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 at Jim Smith Lake (Jim)
Wednesday, August 15, 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. This weeks EMB will involve driving up behind the fire base to explore the 4 lakes area of the Community Forest.
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Limber Pine Outing (Myra)
Saturday, September 8, 2018 – 10:00 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 10:00 am. In 2016, the RMN assisted with planting seedlings of limber pine, a species at risk, on Mt. Broadwood, located near Elko and Morrissey. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and I would like to invite interested RMN members to visit the site planted in 2016 to assess the survival of the limber pine seedlings. We will hike to the planted site and conduct 10 radius plots within the planted area to assess survival and health of the seedlings. Kate MacKenzie, Stewardship Coordinator of NCC’s Rocky Mountain Region, will also be joining and she will provide some history on the Mt. Broadwood area and why it is a land base conserved by NCC. Estimated time at the site on Mt. Broadwood is 2-3 hours. Please dress appropriately and bring snacks/lunch and water.
RM Nats Annual Summer Social
Sunday, August 19, 2018 – 2:00 pm
2 - 4 pm mini golf at Elizabeth Lake Lodge
4:30 till dusk at Jim Smith Lake picnic area for potluck supper and swimming or paddling. More details will follow.
Shorebird Outing (Dianne)
Saturday, August 11, 2018 – 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. Shorebirds are few and far between in the southern East Kootenay Trench but very much fun to try to identify. If we find some on our drive, we will focus on studying the non-plumage features such as relative size, body-part proportions, and habitat niche that make identification much easier. This outing will be mostly driving for approximately 4 hours or more. Bring: water, lunch/snacks; a spotting scope is very handy - bring yours to share if you have one - I will have mine, of course.
Moyie Narrows Paddle (George)
Sunday, July 29, 2018 – 8:00 am
Please meet at the Elizabeth Lake Tourist Information Centre ready to leave at 8:00 am. Kayaks, canoes, rowboats, we don’t judge. We will drive to the put in at Porto Rico Rd. This is an easy to medium paddle (depending on the wind) up stream to the north lake and around to Lamb Creek where there are some petroglyphs to see. I would guess it would be between 2.5 - 3 hours maybe more depending on how much time we spend at the petroglyphs or Lamb Creek beach. Bring a snack/lunch, water and swimming suit as it is nice to get in the water at Lamb Creek. There is not a lot of parking down there so lets buddy up if you are able.
Maus Creek Tarns Outing (Gretchen)
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 – 7:00 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 7:00 am. The plan is to carpool to the trailhead (1 hour up a rough road), then walk up to the tarns, enjoying the birds and flowers along the way. We'll pass the old Victor Mine and stop at the tarns for an early lunch. About 1.5 km of the trail is on an old road, the rest is narrow, uneven, and sometimes steep and rocky until we get to the meadows around the tarns. After walking back down to the vehicles, we might stop several times along the road to look for more birds and flowers.
One way hike 3.1 km, elevation gain 405 m. Rated Moderate for Elevation Gain and Hard for Outing Length using the RMN scale. Bring a small pack with layers of clothes, water, lunch or snacks, insect repellant, sun screen and hat, hiking poles (for crossing small creeks on logs), and wear sturdy light hiking boots (no sandals, Tevas, etc.). Don't forget your binoculars and camera or any personal first aid or medications you might require.
Elizabeth Lake Work Bee
Saturday, July 21, 2018 - 8:30 am
Please meet in the parking lot behind Elizabeth Lake Lodge. We will be spreading chips on trails and cutting back encroaching plants at Elizabeth Lake. Bring gloves, water, hat, etc. A rake would also be helpful along with a wheel barrow if you are able to transport one to the site. We expect to be finished by 10:30 am.
Bi-Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 7:00 pm, Reade Lake
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.
The new entry point for the RMNat meeting at Reade Lake is off of Foster Road. It is recommend to carpool as there is not a lot of parking available. If you wish to carpool, meet at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave by 6:30 pm sharp.
Cactus Mountain Outing (Susan W.)
Sunday, June 24, 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. 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 a 100 m elevation gain making this an Easy Plus Outing.
Bluebird and Swallow Nest Box Monitoring Biking Outing (Marianne)
Sunday, June 10, 2018 – 9:00 am
9:00 am to noon for the Cherry Creek Route. This will be about a 10 km ride on relatively flat roads. Meet at Thunderbird Springs Road - see directions below in the June 8 Walking outing. Be ready to bike from the parking lot at 9:00 am.
Bluebird and Swallow Nest Box Monitoring Walking Outing (Marianne)
Friday, June 8, 2018 – 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. All others can meet at the Thunderbird Springs Road parking lot at 9:00 am, which is the cul de sac between Highway 95A and North Star Trail at Forties Corner, just south of Kings Chapel Church. Be ready to leave the parking lot at 9:00 am so we can carpool down Pighin Rd. This outing will be a 4+ km walk on a flat road from 9:00 am to noon.
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.
Wednesday, August 15, 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. This weeks EMB will involve driving up behind the fire base to explore the 4 lakes area of the Community Forest.
