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Nature’s Archive features Michael Kauffmann

April 26, 2022 by Backcountry Press Leave a Comment

Nature's Archive

Michael Hawk, the creator of Nature’s Archive, featured Michael Kauffmann a few weeks back. They discussed the many things that make conifers such an amazing group of plants including their evolutionary history, what makes them different from other trees, and gives us a special look at the amazing diversity of conifers in his area – the Klamath region of far northern California. This deep dive reveals many interesting ecological processes that likely can be generalized to other regions and other plants. It’s truly fascinating.

Listen to Michael on Nature’s Archive
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Backpacking in Conifer Country

July 5, 2020 by Backcountry Press 1 Comment

‘Tis the summer for backpacking. We have seen more people in the backcountry this year than ever before. We have also had more requests from friends and family as to where they should go backpacking that ever before. In this post we explore some epic destinations to get out, walk, and learn about ancient conifers.

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Zig Zag Trail

March 6, 2020 by Backcountry Press Leave a Comment

The Zig Zag Trail

Prairie Creek Redwoods National and State Parks

Map from Conifer Country

This area of California contains some of the largest redwoods on Earth and holds extensive old-growth forests, protected as a national park in 1968. This particular walk, using the Zig Zag Trails and Prairie Creek Trail, is entirely in old growth. It offers an enigmatic temporal departure into a rare forest type. In addition to redwoods, other conifer specimens like Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and Sitka spruce are coupled with clandestine western redcedar and Port-Orford cedar—be sure to look carefully and learn your conifers well. Watch for grand firs that occur infrequently along the road, particularly at the south end of Elk Prairie.

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Godwit Days with Michael Kauffmann

February 26, 2017 by Backcountry Press Leave a Comment

Michael will lead two hikes at Godwit Days in Arcata, California. On these hikes, participants will explore the relationships between birds, conifers and manzanitas.

Price of the trip includes a book from the Backcountry Press catalog.

  • Conifers of the North Coast 1
  • Conifers of the North Coast 2

American Forests features Conifer Country

December 19, 2016 by Backcountry Press Leave a Comment

Conifer Country is the latest in Knot literature. Part field guide and part hiking guide, it is the product of scientist, explorer, conifer-crazy author Michael Edward Kauffmann, who shares a detectable passion for his subject. The last hike listed in the book is a 400-mile-long route that passes 32 conifer species on a winding course from mountaintop to sea. It’s doubtful that anyone has completed the traverse, except, of course, Kauffmann himself. He did it in 2009, and he called it “The Bigfoot Trail.”

–Tyler Williams

American Forests Magazine has a featured story on the Klamath Mountains written by explorer and author Tyler Williams. He highlights Conifer Country in the story and uses the book to explore 3 of the featured hikes.

Old-growth western white pines surround Little Duck Lake. Photo by Tyler Williams

Events

  • 8:00 am – 3:00 pm, April 16, 2023 – Conifers & Birds of Horse Mountain
  • July 14, 2023 – July 16, 2023 – Celebrating the Siskiyou Crest: A Festival of Arts, Culture & Science

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Our most recent Podcast

Trivia Challenge: Wildflowers of the Klamath Mountains

https://backcountrypress.com/podcast-player/21109/trivia-challenge-wildflowers-of-the-klamath-mountains.mp3

Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 19:11 | Recorded on July 8, 2022

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Look who’s popping up! Does this mean it’s off Look who’s popping up! Does this mean it’s officially #wildflowerseason in the redwood forest?

#scoliopusbigelovii #slinkpod #fetidadderstongue #californianativeplants #redwoodforest
9 Years Ago: Our family on the front page (below t 9 Years Ago: Our family on the front page (below the fold!) telling the story of our first book and the creation of @backcountrypress.

Lots of changes to our #familybiz since then!

• minus 1 dear pup
• plus 1 dear cat
• plus 1 little brother
(• plus serious growth of big brother!)
• plus the publication of a dozen more books AND the creation of this fabulous Backcountry Press community!

Thank you so much for being a part of it!!
A new look for your head coming at ya later this w A new look for your head coming at ya later this week!

We just need to find a more competent model. Any volunteers?!?
 
(P.S. Stay safe and cozy, California! 💦)

#itsafamilybusiness #childmodel
Just a bit breezy out there!! For our fellow weath Just a bit breezy out there!! For our fellow weather fans: Surface Wind Speeds. I could watch this map all day…

You can too. Find it at our L I N K.

(Thank you for the hot tip on this #mesmerizing #interactivemap @marie707antoine !)

#bombcyclone #wind #iloveweather #weatherwatchers #atmosphericriver #map  #stormscoming #pacificcoast #pacific #californiastorm #westcoast

http://earth.nullschool.net
The Smith River is the most undeveloped and protec The Smith River is the most undeveloped and protected river remaining in California, and the largest completely undammed river from source to sea in the state.

It drains the high elevation flanks of the western Siskiyou Mountains, who’s thin, rocky soils shed water from winter storms faster than any other watershed in the Klamath Mountains.

This River commonly rises insanely fast—from 5,000 to 80,000 cfs within 24 hours.

It’s an absolute joy to watch this wild river flowing swift and clear, full of welcome winter rains.

- - - - -

We were turned on to the concept of Slow TV by @b_funke.jpg and @gabriellegopinath. We love watching the rivers flow, the mountains catching morning light, the fog slowly settling between ridges. Apparently when you record this it’s called Slow TV! Would a YouTube channel featuring such *shows* from the Klamath Mountains interest you?

Also, please support the @smithriveralliance. They do such important work to care for this watershed!

#klamathmountains #smithriver #slowtv #delnortecounty #delnorte #northerncalifornia #wildrivers #smithrivercalifornia #serpentine #siskiyou #wildcalifornia #river #atmosphericriver
#protip: *How to keep your tot-sized hiker happy w #protip: *How to keep your tot-sized hiker happy while also decreasing your holiday sweets stash so you don’t have to eat it all.

HINT: Tie the @lindt chocolate to a stick with a blade of grass and dangle it in front of your tot as you hike along. Allow them to grab it only when the laughter subsides. This should buy you an extra mile or two.

*This pro tip will not be included in Hiking Humboldt Kids, a new book we’ve been working on with @first5california Humboldt, due out this spring!

#hikingwithkids #hikinghumboldt #redwoods #redwoodforest @ospreypacks #takeahike #parentingtips #parentlife #humboldt #humboldtcounty
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