Sunday Hike #3 – Green Springs Mountain Loop, 7/3/2022
The Green Springs are a quintessential component of the Monument. Situated at around 4500 feet, the lush meadows and dense forests are an oasis above the drier interior valleys. The Green Springs Mountain Loop is a gem of a hike: 3 miles, gentle ups and downs, amazing views, and a glimpse of the many ecosystems within the Monument. This was the first hike I ever did in this area, when I arrived in Ashland a year ago to start the Environmental Education graduate program at SOU, so I was excited to share this trail with others.
A huge thunderstorm the night before and a chilly morning drizzle on a holiday weekend led to a smaller group this Sunday, July 3, 2022. The loop is situated on the PCT, but it’s pretty different from last week’s PCT trek because of the variety in ecosystems you can see. The five of us hiked the cool, foggy trail, the clouds parting occasionally with sunbeams breaking through. The views might not have been quite as sweeping as usual, but we still saw the depth of the valley and a slew of wildflowers still hanging on late into the season.
One reason I love this trail is that it showcases so many parts of the Monument. I pointed out the different conifers growing: Ponderosa pine, Incense cedar, Grand fir, White fir, and Douglas-fir. When we arrived at more open areas of the loop, White oaks in shrub and tree form populated the sunny hillsides. We saw a few Black oaks too and noted the difference between the leaves. Also on the sunnier side of the mountain were several Sage shrubs, a characteristics plant species from the Great Basin Desert and sagebrush habitats to the east. Spotted towhees and Lazuli buntings sang, especially in this one sunny patch with a lot of snags, perhaps the result of a big windfall a few years ago.
This is the kind of trail you can visit again and again, through the seasons, year after year. I look forward to doing so and encourage you to do so, too!
Words and photos by Interpretive Ranger Sarah Martinez.
