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, February 20, 2019 - 8:30 am
Please meet for carpooling 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. A stop at approximately 8:45 am will be made at the Mission to meet other birders who wish to go directly there instead. The plan is to head towards Ta Ta Creek via the Mission and LD Ranch road and returning via Kimberley and Wycliffe. It could be another fairly cold morning so please dress accordingly. Return should be around noon.
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Beacon Hill Outing (Daryl/Marianne)
Friday, February 15, 2019 - 9:30 am
Please meet for carpooling at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave at 9:30 am. Daryl will lead us through our neighbour's property onto Crown Land for an all uphill climb, with steep sections, to Beacon Hill. There will be several viewpoints, interesting evidence of animal activity and bird sightings. This is a moderate plus hike based on our Naturalist Trail Rating System. The hike itself is about 3 hours long. Boots, grippers and poles recommended unless we get a dump of snow. Dress in layers, bring water and a snack. You are welcome to stay for a bowl of soup and bread at Daryl and Marianne's after the hike.
RM NATS WINTER SOCIAL
Sunday, February 10, 2019 - 2:30 pm
The annual RM Nats Winter Social will be held at the Juniper Bowling Lanes in Cranbrook followed by a pot luck dinner at 5:00 pm hosted by the Roulston's. Come out and have some fun and try your eye/hand coordination!
Duck Box GPS and Cleaning (Greg)
Thursday, February 7, 2019 - 1:00 pm
Please meet at the Elizabeth Lake Tourist Info parking lot. We will be approximately 2 hours (and a bit?). The Rocky Mountain Naturalists have duck nesting boxes around Elizabeth Lake. Rob Roulston will be GPSing the box locations. We will also look into the boxes to see if they have been used and clean them out if necessary. Please bring work gloves and wear boots, as we will be walking through snow and walking on the lake.
Mother's Day Outing (Marianne/Daryl)
Saturday, January 19, 2019 - 10:00 am
Please meet for carpooling at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave at 10:00 am or meet at 10:20 am at the left hand side pullout on Perry Creek Road about 400 metres west of the Wycliffe Road. The pullout is before the entrance to Wycliffe Regional Park. Walk uphill for an hour on a packed trail with good footing to an overlook of Wycliffe. We will look for animal signs, birds and interesting snags. Wear boots with good grip or grippers and bring poles. Dress in layers because you will warm up quickly and the stop for lunch at the top will be chilly. Bring an 'easy to eat' lunch and water (perhaps a sit upon). This hike is rated as difficult. We should be back in town by 2:30 pm.
AGM & Bi-Monthly Meeting - COTR Room 210
Wednesday, January 16, 2019 - 7:00 pm
The Annual General Meeting will be followed by the Bi-Monthly Meeting. There are many matters to discuss. We would love your input.
New Years - Wilks Woods Outing (3rd annual) (Daryl/Marianne)
Tuesday, January 1, 2019 - 10:30 am
Please meet for carpooling at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave at 10:30 am or meet at the trailhead at the upper end of Wilks Road for a 10:45 am start. Be prepared to walk 4-5 kms across country with uneven footing, some possible slippery parts and only about 1 km of decent trail. Expect some huffing & puffing with ups and downs. Bring water and a snack. This is a moderate hike. You may want to bring poles or grippers. We will have 3 good viewpoints and several features to interpret. Expect the loop walk to take 3 hours, returning to vehicles at about 2 pm. If we should be blessed with a dump of snow, this could turn into a snowshoe. Please RSVP so that we can contact you about any changes.
Christmas Bird Counts (Dianne)
Cranbrook CBC: Saturday 29 December 2018, 8:45 am, Elizabeth Lake Tourist Info Parking Lot for the pre-count meeting
Cranbrook Count up: Potluck, 4:45 pm, Gretchen and Bob
Kimberley: Saturday 5 January 2019, 8:45 am, Platzl Parking Lot for the pre-count meeting
Kimberley Count up: Potluck, 4:45 pm, Rob and Caroline
Please join us to count birds. You can travel around with a team, and/or count the birds at your feeder! All participants are invited to the potluck to meet the other counters and talk about the birds. All skill levels are welcome to come count - we can adjust teams to ensure each team has an experienced birder. And all counters including feeder counters are welcome at the potlucks. Briefly, the day goes something like: meet-up / or start your assigned area (8:45 am), get your forms to filled in, drive/walk around looking for birds, count the birds, note your effort (time and distance travelled), finish in time to get to the potluck (4:00 -4:30 pm).
