Saw a lot of Western Hemlock on this trail. There were many Western Hemlock trees but also a lot growing out of deciduous older and downed trees.
Many sword ferns were covering areas of ground in the deciduous forest we were in. This one had orange spore/seed things underneath. I was pretty sure this was a sword fern but it could also be a licorice fern.
We saw Indian Plum many times at Pack Forest. It was flowering when this picture was taken and will fruit during the summer.
This tree was just standing alone outside the more woodsy area of Pack Forest. Maybe about 20 feet tall with pokey green needles and many cones. As I recall, the small cones are the male pollen cones and the larger ones are female seed cones.
This mushroom was standing alone on the grass not in the forested area of Pack Forest. The top is dark brown with light brown edges and the bottom was gilled and a light brown/tan color. The gills did not reach the stem.
This was a plantago we saw in the grass outside of the forested area of Pack Forest. I'm not sure what the entire scientific name is though. It had 3-4 main leaves with two stalks. It could be plantago major but I think it may be too small.
Saw this lichen hanging off a Western Red Cedar with a lot of other lichen species. Similar wiry-ness as Usnea wirthii but orange.
Also saw many Western Redcedars at Pack Forest. Scale-like leaves, tiny cones, and redish bark made identifying this one pretty easy.
Big leaf maple with many horizontal lines of holes made by a sapsucker. I'm not sure if there is a way to tell the exact species of sapsucker it was though.
This coltsfoot was growing on the ground among many twigs and dead leaves. It had striated leaves and purple flower buds(?) that, when opened at the top of the plant, displayed a cute white flower with purple edges.
This sticker bush was along many of the trails at Pack Forest. The leaves are striated and end in points. I'm not sure why the ends to some of the leaves are slightly purple. This could be becasue the bush was old or possibly dying.
Much of this white to mint green lichen was present on the deciduous trees and branches among the forest. The common name for usnea wirthii is "Blood-spattered beard."
It was initially under many downed twigs next to a Western Redcedar. That's why we thought it may be a red tree vole at first. But red tree voles are more mouse-looking and long-tailed voles are much smaller.
Saw tons of fringe cup all over the ground at Pack Forest.
Small amounts of this dark-yellow lichen on a downed branch. Found on the edge of Pack Forest where the grassy area meets the trees of the forest. Cloudy and slightly rainy day. This could be gold-crust lichen.
Lots of Oregon Grape was scattered around Pack Forest. I think this is dull oregon grape.
"Stinky Bob" was also a very abundant plant at Pack Forest. It was on the ground in almost every area we visited. Contrary to its name though, I thought it had a more herby scent rather than a smelly one.
Huge ant hill with tiny black ants with red heads. I think they could be southern wood ants but I'm not completely sure. This hill was located right next to a pond in the middle of a very deciduous area the forest.
Seen next to a pond in the deciduous forest. Thought it was aquatic horsetail but western scouring rush may be more accurate. I'm not completely sure on the name.
Located not to deep within Pack Forest. Since it's pretty short I would say that this moss may be somewhat young. I heard this particular moss changes direction every year so you can tell how old it is based on how tall it is.
(Also called stair step moss).
Saw this poking out of the ground among many dead leaves and branches. There were actually a few of these scattered around the same area.
Saw a lot of Western Hemlock on this trail. There were many Western Hemlock trees but also a lot growing out of deciduous older and downed trees.
Many sword ferns were covering areas of ground in the deciduous forest we were in. This one had orange spore/seed things underneath. I was pretty sure this was a sword fern but it could also be a licorice fern.
We saw Indian Plum many times at Pack Forest. It was flowering when this picture was taken and will fruit during the summer.
Also saw many Western Redcedars at Pack Forest. Scale-like leaves, tiny cones, and redish bark made identifying this one pretty easy.
One of the many Douglas Firs we saw at Pack Forest.
Saw these male ducks in an open area at the beginning of the trail.
Usnea longissma (Methuselah's Beard) was very abundant on many of the trees along this trail.
Saw a lot of shelf fungus on trees along the trail. Not sure if this is specifically Hemlock Varnish Shelf, but it is definitely shelf fungus.
