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 (Daryl)
Wednesday, July 24, 2019 - 7:30 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 7:30 am or at the Fort Steele/Wildhorse Ck overlook at 7:50 am. This week, we head up Wildhorse Creek to search for warblers, flycatchers, thrushes and a host of other species inhabiting a mountain valley. Daryl will lead the group to various productive spots. Return to Cranbrook at 11:30 am or so.
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Knapweed Pull Outing (Greg)
Friday, August 2, 2019 - 10:00 am
Please meet at the highway pull out just past the Jimsmith Lake turnoff. We will be having a weed pull morning at Elizabeth Lake. The area of concern is the turtle release site on the West side of the lake near the highway (by an old sign at a point) and Turtle bed B. It is approximately 20mx20m and has been growing steadily despite Greg and Art trying to keep it under control for many years. Gloves, and trowels or other weed pulling equipment are recommended. Bring water and a snack.
Bi-Monthly Meeting - Reade Lake
Wednesday, July 17, 2019 - 7:00 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 6:30 pm sharp for car pooling. We will then meet at Reade Lake (end of Foster Road South, off Mission-Wycliffe Road). There will be birding and botanizing opportunities as we sit looking over Reade Lake, the fields of Wycliffe, and the Rocky Mountains. Remember to wear hiking boots and bring binoculars, water, and bug spray.
Fernie Ski Hill Fossils & Geology Outing (Frank Hastings)
Sunday, July 7, 2019 - 9:00 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 9:00 am. Join Frank on this fossils and geology outing. According to the website, the cost will be about $45.00 for seniors. You can buy a ticket on the web, or at the ski hill on July 7. Read the website for appropriate gear and clothing. Bring lots of water, lunch, binoculars and camera. You may also find poles helpful. Check out their website
skifernie.com/blog/events/specialty-hike-fossils-geology-3/I
Butterfly Outing (Dean)
Saturday, July 6, 2019 - 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Meet at the Confederation Park parking lot behind Elizabeth Lake Lodge, ready to start at 10:00 am. This outing will be a chance to learn about the Dione Butterfly at Elizabeth Lake. We will look for this butterfly, discuss its life cycle, and the importance of Curly Dock and Sweet Clover for the survival of this butterfly at Elizabeth Lake. We will then drive to Helga's to look for butterflies around her property. We will need sunny weather to see butterflies. Bring a hat, water, lunch, binoculars and camera. The rating for this outing is Easy.
Columbia Lake Paddle (Claire Dibble)
Monday, July 1, 2019 - 11:00 am
We have a wonderful opportunity to accompany, Claire Dibble, a solo paddler, from Golden, as she embarks on her Columbia Headwaters to Pacific Ocean paddle on Canada Day, July 1. Please check out her website watershedmoments.art. Paddlers will launch at Tilley Park, just north of Canal Flats at 11:00 am on Monday, July 1. Claire will launch her kayak from the Headwaters Trail, meeting us at Tilley Park to paddle to Columere at the north end of Columbia Lake. Paddlers will paddle at their own pace and paddle as far north as they want before returning to Tilley. We will then drive to the Columere Community, where long time Naturalist, Elaine Doran, will host a potluck picnic with Claire at 6:00 pm.
Goat Slope in Spring Outing (Daryl/Marianne)
Sunday, June 16, 2019 - 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 to drive to Wilks Road for an 8:50 am start. Join Daryl and Marianne for a 3 hour hike to Beacon Hill following the winter snowshoe route. Semi-open country, with no formal trail, mostly uphill. Fine views along the way and at the top. Rated moderately difficult. This will be an outing with a focus on flowering plants. Wear sturdy footwear, long pants. Poles and plant book optional. Bring water, snack, binoculars and camera.
Cactus Mountain Hike (Susan)
Saturday, June 15, 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. For those who are coming from the north, please meet at the Esso station which is at the corner of Hwy 95 and the Wardner Ft. Steele Road at 1:20 pm. If we are lucky, the prickly pear cactus will be in full bloom together with a multitude of other wild flowers. As well, we will enjoy lovely views of the Kootenay River Valley. It is estimated that this outing will be 4 km in length with an estimated 170 m elevation gain.
