Discover the plant diversity of the Blue Mountains with botanist Emil Doyle. We’re offering this class on Saturday or Sunday to provide options for our community.
In this summer field event, learn about the diverse ecosystems in the Umatilla National Forest between Tollgate and Jubilee Lake. The group will hike to a mountain wetland ‘complex,’ home to a variety of mosses, flowers, shrubs, and trees. Join this guided hike to understand the complexity of these ecosystems, including seasonally wet meadow, perennially wet meadow, fens (a low and marshy or frequently flooded area of land), and riparian zones. We’ll be able to see how plants shift from general forest plants to “obligate” wetland plants. This is the first time in the 5-year history of Botany In The Blues that we’ll visit a variety of ecosystem types in one field day!
Emil Doyle has self-published a guide on the Blues ecology, botany, and lichens. Students may purchase this resource for $25. Distributed on the day of the event.
Registration: We’re offering this hike on both July 16 or July 17. Please register for the day that fits in your schedule. This year, we are offering "Pay What You Can" ticket options to make our events accessible for everyone. Suggested price is $45.
Event fees and donations ensure that we can continue to offer excellent and accessible programming throughout the year. Please email Katy Rizzuti katy@bmlt.org for more information.
Suitability: Ages 14+ ; participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. All participants must be vaccinated.
Difficulty: Hiking on both flat gravel USFS roads with gradual grades and uneven forest terrain. Total distance: 3 miles (about 2.75 on gravel road +.25 in forest). +40’/-80’ elevation gain/loss.
Things to bring: Sturdy hiking shoes, windbreaker jacket, hat with a brim and tie, sunglasses, sunscreen, lunch, 2 L water in a refillable bottle, camera, journal, and a sense of adventure
PHOTOGRAPH BY EMIL DOYLE
A huge complex wetland consisting of multiple hydrologic zones and plant communities, supporting a vast array of biological diversity, while contributing to the headwater flows of the North Fork of the Umatilla River.