=================================================================
Limber Pine Outing (Myra)
Saturday, September 8, 2018 – 10:00 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 10:00 am. In 2016, the RMN assisted with planting seedlings of limber pine, a species at risk, on Mt. Broadwood, located near Elko and Morrissey. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and I would like to invite interested RMN members to visit the site planted in 2016 to assess the survival of the limber pine seedlings. We will hike to the planted site and conduct 10 radius plots within the planted area to assess survival and health of the seedlings. Kate MacKenzie, Stewardship Coordinator of NCC’s Rocky Mountain Region, will also be joining and she will provide some history on the Mt. Broadwood area and why it is a land base conserved by NCC. Estimated time at the site on Mt. Broadwood is 2-3 hours. Please dress appropriately and bring snacks/lunch and water.
RM Nats Annual Summer Social
Sunday, August 19, 2018 – 2:00 pm
2 - 4 pm mini golf at Elizabeth Lake Lodge
4:30 till dusk at Jim Smith Lake picnic area for potluck supper and swimming or paddling. More details will follow.
Shorebird Outing (Dianne)
Saturday, August 11, 2018 – 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. Shorebirds are few and far between in the southern East Kootenay Trench but very much fun to try to identify. If we find some on our drive, we will focus on studying the non-plumage features such as relative size, body-part proportions, and habitat niche that make identification much easier. This outing will be mostly driving for approximately 4 hours or more. Bring: water, lunch/snacks; a spotting scope is very handy - bring yours to share if you have one - I will have mine, of course.
Moyie Narrows Paddle (George)
Sunday, July 29, 2018 – 8:00 am
Please meet at the Elizabeth Lake Tourist Information Centre ready to leave at 8:00 am. Kayaks, canoes, rowboats, we don’t judge. We will drive to the put in at Porto Rico Rd. This is an easy to medium paddle (depending on the wind) up stream to the north lake and around to Lamb Creek where there are some petroglyphs to see. I would guess it would be between 2.5 - 3 hours maybe more depending on how much time we spend at the petroglyphs or Lamb Creek beach. Bring a snack/lunch, water and swimming suit as it is nice to get in the water at Lamb Creek. There is not a lot of parking down there so lets buddy up if you are able.
Maus Creek Tarns Outing (Gretchen)
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 – 7:00 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 7:00 am. The plan is to carpool to the trailhead (1 hour up a rough road), then walk up to the tarns, enjoying the birds and flowers along the way. We'll pass the old Victor Mine and stop at the tarns for an early lunch. About 1.5 km of the trail is on an old road, the rest is narrow, uneven, and sometimes steep and rocky until we get to the meadows around the tarns. After walking back down to the vehicles, we might stop several times along the road to look for more birds and flowers.
One way hike 3.1 km, elevation gain 405 m. Rated Moderate for Elevation Gain and Hard for Outing Length using the RMN scale. Bring a small pack with layers of clothes, water, lunch or snacks, insect repellant, sun screen and hat, hiking poles (for crossing small creeks on logs), and wear sturdy light hiking boots (no sandals, Tevas, etc.). Don't forget your binoculars and camera or any personal first aid or medications you might require.
Elizabeth Lake Work Bee
Saturday, July 21, 2018 - 8:30 am
Please meet in the parking lot behind Elizabeth Lake Lodge. We will be spreading chips on trails and cutting back encroaching plants at Elizabeth Lake. Bring gloves, water, hat, etc. A rake would also be helpful along with a wheel barrow if you are able to transport one to the site. We expect to be finished by 10:30 am.
Bi-Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 7:00 pm, Reade Lake
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.
The new entry point for the RMNat meeting at Reade Lake is off of Foster Road. It is recommend to carpool as there is not a lot of parking available. If you wish to carpool, meet at the Tamarack Mall parking lot closest to Hwy 3 between the Boston Pizza and the Husky Truck Stop ready to leave by 6:30 pm sharp.
Cactus Mountain Outing (Susan W.)
Sunday, June 24, 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. 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 a 100 m elevation gain making this an Easy Plus Outing.
Bluebird and Swallow Nest Box Monitoring Biking Outing (Marianne)
Sunday, June 10, 2018 – 9:00 am
9:00 am to noon for the Cherry Creek Route. This will be about a 10 km ride on relatively flat roads. Meet at Thunderbird Springs Road - see directions below in the June 8 Walking outing. Be ready to bike from the parking lot at 9:00 am.
Bluebird and Swallow Nest Box Monitoring Walking Outing (Marianne)
Friday, June 8, 2018 – 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. All others can meet at the Thunderbird Springs Road parking lot at 9:00 am, which is the cul de sac between Highway 95A and North Star Trail at Forties Corner, just south of Kings Chapel Church. Be ready to leave the parking lot at 9:00 am so we can carpool down Pighin Rd. This outing will be a 4+ km walk on a flat road from 9:00 am to noon.
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.
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The fossil box at Nature Bob's Interpretive Centre at Mount Fernie Alpine Resort.
Photo - Greg