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View cart “Geology of the Lassen Country paperback + eBook” has been added to your cart.

Conifer Country

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 5 customer ratings
(5 customer reviews)

$24.95

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Categories: Homegrown, Paperback Tags: Botany, California, Hiking Guide, Klamath Mountains, Oregon
  • Description
  • Additional information
  • Reviews (5)

Description

Paperback

Conifer Country is an innovative natural history and hiking guide that uses conifers as a lens to explore the astounding plant diversity in the Klamath Mountains.

Educator, plant explorer, and author Michael Kauffmann introduces readers to the magic of this little known botanical wonderland through:

  • The most accurate range maps ever created for conifers in northwest California and southwest Oregon
  • Lively species descriptions
  • Color plates to assist in identifying 35 conifers
  • 29 hike descriptions with maps to explore the conifer diversity
  • Stunning photos from across the Klamath Mountain region

John Muir would have loved this book. California’s matchless diversity of pines, firs, sequoias and other genera was very close to his heart, and Conifer Country approaches the subject in a way that he would have thoroughly approved… Michael’s attitude toward the trees is very much in Muir’s tradition, seeing them not just as objects of study − “plants,” part of “the scenery,” − but as highly evolved beings, companions and friends on the path of life, and that comes across strongly in Conifer Country’s lively descriptions of the species and their wild environments… Anyone who wants to know why the region’s forest biodiversity is considered a biotic treasure of primary international importance can now buy this book, access its extraordinary wealth of information, and take some of the hikes it recommends. 

–David Rains Wallace author of 
The Klamath Knot, Neptune’s Ark,
The Turquoise Dragon, Beasts of Eden, and Chuckwalla Land
 (among others)

Michael Kauffmann has prepared a feast for all conifer lovers. The banquet consists of 35 courses (species), with 29 adventures skillfully road-tested and with clear maps for hikes to savor them all. One thing immediately becomes clear from reading Michael’s book: the extraordinary love and contagious enthusiasm he has for his subject. Novice and professional alike will find much of interest here, and if you do not follow at least a dozen of Michael’s directions for hikes, I would be very surprised. Readers beware: you are about to become infected with a love and appreciation for California’s Conifer Country.

-David Charlet author of 
Atlas of Nevada Conifers

Additional information

Weight 12 oz
Dimensions 11 × 8.5 × .5 in
Book

Book

eBook

eBook

5 reviews for Conifer Country

  1. Rated 5 out of 5

    Annie Miller (verified owner) – July 28, 2020

    This book is very informative but also fun! Well researched and written, beautiful pictures, and easily referenced. A must have for any outdoor adventurer/ecological enthusiast! We love it!

  2. Rated 5 out of 5

    Brad Marston – July 29, 2020

    An essential guide to identifying and learning about the diverse species of conifers in the Klamath mountains. The 2nd half of the book guides the reader on 27+ hikes in the region that explore a wide variety of landscapes.

  3. Rated 5 out of 5

    Tuula Rebhahn – July 29, 2020

    Michael’s passion for conifers is clear, and his long experience identifying and studying these trees comes across in his well articulated descriptions of each species. But the real treasure in this book is the hiking section, which promises years of adventure and discovery. With online access to detailed route descriptions, this book makes it easy to learn and explore! Thank you!

  4. Rated 5 out of 5

    Ba’al the Exalter (verified owner) – October 4, 2020

    Conifer Country is much more than a hiking guide to the Klamath range. It provides the entire setting for your venture into to the region, it connects you to its history, and inspires you to delve deeper into your relationship with the land.

    I have lived on the North Coast for years, and have consistently attempted to explore surrounding areas, but often have not known where to begin. This book has allowed me to discover some of the most beautiful wilderness I have ever observed, bringing further appreciation to this corner of California. It has quickly become useful in providing tips to identify conifers when I am not confident in my ID. It comes at a perfect time in life for me, and I am very pleased with my purchase. I think you will be too. He even signed the book – a nice personal touch.

  5. Rated 5 out of 5

    Chad Nelson (verified owner) – March 14, 2021

    This is a great book for a tree lover like myself. Thank you for creating it!

