The Native Plant Society plans to lead a tour of early spring flowers on the Hidden Valley Trail at Moab and a scenic hike on the Big Springs-Squaw Flats Trail in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.
This trip is paced for budding botanists.
The Hidden Valley Trail is rocky and steep, but participants will move slowly, identifying and enjoying as many plants as possible.
Hikers will walk only about a mile on this first day of super botanizing.
On the second day, hikers will do a 7-mile walk on the Big Spring-Squaw Flat Trail in Canyonlands National Park, Needles District.
This is a very scenic and leisurely hike, with time to enjoy the many plants along the trail.
Hikers who find the journey too challenging may turn around (as long as accompanied by a hiker).
Elevation gain and loss is several hundred feet.
Come for one or two days.
We will overnight at a motel in Monticello and you need to make your own motel reservation as soon as possible.
Bring lunches, 2 liters of water for each day, layers of clothing, broad-brimmed hat, and top and bottom rain gear.
Information and reservations contact Al Schneider at coloradowildflowers@yahoo.com or 970-882-4647.
Online: www.swcoloradowildflowers.com.
If you go
April 23-24: Red Rocks and Spring Flowers
Leaders: John Bregar and Al Schneider
Location: Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area, Moab, and Canyonlands National Park, Needles District