Looks like a pale..... Amanita?
Now that Squad has been at it for four years, it is exciting when we have the chance to revisit a past stewardship site, tend our previous work or tackle a new task- and we got to do all three! The great folks at King County Parks and WTA led our project, consisting of opening deer-proof cages to weed and re-mulch the native Sitka spruce, grand fir, cedar and Douglas fir trees. In fact….. we just may have planted these trees over two years ago! This is Squad's third+ time at the fairly-new Sky Country Trailhead at Cougar Mt. which was opened with funds from a parks levy approved by voters.
The day was a lovely sunny one amidst a week finally bringing the wet fall weather. We saw many mushrooms and also dog's vomit slime mold (see below)! Autumn colors were out and the moss was thick and pretty above the mysterious old buildings- remnants of past missile testing. Another place to read more about the history of the park is in WTA's article on historic Cougar Mt. hikes from this trailhead. It is always inspiring to work with Pete, who has done over 1,500 work parties! He showed the kids is 50+ WTA saw. The kids, parents and (two!) grandparents worked so hard we finished early. We'll be back in November.
