Join Us On Our Next Field Trip or Event.
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, May 24, 2017 - 7:30 am
We will be meeting at the Elizabeth Lake Visitor Centre at 7:30 am. Come join us as we check out the birds around Elizabeth Lake.
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Annual Club Camp
Friday, June 23 to Sunday, June 25, 2017
RM Nats Annual Club Camp to be held at Noke Creek Cabins & Campground. Friday evening will be setting up camp and exploring the area nearby. Saturday will be early morning birding around camp. Saturday and Sunday we will be hiking to points of interest searching for wildflowers and birds and learning about the history of the area. Midday Sunday we will be heading home.
Little Big Day
Saturday, May 27, 2017
From 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, teams will count as many bird species as they can. Please provide team member names to Greg. The count up finale, complete with prizes, will be held at the Heid Out restaurant with cocktails at 6:30 pm and dinner at 7:00 pm. See who will have bragging rights this year!
Spring Meander - Mission Wycliffe Crown Land (Paula)
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 - 9:30 am – 11:30 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 9:00 am with a return time of noon. If anyone is coming from the Kimberley area, please meet at the junction of Hwy. 95A and the Airport Access Road at 9:45 am. We will be searching for a variety of flowering plants or trying to identify plants that are not yet in flower. This is considered an EASY outing as we will be going at a slow pace over some uneven ground with very little elevation gain. Please bring binoculars, water, a flower guide book and your detective abilities for identifying plants. Last time we were out there we spotted a number of meadow larks and western bluebirds.
Bi-Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, May 17, 2017 - 7:00 pm
Meeting to be held at the College of the Rockies, Room 190. Starting at 7:00 pm Lyle Grisedale will be presenting a slide show entitled ‘My East Kootenay’. Lyle is a hiking guide, photographer, storyteller and member of the RM Nats. A short business meeting will be held after the slide show.
Isadore Canyon Bike Outing (Ruth)
Thursday, May 11, 2017 - 8:30 am
To carpool, 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 8:20 am sharp or meet at 8:30 am at the beginning of the Isadore Canyon Trail. This is just past Sandor Rental. Plan on being out for the morning and travelling around 20 to 25 km. We will head down to Ramparts Rest Area and then loop back to Isadore Canyon, with numerous stops along the way to enjoy nature and get some exercise while we appreciate all the natural beauty in our area. This outing would be rated MODERATE. Don't forget to bring water, snacks and binoculars.
Creston Valley Outing (Daryl/Marianne)
Friday, May 5, 2017 - 8:00 am - Balancing Rock Trail and option of afternoon paddle on the Kootenay River. To carpool from Cranbrook, meet at Elizabeth Lake Tourist Information Building to leave at 8:00 am sharp or meet at the base of the Balancing Rock Trail at 8:15 am Creston time which is one hour later than our time zone. 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.
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. 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 can be directed to the asparagus farm, Duck Lake Dike and/or the paved back road bypass route back to Cranbrook.
Spring Ramble - Wilks Woods - Searching for Calypsos (Marianne)
Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
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 with a return time of noon. Kimberley members please email or phone Marianne for a meeting time and place. This will be a focus on early flowering plants, identification of leaves and rosettes of future flowers and incidental observation of animal signs and birds. Expect to park and walk at a slow pace on uneven ground, modest distances. Please bring water, a snack, binoculars, your knowledge and interest and perhaps a guide book.
Memorial Walk Outing (Ruth)
Sunday, April 30, 2017 - 9:00 am
We decided a year ago to have just one outing each year to remember past members of our club. Mildred, Anne, Peter, and Tony all contributed their talents to enriching the Rocky Mountain Naturalists.
To carpool 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 at 9:00 am at Prairie Road, just south of the Wasa Sloughs. We will spend time checking out the birds and ducks at the slough and then head to Wasa Lake. We will then hike the 3 km trail that goes at the back of the campground. We will be enjoying the wildflowers along the way and stop at the top for a snack before returning to the vehicles. We should be done around noon. I would rate this outing as EASY.
Fairmont Hoodoos and Columbia River Headwaters Outing (Daryl)
Friday, April 28, 2017 - 8:00 am
Please meet at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop to leave at 8:00 am sharp. Kimberley people can meet at the small parking area just south of the junction of Highway 95 and 95A at 8:30 am. We will walk a 6 km loop from the Westside Rd. through dry benchlands to the rim of the Fairmont Hoodoos. Many birds, interesting plants and wonderful views. This hike is on a trail with elevation gain and some uneven footing making this a MODERATE PLUS outing. Dress for the weather and bring water, snacks, lunch, binoculars/camera. We will spend about 3 hours in the area, returning to eat lunch in the parking lot with an ice cream stop at Dutch Creek Resort.
