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. This covers you under the Club's Public Liability Insurance for the day.
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. This covers you under the Club's Public Liability Insurance for the day.
Early Morning Birding (Katrin)
Wednesday, April 26, 2018 - 8:00 am
Please meet at 8:00 am at the car park at the intersection of Innes Ave and 11th St below Parkland School. This week we will go to the Elizabeth Lake area, and continue to visit various parts of the sanctuary periodically during the next 2 months. Depending on interests, a group led by Daryl could walk the woodsy trail along the E shore of the lake, and a second group could examine the northern shore and grasslands. Both groups would visit the brown blind at some point. It appears that many migrants are passing through, feeding and resting on or near the lake.
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Cactus Mountain Outing (Susan W.)
Saturday, June 23, 2018 – 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. 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 a 100 m elevation gain making this an Easy Plus Outing.
Big Tree Outing (Susan W.)
Sunday, June 3, 2018 – 6:00 pm
Please meet at the college trail head [by the recycling bins in the upper parking lot at College of the Rockies, Cranbrook campus] ready to leave at 6:00 pm. A lovely wander through the pine and fir forest with a possibility to spot wild flowers or some bird life. It is estimated that this outing will be approximately 7 km in length with a 150 m elevation gain, making this a Moderate Outing.
RM Nats Annual Club Camp - Beauvais Lake Provincial Park, Alberta
Tuesday, May 29 - May 31, 2018 inclusive
Hiking, biking, paddling, birding and pot lucks. More details will be forthcoming.
Creston Valley Bird Festival - Creston
May 11 - May 13, 2018 inclusive
Registration commences on April 3, 2018
Website: www.crestonvalleybirds.ca
Wings Over the Rockies - Invermere
May 7 - May 31, 2018 inclusive
Registration commences at 9:00 am on April 9, 2018
Website: www.wingsovertherockies.org
Memorial Hike at Wasa (Ruth)
Saturday, May 5, 2018 – 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. All others can meet at the Wasa Provincial Park campground entrance at 9:30 am for a 3 km hike on the ridge. This is an easy/moderate hike. After the hike, we will check out the water fowl on Wasa Lake. Bring snacks and drinks. Our club has been doing this outing almost since we formed in the 1980’s. Mildred White, one of our original members, led this hike for years, first looking for spring wildflowers on the ridge and then birding afterwards. For the past few years, we have done this outing in memory of many former members who have passed but contributed much to our club.
Columbia River Headwaters and Fairmont Hoodoos (Daryl)
Friday, May 4, 2018 – 8:00 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 8:00 am. Kimberley members can meet us at the Kootenay River/Wasa Rest area at 8:40 am. Take an easy trail walk of 1.5 km to the Headwaters of the Columbia River in Canal Flats. We will then drive north to a parking lot on Westside Rd. for a 6 km hike through dry bench lands to the rim of the Fairmont Hoodoos. This hike is on a trail with elevation gain and some uneven footing, taking about 3 hours. There are many interesting plants, birds and great views. Dress for the weather, bring water, lunch, binoculars and camera. We will eat lunch between the 2 events, location to be decided by the group.
Balancing Rock Hike and afternoon option of Paddling/Biking - Creston (Daryl/Marianne)
Monday, April 30, 2018 – 8:00 am
Please meet at the Elizabeth Lake Tourist Information parking lot ready to leave at 8:00 am. Meet Daryl and Marianne at the base of the Balancing Rock Trail at 8:15 am Creston time which is one hour later than our time zone (MST). Upon our arrival at the Balancing Rock trailhead, we’ll spend a few minutes shuttling a couple of vehicles up the highway to the trail end. This well-established trail consists of 4 sections; a moderately difficult climb up a rocky slope with steeper sections, a relatively flat and slightly muddy upper section, a long, moderately steep decline and a relatively flat, uneven stroll back to the vehicles. The area is interesting because of amazing wildflowers, an array of birdlife, topographical variations and scenery. This is a 3 hour moderately difficult hike. Dress for the weather. Bring water, lunch, binoculars/camera. We’ll eat lunch along the trail. After lunch, for those with a canoe or kayak and paddling gear, we will drive South 15 minutes to the Old Ferry Crossing, and embark on a 2-3 hour flatwater paddle trip to the confluence of the Goat River and Kootenay River depending on flow conditions. The rivers are large and placid - we’ll hug the shoreline to avoid the current and any wind, as we paddle upstream. It is possible to navigate East up the Goat River a fair distance through varied riparian ecology and then into Indian Arm. This water route is not particularly hazardous, but requires experienced, strong paddlers that have a level of confidence above that of a beginner. Bring your full paddling gear, water and snack. Those who are not paddling may decide to bring their bikes for a ride in one of several areas. Please RSVP to Daryl by Thursday, April 26, 2018. We are camping overnight on Sunday, April 29. If that is of interest to you, please contact us.
