Join Us On Our Next Field Trip or Event.
Listed below are upcoming and recent field trips and events of the Rocky Mountain Naturalists. You are welcome to join us. Please let us know if you are interested.
For anyone who is not a member and would like to join us on one of our outings, please be advised that there is a $2.00 fee for the day and a liability waiver to sign.
For anyone who is not a member and would like to join us on one of our outings, please be advised that there is a $2.00 fee for the day and a liability waiver to sign.
Early Morning Birding (Daryl)
Wednesday, September 22, 2021 - 8:00 am
This week, we have permission to walk West across private land to Reade Lake from the North end of Foster Road. Foster Road is a N-S side road which intersects Mission Wycliffe Road. If time permits, we can drive to other local hotspots. Reade Lake has been quite productive recently.
=================================================================
Kimberley Nature Park Outing (Ruth)
Thursday, September 30, 2021 - 9:00 am
Meet at the Riverside Campground entrance to the Kimberley Nature Park by driving several kilometres on the St Mary's Lake Road from the Marysville turnoff. The parking area is directly across from the Riverside Campground. This is rated as a Moderate Outing on our Naturalist scale. We will head up the moderately steep Jimmy Russell Road for approximately 30 minutes before heading down Shapeshifter Trail to the scenic Hoodoo View Trail before returning to our vehicles. This usually takes about 1 ¼ hours so at a naturalist's pace this could be about 2 hours! Dress for the weather, wear sturdy footwear and bring water, a snack. Optional - camera and binoculars. Along the way Ruth will talk briefly about the Kimberley Nature Park history and some of the work naturalists have done over the years in the area. We will pass by our famous bear tree, some different habitats, and recent fire interface work. A section of the trail was a project for Ruth this year, to monitor and note the flora and fauna that interested her. Smoke and heat affected this project. This Outing will be limited to 10 people so 'first come, first served' using the RSVP system.
Bi-Monthly Meeting - Wycliffe Regional Park
Wednesday, September 15, 2021 - 6:30 pm
Meet at Area 5A and 5B of Wycliffe Park by Perry Creek. We will have a walk in the lower part of the park, view Kokanee spawning and learn about their life cycle followed by a short business meeting. Social distancing will be expected and Covid protocols followed. (We will adhere to any changes from the PHO that may occur between now and Sept. 15). Bring your own lawn chair and dress for the weather.
Ram Creek Ecological Reserve Outing (Marianne)
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 - 8:00 am
Meet at Wasa Rest Area along the Kootenay River just north of the Wasa Bridge/TaTa Creek intersection at 8:00 am. It is a 35 minute drive from Cranbrook, a little less from Kimberley.
Myself and the Rocky Mountain Naturalists have recently become wardens of this interesting, warm springs ER. Due to Covid, there will be no carpooling unless you have a cohort. We are limiting the group size to 10. For this geological interesting hot spring area, we would be looking at and identifying some plants, birds and animals on the way in, around the pools and on the return. We would also be pulling a few invasives such as knapweed and picking up any litter (very little litter a week ago). Dress for the weather, bring a lunch, water, bear spray, camera, binoculars, and a pair of garden gloves. I suggest long pants as there are numerous poison ivy plants in the springs area. We should be back to the highway by 2:00 pm. This would be rated as a Moderate hike/outing. Please RSVP to Marianne.
Elizabeth Lake Weed Pull
Saturday, August 28, 2021 - 9:00 am
Meet at 11th St. S and Innes Ave. There will likely be a barrier that says 'Local Traffic Only' at 11th St. S and 2nd Ave. S. Continue past the barrier toward the bottom of the hill, make a u turn and park along 11th St. S., school side. Dress for the weather. Long sleeves suggested. Bring gloves and short handled garden clippers for the big, tough plants that are difficult to pull. A large garbage can or large bucket is helpful so that a plastic bag can fit inside, or your bucket gatherings can easily be dumped into a plastic bag. I will supply plastic bags and take weeds to the Transfer Station. Please RSVP to Marianne.
Bi-Monthly Meeting - Reade Lake
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 - 7:00 pm
This is our traditional July meeting at Reade Lake. Meet at the end of Foster Rd for a 7:00 pm start. Wear sturdy, closed toed footwear and dress for the weather conditions. Bring a sitting pad, mosquito repellent, binoculars and camera. This is a lovely area overlooking Reade Lake, rich in bird life, that the Sorensen Family graciously invite us to every July.
Horse Barn Valley Outing (Dina)
Tuesday, June 29, 2021 - 8:30 am
Dina will lead us along trails in this interesting designated Interpretive Forest to enjoy the flora, fauna and views. This will be a 4 to 5 hour Outing with a moderate rating for both difficulty and length of time. A high clearance vehicle is needed along with the confidence to drive on rough, gravel roads.
Meet for an 8:30 am start at the intersection of St. Mary Lake Road and Matthew Creek Forest Service Road. From Marysville, drive about 6.7 km west on the St. Mary Lake Road to the Matthew Creek Forest Service Road on the right. We will then drive 4.5 km up rough, gravel roads to the parking area.
