NPSO 2019 Annual Meeting

July 12-14     Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains

Field Trips

Sunday July 14, 2019    9:00 - 3:00                    Field Trip # 32

Difficulty:     Moderate  (1-3 miles round trip depending on time available and final destinations on the Siskiyou Crest) - Much of this trip will include off-trail hiking.

Elevation:     No significant mileage or elevation change for tufa locations and no significant mileage or elevation change for old-growth lichens. Approximately 1 mile round trip and 200-400' elevation drop for Middle Hell/Mud Springs or Silver Fork Basin, whichever we make it to.

Dutchman Peak is nearby, with an old road to walk along that has little elevation change -- we can go as far as participants wish. It is approximately 2 miles round trip to the lookout, but the entire road is about the same elevation as the lookout and is lined with interesting vegetation, so we may not go all the way to the lookout.

Group Size Limit:     18

Trip Description:     This field trip will delve into the cryptic world of lichens and bryophytes in the Siskiyous of southern Oregon. We will begin at lower elevations, visiting areas of tufa deposits on either Lime Gulch or Lick Gulch in the Upper Applegate. Calcareous areas such as these are uncommon throughout most of Oregon and support a unique bryophyte flora, many species of which are rare and of conservation concern.

We will then move up in elevation, visiting an old-growth forest stand where lichens abound. The final destination will be the Siskiyou Crest, where we will explore a sphagnum-dominated wetland and one of the taller peaks in the Siskiyous, where the complex geology (including serpentine) leads to a high diversity of lichens and bryophytes. We may make it to Middle Hell. If not, we will end the trip at Silver Fork Basin. Beautiful wildflowers and other interesting vascular plants will also be encountered. The trip leader will also give a short tutorial on finding truffles.

Tufa deposits are a limestone formed when carbonate minerals precipitate out of ambient temperature water. The ecology of tufa in the Applegate is not widely known. Diverse flora, especially bryophytes, can be found in tufa deposits. Some streams in the Applegate form tufa because they are carrying calcium carbonate in solution. Through evaporation the tufa can form a surface crust along the stream, as well as deposits within the stream.

Come explore the interesting ecology of tufa, bryophytes, sphagnum, and other intriguing habitats of the Applegate Siskiyous with Scot Loring.

Floristic Highlights:     Tufa: calciphile bryophytes such as Eucladium verticillatum, Crumia latifolia, Gymnostomum spp are in the area (we may not see all of these).

Old-growth lichens: many conifer epiphytes including the colorful Letharia columbiana and likely the rare L. gracilis.

Mud Springs/Middle Hell: wetland bryophytes including Sphagnum miyabeanum and the rare moss Bruchia bolanderi

Silver Fork: an overall great diversity of wildflowers

Dutchman Peak: a wide variety of lichens and bryophytes on rock substrates, along with the rare plants Horkelia hendersonii and Castilleja shizotricha

Appropriate Footwear:     Sturdy footwear is advised.

Special Considerations:     A hand-lens will be helpful; four-tine garden rake or hand-grubber for those who wish to search for truffles; good water-resistant boots for those who wish to go into the wet areas (optional).

Meeting Place and Time:     Trip # 32 leaves at 9am from Pacifica.

Driving Directions:     We will drive from Pacifica into the Upper Applegate, stopping along the way, with an eventual destination at Silver Fork Basin. From Pacifica to the furthest destination at Silver Fork Basin, it will be approximately 40 miles. From Pacifica, head right (southerly) across the Applegate River and through the town of Applegate on HWY 238 about 18 miles. Turn right on Hamilton and go past Cantrall-Buckley County Park. Turn right on Upper Applegate Road, driving 7.5 miles to Beaver Creek Road (Road 20) and turn left. Eventually Road 20 turns to gravel. Turn right onto Road 2025 at the Silver Fork Gap intersection and continue the short drive to Silver Fork Basin and Kettle Belly Glade. Note: Road 20 contains washboard sections and is a bit rough and narrow near Dutchman Peak; it is still passable in regular cars, although best in AWD or 4WD. We may drive out Siskiyou Crest Road (40S01) to Mud Spring and Middle Hell if we have time.

Driving miles from Pacifica to trailhead:     Estimated 40 miles one way from Pacifica, to possible final destination at Silver Fork Meadows, but we may drive further to Mud Spring and Middle Hell if we have time.

Leader:       Scot Loring

Scot Loring is the owner of Pacific Crest Consulting, LLC, and has worked as a botanist and mycologist throughout Oregon since 1994. He has discovered a number of species new to science including two new genera, and is the coauthor of Rare Lichens of Oregon. Scott also serves on the board of the Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.

Tufa

Black fruited stink moss

Silver Fork Basin

Silver Fork Basin