NPSO 2019 Annual Meeting

July 12-14 Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains

Field Trips

Friday July 12, 2019 11:45 - 4:30 Field Trip # 4

Cedar Log Flat Research Natural Area TRIP IS FULL
Darlingtonia californica wetland at Cedar Log Flat Research Natural Area

Difficulty: Moderate (2-3 miles) - Moderate off trail. There are no restrooms available on this field trip.

Elevation: Cedar Log Flat RNA is located at 1,700'-3,300' in elevation. Participants should expect to gain an estimated 1,000' in elevation while hiking during the field trip.

Group Size Limit: 15

Waxy coneflower (Rudbeckia glaucescens) grows in the Darlingtonia wetlands.

Trip Description: We will drive up Slate Creek Road, along one of the lower tributaries of the Applegate River to a small parking area along Slate Creek. We will then ford the creek to access the Cedar Log Flat Research Natural Area (RNA), located on the Wild Rivers Ranger District of the Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest. The Cedar Log Flat RNA has Darlingtonia wetlands, serpentine influenced Jeffrey pine savanna, and mature mixed conifer forest.

We will explore the Darlingtonia wetlands and associated plant species within the "flat," which is flat in some areas, and a sloping Jeffrey pine savanna in other areas. We will also walk up an old, overgrown and unused mine road to view Darlingtonia along Cedar Log Creek and other rare plants in dryland upland habitats above the creek.

Keep in mind that the trip includes fording Slate Creek at the beginning and end of the trip. Bring water shoes and a towel if you would like. The water level is expected to be ankle to knee deep. Most of the hike will be off-trail, on moderate slopes and on uneven terrain.

This population of Darlingtonia californica is the only one within the Applegate River watershed. Many of the rare and unusual plants found at the Cedar Log Flat RNA are only found otherwise within the Illinois River watershed in southern Oregon.

Floristic Highlights: California pitcherplant or cobra lily (Darlingtonia californica), Waldo buckwheat, Siskiyou fritillary, Heckner's stonecrop, California lady's slipper, Waldo rockcress, Siskiyou pennycress, Oregon bleedingheart, Vollmer's lily, Ceanothus pumilis, Ceanothus prostrates, Port-orford cedar, huckleberry oak, Scabland fleabane, California bog asphodel, Rudbeckia glaucescens, Xerophyllum tenax

Appropriate Footwear: Sturdy footwear for off-trail hiking and water shoes for the stream crossing if desired. Bring trekking poles if you use them.

Special Considerations: Parking is limited at the parking area so full cars in the carpool will be necessary. High clearance vehicles will be needed for a few rocky spots in the road.

Plant Lists: A complete plant list for the Cedar Log Flat RNA is included within the "Establishment Record" for the RNA at the following link:

Meeting Place and Time: Trip # 4 leaves at 11:45 from Pacifica.

Driving Directions: From Pacifica drive north on Water Gap Road to Highway 238. Drive straight onto Highway 238 toward Murphy. Turn left onto Murphy Creek Road and then immediately turn right onto Southside Road. Turn left onto Fish Hatchery Road. At Wilderville turn left onto Old Redwood Highway. Turn left onto Highway 199 and drive approximately 5 miles to Slate Creek Road. Drive Slate Creek Road to the intersection with road 695 (which is decommissioned). The area does not have an official trail. Park at the intersection, ford the creek and continue walking up the old mine road to Cedar Log Flat and up Cedar Log Creek.

Driving miles from Pacifica to trailhead: 25 miles one way from Pacifica

Leaders: Dominic DiPaolo & Chelsea Reha

Dominic DiPaolo is a botanist and private consultant who has lived and worked in the Rogue Valley of Southwest Oregon for the past 17 years. He most recently has been working with the Inventory and Monitoring Program of the National Park Service to produce vegetation classifications and vegetation maps of the national parks and monuments in Southern Oregon and Northern California. Dom formerly served as the Siskiyou Chapter Conservation Chair.

Chelsea Reha is a 'State of Jefferson' native with a lifelong interest in plants. She enjoys hiking, gardening and spending time in beautiful places with other plant-lovers. Chelsea is currently employed doing seasonal botany work for the Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest.

Cedar Log Flat Research Natural Area

Darlingtonia californica along Cedar Log Creek

Darlingtonia californica at Cedar Log Flat along Slate Creek in the Applegate Watershed.