Calciphiles at Cascade

Erik Danielsen, Botanist studying old-growth forests with the Tree Ring Lab at Harvard Forest in MA

Friday, August 21st | 10 am – 3 pm

The skirt of talus at the base of the Cascade Slide developed over the course of multiple slides, most recently Hurricane Irene in 2011. An unusual and globally rare “dirty marble” outcrop higher up on the mountain provides a lot of the parent material for this talus, creating a calcium-rich environment that’s also unusually cool and moist due to the sheltering terrain. Abundant Braun’s Holly Fern is one of the first signs that this is a special environment. Participants will explore the lower elevation zone potentially up to the base of the falls. The area to be explored is off trail on bouldery, uneven terrain, but generally within a half mile of the parking area. The shorelines of the Cascade Lakes and their aquatic communities may also prove to be interesting, and if we’re very lucky, we may relocate historic collections of the globally rare Waterfan Lichen or state-endangered Large-Leaved Avens. 

This is an extremely popular area due to the lakes and nearby trailheads. If you can, carpool from nearby and/or arrive early to avoid any parking issues. There’s plenty to see, and you can even take a bracing dip in the lake!

If you have any questions about the trip before registering, please email cascade@nyflora.org.

Participation is limited – please sign up early.

All NYFA field trips are free and open to all.

NYFA relies on the generous support of its members to offer free Field Trips and Learn 10 workshops. If you are able, please consider a donation to help support these efforts. Suggested Donation is $10.