Field Trip: Iron Mountain and Cone Peak
June 20 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday, June 20, 8:00 am – late afternoon
Field Trip: Iron Mountain and Cone Peak
Leaders: Joyce Eberhart and Alex Kurowski
We will hike the Iron Mountain-Cone Peak loop, identifying wildflowers in this botanical hotspot. Over 200 species of vascular plants have been recorded across this botanically rich trail west of Santiam Pass. Wildflowers of the Western Cascades (Ross and Chambers, 1988) focuses on the flora of this area. A delightful post about the area by Tanya Harvey can be read here: https://westerncascades.com/2019/06/18/a-rainbow-of-colors-at-cone-peak-and-iron-mountain/. Tanya’s plant list is here: https://westerncascades.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Iron-Mountain-Cone-Peak-plant-list.pdf.
The loop is about five miles through moderately difficult terrain and will take all day since we will walk slowly looking at so many flowers. There is about a 1,000-foot elevation gain, mostly in the first one-third of the hike. Bring a lunch and water, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy shoes (there may still be snow drifts).
Meet for carpooling at 8:00 am at the Oregon State University, Wilkinson Hall parking lot (44.5692746, -123.2810976) southwest of Java Crew Coffee at 26th and Monroe. The entrance to the parking lot is on 27th Street south of NW Jackson Ave. For more information, contact Alex: al************@***il.com. Please leave furry friends at home.
