Description

Join herbalist Amanda of Ecozoica Apothecary in collaboration with Amy, co-founder of Mostly Zen, for an autumn medicinal plant walk along Greens Creek, where the forest, creekside meadows, and changing aspens offer a living classroom for getting to know the plants of Colorado’s high country.

We’ll explore a lush stretch of montane forest and riparian habitat, learning how to identify medicinal and useful plants while discussing their traditional and contemporary uses, ecology, and relationships with the surrounding landscape. Along the way, we’ll touch on botany and plant families, habitat and ecological relationships, ethical wildcrafting practices, and techniques for recognizing plants beyond their flowering season.

Early October gives us a particularly interesting look at the botanical landscape. Summer blooms have begun giving way to seeds, berries, dried stalks, and fall foliage, creating an opportunity to practice a deeper kind of plant identification: noticing leaf shape, growth habit, texture, scent, habitat, seed structures, and the remnants plants leave behind as they prepare for winter.

This is a relaxed, educational walk rather than a strenuous hike. We’ll stop often to examine plants, ask questions, and spend time getting acquainted with the ecology around us.

No previous herbal or botanical experience is necessary—just curiosity, comfortable walking shoes, and a willingness to slow down and meet the plants.

Event Details

Sunday, October 4, 2026
10:00 AM–12:30 PM
Greens Creek Trailhead — Poncha Springs, Colorado
$50 per participant
Limited to 12 participants

What to Expect

The trail grade is relatively gentle, but Greens Creek is a narrow, natural-surface mountain trail. Participants should be comfortable walking over uneven and occasionally rugged terrain, including rocks, roots, mud, and other natural obstacles.

Greens Creek is a multi-use trail shared by hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and motorized users. We’ll remain together as a group and practice respectful trail etiquette throughout the walk.

There will be no harvesting or collection of plant material during this event. The walk takes place on U.S. Forest Service land, where collecting plant material requires appropriate authorization. Our focus will be observation, identification, ecology, and building relationships with the plants in place.

All participants are expected to follow Leave No Trace practices.

Please leave pets at home. We love dogs, but due to wildlife activity, other trail users, group dynamics, and the educational nature of the event, this will be a people-only plant walk.

What to Wear & Bring

The walk begins around 9,000 feet in elevation, and October weather in the mountains can change quickly. Please bring:

• Sturdy walking or hiking shoes
• Warm layers appropriate for changing mountain weather
• Sun protection
• Plenty of drinking water
• A notebook, hand lens, and/or field guide if you’d like to bring them

Cold temperatures, snow, wind, rain, and muddy conditions are all possible this time of year, so please check the forecast and come prepared for mountain weather.

Getting There & Parking

Greens Creek Trailhead is located approximately 6 miles west of Poncha Springs via US-50, County Road 220, and County Road 221. The final approach is on an unpaved mountain road, so please allow extra travel time and drive according to current road conditions.

Parking at the trailhead is very limited, and carpooling is strongly encouraged. Depending on final attendance, registered participants may receive information about a group meeting/carpool location in Poncha Springs before the event.

Cell service may be limited or unavailable once you leave the highway. Please download or screenshot directions before leaving Poncha Springs and do not rely solely on cellular navigation.

Weather & Cancellation Policy

Because this is an outdoor event in the Colorado mountains, the walk is subject to weather, road, and trail conditions.

Participant cancellations: Cancellations made at least 7 days before the event are eligible for a refund. Cancellations made within 7 days of the event are non-refundable; however, your registration may be transferred to another person.

Weather or organizer cancellation: If Ecozoica Apothecary must cancel the walk due to unsafe weather, road or trail conditions, or other circumstances that make the event unsafe or impractical, registered participants will receive a full refund and will be contacted using the email address provided at checkout.

Please keep in mind that cool temperatures, light precipitation, or typical autumn mountain weather will not necessarily result in cancellation. Participants should arrive prepared for seasonal conditions.

Safety & Liability Waiver

Participation in an outdoor plant walk involves the ordinary and inherent risks associated with hiking and outdoor recreation, including uneven or slippery terrain, rocks and roots, changing weather, wildlife, insects, vegetation, encounters with other trail users, and limited cellular service or access to emergency assistance.

Participants are responsible for determining whether they are physically able to participate and for arriving with appropriate footwear, clothing, water, and other personal necessities.

All participants will be required to read and sign a liability waiver before participating in the walk. Waivers will be provided at check-in before we begin. Purchasing a registration does not replace the requirement for each individual participant to sign the waiver.

Information shared during this class is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease or to substitute for individualized medical advice.

Registration

Registration is $50 per person and is limited to 12 participants to keep the group small and allow plenty of time for questions and plant exploration.

If purchasing registration for more than one person, please include the name(s) of the additional participant(s) in the Order Notes field at checkout.

Additional meeting, parking, carpooling, and weather information will be emailed to registered participants as the event approaches.

Come spend an autumn morning slowing down, looking closer, and learning to read the high-country landscape through the plants that call it home.