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 (for liability insurance purposes).
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 (for liability insurance purposes).
Early Morning Birding (Jim)
Wednesday, January 22, 2020 - 8:30 am
Please meet at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave at 8:30 am or meet at the Pighin Road mailboxes at 8:50 am. Return time will be noon.
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South Hill Outing (Stewart)
Sunday, January 19, 2020 - 1:30 pm
Meet at the parking area by Pyatt Lake at the head of 12 Ave. S., which can be accessed off 14 Ave. then 12 or 13 St. S. opposite the Catholic Church. The walk will be similar to that offered last winter but will explore some different areas. It will take us uphill past Akloo, the site of the former downhill ski hill in Cranbrook to a ridge with views to Baker Mtn. and Cranbrook Mtn. We will also visit the site of former mining explorations as well as some deserted cabins. We will climb 100 - 200 metres and probably be out for no more than two hours covering 4 to 5 kms. The weather forecast predicts milder temperatures around 0, but you should dress in layers and bring water. Snowshoes are optional, but poles are recommended.
Annual General Meeting and Bi-Monthly Meeting - COTR Room 210
Wednesday, January 15, 2020 - 7:00 pm
The AGM and Bi-Monthly Meeting will be held tonight. A business meeting plus elections will be taking place at this time.
Wilks Woods Loop Annual New Years Day Outing (Daryl/Marianne)
Wednesday, January 1, 2020 - 11:00 am
Please meet at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave at 11:00 am or meet at the North end of Wilks Road which is a paved spur that intersects with King Street. This intersection is about 5 km NW of Cobham Ave, and is the only opportunity to turn right on a paved road, if travelling NW from Cranbrook. This time, only an inch or 2 of snow covers the hard ground. A portion of the route follows a narrow trail, and, otherwise, we tromp through open woods. Good boots with aggressive tread and/or grippers will be an asset, and poles may be helpful. The loop accesses several viewpoints, is approximately 5 km in length and will be completed in 2 1/2 to 3 hours. We can observe forest types, tracks in snow, shrubs, lichens, skyscapes and a few birds.
Daryl and Marianne will lead the group. Expect some 'ups & downs' and sidehills. Of course, you will want to dress in layers and bring a bit of food and drink.
Christmas Bird Count - Kimberley
Saturday, January 4, 2020 - 8:30 am
Please meet at the Kimberley Platzl. You will then be divided into teams. All skill levels are welcome to come count. Each team will include an experienced counter/birder to help out beginners. Field counting is done mostly by short forays from warm vehicles with driving between birdy spots. If you prefer to walk around an area, co-ordination with the team can be done so birds are not double-counted. Ruth and Kent will be hosting a potluck after the bird count starting at 4:45 pm.
Christmas Bird Count - Cranbrook
Saturday, December 28, 2019 - 8:30 am
Please meet at the Information Centre at Elizabeth Lake. You will then be divided into teams. All skill levels are welcome to come count. Each team will include an experienced counter/birder to help out beginners. Field counting is done mostly by short forays from warm vehicles with driving between birdy spots. If you prefer to walk around an area, co-ordination with the team can be done so birds are not double-counted. Marianne and Daryl will be hosting a potluck after the bird count starting at 4:45 pm.
Beacon Hill - Water Boy's Trail Outing (Marianne)
Sunday, November 24, 2019 - 1:00 pm
Please meet at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave at 1:00 pm. Enjoy a hike before the Grey Cup Game. We will walk uphill on a rough road for the first half of the hike and then get on a trail which eventually comes out on another rough road. There will be a couple of viewpoints depending on cloud and precipitation. The larch needles have made lovely gold carpets in places. This will be a 2 1/2 to 3 hour outing with a 4 to 5 km distance. This is considered a moderately difficult hike. Dress in layers. Bring water and your poles. There are definitely slippery sections. Some people may want to bring their icers.
Bi-Monthly Meeting - COTR Room 210
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - 7:00 pm
Special Presentation: Lyle Grisedale will present a slideshow from the RM Nats annual club camp which was held in Golden this year. A brief business meeting will follow the presentation.
Big Juniper Outing (Gretchen)
Saturday, November 16, 2019 - 12:30 pm
Please meet at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave at 12:30 pm or drive directly to Fraggle Rock parking and meet us there ready to hike at 12:40 pm. This will be a 3 - 3 1/2 hour hike, about 9 km starting from Fraggle Rock and travelling west towards the Biggest Rocky Mountain Juniper in BC. Conditions permitting we will also climb up the adjacent hill with the flashing beacon (known in my family as The Needle on the Weedle). We'll walk mostly on old roads and bike trails. There are a few steep sections not on a trail and the grass and gravel may be slippery so at least one hiking pole might come in handy. This is rated as a moderately difficult hike. Please remember to bring water and dress according to the weather.
Moose Slough 2.0 Outing (Gretchen)
Sunday, November 10, 2019 - 1:00 pm
Please meet at the upper Baker Road parking lot (Lot #3) for a 1:00 pm departure. This will be a 3 hour hike, about 7 km long, up across the powerline to Moose Slough and return via the Big Tree vicinity. Hopefully with better weather than last year we can enjoy a view from the Bumps. We'll walk on old roads and bike trails that might have some snow. This is rated as a moderately difficult hike. Please remember to bring water and dress according to the weather.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020 - 8:30 am
Please meet at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave at 8:30 am or meet at the Pighin Road mailboxes at 8:50 am. Return time will be noon.