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Do you get our newsletter? We send one out (nearly Do you get our newsletter? We send one out (nearly) every Sunday evening.
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This week’s features plant exploring in CA’s Channel Islands, where isolation nurtures endemism.
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The small island chain (which used to be one super-island) is home to 150 species of unique plants and animals!
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Fun 🍩 Informative 🤓 Inspirational 🏔 Do-go Fun 🍩 Informative 🤓 Inspirational 🏔 Do-gooding 🦋 But as #levarburton says, you don't have to take my word for it!
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FACT: @sheriff_woody_pct 's Botanical Tales of the PCT webinar series raised over $5000 for @pctassociation @californianativeplantsociety and @bigfoottrail !!
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And he straight up has been enriching lives too.
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Here are a few comments that have been making us smile:
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“I couldn’t believe all the wonderful plants I have been walking by all these years. I have a new perspective, thanks!”
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“Having some guidance has been helpful, inspirational and most of all, heartwarming. I feel like I have found my community.” (Aww!)
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“Matt’s description of his two PCT through hikes were fun and inspirational. I definitely have changed my hiking approach to be more engaged with the plants I’m walking through.”
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“I’m the person who says, “ooohh stop the car, flowers!” My hiking buddy is the person who reluctantly does so. This series was so engaging that the reluctant flower taxi driver watched each episode!”
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“I loved the outstanding photos, descriptions of flowers, the scenery and trail companions and their antics. Everything he touched was fused with fun and invitation to come along for the ride.”
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“Watching Matt’s presentation I was reminded of all the pleasant times along the PCT observing and keying out wildflowers and other plants. His excellent photos were like seeing old friends.”
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“You do not have to be a long-distance hiker or flower lover to enjoy this series. You could live anywhere on the planet and enjoy what you see and learn from this bio-geography trip.”
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We're sad to see this series come to an end, but look forward to future Botanical Tales from different trails with Matt Berger. Many thanks to all who joined us for his spectacular and entertaining tour of plants along the PCT!
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📷: the rare California endemic Frasera tubulosa (by Matt Berger)
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Recordings are available to watch anytime if you missed the live broadcast. Tap link in profile to find your way there.
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#pct #botanist #thruhike #pct2021 #rareplants #endemic #wildflowers
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Know who will “light the fire of curiosity under Know who will “light the fire of curiosity under your ass” with his class Blue Collar Botany?
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Joey Santore @crime_pays_but_botany_doesnt
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We’re teaming up for this 4-part series where he’ll teach you flower anatomy and plant naming systems to help you IDENTIFY plants, and plant ecology and evolution to help you understand WHY you find what you do WHERE you do.
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Joey takes the pretense of inaccessibility out of potentially intimidating scientific language and concepts.
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From piloting diesel trains across the west to searching out fascinating plants in nooks near and far, Joey has travelled far and wide on his mission to understand plant evolution.
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He’ll take you on a botanical tour to some far out, oddball places, and help you better understand the plants that grow in your own neighborhood in the process.
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May 4-13 | Tues/Thurs | 6-8pm PT | $49 ($39 if you register by April 1st)
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All sessions recorded in case you want to watch again or can’t make the live broadcast.
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Tap LINK IN PROFILE to register and learn more
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(This is going to be such excellent #infotainment !!)
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We officially won an unofficial award! ✨🤓✨ We officially won an unofficial award! ✨🤓✨
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Thank you, Holly Christiansen, for this great honor...
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“I unofficially present the Serpentinite Star Achievement Award to the Klamath Natural History webinar series, and especially to Allison @earth2allison and Michael @michael.kauffmann (@backcountrypress) for doing all the heavy lifting. This award is traditionally (ie starting today) reserved exclusively for those nature nuts who (I hear it's a very complicated algorithm) exponentially advance knowledge and love for Klamath Mountain ecosystems and wonders.
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Congratulations and thank you for a job well done, I can’t wait to get my grubby hands on the book!”
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Wolf pack of 2 settling in just east of the Klamat Wolf pack of 2 settling in just east of the Klamath Mountains!
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Story and pictures from mtshasta news: “It’s official: two wolves that have been carving out a territory in Siskiyou County over the past few months have made the area their home – and now they have a new name. 
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The Whaleback Pair’s territory encompasses about 480 square miles of Siskiyou County and extends slightly south into Shasta County, according to a map recently released by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
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The pair was named after the 8,500 foot mountain on the north side of Mt. Shasta’s flanks that resembles a whale’s back, which is within the wolves’ “very large home range,” said Kent Laudon, CDFW’s wolf specialist.”
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Tap link in profile to read the full story. This is exciting! Fingers crossed for pups.
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#siskiyoucounty #shastacounty #mtshasta #klamathmountains #whalebackpack #northerncalifornia #wolves #trinitycounty #trinitycountyca #humboldt #humboldtcounty #delnortecounty #siskiyou #southernoregon #pnw #pnwonderland #shasta #wildlife @seesiskiyou 
