Mount Baldy Exploration

10 Things to Find and Do

 

Wesley Butler

Overview

This panoramic photograph gives you a sense of the majesty and mystery of Mt. Baldy. Use this explorers page to look for fun ways to uncover the secrets of this unique moving dune. You can explore virtually or by taking a visit to the site. Send in your answers to the following 10 questions, and any additional observations by emailing Ranger Julie.

More Mount Baldy Information

 

Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Explore an area of their neighborhood national park and share their observations with park staff.

• Use their senses to connect more deeply with the natural world.

• Begin the scientific method of observation leading to discovery.

 

A restoration fence with an unofficial social trail going around it.

Kim Swift

Please be a good visitor!

Stay on the trail, and don’t bypass the restoration fences. The park is working to stabilize the dune and keep visitors safe.

Use Leave No Trace principles.

 

#1: Walk the trail. Notice the exact moment you can hear the lake and mark it so you’ll be able to compare it next time you hike this trail.

 

#2 How many different bird sounds do you hear? Which one is the loudest?

 

#3: On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being greatest, rate the height of the waves today.

 

#4: Find the dark grey “rocks” on the beach. Can you tell what they are made of? You can easily break these "rocks." Try it and you will be able to puzzle out what they are made of.

 

#5: Find 5 differently colored rocks. Can you find a crinoid, too? There is one in this photograph.

Learn more about crinoids here

 

#6: Can you find formations like these along the north side of Mt. Baldy? What do you think is causing them?

 

#7: Find three signs of beach erosion on Mt. Baldy’s beach.

 

#8: Sand is Neat, Scaly Feet—find three different animal’s tracks. Can you tell what the animal was doing when it left its prints?

 

#9: Discover the transition zone from the forest to the beach. What are some of the abiotic factors that would change in these two zones?

 

#10: Identify two types of trees at Mt. Baldy.

 

Share your explorations with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #INDUexplorers and be sure to tag the location in your photos and answers.

Send us your answers and additional observations now

 

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Mount Baldy Exploration

1. Walk the trail. Notice the exact moment you can hear the lake and mark it so you’ll be able to compare it next time you hike this trail.

2. How many different bird sounds do you hear? Which one is the loudest?

3. On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being greatest, rate the height of the waves today.

4. Find the dark grey “rocks” on the beach. Can you tell what they are made of? You can easily break these "rocks." Try it and you will be able to puzzle out what they are made of.

5. Find 5 differently colored rocks. Can you find a crinoid, too? There is one in this photograph.

6. Can you find formations like these along the north side of Mt. Baldy? What do you think is causing them?

7. Find three signs of beach erosion on Mt. Baldy’s beach.

8. Sand is Neat, Scaly Feet—find three different animal’s tracks. Can you tell what the animal was doing when it left its prints?

9. Discover the transition zone from the forest to the beach. What are some of the abiotic factors that would change in these two zones?

10. Identify two types of trees at Mt. Baldy.

Share your explorations with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #INDUexplorers and be sure to tag the location in your photos and answers.

 

Take a Virtual Tour

Join Ranger Rafi along the Mount Baldy Trail as he discusses its many landscape features and other interesting topics.

Grab a Trail Map

Great need-to-know information you'll be glad you snagged before taking your own Mount Baldy Beach Trail hike.