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, December 58, 2018 - 8:00 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 8:00 am. This coming Wednesday Dec 5th's plan shall involve an extended full day of birding to cover the Jaffray circle. Participating groups shall each take a portion of the area to cover. Timing as follows;
8:00am Cranbrook birders may meet at the Tamarack mall parking lot in front of Staples for car pooling
8:40am All participants to reconvene at the "First Perk Restaurant" located just off the main highway at Jaffray for final planning over coffee.
9:00am Begin birding in selected zones.
2:30pm Meet back at "First Perk" to discuss and assemble results.
3:00pm Leave to return to Cranbrook
3:30pm Arrival back at Tamarack mall
For those individuals who have the maps of the Jaffray circle, please bring a copy. Although this circle has not yet been established as part of the CBC, the experience gained from this excursion will prove out the necessary interest and familiarity required as prerequisites for its registration.
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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.
Late Fall Hike (Marianne)
Sunday, November 25, 2018 - 12:45 pm - 3:00 pm
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 12:30 pm. Hike a loop between Wilks Kahn and 6 Mile before your Grey Cup Party. Meet Marianne at the north end of Wilks Road at 12:45 pm. This is a moderate hike with a variety of surfaces and some hills both up and down. There could be some snow. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the conditions. Hiking poles may be helpful.
Bi-Monthly Meeting - COTR Room 210
Wednesday, November 21, 2018 - 7:00 pm
Special Presenter: Dr. Leigh Anne Issac with a very informative talk and slide show about the bats found in British Columbia. A brief business meeting will follow the presentation.
Jim Smith Loop Outing (Marianne)
Friday, November 9, 2018 - 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
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 12:30 pm. Walk a 5 + km loop on quiet trails with 100 metre elevation gain. We will look for signs of autumn - larch needle carpets, fungus, woodpecker activity and burrows. This is rated a moderate outing. Bring water, snack, sturdy footwear, binoculars, camera and bear spray.
Devil's Hole Outing (Gerry)
Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - 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. If you want to catch the last gorgeous fall colors surrounding us and see one of the most unique tarns in the area, join Gerry Warner Tuesday October 23 for a hike to the "Devil's Hole" in the hills above Fort Steele.This is a four hour, round trip hike mostly on a trail with no major hills ending on a rock bluff overlooking the infamously named tarn and its jade-green water. Some may extend the hike a bit by scrambling down a short, steep slope to the tarn itself in the middle of a big rock slide. Bring water, a snack and dress in layers for the changeable autumn weather. This hike would be considered a moderate to hard outing if you decide to scramble down to the tarn.
Cranbrook Community Forest Big Hill Outing (Susan)
Saturday, October 13, 2018 - 10:00 am
Please meet at the College of the Rockies Trailhead in the upper parking lot ready to leave at 10:00 am sharp. The hike will be going up to the Big Hill and is estimated to be about 7 km. The elevation gain will be about 240 m and there are beautiful views at the Big Hill. Please email Susan if you are interested in attending.
Eagle and Hawk Migration at the Steeples near Wasa (Virginia)
Sunday, October 7, 2018, noon (Cranbrook carpooling), 12:30 (Wasa) to 5 or 6 pm
This Sunday the Naturalists will travel to Wasa and head up to the Steeples site to watch eagle and hawk migration. Vance Mattson will be our host, and he said around this week is typically the period with the highest numbers of eagles in the autumn migration. However, bird migration is highly variable and weather-dependent so we just have to hope the birds are there and the forecast is for sunny skies and the resulting thermals. If the weather is not conducive, the trip will be cancelled. Please dress in layers as it can be quite windy and cool and we are not moving around. Bring water, food, binos, a scope and a folding chair, if you have these items.
Wednesday, December 58, 2018 - 8:00 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 8:00 am. This coming Wednesday Dec 5th's plan shall involve an extended full day of birding to cover the Jaffray circle. Participating groups shall each take a portion of the area to cover. Timing as follows;
8:00am Cranbrook birders may meet at the Tamarack mall parking lot in front of Staples for car pooling
8:40am All participants to reconvene at the "First Perk Restaurant" located just off the main highway at Jaffray for final planning over coffee.
9:00am Begin birding in selected zones.
2:30pm Meet back at "First Perk" to discuss and assemble results.
3:00pm Leave to return to Cranbrook
3:30pm Arrival back at Tamarack mall
For those individuals who have the maps of the Jaffray circle, please bring a copy. Although this circle has not yet been established as part of the CBC, the experience gained from this excursion will prove out the necessary interest and familiarity required as prerequisites for its registration.
=================================================================
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.
Late Fall Hike (Marianne)
Sunday, November 25, 2018 - 12:45 pm - 3:00 pm
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 12:30 pm. Hike a loop between Wilks Kahn and 6 Mile before your Grey Cup Party. Meet Marianne at the north end of Wilks Road at 12:45 pm. This is a moderate hike with a variety of surfaces and some hills both up and down. There could be some snow. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the conditions. Hiking poles may be helpful.
Bi-Monthly Meeting - COTR Room 210
Wednesday, November 21, 2018 - 7:00 pm
Special Presenter: Dr. Leigh Anne Issac with a very informative talk and slide show about the bats found in British Columbia. A brief business meeting will follow the presentation.
Jim Smith Loop Outing (Marianne)
Friday, November 9, 2018 - 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
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 12:30 pm. Walk a 5 + km loop on quiet trails with 100 metre elevation gain. We will look for signs of autumn - larch needle carpets, fungus, woodpecker activity and burrows. This is rated a moderate outing. Bring water, snack, sturdy footwear, binoculars, camera and bear spray.
Devil's Hole Outing (Gerry)
Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - 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. If you want to catch the last gorgeous fall colors surrounding us and see one of the most unique tarns in the area, join Gerry Warner Tuesday October 23 for a hike to the "Devil's Hole" in the hills above Fort Steele.This is a four hour, round trip hike mostly on a trail with no major hills ending on a rock bluff overlooking the infamously named tarn and its jade-green water. Some may extend the hike a bit by scrambling down a short, steep slope to the tarn itself in the middle of a big rock slide. Bring water, a snack and dress in layers for the changeable autumn weather. This hike would be considered a moderate to hard outing if you decide to scramble down to the tarn.
Cranbrook Community Forest Big Hill Outing (Susan)
Saturday, October 13, 2018 - 10:00 am
Please meet at the College of the Rockies Trailhead in the upper parking lot ready to leave at 10:00 am sharp. The hike will be going up to the Big Hill and is estimated to be about 7 km. The elevation gain will be about 240 m and there are beautiful views at the Big Hill. Please email Susan if you are interested in attending.
Eagle and Hawk Migration at the Steeples near Wasa (Virginia)
Sunday, October 7, 2018, noon (Cranbrook carpooling), 12:30 (Wasa) to 5 or 6 pm
This Sunday the Naturalists will travel to Wasa and head up to the Steeples site to watch eagle and hawk migration. Vance Mattson will be our host, and he said around this week is typically the period with the highest numbers of eagles in the autumn migration. However, bird migration is highly variable and weather-dependent so we just have to hope the birds are there and the forecast is for sunny skies and the resulting thermals. If the weather is not conducive, the trip will be cancelled. Please dress in layers as it can be quite windy and cool and we are not moving around. Bring water, food, binos, a scope and a folding chair, if you have these items.
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The fossil box at Nature Bob's Interpretive Centre at Mount Fernie Alpine Resort.
Photo - Greg