RM Nats Annual Garage Sale
Saturday, June 8, 2019 - 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
The RM Nats annual garage sale will take place in conjunction with the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church's garage sale at the corner of 11th Avenue S and 11th Street S. Donated items can be dropped at the Church on Saturday June 8 between 8:00 - 8:30 am. Please have your items priced, clean and in good condition.
Wildlife Encounter Safety Tips (Paula)
Tuesday, June 4, 2019 - 7:00 pm
Please meet at the College Parking Lot closest to the Community Forest. We will walk for approximately 5 minutes to the new Kiosk entitled the Sickly Forest. Here we will enjoy a presentation from Danica Roussy of WildSafeBC. This will be a 15-minute Wildlife Encounter Safety Tips Presentation followed by a Bear Spray Demo. During the presentation Danica will be discussing wildlife signs to watch for while in BC’s beautiful playground. After the presentation, there will be the option to meander through the Community Forest or just return to the vehicles.
RM Nats Annual Club Camp
Tuesday-Friday, May 28-31, 2019
To be held at the Golden Eco Ranch. Tuesday, May 28 Rachel Darvill, registered professional biologist who developed and coordinates Wildsight's Columbia Wetland Survey along with several other projects will give a talk. There will be early morning birding, paddling, biking, hiking, potluck dinners and weiner roasts as well as some free time for your own activities.
Little Big Day (Greg)
Sunday, May 26, 2019 - from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
Each team will consist of 3 to 5 participants travelling in one vehicle or on the ground. Identification of bird species for the event will occur between 6 am and 6 pm. At least two members of each team must correctly identify the species either by sight or vocalizations. At the end of the day participants will meet at the Heid Out (downstairs room) in Cranbrook at 6:30 pm for cocktails with dinner at 7:00 pm to submit their checklists and share their day. Partners of team members are welcome to the supper.
Big Tree Hike (Susan)
Sunday, May 19, 2019 - 1:00 pm
Please meet at the college trailhead [upper parking lot of the Cranbrook college campus]. The hike is roughly 7 km long, passing through forest and grassland areas, with only a few rocky spots. Elevation gain will be about 150 m. It will probably take us four or five hours, depending on how much neat stuff we find to look at.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019 - 7:30 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 7:30 am or at the Fort Steele/Wildhorse Ck overlook at 7:50 am. This week, we head up Wildhorse Creek to search for warblers, flycatchers, thrushes and a host of other species inhabiting a mountain valley. Daryl will lead the group to various productive spots. Return to Cranbrook at 11:30 am or so.
=================================================================
Knapweed Pull Outing (Greg)
Friday, August 2, 2019 - 10:00 am
Please meet at the highway pull out just past the Jimsmith Lake turnoff. We will be having a weed pull morning at Elizabeth Lake. The area of concern is the turtle release site on the West side of the lake near the highway (by an old sign at a point) and Turtle bed B. It is approximately 20mx20m and has been growing steadily despite Greg and Art trying to keep it under control for many years. Gloves, and trowels or other weed pulling equipment are recommended. Bring water and a snack.
Bi-Monthly Meeting - Reade Lake
Wednesday, July 17, 2019 - 7:00 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 6:30 pm sharp for car pooling. We will then meet at Reade Lake (end of Foster Road South, off Mission-Wycliffe Road). There will be birding and botanizing opportunities as we sit looking over Reade Lake, the fields of Wycliffe, and the Rocky Mountains. Remember to wear hiking boots and bring binoculars, water, and bug spray.
Fernie Ski Hill Fossils & Geology Outing (Frank Hastings)
Sunday, July 7, 2019 - 9:00 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 9:00 am. Join Frank on this fossils and geology outing. According to the website, the cost will be about $45.00 for seniors. You can buy a ticket on the web, or at the ski hill on July 7. Read the website for appropriate gear and clothing. Bring lots of water, lunch, binoculars and camera. You may also find poles helpful. Check out their website
skifernie.com/blog/events/specialty-hike-fossils-geology-3/I
Butterfly Outing (Dean)
Saturday, July 6, 2019 - 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Meet at the Confederation Park parking lot behind Elizabeth Lake Lodge, ready to start at 10:00 am. This outing will be a chance to learn about the Dione Butterfly at Elizabeth Lake. We will look for this butterfly, discuss its life cycle, and the importance of Curly Dock and Sweet Clover for the survival of this butterfly at Elizabeth Lake. We will then drive to Helga's to look for butterflies around her property. We will need sunny weather to see butterflies. Bring a hat, water, lunch, binoculars and camera. The rating for this outing is Easy.
