Hardscrabble Prairie features a dry prairie and oak openings near Hazel Green in southwestern Lafayette County.  Park near the end of the cul-de-sac on Crawford Lane near the sewage treatment plant and walk along the fence on the west side of the plant.

Walking along the fence brought me to what seemed to be an access lane heading west.  To the north was a large prairie  opening.  Lead plant, purple prairie clover, and American bellflower were the highlights here.  Wild bergamot was also very abundant.  To the south was a shallow creek which, if memory serves me correctly, I was able to jump across.  The prairie opening in this area was significantly invaded by sumac and other woody species, so I did not spent as much time there.  In retrospect, I would have liked to explore this area further as it spans further east than I ventured.  All in all, easy to find, easy to explore, and easy to want to return to again.

Purple Prairie Clover

More of my photos (and full-res) from Hardscrabble Prairie can be viewed here.

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