Dress for the weather conditions (layers) and wear hiking boots. Bring water, lunch, bear spray, mosquito repellent. Optional - camera, binoculars. This hike will be limited to 10 people. First come, first served. RSVP to Marianne.
Botany and Birding Outings (Marianne/Daryl)
Thursday, June 24, 2021 - 7:00 pm
Birding - This week we will do a tour of Cranbrook's Spray Irrigation Ponds. Easy walking, slow pace.
Botany - This week we will explore the Riparian area of Elizabeth Lake. Easy walking, some uneven ground.
Group size is limited to 10 people. Come in your own vehicle, physical distance expected. First come, first served. Contact Marianne to sign up for both outings.
Botany and Birding Outings (Marianne/Daryl)
Thursday, June 17, 2021 - 7:00 pm
Botany - This week we will explore an area at South Star Recreation Trails in the Gold Creek area of Cranbrook. Easy walking, some uneven ground.
Birding - This week we will do a walking tour of Slaterville. Easy walking, slow pace.
Group size is limited to 10 people, following Provincial Health Guidelines - own vehicles, physical distance and have not been out of Interior Health Region in the past two weeks. Contact Marianne to sign up for both outings.
Botany and Birding Outings (Marianne/Daryl)
Thursday, June 10, 2021 - 7:00 pm
Botany - Let's find and identify some of the flowering plants in the Eimer's Lake area of the Kimberley Nature Park. Easy walking, slow pace.
Birding - Let's find and identify some of the birds in the Alkali Lake area of the Cranbrook Community Forest. Easy walking, slow pace.
Group size is limited to 10 people, following Provincial Health Guidelines - own vehicles, physical distancing and have not been out of Interior Health Region in the past two weeks. First come, first served. Contact Marianne to sign up for both outings.
Botany and Birding Outings (Marianne/Daryl)
Thursday, June 3, 2021 - 7:00 pm
We are going to start up with Outings based on the Provincial Health Office Guidelines. This includes a maximum of 10 people in a group, open to members only, sign-up ahead of time which includes an emergency contact name and their phone number, and the expectation that participants will keep physically distanced from each other, arrive in their own vehicles or with a cohort and not have been out of the Interior Health Region within the past two weeks. If more than 10 people commit to attending on Thursday, June 3, for either Botany or Birding we will have two leaders going to two different sites very near town (Cranbrook this time). Contact Marianne to sign up for both outings.
Botany - looking for and identifying some common wildflowers
Birding - looking for and identifying some common East Kootenay birds
Wednesday, September 22, 2021 - 8:00 am
This week, we have permission to walk West across private land to Reade Lake from the North end of Foster Road. Foster Road is a N-S side road which intersects Mission Wycliffe Road. If time permits, we can drive to other local hotspots. Reade Lake has been quite productive recently.
=================================================================
Kimberley Nature Park Outing (Ruth)
Thursday, September 30, 2021 - 9:00 am
Meet at the Riverside Campground entrance to the Kimberley Nature Park by driving several kilometres on the St Mary's Lake Road from the Marysville turnoff. The parking area is directly across from the Riverside Campground. This is rated as a Moderate Outing on our Naturalist scale. We will head up the moderately steep Jimmy Russell Road for approximately 30 minutes before heading down Shapeshifter Trail to the scenic Hoodoo View Trail before returning to our vehicles. This usually takes about 1 ¼ hours so at a naturalist's pace this could be about 2 hours! Dress for the weather, wear sturdy footwear and bring water, a snack. Optional - camera and binoculars. Along the way Ruth will talk briefly about the Kimberley Nature Park history and some of the work naturalists have done over the years in the area. We will pass by our famous bear tree, some different habitats, and recent fire interface work. A section of the trail was a project for Ruth this year, to monitor and note the flora and fauna that interested her. Smoke and heat affected this project. This Outing will be limited to 10 people so 'first come, first served' using the RSVP system.
Bi-Monthly Meeting - Wycliffe Regional Park
Wednesday, September 15, 2021 - 6:30 pm
Meet at Area 5A and 5B of Wycliffe Park by Perry Creek. We will have a walk in the lower part of the park, view Kokanee spawning and learn about their life cycle followed by a short business meeting. Social distancing will be expected and Covid protocols followed. (We will adhere to any changes from the PHO that may occur between now and Sept. 15). Bring your own lawn chair and dress for the weather.
Ram Creek Ecological Reserve Outing (Marianne)
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 - 8:00 am
Meet at Wasa Rest Area along the Kootenay River just north of the Wasa Bridge/TaTa Creek intersection at 8:00 am. It is a 35 minute drive from Cranbrook, a little less from Kimberley.