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The last stretch of our botanical tour along the P The last stretch of our botanical tour along the PCT is this Tuesday, 3/16 to Washington's Cascades!
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If you've been along for the hike, you know that not only does @sheriff_woody_pct identify all the trailside plants for you, he also tells tales that keep you perched on the edge of your Zoom seat. 
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If you missed any of the 5 sessions, do not fear! They are all recorded so you can watch whenever you like... though joining the live broadcast to get your questions answered in the Q&A is darn fun.
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I know you may be wondering: "Just how does Matt Berger hike upwards of 40 miles/day while photographing and documenting all the plants along the way -- without driving his hiking buddies crazy?" Tune in and ask your questions too.
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Tap link in profile to find your way there.
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📷: Here’s a common plant Matt will highlight named after explorer Meriwether Lewis: Erythranthe lewisii, Lewis’ monkeyflower. 
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Many thanks to @pctassociation @californianativeplantsociety and @bigfoottrail for partnering with us on this project!
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@washingtonnativeplants #pct #pct2021 #cascadia #cascadiaexplored #washingtonstate #pnw #pnwonderland #upperleftusa @npsopdx #washingtonnativeplants #seattle #mountrainiernationalpark #mountrainier #pdx #columbiarivergorge #bridgeofthegods #olympiawashington #olympia #snoqualmiepass #mtbaker #thruhike #thruhiking #thruhiker #botany #botanist #backpacking #wilderness #cascades #optoutside #takeahike #wenatcheenationalforest 
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One last (delicious) taste of winter ❄️ #orego One last (delicious) taste of winter ❄️
#oregonoak #quercusgarryana
Want your own brilliant, hilarious storytelling, S Want your own brilliant, hilarious storytelling, Super Naturalist to teach you the trailside plants of Oregon’s Cascades?
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@sheriff_woody_pct is your guy.
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Tuesday's Botanical Tales of the Pacific Crest Trail webinar will take you along the Oregon section of the PCT with Matt Berger. He is basically your personal botanical tour guide, IDing everything for you and providing fun stories from trail life as he goes.
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Spoiler alert if you missed the live broadcast of Part 3: he tells a big cat tale that has you perched on the edge of your Zoom seat!
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Part 4 broadcasts live this Tuesday evening at 7pm PT. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. All sessions will be recorded. Link to view recordings of Parts 1-3 sent with registration.
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Tap LINK IN PROFILE to find your way there!
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What’s that in the forest?
It’s Nettle Cake! 🌿
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We’re celebrating the last session of our 10 part Klamath Mountains Winter Webinar Series with the taste of sweet, sweet spring.
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Each week we’ve been offering up pairing suggestions for Thursday evening’s webinar. You can find them all (including this recipe - scroll down to Part 10) at our profile link.
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Join us Thursday for Part 10: Early Euro-American Explorers of the Klamath Mountains with Jim Agee, a Forest Ecologist with more than 50 years of experience in the Klamath Mountains.
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From Jedediah Smith in the early 1800s, to Alice Eastwood in the early 1900's, to John Sawyer in the late 1900s, a wide range of western scientists have contributed to the understandings we have about the region today. Jim will highlight geologists, botanists, zoologists, and paleontologists -- and tell some great stories!
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And many thanks to Karen Reiss for kicking off the Nettle Cake Bake off and sharing this slice with me!
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Also, much respect to the food stylists and photographers of the world. I learned today that your craft is way harder than it looks!
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#tasteofspring #nettlecake
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https://backcountrypress.com/2021/01/perfect-pairings-for-klamath-natural-history/
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#foragedfood #wildfood #wildfoodlove #redwoods #redwoodforest #humboldt #humboldtcounty #klamathmountains #usnea #eatwild #nettle #stingingnettle #urticaria #californianativeplants #shasta #ashlandoregon #southernoregon #northerncalifornia #norcal #exploregon #herbalist #herbalism #naturenerd #pnw #pnwonderland #pacificnorthwest #upperleftusa #cascadiaexplored
So much crashing. So much laughing. So much peace So much crashing. So much laughing. So much peace and beauty in the winter forest.
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Appreciation post for the @mtshastanordic center!
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Miles of well cared for and well marked trails.
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The most kind staff/volunteers.
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A warming yurt with hot drinks (though just for employees during Covid).
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AND overhearing a random conversation at the rental shed between two strangers who were bonding over their respective enjoyment of “Conifer Country.”
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Every single time I’ve had the pleasure of spending an afternoon tripping over my skis on their trails (or teaching my son how to do so), I always leave thinking: I love this place and the non-profit who makes this experience possible!
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Thank you, Mt. Shasta Nordic Center!
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Can’t wait to come back for more community-supported off-grid cross country ski trails on the slopes of Mount Shasta.
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#mtshasta #nordicskiing #winterforest
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Manzanita’s center of biodiversity is in the California Floristic Province, where they are the “rock stars” of woody shrub diversity. Ranging from the Sierra Nevada mountains to coastal bluffs along the Pacific, from temperate rainforests along the North Coast to arid mountain slopes in Southern California, a wealth of manzanita species and subspecies can be […]

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