Fossil Hill Hike
Fossil Hill Hike at Lake Amon Carter (south of Bowie) Fieldtrip, led by Jeff Quayle
*Includes a stop afterwards nearby at the LBJ National Grasslands to see a very rare plant species for North Texas. We will hold you in suspense…
*RSVP REQUIRED* There is a limit of 15 participants, with a limit of 6 cars, due to limited spaces for parking at Fossil Hill. Once you RSVP, Jeff will set up carpooling.
Join us on this trip to this excellent example of an ancient Western Cross Timbers Post Oak/Blackjack Oak woodlands, with scattered prairie openings. The topography is hilly, with elevations from 920 feet at the bottom of the hill at the lake during normal pool, to 1050 feet at the top of the hillside. Bring lunch or snacks with you. We will eat lunch at her house in her outdoor screened in patio.
The soils are mostly developed on Pennsylvanian strata with rocks and gravel at the surface. On slopes and along the ridges lie numerous boulders, carpeted with ferns, mosses and lichens. There are 10 different species of ferns present on the property: Mosquito Fern (Azolla caroliniana), Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron), Common Woodsia (Woodsia obtusa), Grape Fern (Botrychium virginianum), Engelmann’s Adder’s Tongue (Ophioglossum engelmannii), Star Scaled Cloak Fern (Astrolepis integerrima), Alabama Lip Fern (Myriopteris alabamensis=Cheilanthes), Wooly Lip Fern (Myriopteris tomentosa=Cheilanthes), Purple Cliff Brake (Pellaea atropurpurea) and Wright’s Cliff Brake (Pellaea wrightiana).
Use of the iNaturalist app during fieldtrips is also encouraged, so valuable data can be contributed to iNaturalist. It can also be a learning tool by using the iNaturalist app to observe as you go along.
*This tour is offered by donations. Suggested donation amount is $10; but please donate any amount you believe this special tour is worth. Donations will benefit Native Prairies Association of Texas (conservation & land trust organization). Donations are non-refundable.
