this is a very quiet and peaceful area. This would be a nice area to walk in if you want to come late morning while you wait for the trout lilies to open for the day.
More people come on the weekends, so if you can come weekdays, it will be less likely to be crowded.
Each trout lily flower opens in late morning or early afternoon, follows the sun, and closes at dusk, so to see the open flowers go in the afternoon. If it is raining heavily or very dark and cloudy in the morning, the flowers may stay closed into the afternoon, but if the sun comes out later in the afternoon, they may open then. Each individual flower re-opens for several days, with overall numbers of flowers in bloom beginning gradually, increasing, peaking, then declining over the course of a few weeks. Depending on the winter weather the overall bloom may be anywhere from three or four weeks long, usually encompassing mid-February, rarely into March. Once the bloom has finished for the year any remaining guided tours will be cancelled and the gate locked will be locked. Once the season ends access to the property is permitted only in the following circumstances
- Invasive plant removal work days
- Announced planned activities
- Approved visitor request. Please contact Margaret Tyson at (229) 378-7610 if you have a request for access.
The trout lilies grow on a slope, so visitors need to wear boots or shoes WITH TREADS that may get damp or muddy. Bring a walking stick if desired. Some sparkleberrry walking sticks are provided for visitor use during your time at the preserve and you can purchase one with a donation. The trails may be slippery when wet, please proceed with caution.
Cameras are highly recommended! Please take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints. You may want to bring a hand lens or magnifying glass to look at the tiny twayblade orchids or small parts of other flowers. You can actually take photos through these lenses, if you don't have a close-up camera lens.
Unfortunately there is no access for people with significantly limited mobility who cannot complete a walk of several hundred yards on a slope. If you have minor limitations, be sure to come on a day when the ground will be dry, come with an able-bodied companion and bring a walking stick or cane. You probably will want to stay on the wider trail to the best views or walk along the upper trail. We have had very happy 90+ year old visitors, but only you can decide what is best for you.
There is a parking area inside the gate. Vehicles used by visitors (cars, trucks, four-wheeler s, bicycles, motorcycles, etc) are not allowed on the property beyond the designated parking area. Limited use of vehicles beyond the designated parking area by volunteers are permitted for the purposes of trail maintenance and parking access.
Visitors are asked to sign in with the volunteer greeters or at the kiosk. There are laminated maps to use while you are there and color brochures that you may take if you want one to keep or share. (You can also find/print a copy from the link here.) Then proceed downhill to the slope. For a short walk to the best views, go straight down on the wide trail and come back the same way. Other trails are marked for those who want to enjoy a longer walk.You can make a large loop by continuing from the best views onto the lower trail, which carries you to a lovely view of Wolf Creek, then continue uphill and exit out the driveway. Or turn right onto the upper trail, with overlook views and tiny twayblade orchids, and come out as you came in. Or as you leave the parking area, proceed down the big trail and soon turn right onto the upper trail, making the loop counter-clockwise. There is also The Orchid Loop off of the big trail to the left as you go down slope, which wanders thru an area with two other species of orchid plants (not blooming) and other interesting habitats and plants not found on the main loop. The orchid loop comes out at the bottom of the best view area.
The lower trail wanders through shrubbery, so if you want to stay on a more established trail, we recommend you turn around at the bottom of the western side trail (where there are the best views). On the upper trail (where there are good overviews) you can go back or exit to the road to the parking area rather than continuing down slope.
You may also walk south of the parking area towards Trillium Creek in a fairly open area with some large patches of trillium and rain lilies (not blooming yet), but no trout lilies. The small creek is quite delightful, and this is a very quiet and peaceful area. This would be a nice area to walk in if you want to come late morning while you wait for the trout lilies to open for the day.
More people come on the weekends, so if you can come weekdays, it will be less likely to be crowded.
The following items ARE PROHIBITED at Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve
- Removal of Plants
- Cutting of any plants
- Fires
- Trash
- Pets (other than Service Animals)
- Hunting
2021 Guided Tour Information
Over the last few years, Wolf Creek Trout Lily volunteers have collaborated with Whigham’s local 383 Boy Scout Troop where they have created both signage for our Wolf Creek Road entry and an information kiosk at the trail head, to welcome and inform our visitors for the bloom season. Last year Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve was awarded a grant by Golden Triangle RC&D for permanent signage that identifies a number of trees and plants on the property. Even though Hurricane Michael downed several trees, we continue to restore the trails. All this is to say, Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve is ready for the 2021 Bloom Season. Based on our most recent work day, the trout lilies are just now emerging and should be ready for viewing around February 8th.
This year’s bloom season most likely will last through February. The trout lily flower typically opens in early afternoon depending on sunlight, so greeters are on site beginning around 1:00 pm throughout the week. Guided tours are available Friday- Sunday or by request.
If a group is interested in a tour, contact Margaret Tyson at (229) 378-7610 or check our public tour schedule on our website. The gates to the Preserve will be open throughout February for our visitors.
A reminder, please wear sturdy shoes that can grip mud, dress warmly and bring your camera. Pets (other than service animals) are not allowed. The full trail loop is hilly and we offer an upper trail that is more accessible. This natural resource is unique and not to be missed. Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve is home to the most extensive mass of this species known anywhere in the world. They are very rare in the Coastal Plain. There is no entry fee to walk the trails; however, most all the upkeep and improvements on the property are paid through donations and grants.
