Reading the Forest Landscape – Guided Educational Hike

Reading the Forest Landscape – Guided Educational Hike

Hike Overview Continued

Instructor: Ellen Horowitz

Everyone knows that Glacier National Park is a mountain park, but most people don’t realize that two-thirds of it is forested. Gain a new appreciation and understanding of this vast and “overlooked” landscape. Learn to read the forests through recognition of its trees – from towering, old growth temperate rainforest species on Glacier National Park’s west side to the stunted, twisted, high elevation (krummholz) trees found at the upper limits of the treeline. And hone your observational skills as you learn to decipher the stories inscribed on tree trunks and branches by wildlife. Glacier National Park’s forests share their secrets once you know where to look.

Meeting Place: Glacier Institute Field Camp

Itinerary: (subject to change due to weather and trail closures)
We will begin with a slide presentation to provide background information about Glacier National Park’s forests before heading into the woods to practice conifer identification using a botanical key. We will drive to two or three very different forest environments on the east side of the park for short hikes where we’ll become more aware of our surroundings – from recognizing the types of trees growing in an area to noticing the signs left on trees in the form of rubs, scratches, scrapes and tooth marks.

Food: Please bring a trail lunch, snacks, and plenty of water for the day.

Park Entrance Fees: Participants are responsible for purchasing their park entry passes prior to the course. These can be purchased online at: https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74280

Equipment: You will receive a Glacier Institute Field Camp gear list once you register. Most importantly, bring comfortable hiking shoes, at least 1-2-liter water bottle, backpack, rain gear, hat, and sunscreen. Weather can be varied with extremely high winds, especially in the higher elevations, so please be prepared with appropriate clothing, and extra layers. Binoculars are not required but may be beneficial to spot wildlife. You may want to also bring your favorite guidebooks..

Physical Requirements: Moderately strenuous difficulty. Hiking distance each day may cover up to 7 miles with up to 1,200 feet of elevation change