Join Dr. Jim Smith (jfsmith@boisestate.edu phone: 208-426-3551)of the Department of Biological Sciences at Boise State University on the first Idaho Botanical Foray to Mt. Harrison, August 7-10, 2008. Mt. Harrison is south of Burley, Idaho and may be known to non-botanists as the home of Pomerelle Ski Area. However, those with more of a botanical background will recognize this as the home to Castilleja christii, Christ's paintbrush. This species is known only from the summit of Mt. Harrison and should be in full flower at the time of the foray. We will not be collecting this species or in this area to minimize damage to the population and its habitat.
The purpose of the foray is to gain knowledge of the botanical diversity found on Mt. Harrison and surrounding areas by making plant collections for the research collection of the Snake River Plains Herbarium at BSU. All collections made during the foray will be the property of BSU.
Participants will collect each day in groups of 5-6 people and press their collections that afternoon. The pressed plants will be dried, identified and eventually incorporated into the main research collection with duplicates sent to nearby herbaria at other institutions. All levels of expertise are welcome, from those that have been collecting plants for decades to those that are curious about native vegetation and simply wish to learn more. Instructions on collecting and pressing will be given each morning before groups leave to their assigned collecting sites.
 
We will be staying at the Thompson Flat campground, group campsite B. The campground fee will be paid by BSU for all participants and the campground has water and toilets. Participants will need to bring all necessary camping supplies and their own food (the campground is at ~8100 ft. in elevation so plan for cool evenings even in August http://www.publiclands.org/explore/site.php?plicstate=ID&id=2516). Plan for a potluck gathering of all groups on Saturday evening. Collecting supplies (plastic bags, presses, notebooks, pens, newspapers, maps) will be provided by BSU, but if anyone has their own clippers and diggers or GPS units it would be advisable to bring them.
Approximate daily schedule:
- 8:30-9:00 am - gather into groups, review collecting and pressing procedures, assign collecting localities for the day
- 9:00 am-3:00 pm - collect plants
- 3:00-6:00 pm - press
Although all arrivals are welcome it would be advisable to alert Jim Smith if you know you will be attending such that an approximate number of participants can be determined in advance. There is a limit of 50 people at the site, but more importantly limited parking so it would be preferable if travel could be coordinated.
It is not necessary to stay all of the days. People are welcome to come and go as their time permits.
Participants can expect to:
- increase knowledge of plant diversity in Idaho
- learn a lot of native plant species
- make a good plant collection
- have some fun!
Workshops are planned for the winter months to key out and identify the material collected during this trip. Return to this website in September to find more about some of the first workshops to be held in October.
Directions:
Driving from Boise, it should take approximately 3.5 hours.
From US84 take the Declo exit heading south onto Idaho 77, follow this past Albion and turn left onto Howell Canyon Road (follow signs for Pomerelle Ski Area). The campsite is near the top of the mountain and will be on the right. Group campsite B is on the left shortly after turning into the campground.
Maps are available below.
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