St. Eugene Mission Outing (Stewart)
Sunday, December 9, 2018 - 1:30 pm
Meet at the upper parking lot of St. Eugene Mission which backs onto Joseph Creek at 1:30 pm. The walk will start and end at the upper parking lot which backs onto Joseph Creek. Although only about 4 kms in length, the walk should take around 2 hours with stops at the confluence of Joseph Creek and the St. Mary River, a short history of the Residential School and the Ktunaxa, a gentle climb to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the Horseshoe Bend on the St. Mary River, with the possibility of a short walk further upriver on a gravel bed before returning along the river. Look for a variety of birds including water ouzels and eagles, and the possibility of spotting deer and elk, not to mention numerous squirrels. Rating: Easy to moderate - there is the possibility of walking further upriver along a gravel bar or exploring along the river bank on our way back.
South Hill Outing (Stewart)
Sunday, December 2, 2018 - 1:00 pm
Meet at the head of 12th Avenue by Pyatt Lake. The walk will start and finish at Pyatt Lake at the head of 12th Ave. (N 49 29.149, W 115 45.839) and follows trails up the South Hill with an elevation gain of 200 metres. Our figure of 8 hike will be through wooded landscape but will offer views up the valley to Skookumchuck and beyond, and to the SE of Baker and Cranbrook Mtns. across Hidden Valley (WP). We will pass one or two areas which were mined, as well as the spectacular (Haggis) Gorge, Akloo (former Ski Hill), bike jumps, and maybe even some deserted cabins. The distance is roughly 5 to 6 kms, and should take about 2 hours. Poles are recommended for some of the downhill areas where the trail may be covered in loose rocks. Remember to dress in layers and bring water. Rating: Moderate by elevation gain.
Community Forest Outing (Gretchen)
Thursday, November 29, 2018 - 1:00 pm
The plan is to go through the Community Forest and up to two sloughs above the Big Tree that we call "Bumpy Slough" and "Moose Slough". After that we'll cut between Big and Little Hill and back down through the Community Forest. It will be about 7 kilometres and take about 2 1/2 hours. Walking single or double track trails, up and down some hills, and a skiff of snow. Remember to dress in layers, bring water and a snack. As well, hiking poles might be helpful.
Meet, ready to hike, at 1:00 pm at the upper Mount Baker Road parking lot to the Community Forest. Take 2nd Street Southeast, and past the golf course where it changes its name to Mt Baker Road. You will pass two other parking areas on the left; one is just above the golf course, and the other is at the pipeline crossing. Go to the third parking area at the top of the long straight hill, just before the road curves south or to the right. Rating: Moderate by elevation gain and Hard by length.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019 - 8:30 am
Please meet for carpooling 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. A stop at approximately 8:45 am will be made at the Mission to meet other birders who wish to go directly there instead. The plan is to head towards Ta Ta Creek via the Mission and LD Ranch road and returning via Kimberley and Wycliffe. It could be another fairly cold morning so please dress accordingly. Return should be around noon.
=================================================================
Beacon Hill Outing (Daryl/Marianne)
Friday, February 15, 2019 - 9:30 am
Please meet for carpooling at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave at 9:30 am. Daryl will lead us through our neighbour's property onto Crown Land for an all uphill climb, with steep sections, to Beacon Hill. There will be several viewpoints, interesting evidence of animal activity and bird sightings. This is a moderate plus hike based on our Naturalist Trail Rating System. The hike itself is about 3 hours long. Boots, grippers and poles recommended unless we get a dump of snow. Dress in layers, bring water and a snack. You are welcome to stay for a bowl of soup and bread at Daryl and Marianne's after the hike.
RM NATS WINTER SOCIAL
Sunday, February 10, 2019 - 2:30 pm
The annual RM Nats Winter Social will be held at the Juniper Bowling Lanes in Cranbrook followed by a pot luck dinner at 5:00 pm hosted by the Roulston's. Come out and have some fun and try your eye/hand coordination!
Duck Box GPS and Cleaning (Greg)
Thursday, February 7, 2019 - 1:00 pm
Please meet at the Elizabeth Lake Tourist Info parking lot. We will be approximately 2 hours (and a bit?). The Rocky Mountain Naturalists have duck nesting boxes around Elizabeth Lake. Rob Roulston will be GPSing the box locations. We will also look into the boxes to see if they have been used and clean them out if necessary. Please bring work gloves and wear boots, as we will be walking through snow and walking on the lake.
Mother's Day Outing (Marianne/Daryl)
Saturday, January 19, 2019 - 10:00 am
Please meet for carpooling at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave at 10:00 am or meet at 10:20 am at the left hand side pullout on Perry Creek Road about 400 metres west of the Wycliffe Road. The pullout is before the entrance to Wycliffe Regional Park. Walk uphill for an hour on a packed trail with good footing to an overlook of Wycliffe. We will look for animal signs, birds and interesting snags. Wear boots with good grip or grippers and bring poles. Dress in layers because you will warm up quickly and the stop for lunch at the top will be chilly. Bring an 'easy to eat' lunch and water (perhaps a sit upon). This hike is rated as difficult. We should be back in town by 2:30 pm.
