STOP 4:  CROW'S NEST

 

                                                        

This large burr oak tree is one of many beautiful trees that can be observed at Pikes Peak.

 

 

The walk along the paved trail and boardwalk from the Bear Mound (Stop 3) to the Crows Nest (Stop 4) passes through a wooded upland that is typical of much of Pikes Peaks State Park.  The Crows Nest is located in a "glade".  

This semi-open, prairie-like rocky ridge extending upslope and down-slope from the Crow's Nest is principally developed on Galena Limestone.   The vegetation here is a mixture of scattered stunted trees of eastern red cedar and chinquapin oak, an herbaceous understory with several prairie species, and exposures of bare rock and ledges.  Sometimes termed a “cedar glade” or simply “glade”, this is an example of the “crags and bluffs [dominated by] Juniperus virginiana and Quercus muhlenbergii” .  In addition to prairie species, this site also contains cliff goldenroad (Solidago sciaphila) and blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium and V. myrtilloides).  The goldenrod occurs on bare rock of the Galena Limestone while the blueberries occur in sandy soil weathered from the St. Peter Sandstone.  While at the Crow's Nest we will have a discussion of the interesting plants in the park and possibly take a short hike to examine a few of the rarer plants that live in the area.  To read more about the Vegetation of Pikes Peak State Park click here.  We will also discuss the wide variety of animals that make the region home or stop over in the course of their migrations.  To learn more about the fauna in the region read Wildlife of Pikes Peak State Park.

 

 

wildlife of Pikes Peak State Park (a few samples)
red bat	click on image for larger photo skink	scarlet tananger

 

Next we go up the boardwalk to Stop 5 at Bridal Veil Falls

Hike to Bridal Veil Falls   Click Here For Stop 5