Okanogan Chapter WNPS 2019 Field Trips

Okanogan Chapter WNPS 2019 Field Trips

Explore the flora of the Methow Valley with fellow plant lovers! 

Anyone is welcome to join these free trips. Please reserve a spot on any hike by contacting the trip leader.

Saturday, April 6 - Spokane Gulch/Goat Wall

Meeting Time:  10:00am

Meeting Place: Mazama Trailhead parking lot (aka ‘the corral” parking lot)

Hike Leader: Eric Burr

Explore Spokane Gulch early spring flowers, including possibly Steer's Head, Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Spring Beauties, Yellow Bells and more.  Wear sturdy shoes suitable for walking over icy snow patches, and/or wet, muddy areas.  This is Mazama's most popular trail and the path is already well beaten in, across the few snow patches.  Expect to be out a few hours. 

Save your spot 

509-996-3101 

burrski@methownet.com

——————-

Friday, April 26 - “Native Plant Appreciation Week” Patterson Mountain

Meeting Time: 10:00am

Meeting Place: Boat Launch parking lot at Patterson Lake

Hike Leader:  Mary Kiesau

Washington’s “Native Plant Appreciation Week” is April 21-28 so let’s get out and celebrate it with a hike that touches many of the Methow's different ecological communities including riparian, shrub-steppe and dry forest.  This is a half day, moderate hike that will go up the south side of Patterson Mtn to the top and loop around the north side back to the beginning.  There are steep sections but we'll move at a naturalists' pace.  Expect exceptional views, blooming flowers, tree and shrubs, and some birdsong too.  Bring lunch, a drink, clothing appropriate for the day's weather, and any other optional stuff you might want like binoculars, field guides, camera, etc. Discover Pass required for the parking lot, or park on the road.  We’ll be back to the cars between 2:00 and 3:00pm.  Limited to 12 people, registration required.

Save your spot

509-996-8242

kiesau@gmail.com

——————-

Sunday, April 28 - “The Great Divide” Where the Methow & Columbia Rivers Meet

Meeting Time: 8am

Meeting Place: Methow Valley Community Center (Twisp) parking lot

Hike Leader: Dana Visalli

An uphill and off-trail hike near the confluence of the Methow and Columbia Rivers, hiking up the watershed divide between the two.  This is not particularly strenuous as we will go slowly and only hike a mile or two, but there is no trail. We will be enjoying the plants of the lowest part of the watershed.  There are a few unusual species down there we might see. We will be back about 2:00pm.

Save your spot

509-997-9011

dana@methownet.com

———————-

Sunday, May 12 - Lake Creek Trail to Black Lake

Meeting Time: 9:00am

Meeting Place: Town Trailhead parking lot, behind Winthrop PT

Hike Leader: Mary Kiesau and/or Caryl Campbell

On the drive up to the Lake Creek Trailhead we’ll look for Lewisia tweedyi, a cousin to our beloved bitterroot.  It blooms along the road, over the river and up Lake Creek.  Once at the trailhead, we’ll hike 4 relatively flat miles to Black Lake.  It is a great option for early season hiking due to its low elevation, but it can be sunny and hot, so dress accordingly and bring sunscreen.  We should see lots of blooming penstemon and ceanothus, among many other flowers.  Bring lunch, a drink, clothing appropriate for the day's weather, and any other optional stuff you might want like binoculars, field guides, camera, etc.  This is a full day hike, but not a strenuous one.  Limited to 12 people, registration required.  NW Forest Pass required at Lake Creek Trailhead.

Save your spot

509-996-8242

kiesau@gmail.com

———————-

Saturday, May 25 - The Chewuch River

Meeting Time: 8:30am

Meeting Place: Winthrop library parking lot (but park at the Red Barn)

Hike Leader: George Wooten

We’ll walk the Chewuch River Road from the end of the road. This is an easy walk, timed to occur when Lewisia tweedyi is in bloom. We will see the Chewuch Research Natural Area, featuring large-scale disturbances. We will hike from the end of the Chewuch River road (either Thirtymile Trailhead north, or if the bridge is out, we will walk south along the main road). Bring gear for any type of weather, including mosquito repellant. We will carpool to the end of the Chewuch Road and begin walking around 9:30, returning to town around 2:30pm.  Limit 15 people.

