Join Local Naturalists to Explore Cascade-Siskiyou Monument!
Join local naturalists on free public hikes on weekend days in June and early July 2017. Explore wildlands in the expanded Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument that scientists recommended in order to make the Monument more ecologically whole. Learn about local flora and fauna, visit some nice country, and be inspired to defend these areas against current efforts to unprotect them. From down by the Klamath River to high above Ashland, 2017’s hikes gain in elevation as spring turns to summer. – The Monument’s southern boundary is no longer just the OR/CA state line. Some of the original Monument’s Klamath River tributary watersheds are no longer sliced in two. The driving approach to our June 24 Little Hyatt old-growth groves/Sampson Rim hike near Round Mountain has been partially degraded by BLM’s Cottonwood timber sale. You’ll see why we and our allies sued and stopped BLM from building a new 1.5 mile logging road in this jewel of a remnant roadless area. – Our July 2 hike will scramble up Vulture Rock in the upper Jenny Creek watershed near Griffin Pass for impressive views of Johnson Prairie, Surveyor Mountain, and a lot more. – On July 9 you can join us on the classic flower trail around the top of Grizzly Peak – now, as all these places are, in the expanded Cascade-Siskiyou Nat’l Monument.
JUNE 24, SATURDAY: Join ecologist Jay Lininger to explore the classic remnant forest of the Little Hyatt Old-Growth Groves and look into the upper Bear Creek Valley from the rim above Sampson Creek. We stopped BLM’s plans to road and log this special place apart. You’ll see why. About three miles of off-trail hiking. Sign up via Alison Kling: sodamtnwild@yahoo.com. Moderate or Easy (route is adjustable). Meet at 9:00 a.m.
JULY 2, SUNDAY: Ornithologist and Rogue Valley Audubon Conservation Chair Pepper Trail (ptrail@ashlandnet.net) will lead a scramble up Vulture Rock (elev. 6,054’) above the PCT near Griffin Pass and Big Springs for big views of Johnson Prairie, Surveyor Mountain, the upper Jenny Creek watershed (and a LOT more). About three miles round-trip with some off-trail hiking, rock/talus hopping, and a few hands-and-feet climbing moves at the top. Easy-to-moderate hiking with a non-technical climb to a summit that acrophobes may find very difficult. Meet at 8:30 a.m.
JULY 9, SUNDAY: Join the Rogue Valley’s most popular hike leader, Kristi Merganthaler (coprolitemergie@yahoo.com) of the Native Plant Society of Oregon’s Siskiyou Chapter, for the classic flower-hike trail around the top of Grizzly Peak (elev. 5,920’) on Ashland’s eastern skyline. Nice forest, meadows, views, and some interesting post-fire landscape, as well. About 5 miles. Moderate. Meet at 8:30 a.m.
SODA MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS COUNCIL HIKES – JUNE/JULY 2017 Even if/when strenuous (weak knees and ankles need not apply), these outings are not intended to be “power hikes” that merely churn out the miles. Each trip includes at least one professional and experienced naturalist to help give you a sense along the way of why the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument’s presidential proclamation calls the area an “ecological wonder” and “biological crossroads” – and why the expanded Monument needs to stay intact …
IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR HIKES: BRING lunch, snacks, plenty-of-water, rain gear, sun protection, sturdy hiking shoes/boots, a sense of humor and adventure – and embark on a leisurely saunter, vigorous hike, or strenuous scramble (depending on the trip) in a Cascade-Siskiyou Nat’l Monument expansion area. Most trips involve at least a little off-trail, cross-country hiking. All hikes are free and usually involve carpooling.
Group sizes vary and are up to each hike leader. Space may be limited, depending on the hike. Ask your hike leader for their best estimate of return time, which they cannot absolutely guarantee. Hazards: You may encounter ticks, rattlesnakes, and any other possible outdoor hazard (ill effects of sun, heat, rain, wind, cold, twisted ankle/knee, etc.) on any trip. There will be some poison oak on the lower elevation trips or portions of trips. You must sign a liability waiver at trip-start. **PLEASE RESERVE YOUR PLACE WITH THE LISTED HIKE CONTACT PERSON** When you sign up via email with your hike’s contact person please include your phone #. We reserve the right to deny participation due to safety concerns or for any other reason. Dogs by prior permission only at the discretion of each hike leader. A very grateful THANK YOU to all our knowledgeable and generous volunteer hike leaders!
HAVE A GOOD TRIP – EXPLORE, ENJOY, AND HELP DEFEND
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