Turtle Day at Elizabeth Lake Tourist Information
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 - 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program and the Rocky Mountain Naturalists are again hosting Turtle Day. Talk to biologists and discover how this amazing creature has evolved and survives the winter. Learn about its life cycle and get a chance to be up close and personal with Western Painted Turtle hatchlings hours after emerging from their nests! Learn more about the projects FWCP funds to support these at-risk turtles. If you are interested in learning more about the event and/or volunteering, contact Marianne.
Cranbrook Cemetery Historical Outing (Daryl)
Thursday, April 12, 2018 - 10:00 am to approximately 12:30 pm
Please meet at the entrance to the Old Cranbrook Cemetery located on Borden Road W. off of Cobham Avenue. Join naturalists and local historians for a tour of the Old Cranbrook General Cemetery. Step back in time with tour leaders Pat Morrow and Jim Cameron. We'll remember the life and times of Conrad Kain and some of the other characters who shaped our local history. Some snow may still be on the ground and often a chilly wind blows so be prepared. This is an easy outing.
Salesbury Deep Woods Snowshoe - Lumberton Area (Daryl)
Thursday, March 29, 2018 – 12:30 pm
Please meet at the Elizabeth Lake Tourist Information parking lot ready to leave at 12:30 pm. Join Daryl, Paula & George for a woodsy adventure into a wintery scene not far from Cranbrook. We follow a recently packed snowshoe trail which traverses several types of mixed forest including recently logged, 2nd growth, old growth and riparian. We will have the opportunity to experience intact and harvested forest, a wide variety of tree species and animal signatures in the snow and among the trees. The 'P' shaped loop, about 4 kms in length, will require about 2.5 hours of quality snowshoeing on top of the 1 meter+ mature snowpack. Dress in layers, (still quite wintery there) bring water and snack. Snowshoes mandatory. This is moderate in difficulty and length. RSVP to Daryl.
South Star Trails Outing (Gretchen/Bob)
Sunday, March 25, 2018 - 11:00 am
Meet at the South Star Parking Lot ready to leave at 11:00 am. South Star Recreation Trails are at the end of 38th Ave. South in the Gold Creek area. Two options are offered. Option one: Bob will lead around Arnica. 3 km. 70 m elevation gain. 1-2 hours depending on length of lunch/snacks and stops. This option is considered Easy-Plus.
Option two: Gretchen will go counter clockwise up to top of Kinnikinnick and on the way down take Arnica across and back. Steep hill section up and down. 8 km 200 m elevation gain. 3-4 hours with lunch/snack stop. This option is considered Moderate-Plus due to elevation gain and length.
Wear good boots and grippers. Poles might be useful on steep hill. If it is chilly, the trails should be firm enough to not require snow shoes. Dress in layers. Bring water /tea and lunch/snack. Camera, binoculars optional. RSVP to Gretchen or Bob.
Bi-Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 - 7:00 pm, Room 210, COTR
The presentation for this bi-monthly meeting is entitled "The Wow Factor! Our Place in the Galaxy and Beyond.” An audio visual presentation by astronomy enthusiast Jamie Levine, with night photographs by Jamie Levine and Janice Strong. Come join us for this exciting presentation followed by a brief business meeting. Don't forget your toonies for the raffle.
