Hike from Fish Hatchery

During one of the first Saturday's of beautiful Spring weather we headed out for a hike at the Walhalla fish hatchery.

Before you can begin a hike that starts at the hatchery you have to take a look at the hoards of trout swimming in the tanks.

It's actually a bit creepy to see in person.  Swarms of fish in every tank.  

After checking out the varieties of trout being raised at the hatchery we headed for our hike down the East Fork trail toward the Chattooga river.  The trail was muddy but we made it through with not much more than dirty shoes.   We were on a mission to see the river.

Some of the interesting things we spotted along the trail included:

Beaver damage:

Trillium flowers:

Ferns:

Bugs:

One of the games that Brenna has started up during hikes is to run ahead of us a bit with her brother and then plop down, a good way to get ticks by the way, and then when we catch up she says, "We've been waiting sooooooooooo long!"

Along the way to the river we also encountered some fallen trees that blocked the way.   This provided a photo opportunity as well as an event of my kids showing some team work!

We eventually made our way to the Chattooga river where the East Fork runs into it, ate a snack and then headed back out.  Before reaching the car we stopped to take a few family photos.

I am glad SPRING has arrived.  Hiking and camping are now IN SEASON.