Central Oregon Bitterbrush Broads • Entered by Rynda Clark on February 15, 2023
Educational Hike -Ancient Juniper/Flat Iron Trail on the Badlands
February 25, 2023
Participants and Hours
| Pre Planning hours | 4 |
| Post Admin hours | 1 |
| Activity Hours | 4 |
| Participants | 6 |
| Total Hours | 29 |
Key Issue: Multiple apply
Activity Type: Education & Outreach (tabling, films & lectures, regional B-walks/works)
Landscape/area: Oregon Badlands Wilderness (29182 acres)
Measurable Outcomes
Outcome 1: Hiked (7 miles)
Outcome 2: Trail/land monitored (7 miles)
Outcome 3: Wildlife monitored (7 miles)[/if 1231]
Short Description of Activity
Ancient Juniper/ Flat Iron Rock Trail. This hike in the Oregon Badlands Wilderness takes you on a somewhat meandering route through a rugged lava landscape that resulted from a major “leak” in a lava tube known as the Badlands Volcano, a “rootless” shield volcano about 80,000 years old (The small crater is about 3/4 mile west of the loop; the actual source of the lava flow is much farther to the south near the Newberry Volcano). The lava formations along this loop include cracks, small pressure ridges (tumuli), and ropy blocks (pahoehoe). The sandy soils are the remains of ash deposits from the eruption of Mount Mazama 7,700 years ago. A key feature of this desert hike are the many old-growth western juniper trees (Juniperus occidentalis), some over 1,000 years in age: junipers with a beautiful reddish bark will probably be at least 250 years old.Scott Bowler (a Bro) has agreed to lead our hikes again in 2023. He has expertise in natural history and a background in Oregon ecology, especially botany, with some 42 years of outdoor and science education teaching all ages.
Reflection/Evaluation
Goal – To learn about volcanic activity and the role of junipers and fire in creating a healthy ecosystem. Addressed misconceptions about junipers and how they affect the landscape. To advocate for natural and healthy landscapes.
Yes, the goals were met and we had a fabulous hike!
Photos/Uploads
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Photo Captions
1. Approximately 1,000 year juniper.
2. 1,000 year old juniper on Central Oregon Badlands Wilderness
3. Lava formats in the Central Oregon Badlands Wilderness