Myself and the Rocky Mountain Naturalists have recently become wardens of this interesting, warm springs ER. Due to Covid, there will be no carpooling unless you have a cohort. We are limiting the group size to 10. For this geological interesting hot spring area, we would be looking at and identifying some plants, birds and animals on the way in, around the pools and on the return. We would also be pulling a few invasives such as knapweed and picking up any litter (very little litter a week ago). Dress for the weather, bring a lunch, water, bear spray, camera, binoculars, and a pair of garden gloves. I suggest long pants as there are numerous poison ivy plants in the springs area. We should be back to the highway by 2:00 pm. This would be rated as a Moderate hike/outing. Please RSVP to Marianne.
Elizabeth Lake Weed Pull
Saturday, August 28, 2021 - 9:00 am
Meet at 11th St. S and Innes Ave. There will likely be a barrier that says 'Local Traffic Only' at 11th St. S and 2nd Ave. S. Continue past the barrier toward the bottom of the hill, make a u turn and park along 11th St. S., school side. Dress for the weather. Long sleeves suggested. Bring gloves and short handled garden clippers for the big, tough plants that are difficult to pull. A large garbage can or large bucket is helpful so that a plastic bag can fit inside, or your bucket gatherings can easily be dumped into a plastic bag. I will supply plastic bags and take weeds to the Transfer Station. Please RSVP to Marianne.
Bi-Monthly Meeting - Reade Lake
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 - 7:00 pm
This is our traditional July meeting at Reade Lake. Meet at the end of Foster Rd for a 7:00 pm start. Wear sturdy, closed toed footwear and dress for the weather conditions. Bring a sitting pad, mosquito repellent, binoculars and camera. This is a lovely area overlooking Reade Lake, rich in bird life, that the Sorensen Family graciously invite us to every July.
Horse Barn Valley Outing (Dina)
Tuesday, June 29, 2021 - 8:30 am
Dina will lead us along trails in this interesting designated Interpretive Forest to enjoy the flora, fauna and views. This will be a 4 to 5 hour Outing with a moderate rating for both difficulty and length of time. A high clearance vehicle is needed along with the confidence to drive on rough, gravel roads.
Meet for an 8:30 am start at the intersection of St. Mary Lake Road and Matthew Creek Forest Service Road. From Marysville, drive about 6.7 km west on the St. Mary Lake Road to the Matthew Creek Forest Service Road on the right. We will then drive 4.5 km up rough, gravel roads to the parking area.
Dress for the weather conditions (layers) and wear hiking boots. Bring water, lunch, bear spray, mosquito repellent. Optional - camera, binoculars. This hike will be limited to 10 people. First come, first served. RSVP to Marianne.
Botany and Birding Outings (Marianne/Daryl)
Thursday, June 24, 2021 - 7:00 pm
Birding - This week we will do a tour of Cranbrook's Spray Irrigation Ponds. Easy walking, slow pace.
Botany - This week we will explore the Riparian area of Elizabeth Lake. Easy walking, some uneven ground.
Group size is limited to 10 people. Come in your own vehicle, physical distance expected. First come, first served. Contact Marianne to sign up for both outings.
Botany and Birding Outings (Marianne/Daryl)
Thursday, June 17, 2021 - 7:00 pm
Botany - This week we will explore an area at South Star Recreation Trails in the Gold Creek area of Cranbrook. Easy walking, some uneven ground.
Birding - This week we will do a walking tour of Slaterville. Easy walking, slow pace.
Group size is limited to 10 people, following Provincial Health Guidelines - own vehicles, physical distance and have not been out of Interior Health Region in the past two weeks. Contact Marianne to sign up for both outings.
Botany and Birding Outings (Marianne/Daryl)
Thursday, June 10, 2021 - 7:00 pm
Botany - Let's find and identify some of the flowering plants in the Eimer's Lake area of the Kimberley Nature Park. Easy walking, slow pace.
Birding - Let's find and identify some of the birds in the Alkali Lake area of the Cranbrook Community Forest. Easy walking, slow pace.
Group size is limited to 10 people, following Provincial Health Guidelines - own vehicles, physical distancing and have not been out of Interior Health Region in the past two weeks. First come, first served. Contact Marianne to sign up for both outings.
Botany and Birding Outings (Marianne/Daryl)
Thursday, June 3, 2021 - 7:00 pm
We are going to start up with Outings based on the Provincial Health Office Guidelines. This includes a maximum of 10 people in a group, open to members only, sign-up ahead of time which includes an emergency contact name and their phone number, and the expectation that participants will keep physically distanced from each other, arrive in their own vehicles or with a cohort and not have been out of the Interior Health Region within the past two weeks. If more than 10 people commit to attending on Thursday, June 3, for either Botany or Birding we will have two leaders going to two different sites very near town (Cranbrook this time). Contact Marianne to sign up for both outings.
Botany - looking for and identifying some common wildflowers
Birding - looking for and identifying some common East Kootenay birds
Fill in the form below for more field trip info. [We do not share your contact info)
The fossil box at Nature Bob's Interpretive Centre at Mount Fernie Alpine Resort.
Photo - Greg