Columbia Lake Paddle (Claire Dibble)
Monday, July 1, 2019 - 11:00 am
We have a wonderful opportunity to accompany, Claire Dibble, a solo paddler, from Golden, as she embarks on her Columbia Headwaters to Pacific Ocean paddle on Canada Day, July 1. Please check out her website watershedmoments.art. Paddlers will launch at Tilley Park, just north of Canal Flats at 11:00 am on Monday, July 1. Claire will launch her kayak from the Headwaters Trail, meeting us at Tilley Park to paddle to Columere at the north end of Columbia Lake. Paddlers will paddle at their own pace and paddle as far north as they want before returning to Tilley. We will then drive to the Columere Community, where long time Naturalist, Elaine Doran, will host a potluck picnic with Claire at 6:00 pm.
Goat Slope in Spring Outing (Daryl/Marianne)
Sunday, June 16, 2019 - 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 to drive to Wilks Road for an 8:50 am start. Join Daryl and Marianne for a 3 hour hike to Beacon Hill following the winter snowshoe route. Semi-open country, with no formal trail, mostly uphill. Fine views along the way and at the top. Rated moderately difficult. This will be an outing with a focus on flowering plants. Wear sturdy footwear, long pants. Poles and plant book optional. Bring water, snack, binoculars and camera.
Cactus Mountain Hike (Susan)
Saturday, June 15, 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. For those who are coming from the north, please meet at the Esso station which is at the corner of Hwy 95 and the Wardner Ft. Steele Road at 1:20 pm. If we are lucky, the prickly pear cactus will be in full bloom together with a multitude of other wild flowers. As well, we will enjoy lovely views of the Kootenay River Valley. It is estimated that this outing will be 4 km in length with an estimated 170 m elevation gain.
RM Nats Annual Garage Sale
Saturday, June 8, 2019 - 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
The RM Nats annual garage sale will take place in conjunction with the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church's garage sale at the corner of 11th Avenue S and 11th Street S. Donated items can be dropped at the Church on Saturday June 8 between 8:00 - 8:30 am. Please have your items priced, clean and in good condition.
Wildlife Encounter Safety Tips (Paula)
Tuesday, June 4, 2019 - 7:00 pm
Please meet at the College Parking Lot closest to the Community Forest. We will walk for approximately 5 minutes to the new Kiosk entitled the Sickly Forest. Here we will enjoy a presentation from Danica Roussy of WildSafeBC. This will be a 15-minute Wildlife Encounter Safety Tips Presentation followed by a Bear Spray Demo. During the presentation Danica will be discussing wildlife signs to watch for while in BC’s beautiful playground. After the presentation, there will be the option to meander through the Community Forest or just return to the vehicles.
RM Nats Annual Club Camp
Tuesday-Friday, May 28-31, 2019
To be held at the Golden Eco Ranch. Tuesday, May 28 Rachel Darvill, registered professional biologist who developed and coordinates Wildsight's Columbia Wetland Survey along with several other projects will give a talk. There will be early morning birding, paddling, biking, hiking, potluck dinners and weiner roasts as well as some free time for your own activities.
Little Big Day (Greg)
Sunday, May 26, 2019 - from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
Each team will consist of 3 to 5 participants travelling in one vehicle or on the ground. Identification of bird species for the event will occur between 6 am and 6 pm. At least two members of each team must correctly identify the species either by sight or vocalizations. At the end of the day participants will meet at the Heid Out (downstairs room) in Cranbrook at 6:30 pm for cocktails with dinner at 7:00 pm to submit their checklists and share their day. Partners of team members are welcome to the supper.
Big Tree Hike (Susan)
Sunday, May 19, 2019 - 1:00 pm
Please meet at the college trailhead [upper parking lot of the Cranbrook college campus]. The hike is roughly 7 km long, passing through forest and grassland areas, with only a few rocky spots. Elevation gain will be about 150 m. It will probably take us four or five hours, depending on how much neat stuff we find to look at.
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The fossil box at Nature Bob's Interpretive Centre at Mount Fernie Alpine Resort.
Photo - Greg