Save your spot

509-997-6010

george232@centurytel.net

————————-

Sunday, May 26 - Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Methow: Methow Valley Interpretive Center Garden Tour

Time: 5:00 to 6:30

Meeting Place: Methow Valley Interpretive Center

Leaders: George Wooten and Rob Crandall

Rob Crandall and George Wooten will stroll through the Methow Valley Native Plant Garden to help identify edible and medicinal native plants and talk about their uses.  Free and open to the public

———————

June 7 & 9 - Grass Identification Class, $50

Time: June 7th, 7-9pm classroom session, and June 9th, 9:00am-1:00pm, field session

Meeting Place: 

Leader: Dana Visalli

A great introductory workshop to get to know and recognize our common grass species in the Methow Valley, and learn how to key them out with hand-lenses.  Registration required.  $50/person.

Save your spot

509-997-9011

dana@methownet.com

———————

Saturday, July 6 - Hart’s Pass Meadows

Meeting Time: 9:00am

Meeting Place: Winthrop library parking lot

Hike Leader: George Wooten

We will visit verdant meadows southeast of Hart's Pass, along the road, paying close attention to the umbel family, its chemistry and uses by humans and wildlife.  There is ample camping in the area for those who want to explore more on their own, otherwise we’ll be back around 2pm.  Limit 15 people.

Save your spot

509-997-6010

george232@centurytel.net

———————

Saturday: July 20 - Exploring Long Swamp

Meeting Time: 10:00 AM

Meeting Place: Tonasket Ranger District Parking Lot

Hike Leader: Erica Heinlen

This will be an all-day adventure.  We will park at the Long Swamp Campground and explore from there.  Long Swamp is a very large wetland complex that holds many botanical treasures.  There are no trails.  Erica, the hike organizer, is an expert in mosses and can teach some basic moss identification and show the group some interesting mosses found in this unique environment.  Otherwise you can simply explore the wetland.  You will need rubber boots and bug repellant, and then normal field gear (lunch, water, layers of clothing, sun protection).  It takes over an hour to drive to the campground.  If you plan to camp or meet at the campground, please coordinate with Erica. Limit 10, registration required.

Save your spot:

eheinlen@hotmail.com

Free Event: Birds and Plants

2017 Native Plant Field Hikes

Anyone is welcome to join these free trips. Please reserve a spot on any hike by contacting the trip leader.

Trip Leaders, here are the documents to print for each walk you lead. 

Click here for Trip Leader Guidelines

Click Here for the Release Form (Have all attendees fill out)
_________________________________________________________

Okanogan Chapter WNPS 2019 Field Trips

Saturday, April 6 - Spokane Gulch/Goat Wall

Meeting Time:  10:00am

Meeting Place: Mazama Trailhead parking lot (aka ‘the corral” parking lot)

Hike Leader: Eric Burr

Explore Spokane Gulch early spring flowers, including possibly Steer's Head, Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Spring Beauties, Yellow Bells and more.  Wear sturdy shoes suitable for walking over icy snow patches, and/or wet, muddy areas.  This is Mazama's most popular trail and the path is already well beaten in, across the few snow patches.  Expect to be out a few hours. 

Save your spot 

509-996-3101 

burrski@methownet.com

——————-

Friday, April 26 - “Native Plant Appreciation Week” Patterson Mountain

Meeting Time: 10:00am

Meeting Place: Boat Launch parking lot at Patterson Lake

Hike Leader:  Mary Kiesau

Washington’s “Native Plant Appreciation Week” is April 21-28 so let’s get out and celebrate it with a hike that touches many of the Methow's different ecological communities including riparian, shrub-steppe and dry forest.  This is a half day, moderate hike that will go up the south side of Patterson Mtn to the top and loop around the north side back to the beginning.  There are steep sections but we'll move at a naturalists' pace.  Expect exceptional views, blooming flowers, tree and shrubs, and some birdsong too.  Bring lunch, a drink, clothing appropriate for the day's weather, and any other optional stuff you might want like binoculars, field guides, camera, etc. Discover Pass required for the parking lot, or park on the road.  We’ll be back to the cars between 2:00 and 3:00pm.  Limited to 12 people, registration required.

Save your spot

509-996-8242

kiesau@gmail.com

——————-

Sunday, April 28 - “The Great Divide” Where the Methow & Columbia Rivers Meet

Meeting Time: 8am

Meeting Place: Methow Valley Community Center (Twisp) parking lot

Hike Leader: Dana Visalli

An uphill and off-trail hike near the confluence of the Methow and Columbia Rivers, hiking up the watershed divide between the two.  This is not particularly strenuous as we will go slowly and only hike a mile or two, but there is no trail. We will be enjoying the plants of the lowest part of the watershed.  There are a few unusual species down there we might see. We will be back about 2:00pm.

