Nature Hike April 21, 2023
The nature walk introduced us to local native plants. Above - chocolate lily
The Dungeness Nature Center event says “Join us on a search for wild treasures! You will learn how to identify different species, look closely into nature, and enjoy the sounds, sights, and smells of our big, beautiful backyard. Hikes led by John Bridge. Please note these will be intermediate level hiking. While there is not much elevation gain, the trails can be narrow, footing can be challenging in some locations, and there are a few small obstacles (fallen logs, branches, roots, etc.) Distance traveled on foot each day will be about 2 miles.”
Early that morning, I fed and ran my puppy. Then I got her safely settled in her comfy crate. I hurried out the door with a sandwich and a thermos of hot tea. Off I went to the Nature Center to join the hiking group. (Everything that morning was super rushed. When you’re retired, it’s hard to get out of bed before 9:30 am.)
“Intermediate” level hiking. Hmmm, I didn’t know if I was up to it. However, the weather has been warming up and I have been working for hours in the garden each day. I figured that was good conditioning to prepare me for a 2-mile hike. As promised, part of the hike involved walking on very narrow paths on the ledge of the mountain. We also had to climb over some logs and duck under a few fallen trees. It was at times intimidating. But I was encouraged by everyone’s perseverance and urged on by the beautiful sights and sounds.
When we first arrived at the Dungeness Forks Campground, the sight of the forest, the river and the mosses took my breath away. I couldn’t help but gasp in amazement. I have lived in Southern California for decades and was only used to dry desert views and extra long lines of traffic along never-ending concrete buildings. I still can’t believe that I’m now living in such a green haven. The drive from my house to the campground took about 20 minutes.
Pacific wren
John was supposed to be our guide. But the real guide was the Pacific Wrens. We could hear them throughout the canyon where the Dungeness River flowed. They are small birds, but their songs echoed loudly throughout the forest. We could hardly see them, but we could hear them every step of the way. If I didn’t know better, I’d have suspected that they were stalking us.
We followed John on the trails, equipped with earbuds which let us clearly hear his discussions on interesting native plants and the local area’s history.
The trails were lush with lichens and mosses. We looked at lichens, sword ferns, licorice ferns and maiden hair ferns. Licorice ferns grow out of mossy rocks and have fused leaflets.
More moss covered trees along the river
Picnic area
Step moss - each leave on the stem grows in a year. Montana, Education Manager, picked a stem and counted seven.
Trillium
Oregon grape
Chocolate lily
Gray Wolf River
New fish habitat
I want to call it our own rainforest. I came home that day exhausted but so inspired. Immediately, I had to start my own moss garden.