NPSO 2022 Annual Meeting

May 20 - 22     Spirit Mountain Lodge, Grand Ronde, Oregon

Field Trips

Friday May 20, 2022    1 - 4 p.m.                    Field Trip # 2

Difficulty:     Easy to moderate  (0.5 mile) - Asphalt path up steep hill to viewpoint

Elevation:     110 feet elevation gain

Group Size Limit:     12, maximum of three vehicles because of limited parking at base of trail

Trip Description:     This trip begins with a 0.5-mile walk to Erratic Rock State Natural Site. Enjoy the view, examine a 40-ton glacial erratic and learn about the Ice Age floods. Seventeen to 12 thousand years ago, the rock floated in an iceberg from Canada, reaching the Willamette Valley by way of the Columbia River. Water levels rose over 400 feet in the valley and, when the ice melted, glacial erratics were deposited in the lower hills. This rock, the largest erratic in the valley, was stranded 250 feet above the valley floor on a hillside near McMinnville.

We will then travel a short distance to Maysara Winery for a tour of the vineyard and to learn about biodynamic farming techniques. Based on the work of Rudolf Steiner, biodynamic farming uses ecological principles, infused with spirituality and mysticism, resulting in apparent improvements in vineyard health, such as in biodiversity, soil fertility, crop nutrition, and pest management. Maysara also protects native white oaks on their property. The winemaker and her family escaped with their lives from Iran and, in gratitude for their lives in America, dedicate some of their profits to Lutheran Community Services Refugee and Immigrant program. The tour will end with an optional wine tasting (tasting fee applies).

Appropriate Clothing and Footwear:     Sturdy hiking shoes, hiking poles optional.

Meeting Place and Time:     Trip # 2 leaves at 1 p.m. from Spirit Mountain Lodge entrance. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure time to meet your group and arrange carpools.

Driving Miles and Time from Spirit Mountain Lodge:     16 miles, 20 minutes to Erratic Rock State Park. Another 5 miles, 5 minutes to Maysara Winery.

Driving Directions:     Trip leaders will provide detailed driving instructions.

Leaders:       Lisa Blackburn, Moe Momtazi

Erratic Rock: Lisa Blackburn, Cheahmill Chapter.

Maysara Winery: Moe Momtazi, owner, Maysara Winery.

Plant Lists and Other Information:     Clink on the links below for more information about this trip.

Erratic Rock and view of the Yamhill Valley

From Maysara Winery