Wednesday, April 26, 2018 - 8:00 am
Please meet at 8:00 am at the car park at the intersection of Innes Ave and 11th St below Parkland School. This week we will go to the Elizabeth Lake area, and continue to visit various parts of the sanctuary periodically during the next 2 months. Depending on interests, a group led by Daryl could walk the woodsy trail along the E shore of the lake, and a second group could examine the northern shore and grasslands. Both groups would visit the brown blind at some point. It appears that many migrants are passing through, feeding and resting on or near the lake.
=================================================================
Cactus Mountain Outing (Susan W.)
Saturday, June 23, 2018 – 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. 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 a 100 m elevation gain making this an Easy Plus Outing.
Big Tree Outing (Susan W.)
Sunday, June 3, 2018 – 6:00 pm
Please meet at the college trail head [by the recycling bins in the upper parking lot at College of the Rockies, Cranbrook campus] ready to leave at 6:00 pm. A lovely wander through the pine and fir forest with a possibility to spot wild flowers or some bird life. It is estimated that this outing will be approximately 7 km in length with a 150 m elevation gain, making this a Moderate Outing.
RM Nats Annual Club Camp - Beauvais Lake Provincial Park, Alberta
Tuesday, May 29 - May 31, 2018 inclusive
Hiking, biking, paddling, birding and pot lucks. More details will be forthcoming.
Creston Valley Bird Festival - Creston
May 11 - May 13, 2018 inclusive
Registration commences on April 3, 2018
Website: www.crestonvalleybirds.ca
Wings Over the Rockies - Invermere
May 7 - May 31, 2018 inclusive
Registration commences at 9:00 am on April 9, 2018
Website: www.wingsovertherockies.org
Memorial Hike at Wasa (Ruth)
Saturday, May 5, 2018 – 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. All others can meet at the Wasa Provincial Park campground entrance at 9:30 am for a 3 km hike on the ridge. This is an easy/moderate hike. After the hike, we will check out the water fowl on Wasa Lake. Bring snacks and drinks. Our club has been doing this outing almost since we formed in the 1980’s. Mildred White, one of our original members, led this hike for years, first looking for spring wildflowers on the ridge and then birding afterwards. For the past few years, we have done this outing in memory of many former members who have passed but contributed much to our club.
Columbia River Headwaters and Fairmont Hoodoos (Daryl)
Friday, May 4, 2018 – 8:00 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 8:00 am. Kimberley members can meet us at the Kootenay River/Wasa Rest area at 8:40 am. Take an easy trail walk of 1.5 km to the Headwaters of the Columbia River in Canal Flats. We will then drive north to a parking lot on Westside Rd. for a 6 km hike through dry bench lands to the rim of the Fairmont Hoodoos. This hike is on a trail with elevation gain and some uneven footing, taking about 3 hours. There are many interesting plants, birds and great views. Dress for the weather, bring water, lunch, binoculars and camera. We will eat lunch between the 2 events, location to be decided by the group.
Balancing Rock Hike and afternoon option of Paddling/Biking - Creston (Daryl/Marianne)
Monday, April 30, 2018 – 8:00 am
Please meet at the Elizabeth Lake Tourist Information parking lot ready to leave at 8:00 am. Meet Daryl and Marianne at the base of the Balancing Rock Trail at 8:15 am Creston time which is one hour later than our time zone (MST). Upon our arrival at the Balancing Rock trailhead, we’ll spend a few minutes shuttling a couple of vehicles up the highway to the trail end. This well-established trail consists of 4 sections; a moderately difficult climb up a rocky slope with steeper sections, a relatively flat and slightly muddy upper section, a long, moderately steep decline and a relatively flat, uneven stroll back to the vehicles. The area is interesting because of amazing wildflowers, an array of birdlife, topographical variations and scenery. This is a 3 hour moderately difficult hike. Dress for the weather. Bring water, lunch, binoculars/camera. We’ll eat lunch along the trail. After lunch, for those with a canoe or kayak and paddling gear, we will drive South 15 minutes to the Old Ferry Crossing, and embark on a 2-3 hour flatwater paddle trip to the confluence of the Goat River and Kootenay River depending on flow conditions. The rivers are large and placid - we’ll hug the shoreline to avoid the current and any wind, as we paddle upstream. It is possible to navigate East up the Goat River a fair distance through varied riparian ecology and then into Indian Arm. This water route is not particularly hazardous, but requires experienced, strong paddlers that have a level of confidence above that of a beginner. Bring your full paddling gear, water and snack. Those who are not paddling may decide to bring their bikes for a ride in one of several areas. Please RSVP to Daryl by Thursday, April 26, 2018. We are camping overnight on Sunday, April 29. If that is of interest to you, please contact us.
