Eastern Plateau

A Virtual Tour of the Gorge at Buttermilk Falls State Park
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	This stretch of the gorge trail is close to King Road. Your hike began at a portion of the gorge trail that was highly disturbed due to trail construction and maintenance over the years. Similarly, your hike will conclude at another disturbed area. This flat section of the trail supports a high diversity of plant species; a cosmopolitan assemblage of native and introduced species, that flourish here due to a somewhat thinner tree canopy. Compared with other sections of the gorge trail, this section appears rather weedy. x



	One such weedy species which has become prevalent along this stretch of the trail, is a native annual called, pale yellow touch-me-not. It is so named because its ripe seed capsules will instantly split open if touched, forcefully expelling its seeds in all directions. (Another name for this species is, pale yellow jewelweed.) x



	The north bank of the creek is quite different in terms of ecology and species composition. Rich, moist ledges, carpeted with shrubs, ferns and wildflowers, line the creek along the north bank. Below the ledges, just above normal, low water levels, can be found a diversity of wetland species. These river bars, though more natural plant communities, are nevertheless affected by disturbance during and after storms. Strong currents often sweep away much of the vegetation close to the water's edge. x