Save your spot

509-997-0911

dana@methownet.com

———————-

Sunday, May 12 - Lake Creek Trail to Black Lake

Meeting Time: 9:00am

Meeting Place: Town Trailhead parking lot, behind Winthrop PT

Hike Leader: Mary Kiesau and/or Caryl Campbell

On the drive up to the Lake Creek Trailhead we’ll look for Lewisia tweedyi, a cousin to our beloved bitterroot.  It blooms along the road, over the river and up Lake Creek.  Once at the trailhead, we’ll hike 4 relatively flat miles to Black Lake.  It is a great option for early season hiking due to its low elevation, but it can be sunny and hot, so dress accordingly and bring sunscreen.  We should see lots of blooming penstemon and ceanothus, among many other flowers.  Bring lunch, a drink, clothing appropriate for the day's weather, and any other optional stuff you might want like binoculars, field guides, camera, etc.  This is a full day hike, but not a strenuous one.  Limited to 12 people, registration required.  NW Forest Pass required at Lake Creek Trailhead.

Save your spot

509-996-8242

kiesau@gmail.com

———————-

Saturday, May 25 - The Chewuch River

Meeting Time: 8:30am

Meeting Place: Winthrop library parking lot (but park at the Red Barn)

Hike Leader: George Wooten

We’ll walk the Chewuch River Road from the end of the road. This is an easy walk, timed to occur when Lewisia tweedyi is in bloom. We will see the Chewuch Research Natural Area, featuring large-scale disturbances. We will hike from the end of the Chewuch River road (either Thirtymile Trailhead north, or if the bridge is out, we will walk south along the main road). Bring gear for any type of weather, including mosquito repellant. We will carpool to the end of the Chewuch Road and begin walking around 9:30, returning to town around 2:30pm.  Limit 15 people.

Save your spot

509-997-6010

george232@centurytel.net

————————-

Sunday, May 26 - Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Methow: Methow Valley Interpretive Center Garden Tour

Time: 5:00 to 6:30

Meeting Place: Methow Valley Interpretive Center

Leaders: George Wooten and Rob Crandall

Rob Crandall and George Wooten will stroll through the Methow Valley Native Plant Garden to help identify edible and medicinal native plants and talk about their uses.  Free and open to the public

———————

Saturday, July 6 - Hart’s Pass Meadows

Meeting Time: 9:00am

Meeting Place: Winthrop library parking lot

Hike Leader: George Wooten

We will visit verdant meadows southeast of Hart's Pass, along the road, paying close attention to the umbel family, its chemistry and uses by humans and wildlife.  There is ample camping in the area for those who want to explore more on their own, otherwise we’ll be back around 2pm.  Limit 15 people.

Save your spot

509-997-6010

george232@centurytel.net

———————

Saturday: July 20 - Exploring Long Swamp

Meeting Time: 10:00 AM

Meeting Place: Tonasket Ranger District Parking Lot

Hike Leader: Erica Heinlen

This will be an all-day adventure.  We will park at the Long Swamp Campground and explore from there.  Long Swamp is a very large wetland complex that holds many botanical treasures.  There are no trails.  Erica, the hike organizer, is an expert in mosses and can teach some basic moss identification and show the group some interesting mosses found in this unique environment.  Otherwise you can simply explore the wetland.  You will need rubber boots and bug repellant, and then normal field gear (lunch, water, layers of clothing, sun protection).  It takes over an hour to drive to the campground.  If you plan to camp or meet at the campground, please coordinate with Erica. Limit 10, registration required.

Save your spot:

eheinlen@hotmail.com

_____________________________________________

2018 Plant Walks

April 29:  MVIC Native Plant Garden Tour

Wander around the Methow Valley Interpretive Center’s Native Plant Garden and hear about the many medicinal and edible uses of the plants we find there. We will meet at 11am. Space is limited to 12. Reserve your spot by contacting the trip leaders. Rosalee & Xavier de la Forêt rosalee@methowvalleyherbs.com or 997-0545

May 28: Pearrygin Lake 

A walk in the hills just above Pearrygin Lake on Sunday May 28th; we will park along the road at the big pond on the way in to the lake and walk east from there, around the pond and over hill and dale. making a loop. The terrain will be mild, not steep, but the hike

will be in off trail in the shrub-steppe. We will do some botany-- learning to identify plant families, identifying the grasses that we see, and keying out a few plants just for the fun of it.

There are at least a couple of unusual plants of there: a favorite of mine, blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium), and a rare plant called Monolepis which

we may or may not find.

We will meet at the trailhead parking lot adjacent to Winthrop Physical Therapy at 9 AM, and will try to be back to the cars at 1 PM, after walking 2-3 miles.

