wild columbine

This much-needed rain will surely foster the growth and development of the late spring wildflowers on the Preserve.  To date, we have observed the following species, mostly by keeping to the lower trails (Red Gate, Snicket, Flatlanders, Trillium):

     While many of these species are past flowering, you can still catch a glimpse of late bloomers by hiking higher on the mountain.  This includes spring beauties, dutchman’s breeches, squirrel corn, a few trout lilies and bellworts.

     The next wildflower walk is this Friday, see you there

Dutchman's breeches (L. Dillmann)

    The spring wildflowers are out in abundance, despite the dry weather.  A hike from the Red Gate parking lot, up the Blue summit trail to Trillium (near the Thompson cabin) will reward you with views of periwinkle, trout lily, dutchman’s breeches, wild ginger, perfoliate bellwort, blue cohosh, miterwort, two-leaf toothwort, spring beauty, jack-in-the-pulpit, dog violet and golden alexander.  Wild leeks are up along many trails, but not flowering yet.

     Several of these species are indicators of the rich hardwood forest community, including bellworts, wild ginger, blue cohosh, trout lily and wild leeks.

     The spring wildflower survey walks continue through the end of May.  The weather forecast for rain this weekend should produce more flowering for next week.

     Enjoy your time on the Preserve.

(photo courtesy R. Heilemann)

     The warm sunshine combined with the little bit of rain over the past couple of days has encouraged a new burst of activity from the spring ephemerals on the Preserve.  First flowers were observed from blue cohosh, dutchman’s breeches and cutleaf toothwort this morning.  Hepaticas are up in good numbers; several downy yellow violets can be spotted along the Maidenhair extension, and many wild ginger leaves are just emerging but not flowering yet.

     South and south-east facing slopes seem to have the most activity now; I would suggest a walk on the upper section of Trout Lily or on the Maidenhair trail to see the most variety.  A couple of purple trilliums have just started blooming on the Mt Bluff dog-leg, just off-trail.  Look closely as I think they are a bit frost-scarred.

     The spring wildflower survey continues this Friday, meeting at the Red Gate parking lot off West Union St and departing at 9 am.  Beginners and experts are welcome!

     The lands which comprise the Equinox Preserve have a long history of human impact, dating back to the 1700’s and beyond.  

     Join Dr. Kerry Woods, ecologist and professor at Bennington College, to discuss research on land-use history and landscape ecology of the Taconic Mountains in the context of an interpretive hike on the Preserve.

    Hikers will meet at 9 am on Saturday, March 31^st at the Red Gate parking lot on West Union St in Manchester.  Please dress appropriately and bring a water bottle and snacks for a two to three hour walk.  No dogs, please!

    This hike is co-sponsored by The Mountain Goat and the Equinox Preservation Trust.

    

coltsfoot on the Pond Loop

 In addition, you can spot the first wildflowers of the spring.  The coltsfoot is up along the Pond Loop.  While not a native wildflower, it is a sure sign of spring.

     Enjoy your time on the trails!

Mt Equinox Landslide

     Due to an unfavorable weather forecast, the geology hike to the landslide on the Equinox Preserve has been re-scheduled for next Saturday, March 10th.  Dave De Simone of De Simone Geoscience Investigations will lead the hike to the Upper Spring and the base of the Mt Equinox landslide.
      We will meet at the West Union St Red Gate parking lot at 9 am.
This is a strenuous hike; micro-spikes, snowshoes (?) or other traction devices are required!  Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle and dress in layers.
     This event is FREE and open to the public and is generously co-sponsored by The Mountain Goat.  For more information or questions on trail conditions contact Equinox Preserve Forest and Trails Steward Rick LaDue at 366-1400 or via e-mail at
rick@equinoxpreservationtrust.org

Mt Equinox landslide

“Mt Equinox Landslide Hike: Saturday, March 3rd”

     Dave De Simone of De Simone Geoscience Investigations will lead a hike to the Upper Spring and the base of the Mt Equinox landslide to explore the geology of Mt Equinox and the underlying hydrology.  De Simone, PhD., is an adjunct professor at RPI and is an expert in geologic mapping for site investigations and interpretation of geologic data.

      Join us for this hike on Saturday, March 3^rd (meet at the West Union St Red Gate parking lot at 9 am).  This is a strenuous hike; micro-spikes or other traction devices are strongly recommended!  Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle and dress in layers. 

  This event is FREE and open to the public and is generously co-sponsored by The Mountain Goat.  For more information or questions on trail conditions contact Equinox Preserve Forest and Trails Steward Rick LaDue at 366-1400 or via e-mail at rick@equinoxpreservationtrust.org

     Co-sponsored by Equinox Preservation Trust and Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, the documentary “explores nature’s powerful role in children’s health and development through the experience of toddlers, children in middle childhood and adolescents.”  This topic is timely as “the effects of nature deficit disorder are being noted across the country in epidemics of child obesity, attention disorders and depression.” 

     To view a trailer of the film:  http://www.mothernaturesmovie.com/the-film/

This program is free and open to the public.  For more information contact Equinox Preservation Trust Forest and Trails Steward Rick LaDue at 366-1400 or rick@equinoxpreservationtrust.org.

     For more information about co-sponsor Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, go to www.hildene.org