This Month's Hike

This Month's Hike:

The Stratobowl - June


Have you ever heard of it?
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/high-altitude-photography.html

Here are some photos, links and information we researched about the hike.

Hike Rating: Easy
Terrain: Graded walking path with slight elevation change
Hike Distance: Approx. 6miles round trip

Keep an eye out for these flowers:

1.)
A  yellow 3-point blade flower  identified as hymenoxys acaulis locally known as stemless hymenoxys.

One thing to remember is always try to find the scientific name or "latin name" for the plant you identify. Why? Because that name is the name all botanist refer to plant plant as. If you were to speak to someone from another country or even in a different state they will be able to understand what plant you are referring to using the scientific name. For example we could not find it on the USDA website under our local "common" name, but it was there under the scientific name. Notice how many different common names there are. Very confusing. One little side note. The scientific names are always written in italic.

Go to:
http://plants.usda.gov/index.html
Notice Name Search Box: Cut and Paste: hymenoxys acaulis
Also Notice pull down for scientific name & common name.


2.)
Turns out we got lucky with this next flower. It is oxytropis sericea, locally known as white crazyweed or whitepoint locoweed. The white version is the least common variety.
Go to:
http://plants.usda.gov/index.html
Notice Name Search Box: Cut and Paste: oxytropis sericea


3.) 
The photo doesn't show the pretty purple color, but you can look up iris missouriensis commonly known as rocky mountain iris.
Go to:
http://plants.usda.gov/index.html
Notice Name Search Box: Cut and Paste: iris missouriensis

How many more plants and flowers can you identify on your hike?

Stratobowl: Here are photos from the lookout and of the monuments.

On your hike see if you can find out where I was standing to take this photo.

Sadly they have to be caged to protect them from vandalism.

Have you ever heard of Geocaching?
Did you know there was one at the Stratobowl?
497 hidden caches in SD.

 Finding a geocache.
http://www.geocaching.com/
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=a70eac86-5d14-40dd-9656-1227f4b596ef

Things to Bring:

Disclaimer:

06.27.09 Norbeck Kids' Excursion

05.16.09 Norbeck Kids' Excursion "Flume Trail"

Saturday 08.09.08 10am Norbeck Kids Excursion ~ Cleghorn Springs Fish Hatchery ~

06.07.08 Norbeck Kids' Excursion "Roughlock Falls"

Black Hills Trail Guide Index #76

Join us Saturday June 7th, 2008 for a fun day of hiking and exploration. We will meet at the trail head at 10am. Parking is available at Spearfish Lodge in the back parking lot. The water is typically clear, and brown trout can be seen darting around the creek. Roughlock Falls also provides and excellent place to bird watch, so keep your eyes peeled and bring your binoculars and camera. The trail provides an easy scenic walk and rewards hikers with views of the falls and surrounding aspen trees and local fauna. We'll find Ponderosa Pine or Black Hills Spruce.