Call or write Dana to sign up or with questions. dana@methownet.com 

509-997-9011

May 5: Goal Wall Hike out of Mazama

Our route up the Goat Wall Trail will zigzag gently from the climbing rock parking lot, rather than straight up.  We'll meet at the Mazama store first, to insure all have lunches, water, and to carpool.  Register with Eric Burr & Margrit Broennimann burrski@methownet.com. 

July 8th: Sweetgrass Butte (Suitable Road and Snow condition dependent)

Sweetgrass Butte is about 17 miles out of Winthrop up the Cub Creek drainage on mostly FS gravel roads.  High clearance vehicles may be needed. You can drive to the top of the Butte, but road conditions may not be ideal.  At 6100’ the plants are starting to take on a bit of that subalpine and alpine feel.  Once up to the Butte, the terrain is easy to moderate depending on where we end up.  Good hiking shoes/boots are recommended.  Bring a lunch, bug repellant, sunscreen, water, and the basic back country attire for all possible weather.  We will meet at the Barn in Winthrop at 8am to carpool.  We will return to the Barn no later than 3 pm.  I will check on road and snow conditions just prior to the trip and let those signed up know what to expect.

Limited to 10 people.

Contact Therese Ohlson peteandtherese@gmail.com or call 509-997-0118. 

July 15-16: Dollar Watch Mountain Obsidian

This is an 18 mile round trip overnight campout in the Pasayten Wilderness. We plan to camp near the Lost River confluence of Deception Creek where we will look for volcanic rocks on Sunday morning. The total elevation gain and trail level of difficulty is moderate, crossing two low passes Billy Goat Pass (<1500 ft relief) and Lucky Pass (1200 ft relief). Email George for more information and a list of required gear for this extended outing. A short version of the hike that only goes to Billy Goat Pass for a Saturday day hike is possible if a leader volunteers for the return portion. Billy Goat Pass is an easy 1.5 mile hike beginning at Eightmile Pass Trailhead. It goes along a Rocky Trail and ends at the Pasayten Wilderness Boundary. Rock lovers will like shrubby penstemon and saxifrages; shade lovers will like Tiarella.

Confirm attendance with leader George Wooten (509-997-6010, george232@centurytel.net), limit 12 people total. You will need Wilderness gear, backpack, meals for 2 days, sleeping bag and a tent. We will carpool from Winthrop. Parking permits are required for $5 per day if you don't have a pass.

June 23: Butterfly Field Trip

Depending on conditions, we’ll choose a spot with easy walking where we can enjoy the flowers and catch butterflies to look at them closely, and then release them. Bring nets and field guides if you have them, but we have extras. Look for location confirmation via email a few days in advance of the trip. We will meet at 9am. Limited to 12 people. To reserve your spot, notify Joyce. magpie@methownet.com 509-996-7808

2016 WNPS Hikes

Anyone is welcome to join these free trips. Please reserve a spot on any hike by contacting the trip leader.

April 16—Mill Hill (Twisp) for Flowers & Bees—led by Dana Visalli  dana at methownet.com 509-997-9011

A short (2-miles) but steep hike up the trail that goes up the ridge just south of Twisp. Approximately 9 AM to noon. There is a charming dwarf lupine up there that will be in the youth of its bloom, plus some other unusual plants. We will also observe  pollinators and try to identify them and watch the ravens play along the cliffs. Meet in Hank’s parking lot at 9 AM (we won’t leave cars there).

April 23—Location TBA—led by Rosalee de la Foret-  rosalee at herbmentor.com  997-0545

We’ll go slow and spend lots of time talking about the edible and medicinal uses of the plants we see. We hope to see yellow bells, arrow leaf, spring beauties, yarrow, bitterroot, lupine, various Lomatiums and more. 10 AM. 

April 30—Spokane Gulch, Goat Wall—led by Eric Burr  burrski at methownet.com  996-3101

Spokane Gulch-Goat Wall: Moderate unmaintained foot paths up and back from whichever side the group is most interested in, with the possibility for a through hike(a soggy 3 miler) and car shuttles for those interested. Usually we eat lunch up at a view point and are back down mid-afternoon. Early season flowers and birds on Mazama's most popular unofficial "trail" before the higher country opens up, with views of Gardner and Silver Star.  Meet at the Mazama Store at 9 AM to organize and stock up with lunch stuff.

May 20-21—Bee Identification Workshop with Don Rolfs

This will be Friday evening Saturday ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /9 AM- 2 PM field workshop on how to identify our native bee pollinators. Don is one of the best native bee instructors in the country so this is a rare opportunity to learn about bees. Cost $10 (to pay his expenses getting and staying here) A limit of 20 people with 8 signed up; reserve a spot with Dana   dana at methownet.com  509-997-9011

June 5—Grass Identification Workshop with Dana Visalli

There are over 100 species of grasses in the Methow, but most people do not recognize more than two or three of them. In this 9 AM to 3:30 PM program we will work in a botany lab set up at Twisp Works and in the field to learn to recognize 20 of the most common grasses in the Methow, and the basics of how to key out all grasses.