We will then drive to Canal Flats to walk the trail that takes us to the Headwaters of the Columbia River. This is an EASY walk on a trail with a 1.5 km distance through wetlands. We will spend about 2 hours in this area.
Spring Ramble - Mission Road/Woods' Corner Exploration (Marianne)
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 - 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
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 with a return time of noon. Kimberley members please email or phone Marianne for a meeting time and place. This will be a focus on early flowering plants, identification of leaves and rosettes of future flowers and incidental observation of animal signs and birds. Expect to park and walk at a slow pace on uneven ground, modest distances. Please bring water, a snack, binoculars, your knowledge and interest and perhaps a guide book.
Turtle Day - Elizabeth Lake
Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - 11:45 am – 5:00 pm
From 11:45 am to 2:00 pm there will be classes from schools attending turtle day. Naturalists needed to assist the main presenters at either the Turtle Nesting area, the main tent area that has displays and the dipping dock activities.
From 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm it will be open to the public. Help needed with parking vehicles, main tent area with displays, turtle nesting area and packing up at 5:00 pm.
Pighin Road Bike Outing (Ruth)
Monday, April 24, 2017 - 9:00 am
To carpool, 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 8:40 am or meet at 9:00 am at the beginning of Pighin Road for a 20 km round trip bike ride on pavement and dirt road. On this outing we will learn about natural history, birds, flowers and butterflies etc. It is a wonderful way to enjoy nature and get some exercise while we appreciate all the natural beauty in our area. This outing would be rated MODERATE. Don't forget to bring water, snacks and binoculars.
Spring Ramble - Potato Butte - Our Earliest Flowers (Marianne)
Friday, April 21, 2017 - 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
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 with a return time of noon. Kimberley members please email or phone Marianne for a meeting time and place. This will be a focus on early flowering plants, identification of leaves and rosettes of future flowers and incidental observation of animal signs and birds. Expect to park and walk at a slow pace on uneven ground, modest distances. Please bring water, a snack, binoculars, your knowledge and interest and perhaps a guide book.
Wednesday, May 24, 2017 - 7:30 am
We will be meeting at the Elizabeth Lake Visitor Centre at 7:30 am. Come join us as we check out the birds around Elizabeth Lake.
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Annual Club Camp
Friday, June 23 to Sunday, June 25, 2017
RM Nats Annual Club Camp to be held at Noke Creek Cabins & Campground. Friday evening will be setting up camp and exploring the area nearby. Saturday will be early morning birding around camp. Saturday and Sunday we will be hiking to points of interest searching for wildflowers and birds and learning about the history of the area. Midday Sunday we will be heading home.
Little Big Day
Saturday, May 27, 2017
From 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, teams will count as many bird species as they can. Please provide team member names to Greg. The count up finale, complete with prizes, will be held at the Heid Out restaurant with cocktails at 6:30 pm and dinner at 7:00 pm. See who will have bragging rights this year!
Spring Meander - Mission Wycliffe Crown Land (Paula)
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 - 9:30 am – 11:30 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 9:00 am with a return time of noon. If anyone is coming from the Kimberley area, please meet at the junction of Hwy. 95A and the Airport Access Road at 9:45 am. We will be searching for a variety of flowering plants or trying to identify plants that are not yet in flower. This is considered an EASY outing as we will be going at a slow pace over some uneven ground with very little elevation gain. Please bring binoculars, water, a flower guide book and your detective abilities for identifying plants. Last time we were out there we spotted a number of meadow larks and western bluebirds.
Bi-Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, May 17, 2017 - 7:00 pm
Meeting to be held at the College of the Rockies, Room 190. Starting at 7:00 pm Lyle Grisedale will be presenting a slide show entitled ‘My East Kootenay’. Lyle is a hiking guide, photographer, storyteller and member of the RM Nats. A short business meeting will be held after the slide show.
Isadore Canyon Bike Outing (Ruth)
Thursday, May 11, 2017 - 8:30 am
To carpool, 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 8:20 am sharp or meet at 8:30 am at the beginning of the Isadore Canyon Trail. This is just past Sandor Rental. Plan on being out for the morning and travelling around 20 to 25 km. We will head down to Ramparts Rest Area and then loop back to Isadore Canyon, with numerous stops along the way to enjoy nature and get some exercise while we appreciate all the natural beauty in our area. This outing would be rated MODERATE. Don't forget to bring water, snacks and binoculars.
