Moneycreek Campground, Washington: May 12, 2012

Location: Moneycreek Campground, Washington, USA 98224 (Lat: 47.7500991821, Lon: -121.4398651123)

Date: May 12, 2012

Time: 11:20 AM – 12:00 PM

Weather Conditions: Sunny, temperatures in mid 60’s (°F)
Summary of Observations: Walked through old growth temperate rainforest: saw huge Douglas Firs, also smaller, younger Western Red Cedars and Western Hemlock. Discussed how this forest won’t be dominated by Douglas Firs forever, because young Doug Fir seedlings cannot survive under large, established parents. Understory comprised of abundant Devil’s Club, and Ferns (including abundant Sword Fern, common Licorice Fern, and rare Maidenhair Fern). Groundcover of False Soloman’s Seal, Vanilla Leaf, Yellow Violets (especially along the edges of the trail), Water Forget-me-nots, Western/Pacific Trillium and Wild Ginger. We saw the Western/Pacific Trillium flowering in multiple colors and discussed how the flower changes color with age, after pollination.

Comments/Questions: Saw the shell of some type of fly on the trunk of a cedar- a stonefly?

Species List

1. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
2. Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar)
3. Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock)
4. Oplopanax horridum (Devil’s Club)
5. Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern)
6. Polypodium glycorhiza (Licorice Fern)
7. Adiantum pedatum (Maidenhair Fern)
8. Maianthemum racemosum (False Solomon’s Seal)
9. Achlys triphylla (Vanilla Leaf)
10. Viola glabella (Yellow Violets)
11. Myosotis scorpioides (Water Forget-me-nots)
12. Trillium ovatum (Western/Pacific Trillium)
13. Asarum caudatum (Wild Ginger)
14. Order Plecoptera (Stonefly)

Posted on June 4, 2012 04:41 AM by sophiejhart