Turtle Day at Elizabeth Lake Tourist Information
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 - 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program and the Rocky Mountain Naturalists are again hosting Turtle Day. Talk to biologists and discover how this amazing creature has evolved and survives the winter. Learn about its life cycle and get a chance to be up close and personal with Western Painted Turtle hatchlings hours after emerging from their nests! Learn more about the projects FWCP funds to support these at-risk turtles. If you are interested in learning more about the event and/or volunteering, contact Marianne.
Cranbrook Cemetery Historical Outing (Daryl)
Thursday, April 12, 2018 - 10:00 am to approximately 12:30 pm
Please meet at the entrance to the Old Cranbrook Cemetery located on Borden Road W. off of Cobham Avenue. Join naturalists and local historians for a tour of the Old Cranbrook General Cemetery. Step back in time with tour leaders Pat Morrow and Jim Cameron. We'll remember the life and times of Conrad Kain and some of the other characters who shaped our local history. Some snow may still be on the ground and often a chilly wind blows so be prepared. This is an easy outing.
Salesbury Deep Woods Snowshoe - Lumberton Area (Daryl)
Thursday, March 29, 2018 – 12:30 pm
Please meet at the Elizabeth Lake Tourist Information parking lot ready to leave at 12:30 pm. Join Daryl, Paula & George for a woodsy adventure into a wintery scene not far from Cranbrook. We follow a recently packed snowshoe trail which traverses several types of mixed forest including recently logged, 2nd growth, old growth and riparian. We will have the opportunity to experience intact and harvested forest, a wide variety of tree species and animal signatures in the snow and among the trees. The 'P' shaped loop, about 4 kms in length, will require about 2.5 hours of quality snowshoeing on top of the 1 meter+ mature snowpack. Dress in layers, (still quite wintery there) bring water and snack. Snowshoes mandatory. This is moderate in difficulty and length. RSVP to Daryl.
South Star Trails Outing (Gretchen/Bob)
Sunday, March 25, 2018 - 11:00 am
Meet at the South Star Parking Lot ready to leave at 11:00 am. South Star Recreation Trails are at the end of 38th Ave. South in the Gold Creek area. Two options are offered. Option one: Bob will lead around Arnica. 3 km. 70 m elevation gain. 1-2 hours depending on length of lunch/snacks and stops. This option is considered Easy-Plus.
Option two: Gretchen will go counter clockwise up to top of Kinnikinnick and on the way down take Arnica across and back. Steep hill section up and down. 8 km 200 m elevation gain. 3-4 hours with lunch/snack stop. This option is considered Moderate-Plus due to elevation gain and length.
Wear good boots and grippers. Poles might be useful on steep hill. If it is chilly, the trails should be firm enough to not require snow shoes. Dress in layers. Bring water /tea and lunch/snack. Camera, binoculars optional. RSVP to Gretchen or Bob.
Bi-Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 - 7:00 pm, Room 210, COTR
The presentation for this bi-monthly meeting is entitled "The Wow Factor! Our Place in the Galaxy and Beyond.” An audio visual presentation by astronomy enthusiast Jamie Levine, with night photographs by Jamie Levine and Janice Strong. Come join us for this exciting presentation followed by a brief business meeting. Don't forget your toonies for the raffle.
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The fossil box at Nature Bob's Interpretive Centre at Mount Fernie Alpine Resort.
Photo - Greg