Cost is $35; contact Mary Kiesau at the Methow Conservancy to sign up at 996-2870, mary at methowconservancy.org

June 11—Butterfly Hike—led by Joyce Bergen  

Butterflies for beginners, plants too, location to be announced, depending on seasonal conditions. This will be easy walking. Bring nets & field guides if you have them; we have extras. No collecting, just catch-identify-and-release. Look for location confirmation via email a few days in advance of the trip. We will meet at 9 AM. Limited to 12 people. To join, notify Joyce. magpie at methownet.com  509-996-7808

June 19—Hoodoo/Bigalow for Alpine Forgetmenots—led by Dana Visalli  

This is a difficult 14 mile roundtrip hike up the East Fork Buttermilk trail to see the rare alpine forgetmenots and snow Douglasia blooming on Bigalow Mountain. There will snow to climb and descent at Hoodoo Pass. We will leave early, probably 6:30 AM. dana at methownet.com  509-997-9011. 

July 3 or thereabouts—Middle Tiffany Tundra Country—led by Caryl Campbell 

Middle Tiffany, just north of Tiffany Mountain, has a fascinating expanse of tundra-like grasslands with sporadic wetlands, a botanical wonderland. The hike is about 5 miles long with some elevation gain.

 bearfight at methownet.com  996-3458. 

Maple Pass Loop Restoration - Plant-and-Camp

Image courtesy of Andy Porter Photography

OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST – METHOW VALLEY

FRIENDS OF THE FOREST DAYS

Join us on Saturday, September 26 and/or Sunday, September 27, 2015, to help us plant thousands of fragile alpine plants on the high reaches of the Maple Pass trail. Long a local favorite, this trail boast stunning mountain scenery around every turn as hikers pass through alpine meadows and over mountain passes. High use and cross-country travel, however, have severely damaged fragile plants. 

Heather communities that took 10,000 years to establish themselves have simply been walked off. With your help, we will start restoring this special and sensitive place by planting seedlings and rehabilitating areas impacted by campsites.

Camping along this trail is prohibited to protect the fragile plant community from further damage.  However, with thousands of seedlings to plant, the Forest Service has granted us a special exemption from its regulations and is allowing NFF volunteers to camp in previously disturbed areas along the upper reaches of the Maple Pass Loop.  This will minimize travel time to and from the planting areas and allow us to efficiently rehabilitate the campsites on Sunday.

Image courtesy of Evan Eremita

Join us for the full weekend and wake up to a view like this, or participate in either or both days of planting by hiking up in the mornings.

We will meet at 9:00 am at the Maple Pass Loop trailhead in the Rainy Pass picnic area on both Saturday and Sunday to hike on up and start planting!

What to Bring/Wear (Please bring/wear the following if you are joining us during the day only):

• Long pants
• Ankle-supported, sturdy hiking/work boots
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Warm layers, including winter gloves and a hat - it may snow at the higher reaches of the Maple Pass Loop at this time of year
• Extra water
• Eye protection (sunglasses
  or other glasses)
• Lunch and snacks

The Forest Service will provide work gloves, hard hats and tools.

If you will be joining us for the Plant-and-Camp, please also bring the following:

• Camping supplies (tent, warm sleeping bag and pad)
• Dinner for Saturday and breakfast for Sunday
• Cooking stove and utensils
• Headlamp
• Change of clothes

Image courtesy of Andy Porter Photography

Directions to the Rainy Pass Picnic Area and Maple Pass Loop Trailhead:

From Winthrop, drive west on State Route 20 about 35 miles to Rainy Pass. Park in the south parking lot on the left side of the highway.

Where to Stay: 

If you will not be joining us for the Plant-and-Camp, you can also camp for free in the beautiful Lone Fir or Klipchuck campgrounds. Please bring your all your own camping gear/supplies.

Questions? Please contact Natalie Kuehler at nkuehler@nationalforests.org or (509) 996-4057.

• Start  26 Sep 2015 9:00 AM (PDT)
• End 27 Sep 2015 4:00 PM (PDT)
• Location Rainy Pass Trailhead

Registration

• Volunteer – Free

NOTE: If winter weather closes in on the North Cascades early this year and freezes the soil, this volunteer event will need to be rescheduled.

We look forward to seeing you in the Majestic Methow!

This event is sponsored by the National Forest Foundation and U.S. Forest Service.