NPSO 2019 Annual Meeting

July 12-14     Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains

Field Trips

Saturday July 13, 2019    8:30 - 4:00                    Field Trip # 22

Difficulty:     Difficult  (2.5-4 miles depending on optional trip variations) - Strenuous 2.5 mile round-trip with an optional variation that will add approximately 2 miles. 800 ft vertical gain, with the optional route adding another 450 ft.

Elevation:     4700 to 5500 ft with an optional side route up to 5950 ft.

Group Size Limit:     15

Trip Description:     Drive to Cook and Green Pass at the divide between the Applegate River and Klamath River watersheds, and at the boundary between the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Klamath National Forest, and hike into a hotspot for botanical diversity. We will follow an abandoned trail through the 2017 Abney Fire footprint into Elk Meadow, a rarely visited cirque wetland on the upper north slope of the Siskiyou Crest and just east of the Red Buttes Wilderness at the top of the Applegate watershed. We will see endemic, rare and uncommon species, including serpentine associated species, while enjoying views of the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains and the effects of the 2017 Abney Fire.

Botanists and native plant enthusiasts come from around the country to botanize at Cook and Green Pass due to the high concentration of species in the area (upwards of 300 species), and the unique serpentine geology.

Floristic Highlights:     Siskiyou upland and wetland species. California lady slipper, Newberry's gentian, California bog asphodel and Wiggins' lily are examples of some species which can be found in the wetland areas. In the surrounding habitats Brewer's spruce can be found. Also, an optional route can take the group to the south side of the crest where Baker cypress can be observed.

Appropriate Footwear:     Hiking boots or sturdy shoes

Special Considerations:     A significant portion of this hike will be through a burn area, and will be fairly exposed. Be prepared for hot weather and fairly strenuous hiking conditions. Portions of the hike are off-trail, so long pants and long-sleeve shirt may help with "bushwhacking." Hiking poles are recommended.

Plant Lists:     There are several old plant lists available that are included in a single PDF in the link below.

Meeting Place and Time:     Trip # 22 leaves at 8:30am from Pacifica.

Alternate Meeting:     To accomodate trip members who aren't staying at Pacifica, this trip will also pick up members at its first stop at Star Ranger Station at 9am, (6941 Upper Applegate Road).

Driving Directions:     From Pacifica drive north on Water Gap Road to Highway 238. Travel east on Highway 238 approximately 13.7 miles, then turn right onto Upper Applegate Road. Follow Upper Applegate road south for 20.1 miles (turn left when the road T's at the south end of Applegate Lake to stay on Upper Applegate Road), then turn left onto Forest Service Road 1050. Follow the 1050 Road for 0.8 miles, and then turn right onto Forest Service Road 1055. Follow the 1055 Road for 9.7 miles to the Cook and Green Pass trailhead.

Driving miles from Pacifica to trailhead:     45 miles one way from Pacifica. (Drive time about 1 hour and 30 minutes.)

Leader:       Dave Bowden

Dave Bowden works for the Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest.

Wildflowers near Cook and Green Pass.

Wildflowers at Elk Meadow

California bog asphodel (Narthecium californicum) at Elk Meadows

The Red Buttes as seen from the PCT near Cook and Green Pass

Field trip co-leader, Forest Service botanist Dave Bowden, at Elk Meadow.