Come learn about the mesmerizing yet often overlooked world of lichens! We will meet at the Rock Springs trailhead, and walk a loop trail to meet some of the charismatic lichens of the area. These grow on rocks, trees, and on the ground. Participants will get to know certain lichen species, as well as lichen growth forms, and lichen ecology. The hike will be easy to moderate, with frequent stops to look at lichens. Bring a magnifying glass or hand lens if you have one - lichens are even more fascinating up close!

CAPACITY: Only RSVP if you are able to attend

PARKING: We strongly recommend carpooling and arriving 30 minutes early to find parking. Pantoll and Bootjack require a $8 fee - bring exact change! you can also pay through the Yodel app. The Quarry Parking lot (just past Mountain Theater) is an option if Rock Spring Parking lot is full. Pantoll parking is very limited – BootJack sometimes will have open spots or there are limited parking spots along Pantoll Road heading up to Rock Spring. Bus service schedule is available at https://marintransit.org/routes/61

FAMILIES: Suitable for families with children who are interested in nature and are comfortable hiking 2-4 miles.

DURATION: Each event is scheduled to last no more than 2 hours

CANCELLATIONS: Rain, red flag days, winds above 30 mph, and unforeseen circumstances will cancel. Check the Friends of Mt Tam Facebook for updates: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfMtTam

WATER: Bring your own water. Most hikes do not pass by public drinking water sources.

STURDY BOOTS: Trails are uneven, rocky and can be very steep in places. Sandals, sneakers and running shoes are not recommended.

Bri Baumbach is a PhD student in the Department of Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley, where she studies the ecology and biodiversity of coastal lichens. She enjoys sharing her curiosity about the complexities of lichens and encouraging a deeper appreciation for organisms that often go unnoticed.