Cowiche Canyon Trail is a 5-6 mile out and back walk located near Tieton, Washington. The trail follows the Cowiche Creek with spectacular views of basalt cliffs. This area is a fabulous example of shrub-steppe landscape, made up of grasslands, sagebrush, flowering plains, and oak woodlands

Our objective will be to admire and identify some of the many species of lichens, foliose (leafy, including umbilicate) and crustose (crusty, almost 2-dimensional) forms, particularly those growing on basalt (mafic volcanic rock). In addition, we will discuss the ecological importance of lichens in eastern Washington and how they can be used as detectors of air quality. 

This event is sponsored by the Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS) Study Weekend.  We will meet in Ellensburg, carpooling to the site.

The class has been filled.

WNPS Study Weekend

Trip leaders: Richard Droker and Katherine Glew