Creston Valley Outing (Daryl/Marianne)
Friday, May 5, 2017 - 8:00 am - Balancing Rock Trail and option of afternoon paddle on the Kootenay River. To carpool from Cranbrook, meet at Elizabeth Lake Tourist Information Building to leave at 8:00 am sharp or meet at the base of the Balancing Rock Trail at 8:15 am Creston time which is one hour later than our time zone. 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.
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. 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 can be directed to the asparagus farm, Duck Lake Dike and/or the paved back road bypass route back to Cranbrook.
Spring Ramble - Wilks Woods - Searching for Calypsos (Marianne)
Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
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 with a return time of noon. Kimberley members please email or phone Marianne for a meeting time and place. This will be a focus on early flowering plants, identification of leaves and rosettes of future flowers and incidental observation of animal signs and birds. Expect to park and walk at a slow pace on uneven ground, modest distances. Please bring water, a snack, binoculars, your knowledge and interest and perhaps a guide book.
Memorial Walk Outing (Ruth)
Sunday, April 30, 2017 - 9:00 am
We decided a year ago to have just one outing each year to remember past members of our club. Mildred, Anne, Peter, and Tony all contributed their talents to enriching the Rocky Mountain Naturalists.
To carpool 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 at 9:00 am at Prairie Road, just south of the Wasa Sloughs. We will spend time checking out the birds and ducks at the slough and then head to Wasa Lake. We will then hike the 3 km trail that goes at the back of the campground. We will be enjoying the wildflowers along the way and stop at the top for a snack before returning to the vehicles. We should be done around noon. I would rate this outing as EASY.
Fairmont Hoodoos and Columbia River Headwaters Outing (Daryl)
Friday, April 28, 2017 - 8:00 am
Please meet at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop to leave at 8:00 am sharp. Kimberley people can meet at the small parking area just south of the junction of Highway 95 and 95A at 8:30 am. We will walk a 6 km loop from the Westside Rd. through dry benchlands to the rim of the Fairmont Hoodoos. Many birds, interesting plants and wonderful views. This hike is on a trail with elevation gain and some uneven footing making this a MODERATE PLUS outing. Dress for the weather and bring water, snacks, lunch, binoculars/camera. We will spend about 3 hours in the area, returning to eat lunch in the parking lot with an ice cream stop at Dutch Creek Resort.
We will then drive to Canal Flats to walk the trail that takes us to the Headwaters of the Columbia River. This is an EASY walk on a trail with a 1.5 km distance through wetlands. We will spend about 2 hours in this area.
Spring Ramble - Mission Road/Woods' Corner Exploration (Marianne)
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 - 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
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 with a return time of noon. Kimberley members please email or phone Marianne for a meeting time and place. This will be a focus on early flowering plants, identification of leaves and rosettes of future flowers and incidental observation of animal signs and birds. Expect to park and walk at a slow pace on uneven ground, modest distances. Please bring water, a snack, binoculars, your knowledge and interest and perhaps a guide book.
Turtle Day - Elizabeth Lake
Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - 11:45 am – 5:00 pm
From 11:45 am to 2:00 pm there will be classes from schools attending turtle day. Naturalists needed to assist the main presenters at either the Turtle Nesting area, the main tent area that has displays and the dipping dock activities.
From 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm it will be open to the public. Help needed with parking vehicles, main tent area with displays, turtle nesting area and packing up at 5:00 pm.
Pighin Road Bike Outing (Ruth)
Monday, April 24, 2017 - 9:00 am
To carpool, 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 8:40 am or meet at 9:00 am at the beginning of Pighin Road for a 20 km round trip bike ride on pavement and dirt road. On this outing we will learn about natural history, birds, flowers and butterflies etc. It is a wonderful way to enjoy nature and get some exercise while we appreciate all the natural beauty in our area. This outing would be rated MODERATE. Don't forget to bring water, snacks and binoculars.
Spring Ramble - Potato Butte - Our Earliest Flowers (Marianne)
Friday, April 21, 2017 - 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
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 with a return time of noon. Kimberley members please email or phone Marianne for a meeting time and place. This will be a focus on early flowering plants, identification of leaves and rosettes of future flowers and incidental observation of animal signs and birds. Expect to park and walk at a slow pace on uneven ground, modest distances. Please bring water, a snack, binoculars, your knowledge and interest and perhaps a guide book.
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The fossil box at Nature Bob's Interpretive Centre at Mount Fernie Alpine Resort.
Photo - Greg
