SOLIR class Nature on the Rocks

Updates are below.

This class started on 9/16/2004 and I thought it would be nice to document on the web a bit of the interesting sights we see. (On the other hand, maybe I have too much spare time!) Anyway, the class description can be found on the SOLIR web page (course offering for Fall 2004, class number 9).

9/16/2004

Our first field trip was to Mt. Ashland, where our first stop was about three miles up Mt. Ashland Road. This wide spot in the road featured a spectacular view across the Siskiyous to Mt. Shasta, and Black Butte, a similar distance on the right. On the other side of the road were the real reasons we came this way: To see the interesting rock strata shown off by the road cut. Our next stop was near the Grouse Gap Shelter on the Pacific Crest Trail. We then walked (north) along the PCT, where our instructor, Marjorie Ratner, pointed out rock forms, during which the entire class (except me) paid rapt attention to her enthusiastic exposition. We did pay some attention to non-geological attractions, such as this lichen on a geological formation and this lichen-covered (or is it moss-covered?) dead tree. This formation just west of Mt. Ashland is called "twin peaks" or "rabbit ears", depending on which side of the California/Oregon border one lives.
9/19/2004

9/23/2004

The field trip this week was to the base of Pilot Rock, across I-5 south of Mt. Ashland. The road in to the parking area on the Pacific Crest Trail is several miles of very rocky road (not at all as in ice cream!). Once there, we assembled and had this view of Pilot Rock. Along the trail we saw some very different rocks than we saw last week. One had an interesting patch of moss on the north side. Just based on color, I'd say this has lichen on that north face. Looking back west, we had a view of Mt. Ashland over the trees. A little further along the trail we had another view of Pilot Rock. Of course, there were little stops along the way for learning and resting. At one stop we had a distant view of Mt. McLoughlin. Mt. McLoughlin was formerly called Mt. Pitt, but was renamed in honor of John McLoughlin by the Oregon legislature in 1905. McLoughlin was the Chief Factor of the Columbia District for the Hudson's Bay Company and built Fort Vancouver in 1825. He had some difficulty with his superiors for being "too kind" to the American settlers in the 1830s and 1840s, and he eventually became an American citizen. We saw many fruit-laden elderberry bushes along the way. A little further along we got a peak of Grizzly Peak. Finally we came to the viewing area at the base of Pilot Rock (well, not quite at the base, as there was something of a canyon between us and it). We learned more while resting a bit. A close-up of shot of Pilot Rock in the direction of the sun gave a "lens rainbow" effect. Shortly, we discovered (by virtue of his telling us) that we had done this hike in honor of Bill Holmes' "39th" birthday. Happy birthday, Bill. From this area we also had a nice view of Mt. Shasta. Looking down the canyon (to the east, and to the left of Pilot Rock) we saw some fall colors. On the way back down the hill, we had a brief educational interlude. When we returned to the parking lot, about half of us elected to hike through the woods beyond a blocked logging road to get another view of Pilot Rock, more or less from the southwest, as opposed to the view from the north we had at the close-in viewing area.
9/26/2004

9/30/2004

Our goal this week was to hike up the Grizzly Peak trail to an overlook. Better road than last week. From the parking lot at the base of the Grizzly Peak Trail there was a nice view of Mt. McLoughlin, quite a bit closer than last week. So we proceeded up the trail while the "counter" kept track of how many were hiking. She was happy to see us all go by and be able to begin her own hike. (Note: The last two pictures are courtesy of Sydney Embry.) Along the way, Marjorie found her favorite tree. What a place to give a lecture! We saw a lot of snowberry along the way. Then, of course, we saw some rocks, this one a rather mossy rock, and one surrounded by trees and with not too much moss. We also saw a lot of baneberry, but no one partook. Looks like nothing else is partaking, either. Hmmm. We saw a number of trees (or remains) with big burls, and there was speculation (but nothing definitive about what causes them; maybe next week).

Finally, at the overlook, we had a view of Mt. Shasta, Pilot Rock, and Emigrant Lake (Shasta nearly lost in the haze and clouds, Pilot Rock prominent on the near skyline, and Emigrant Lake at mid-to-lower right). Around to right we had a view of the southern part of Ashland below Mt. Ashland. But, time for a little informational lecture, followed by a group picture. A nice shot off toward the East shows the rock and gravel area, with trees and bushes, and mountain ridges of various distances (thanks, Sydney, for that one, too). On the way back down we passed this grassy meadow.
10/2/2004

10/7/2004

Today, our final class, we set our sights on climbing to the top (a first - we quit before reaching the top during our hikes the first three weeks, but always with good reason) of Hobart Bluff. The beginning of the hike starts at the intersection of Soda Mountain Road and the Pacific Crest Trail. It was a beautiful warm (but not too warm) day with some cirrus clouds overhead, as shown in this great picture taken by Sydney Embry. After a little up and down, we came to an open area with some views, so we took the opportunity for a little rest stop, this shot finds people in various modes of relaxing and refreshing. Of course, we're here to learn, as Marjorie reminds us while we pay rapt attention. Finally, we're ready to head up the trail toward Hobart Bluff, here seen from the rest stop. Looking out roughly toward the east, there are mountain peaks of various distances, but the more distant ones are lost in the haze here. On the upward side of the trail is a lot of rocky slope. Just before reaching the top, we saw this mossy dead tree trunk, with Emigrant Lake and the Bear Creek Valley in the background. Just beyond was this wonderfully craggy tree stump, shown here in close-up in a picture from the other side taken by Sydney.

From the top of Hobart Bluff, one has a 360 degree view. Starting at Mt. Ashland and proceeding counterclockwise, one sees, Pilot Rock, then Mt. Shasta, and around toward the north, Mt. McLoughlin, and Grizzly Peak. At last, here is a shot of the elusive me, with Mt. Ashland in the background, taken by Sydney. This shot of the bluff was also taken by Sydney, from slightly below and toward Grizzly Peak

On the way down we saw this phlox in bloom, surrounded by rocks. And, all of a sudden, one recalls this is all about rocks, and we saw more, such as this fractured rock, this fractured rock with lichen, and this rock with lichens of various colors (the latter taken by Sydney). On the drive out, I got this shot of Hobart Bluff through the trees.

This was a very interesting and educational class, and having a few hours together outside of the classroom, carpooling and hiking together, led to more than the usual interaction between class members. Thanks, Marjorie.

Richard Franke

10-8-2004