On the Boreal Life Trail at the Paul Smiths VIC (1 September 2012)

Explore the Adirondacks:
Moss Walk
1 September 2012

Tree Club Moss on the Boreal Life Trail at the Paul Smiths VIC Shining Clubmoss on the Boreal Life Trail at the Paul Smiths VIC Upland path on the Boreal Life Trail at the Paul Smiths VIC Adirondack Wildflowers: Creeping Snowberry and moss on the Boreal Life Trail at the Paul Smiths VIC Stair-step Moss on the Boreal Life Trail at the Paul Smiths VIC Adirondack Wildflowers: Wintergreen and moss on the Boreal Life Trail at the Paul Smiths VIC Adirondack Wildflowers: Hair-capped Moss on the Boreal Life Trail at the Paul Smiths VIC Bazzania Trilobata on the Boreal Life Trail at the Paul Smiths VIC Sphagnum Moss on the Boreal Life Trail Pincushion Moss on the Boreal Life Trail at the Paul Smiths VIC Adirondack Wildflowers: Creeping Snowberry on the Boreal Life Trail at the Paul Smiths VIC Red Stem Moss on the Boreal Life Trail at the Paul Smiths VIC
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On 1 September, VIC naturalist Brian McAllister led a nature walk on the Boreal Life Trail, focusing on the mosses which flourish in an Adirondack boreal forest. The summer of 2012 was a time of drought in the Adirondacks. The month of August had been quite dry, with little rain in the week or so prior to our walk. As a result, many of the mosses were showing the effects of the dry weather and there were fewer mushrooms than usual. The birds were relatively silent, as they usually are in late summer. We did surprise a Ruffed Grouse and her family on the upland portion of the Boreal Life Trail.

We observed the following on our walk:

Bazzania Trilobata Lichen
Red Stem Moss Stair-step Moss
Pincushion Moss Hair-capped Moss
Sphagnum Moss Ulota Crispa
Juniper Hair-cap Moss Tree Club Moss
Shining Clubmoss  

 

We observed the following wildflowers on the upland section of the Boreal Life Trail. There were tiny, white berries on the Creeping Snowberry.

Goldthread Whorled Wood Aster
Wintergreen Starflower
Common Wood Sorrel Creeping Snowberry
Helleborine Orchid  

 

Explore the VIC

The Paul Smiths VIC offers a wide variety of programs throughout the year to educate and inform Adirondack Park residents and visitors about the natural wonders of the Adirondack Mountains. You can help support these programs by joining the Friends of the VIC. More information on Friends of the VIC memberships

Explore the Trails

The VIC trails are free and open to the public, from dawn to dusk, spring through fall. In winter, the trails are open to cross-country skiers and snowshoers for a fee. Day or season passes may be purchased.