The Whigham Community Club continues to embrace the Preserve and their members act as greeters for our visitors. The businesses in the community also are ready for the 2021 season and the Whigham Café offers their very own “Trout Lily Special” at lunch each week-day and for their Thursday and Friday night supper. The Community Club will be selling Trout Lily t-shirts for $20.00. All the Whigham community welcomes visitors to Grady County.
The Volunteer Advisory Board of Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve is excited about all the improvements and is eager to welcome visitors for the 2021 Wolf Creek Trout Lily Bloom Season. This year we will have hand-held trail maps for our visitors and we are offering a new option for navigating the trails through an app called AVENZA. It is a free download and the Preserve trail map can be downloaded from our web page to your phone. Directions for using this app and other information about Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve, is available on our website: https://www.wolfcreektroutlilypreserve.org. For day to day updates and photos, follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/wolfcreektroutlilypreserve/ . We are encouraging visitors to post their photographs to Facebook using the hashtags #wolfcreek2021 or #troutlily2021.
We look forward to seeing you in Grady County and at the Preserve in February.
Over the last few years, Wolf Creek Trout Lily volunteers have collaborated with Whigham’s local 383 Boy Scout Troop where they have created both signage for our Wolf Creek Road entry and an information kiosk at the trail head, to welcome and inform our visitors for the bloom season. Last year Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve was awarded a grant by Golden Triangle RC&D for permanent signage that identifies a number of trees and plants on the property. Even though Hurricane Michael downed several trees, we continue to restore the trails. All this is to say, Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve is ready for the 2021 Bloom Season. Based on our most recent work day, the trout lilies are just now emerging and should be ready for viewing around February 8th.
This year’s bloom season most likely will last through February. The trout lily flower typically opens in early afternoon depending on sunlight, so greeters are on site beginning around 1:00 pm throughout the week. Guided tours are available Friday- Sunday or by request.
If a group is interested in a tour, contact Margaret Tyson at (229) 378-7610 or check our public tour schedule on our website. The gates to the Preserve will be open throughout February for our visitors.
A reminder, please wear sturdy shoes that can grip mud, dress warmly and bring your camera. Pets (other than service animals) are not allowed. The full trail loop is hilly and we offer an upper trail that is more accessible. This natural resource is unique and not to be missed. Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve is home to the most extensive mass of this species known anywhere in the world. They are very rare in the Coastal Plain. There is no entry fee to walk the trails; however, most all the upkeep and improvements on the property are paid through donations and grants.
The Whigham Community Club continues to embrace the Preserve and their members act as greeters for our visitors. The businesses in the community also are ready for the 2021 season and the Whigham Café offers their very own “Trout Lily Special” at lunch each week-day and for their Thursday and Friday night supper. The Community Club will be selling Trout Lily t-shirts for $20.00. All the Whigham community welcomes visitors to Grady County.
The Volunteer Advisory Board of Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve is excited about all the improvements and is eager to welcome visitors for the 2021 Wolf Creek Trout Lily Bloom Season. This year we will have hand-held trail maps for our visitors and we are offering a new option for navigating the trails through an app called AVENZA. It is a free download and the Preserve trail map can be downloaded from our web page to your phone. Directions for using this app and other information about Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve, is available on our website: https://www.wolfcreektroutlilypreserve.org. For day to day updates and photos, follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/wolfcreektroutlilypreserve/ . We are encouraging visitors to post their photographs to Facebook using the hashtags #wolfcreek2021 or #troutlily2021.
We look forward to seeing you in Grady County and at the Preserve in February.
Tour Leader Bios
|
Beth Grant - Thomasville
Naturalist, President and Founder of the Friends of Lost Creek Forest and Longtime Volunteer Leader at Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve |
Dan Miller - Tallahassee
Founder of Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve, Owner of Trillium Gardens in Tallahasseee |
Wilson Baker - Tallahassee
Founder of Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve and Florida Native Plant Society |
|
Jan Blue Anglin - Tallahassee
Magnolia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society Board, Longtime Volunteer at Wolf Creek |
Dr. Ann Johnson - Tallahassee
Magnolia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society & Florida Natural Areas Inventory Botanist |
Margaret Tyson - Cairo
Naturalist, Volunteer at Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve, |
2021 Tour Dates & Times
Tour dates and times may change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
In addition other tours may be scheduled. In the event of a change to the listed tours, updates will be posted ASAP on the website and the Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve Facebook page.
In addition other tours may be scheduled. In the event of a change to the listed tours, updates will be posted ASAP on the website and the Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve Facebook page.
A special Thank You to our volunteers who give of their time to make each bloom season enjoyable to all.
Wallace Chason, Christy Bandy, Jane Trulock, Terri Perkins, Demetrius Cox, Ann Bean, Margie Eubanks, Steph Hibberts,
Kay Hash, D. Poppell, Dennis Clark, Susan Anderson, Clarcie Avery, Sue Baggett, Emily Maxwell
Wallace Chason, Christy Bandy, Jane Trulock, Terri Perkins, Demetrius Cox, Ann Bean, Margie Eubanks, Steph Hibberts,
Kay Hash, D. Poppell, Dennis Clark, Susan Anderson, Clarcie Avery, Sue Baggett, Emily Maxwell
The City of Whigham Welcomes Trout Lily Visitors
We would be happy for you to visit us!
We would be happy for you to visit us!