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South Hill Outing (Stewart)
Sunday, January 19, 2020 - 1:30 pm
Meet at the parking area by Pyatt Lake at the head of 12 Ave. S., which can be accessed off 14 Ave. then 12 or 13 St. S. opposite the Catholic Church. The walk will be similar to that offered last winter but will explore some different areas. It will take us uphill past Akloo, the site of the former downhill ski hill in Cranbrook to a ridge with views to Baker Mtn. and Cranbrook Mtn. We will also visit the site of former mining explorations as well as some deserted cabins. We will climb 100 - 200 metres and probably be out for no more than two hours covering 4 to 5 kms. The weather forecast predicts milder temperatures around 0, but you should dress in layers and bring water. Snowshoes are optional, but poles are recommended.
Annual General Meeting and Bi-Monthly Meeting - COTR Room 210
Wednesday, January 15, 2020 - 7:00 pm
The AGM and Bi-Monthly Meeting will be held tonight. A business meeting plus elections will be taking place at this time.
Wilks Woods Loop Annual New Years Day Outing (Daryl/Marianne)
Wednesday, January 1, 2020 - 11:00 am
Please meet at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave at 11:00 am or meet at the North end of Wilks Road which is a paved spur that intersects with King Street. This intersection is about 5 km NW of Cobham Ave, and is the only opportunity to turn right on a paved road, if travelling NW from Cranbrook. This time, only an inch or 2 of snow covers the hard ground. A portion of the route follows a narrow trail, and, otherwise, we tromp through open woods. Good boots with aggressive tread and/or grippers will be an asset, and poles may be helpful. The loop accesses several viewpoints, is approximately 5 km in length and will be completed in 2 1/2 to 3 hours. We can observe forest types, tracks in snow, shrubs, lichens, skyscapes and a few birds.
Daryl and Marianne will lead the group. Expect some 'ups & downs' and sidehills. Of course, you will want to dress in layers and bring a bit of food and drink.
Christmas Bird Count - Kimberley
Saturday, January 4, 2020 - 8:30 am
Please meet at the Kimberley Platzl. You will then be divided into teams. All skill levels are welcome to come count. Each team will include an experienced counter/birder to help out beginners. Field counting is done mostly by short forays from warm vehicles with driving between birdy spots. If you prefer to walk around an area, co-ordination with the team can be done so birds are not double-counted. Ruth and Kent will be hosting a potluck after the bird count starting at 4:45 pm.
Christmas Bird Count - Cranbrook
Saturday, December 28, 2019 - 8:30 am
Please meet at the Information Centre at Elizabeth Lake. You will then be divided into teams. All skill levels are welcome to come count. Each team will include an experienced counter/birder to help out beginners. Field counting is done mostly by short forays from warm vehicles with driving between birdy spots. If you prefer to walk around an area, co-ordination with the team can be done so birds are not double-counted. Marianne and Daryl will be hosting a potluck after the bird count starting at 4:45 pm.
Beacon Hill - Water Boy's Trail Outing (Marianne)
Sunday, November 24, 2019 - 1:00 pm
Please meet at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave at 1:00 pm. Enjoy a hike before the Grey Cup Game. We will walk uphill on a rough road for the first half of the hike and then get on a trail which eventually comes out on another rough road. There will be a couple of viewpoints depending on cloud and precipitation. The larch needles have made lovely gold carpets in places. This will be a 2 1/2 to 3 hour outing with a 4 to 5 km distance. This is considered a moderately difficult hike. Dress in layers. Bring water and your poles. There are definitely slippery sections. Some people may want to bring their icers.
Bi-Monthly Meeting - COTR Room 210
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - 7:00 pm
Special Presentation: Lyle Grisedale will present a slideshow from the RM Nats annual club camp which was held in Golden this year. A brief business meeting will follow the presentation.
Big Juniper Outing (Gretchen)
Saturday, November 16, 2019 - 12:30 pm
Please meet at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave at 12:30 pm or drive directly to Fraggle Rock parking and meet us there ready to hike at 12:40 pm. This will be a 3 - 3 1/2 hour hike, about 9 km starting from Fraggle Rock and travelling west towards the Biggest Rocky Mountain Juniper in BC. Conditions permitting we will also climb up the adjacent hill with the flashing beacon (known in my family as The Needle on the Weedle). We'll walk mostly on old roads and bike trails. There are a few steep sections not on a trail and the grass and gravel may be slippery so at least one hiking pole might come in handy. This is rated as a moderately difficult hike. Please remember to bring water and dress according to the weather.
Moose Slough 2.0 Outing (Gretchen)
Sunday, November 10, 2019 - 1:00 pm
Please meet at the upper Baker Road parking lot (Lot #3) for a 1:00 pm departure. This will be a 3 hour hike, about 7 km long, up across the powerline to Moose Slough and return via the Big Tree vicinity. Hopefully with better weather than last year we can enjoy a view from the Bumps. We'll walk on old roads and bike trails that might have some snow. This is rated as a moderately difficult hike. Please remember to bring water and dress according to the weather.
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
