Eagle Wind Trail Lichen Hike

March 6th, 2004

The Eagle Wind Trail lived up to its name on March 6, as a group of hikers under the leadership of Sierra Club Indian Peaks Group Chair and Outings Leader Steve Welter braved 70 mph wind gusts to learn about lichens from guest naturalist Barbara Hawke. At times the wind almost blew us off the trail, but we learned from Barbara that lichens are a partnership of a fungus and an algae/cyanobacteria.

Between wind gusts, which carried her voice far away, Barbara patiently showed us crustose, foliose, fructicose, and squamulose growth forms, and we learned lichens can reproduce both sexually (release of spores) and asexually (vegetatively)! A good time was had by all despite the weather, and we look forward to another lichen hike with Barbara during warmer weather so we can learn more!

Dave Hawley

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