Russ Kleinman led us on a field trip in the Pinos Altos Range along hwy 15. There were so many of us (pent-up demand?) that we had to quickly rethink our auto-stops. 

 

At the Ben Lilly parking area we explored the immediately surrounding area, with special attention to the grasses, with help from Don. As we went north from there on 15, some of us were able to spot the large stand of Rothrock’s Basketflower (Plectocephalus rothrockii) past Cherry Creek Campground. We then moved to the roadside meadow at the Signal Peak turnoff, where we found an abundance of late summer wildflowers (see the partial plant list above).

 

 

At the close of the field trip, a few of us stopped at a small rocky meadow, featuring plants that are often overlooked and stepped on, such as Phemeranthus parviflorus (New Mexico Fameflower) (right), Tagetes micrantha (Licorice Marigold), mosses, lichens and ferns.

On three different occasions, Dr. Norris led us on field trips within City of Rocks State Parks.  First, a fall trip to the Cienega Trail, followed by a spring return to the Cienega Trail, then to the Chihuahua Desert near the Cienega Trail.