REGISTRATION will open on April 6 at 6am.

Guide: Kristi Mergenthaler

Focus: Wildflowers & Conservation Opportunity

Description: Hike with botanist, naturalist, and our Stewardship Director, Kristi Mergenthaler, on this beautiful property east of Ashland. The City of Ashland’s Imperatrice property, in the Cascade Mountain Foothills, is a beautiful 876-acre property with grassland flowers, glorious views of the southern Bear Creek Valley, and a rare breeding colony of Grasshopper Sparrows. This will be a longer and more strenuous hike than the April 13 visit and the group may visit the oak woodland on the ridge. We hope to work with the City to protect this special property.

Limit: 15

Meeting Location: Near Ashland's Interstate exit 19 to carpool. Meeting location and directions will be emailed upon registration.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging uphill, uneven ground, off trail walking up to 5 miles. Due to weed seeds and ticks, long pants advised. No bathrooms.

Photo credit: Sisalee Leavitt