Bryophyte and Lichen Snowshoe Walk with Scot Loring

During winter, we often forget that in the quiet and stillness, the forest is still teeming with life. Join the Friends as we discover the often overlooked world of lichens and bryophytes in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Bryophytes will include mosses and liverworts, as hornworts will likely be undetectable under the snow, being generally terrestrial. Many species grow on trees, some of which are typically found only higher up from the ground, which may be accessible by snowshoeing on top of deep snowpack.

Scot Loring, Friends board member and botanist/mycologist will teach us how to identify common species and will share his knowledge of their ecology and physiology.

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The hike location is to be determined, based on the snowpack on the day of the event. Registered participants will be given information about the exact location once this has been determined.

Registration is required to attend this hike.

Hike Duration: 4 hours

Hike Length: 2-3 miles (exact length is TBD, depending on location)

Difficulty: Participants should be able to comfortably walk 2-3 miles in snow and spend a few hours in potentially cold weather. We will be going at a medium pace with periodic stops. Beginners and families welcome, recommended for ages 10+

Please Bring:
– Sack lunch
– Water bottle
– Layers
– Snow shoes or xc skis*, or if there is no/little snow wear boots that can get muddy, *snow shoes or xc skis may be rented from Get N Gear, REI, the SOU Outdoor Program, or Mountain Provisions in Ashland
– Additional items: Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Binoculars, Hand Lens
– A sense of adventure!

Directions: To carpool, meet at 8:45 am in the Rite Aid parking lot (corner of Ashland Street and Tolman Creek Road). Park at the east end, near the Rodeway Inn. We will be leaving the parking lot at 9am.