image-in-ing: June 2025

A few views of the Evans-Mumbower Mill from the Wissahickon Trail

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania is a beautiful location and has a series of well-maintained trails for hikers, bikers, kayakers, and nature enthusiasts. In late May, I went exploring part of the Wissahickon Green Ribbon Trail, which rambles through the woods for 13 miles. I didn't go far as we'd had significant rainfall the week prior and the trail was quite muddy in spots. But I did enjoy glimpses of spring wildflowers nonetheless.

Dame's rocket, viewed up close and from a distance.

Bulbous buttercup

Each year the Parks and Recreation Department posts signs at several trailheads to encourage people to participate in the Montco Trail Challenge. If participants identify all the symbols at the 20 trailheads included in this year's challenge, they will receive an award. I've got 5 so far!

A view of the Wissahickon River from the North Wales trailhead, about 15 miles west of Philadelphia

The Evans-Mumbower Mill - still operational - was built in 1835.

The addition on the right is of a newer vintage

A few of the things we found on a recent ramble

One of the nice things about the area I live in is that there are over 60 miles of trails maintained by the county in a variety of settings. Most have a decidedly rural feel, despite being less than 20 miles from Philadelphia. I have fun trying to identify the things we find as we walk along. An app called "Lens" is usually pretty accurate, although horticulturists might disagree with what Lens says we saw yesterday.