Moscow Mountain from afar.
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Discover Moscow Mountain! was an event in which community members
were welcomed to join a group of local educators and outdoor enthusiasts
for a light afternoon hike to learn about the mountain in their own
backyard. Laura Milewski created the entire event for her 2008
AmeriCorps Community Action Project (CAP). The day began at the PCEI
Nature Center with a welcoming and an introduction to the organization
as well as details about serving with AmeriCorps. The group of eleven
were then given a presentation by Tony Smith of Moscow Area
Mountain Bike Association (MAMBA) on the trails of the Moscow Mountain.
It included information about parking, where the trailheads could be
found, the level of difficulty of each of the trails, and what one
might expect to see at a few special sites.
All participants eventually packed into a passenger van and headed up
to Moscow Mountain. The first stop on the journey was to get a look at
the ridge and discuss the geology of the mountain. University of Idaho
Post Doctoral Fellow Mark Kimsey gave a wonderful presentation
about how the mountain came to be and some of the features of Moscow
Mountain as well as the sort of minerals of which it is made. The van
took one more drive up the mountain a bit more and finally reached the
lot. Everyone climbed out and began to hike around the mountain’s
easternmost trail. Brain Austin of the University of Idaho
Experimental Forest lectured on the trees of Moscow Mountain as
everyone traveled along the path. The conversation was fueled by
questions upon questions by participants.
Finally, the group met their lunch destination upon the Moscow Mountain
lookout. Lunch was had and the last leg of the tour began afterward as
everyone traveled the remaining portion of the loop trail. For the
final portion of the event, Chris Bare talked about the many
different birds that call Moscow Mountain their home. All participants
were provided with binoculars and despite the light rain, many were able
to get a peek at some interesting native birds in the trees. Chris also
taught the group a call that can be used to attempt to bring all sorts
of birds even closer given that it reaches many different
pitches.
The event was a true success overall. Those that joined PCEI on the
journey up Moscow Mountain were able to learn about natural history as
well as the native flora and fauna of the area. Participants learned a
lot during the event and certainly enjoyed the light day hike as well.
It is Laura’s hope that this event has provided Moscow residents with a
bit of inspiration and the tools they need to journey up to the mountain
on their own.
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