AGM & Bi-Monthly Meeting - COTR Room 210
Wednesday, January 16, 2019 - 7:00 pm
The Annual General Meeting will be followed by the Bi-Monthly Meeting. There are many matters to discuss. We would love your input.
New Years - Wilks Woods Outing (3rd annual) (Daryl/Marianne)
Tuesday, January 1, 2019 - 10:30 am
Please meet for carpooling at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave at 10:30 am or meet at the trailhead at the upper end of Wilks Road for a 10:45 am start. Be prepared to walk 4-5 kms across country with uneven footing, some possible slippery parts and only about 1 km of decent trail. Expect some huffing & puffing with ups and downs. Bring water and a snack. This is a moderate hike. You may want to bring poles or grippers. We will have 3 good viewpoints and several features to interpret. Expect the loop walk to take 3 hours, returning to vehicles at about 2 pm. If we should be blessed with a dump of snow, this could turn into a snowshoe. Please RSVP so that we can contact you about any changes.
Christmas Bird Counts (Dianne)
Cranbrook CBC: Saturday 29 December 2018, 8:45 am, Elizabeth Lake Tourist Info Parking Lot for the pre-count meeting
Cranbrook Count up: Potluck, 4:45 pm, Gretchen and Bob
Kimberley: Saturday 5 January 2019, 8:45 am, Platzl Parking Lot for the pre-count meeting
Kimberley Count up: Potluck, 4:45 pm, Rob and Caroline
Please join us to count birds. You can travel around with a team, and/or count the birds at your feeder! All participants are invited to the potluck to meet the other counters and talk about the birds. All skill levels are welcome to come count - we can adjust teams to ensure each team has an experienced birder. And all counters including feeder counters are welcome at the potlucks. Briefly, the day goes something like: meet-up / or start your assigned area (8:45 am), get your forms to filled in, drive/walk around looking for birds, count the birds, note your effort (time and distance travelled), finish in time to get to the potluck (4:00 -4:30 pm).
St. Eugene Mission Outing (Stewart)
Sunday, December 9, 2018 - 1:30 pm
Meet at the upper parking lot of St. Eugene Mission which backs onto Joseph Creek at 1:30 pm. The walk will start and end at the upper parking lot which backs onto Joseph Creek. Although only about 4 kms in length, the walk should take around 2 hours with stops at the confluence of Joseph Creek and the St. Mary River, a short history of the Residential School and the Ktunaxa, a gentle climb to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the Horseshoe Bend on the St. Mary River, with the possibility of a short walk further upriver on a gravel bed before returning along the river. Look for a variety of birds including water ouzels and eagles, and the possibility of spotting deer and elk, not to mention numerous squirrels. Rating: Easy to moderate - there is the possibility of walking further upriver along a gravel bar or exploring along the river bank on our way back.
South Hill Outing (Stewart)
Sunday, December 2, 2018 - 1:00 pm
Meet at the head of 12th Avenue by Pyatt Lake. The walk will start and finish at Pyatt Lake at the head of 12th Ave. (N 49 29.149, W 115 45.839) and follows trails up the South Hill with an elevation gain of 200 metres. Our figure of 8 hike will be through wooded landscape but will offer views up the valley to Skookumchuck and beyond, and to the SE of Baker and Cranbrook Mtns. across Hidden Valley (WP). We will pass one or two areas which were mined, as well as the spectacular (Haggis) Gorge, Akloo (former Ski Hill), bike jumps, and maybe even some deserted cabins. The distance is roughly 5 to 6 kms, and should take about 2 hours. Poles are recommended for some of the downhill areas where the trail may be covered in loose rocks. Remember to dress in layers and bring water. Rating: Moderate by elevation gain.
Community Forest Outing (Gretchen)
Thursday, November 29, 2018 - 1:00 pm
The plan is to go through the Community Forest and up to two sloughs above the Big Tree that we call "Bumpy Slough" and "Moose Slough". After that we'll cut between Big and Little Hill and back down through the Community Forest. It will be about 7 kilometres and take about 2 1/2 hours. Walking single or double track trails, up and down some hills, and a skiff of snow. Remember to dress in layers, bring water and a snack. As well, hiking poles might be helpful.
Meet, ready to hike, at 1:00 pm at the upper Mount Baker Road parking lot to the Community Forest. Take 2nd Street Southeast, and past the golf course where it changes its name to Mt Baker Road. You will pass two other parking areas on the left; one is just above the golf course, and the other is at the pipeline crossing. Go to the third parking area at the top of the long straight hill, just before the road curves south or to the right. Rating: Moderate by elevation gain and Hard by length.
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The fossil box at Nature Bob's Interpretive Centre at Mount Fernie Alpine Resort.
Photo - Greg
