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Nature Lovers, Take A Hike With Experts

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Rich Landers Outdoors Editor

From Field Reports, Outdoors & Travel section (Sunday, April 28, 1996): FLOWER HIKE MISTAKE Correction Last week’s story about wildflower hikes sponsored by the Colville Natinal Forest included an error. The July 20 outing to North Baldy begins at 8 a.m. at the Newport Ranger Station. Info: (509) 447-7300.

Interest continues to bloom in a Colville National Forest program that lures nature lovers to follow experts into fields of wildflowers.

Four years ago, a total of 71 participants showed up for several informal walks in the woods. Last year, the program had blossomed into popular outings for 238 forest visitors, said Kathy Ahlenslager, forest botanist.

This year’s hiking series begins in May and runs through summer to cover the full range of the forest bloom from valleys to high ridges.

The walks, guided by botanists, biologists and archeologists, cover a variety of terrains and steep trails. The experts provide commentary not only on the wildflowers, but also on wildlife, and forest ecology.

In an activity separate from the field hikes, Ahlenslager will conduct a workshop on Washington native plants for teachers and other youth group leaders Saturday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Colville Community Center.

Although the session is free, teachers can earn credits through the North Cascades Institute if they wish. The workshop will help teachers set up a curriculum ideal for fourth through eighth grades. Info: (509) 684-7178.

The hikes often go through difficult terrain, requiring hikers to be in good condition. Participants should wear hiking boots and bring a day pack with water, lunch and clothing for unpredictable weather. Car-pooling is encouraged. Participants who plan to drive to the trailheads should show up with a full tank of gas, forest officials advise.

Hikers also should have a Colville National Forest map, available for $3 at ranger stations or at the Forest Service Public Affairs Office, 400 S. Jefferson in Spokane.

Ahlenslager refrained from making a prediction on this year’s wildflower bloom.

“Typically, if you get a cool rainy spring, there will be tons of wildflowers,” she said. “If it’s dry, there will be fewer flowers. But I never can predict a good bloom of flowers. When it’s there, it’s there.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: WILDFLOWER WALKS Following is the schedule for the Colville National Forest’s wildflower walks. May 11, McDowell Lake: Moderate 2.5-mile hike in Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge. Meet 8 a.m. at Colville Ranger Station. Info: (509) 684-7010. May 18, Elk Creek Trail: Moderate 2-mile hike in elk range, past waterfall and meadow. Meet 10 a.m. at Mill Pond Historic Site, about 5 miles east of Metaline Falls on County Road 9345. Info: Sullivan Lake Ranger Station, (509) 446-7500. May 25, Edibles on Andesite: Easy 1-mile hike featuring bitterroots and other ancient food sources for Native Americans. Meet at noon at junction of State Highway 20 and Hall Creek Road, about seven miles east of Republic. Info: Republic Ranger Station, (509) 775-3305. June 8, Hoodoo Canyon: Somewhat difficult 5-mile hike with views of Trout and Emerald Lakes. Meet 9 a.m. at Kettle Falls Ranger Station. Info: (509) 738-6111. June 15, South Skookum Lake: Easy 1-mile hike around a mountain lake to search for fairy slipper orchids, bunchberry dogwood, shooting stars and water lilies, as well as osprey and moose. Meet 10 a.m. at Newport Ranger Station. Info: (509) 447-7300. June 29, Copper Butte fire tour: Difficult hike of up to 8 miles on Copper Butte, scene of 1994 forest fire. Participants can shorten hike if desired. Meet 9:30 a.m. at Old Stage Trailhead just off Lambert Creek Road between Republic and Curlew. Info: Republic Ranger Station, (509) 775-3305. July 13, Chewelah Peak: Difficult off-trail walk to see blooming flowers on steep skiing slopes. Meet 10 a.m. at lodge of 49 Degrees North ski area. Info: Kettle Falls Ranger Station, (509) 738-6111. July 13, Hall Mountain: Somewhat difficult 4-mile hike up Hall Mountain, site of various plant communities and home for bighorn sheep. Meet 9 a.m. at Sullivan Lake Ranger Station. Info: (509) 446-7500. July 20, North Baldy Mountain: Somewhat difficult 2-mile hike along ridge at elev. 6,200 feet, featuring blooming beargrass and views of Pend Oreille River and Priest Lake. Meet 9 a.m. at Sullivan Lake Ranger Station. Info: (509) 446-7500. Oct. 5, Sherman Pass Scenic Byway: Give feet a rest for this auto tour of fall colors near Sherman Pass. Meet 9 a.m. at Barney’s Junction (junction of Highway 395 and Highway 20 west of Kettle Falls). Info: Kettle Falls Ranger Station, 738-6111.

This sidebar appeared with the story: WILDFLOWER WALKS Following is the schedule for the Colville National Forest’s wildflower walks. May 11, McDowell Lake: Moderate 2.5-mile hike in Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge. Meet 8 a.m. at Colville Ranger Station. Info: (509) 684-7010. May 18, Elk Creek Trail: Moderate 2-mile hike in elk range, past waterfall and meadow. Meet 10 a.m. at Mill Pond Historic Site, about 5 miles east of Metaline Falls on County Road 9345. Info: Sullivan Lake Ranger Station, (509) 446-7500. May 25, