The habitat here on trail 12 is unique in the west Greenbelt. Trail 12 runs along the top of a limestone ridge that rises 150+ feet from the surrounding landscape. The ground is exposed limestone covered here and there with moss, lichens, needle litter from the abundant pine trees, and at most a thin layer of soil. A somewhat similar habitat exists in Stony Swamp behind the Wild Bird Care Center and there Pink Lady's-Slipper Orchids grow in the unique soil conditions. I've always wondered if any uncommon plants grow in the similarly unique soil conditions here on trail 12 but I have not yet explored that. Maybe next year. But today on the way in I noted a colony of Northern Beech Fern, which makes this only the second site in the west Greenbelt where I know this species grows.
 
Today the trail (11) leading to up the limestone ridge to trail 12 was a small creek with flowing water. I jumped across the flowing water as I ascended the trail trying to find a dry route up. Once up on trail 12, with dry feet, I encountered numerous pools of water like the one shown in the photo here, and the trail itself was impassable, all a side-effect of yesterday's downpour.