McConnells Mill

Hells Hollow Falls.

McConnells Mill State Park is a lovely place to explore. We were astonished with the beauty of Hell Run, a creek which winds its way to Hells Hollow Falls. It was once an underground limestone cave, before the roof collapsed.

Hells Hollow Falls are small but quite lovely, and very much worth the short walk from the parking area. There are interesting ruins of a lime kiln next to the falls. The wildflowers on this short trail are abundant and breathtaking!

We also visited the McConnells Mill itself, a grist mill from 1868 next to a lovely covered bridge. We parked at the Kildoo Picnic Area and walked down the Hill Trail to the mill. We were glad we did, because parking is extremely limited at the mill itself. However, we found signs advising that the Hill Trail was closed due to damage. Other visitors told us just to watch our footing and duck under the barrier at the bottom of the trail, and we'd be fine, which was good advice. The trail was very steep but definitely usable. Afterwards we found that it's also possible to get there easily from the Point Parking Area. You wouldn't want to walk along the road, which is very narrow in spots, with steep banks, and the one-way traffic would force you to return to your car with your  back to traffic. But the map reveals that the Alpha Pass Trail connects this parking area to the mill.  The mill itself will be open to visitors for the season beginning on Memorial Day, 10:30-3:30 Wed-Sun until late Sept.  

Trillium with spider visitor.

Spring beauties.

Blue violet.

Long ago, this was a limestone cave which collapsed.

Yellow wake robin.

Large flowered bellwort.

Ruins of a lime kiln next to the falls. 

Sharp lobed hepatica.

Mitrewort.

The lime kiln from above.

Squirrel corn.

Trout lily.

Wild blue phlox.

Blue violet.

Yellow violet.

Garlic mustard.

Wake robin.

Jack in the pulpit.

McConnells Mill, from 1868, and the covered bridge.

Early saxifrage. 

Long-spurred violet.

Early saxifrage.