“Up to the Siskiyou Crest (and Back)”: A History-and-Birding Auto Tour
Whether you’re a newcomer to the region or an old-timer, participate in a fun- and information-filled auto tour led by a renowned birder and KBO board president Shannon Rio and historian/author Jeff LaLande. The car-pool route will include various “History Stops” (but relatively little actual walking) at such important places as Railroad Tunnel #13, the old Siskiyou Pass, Grouse Gap shelter (just past Mt. Ashland), the 1850s-1860s “Mountain House” stage stop, the 1846 Applegate Trail, the Hill-Dunn cemetery, and other spots – returning the “back way” (through the upper-most Bear Creek Valley) to Ashland by mid-afternoon.
Along the Siskiyou Crest, we’ll hike a short stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail near Mt. Ashland. Wildflowers – lupine, gilia, Oregon sunshine, corn lily, and many species may be in profusion, and we will identify and enjoy as many of those as we can. Various raptors should be spotted, as well as many other birds – ranging from migrant Green Towhees, along the short stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail, to Bullock’s Orioles and Acorn Woodpeckers down at Emigrant Lake’s historic cemetery.
Note: This event is limited to 20 people (including Shannon and Jeff). We will travel in a car-pool “caravan” of up to 5 vehicles (with up to four people in each vehicle). Participants must be fully Covid-vaxxed/boosted. Bring your binoculars, lunch, drinking water, or other beverage, and your questions for Shannon and Jeff. And feel free to share your knowledge about what we see!
When: Sunday, July 2, 8:30 AM. (We will be back in Ashland by no later than 4:30 and likely well before that.)
Where: Meet at the Rite Aid parking area in the lot’s north corner. (Car-pooling will be necessary to keep the group to as few vehicles as possible.)
Minimum donation per person: $50.
Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, and as such, KBO events are offered with COVID-19 safety as a primary concern. Proof of “up-to-date” vaccination will be required for all in-person participants. Upon registration, all individuals attending an in-person event must also fill out KBO’s COVID Release Form and Waiver of Liability. Paper copies may also be available at an event upon advanced request. Please do not attend the event if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
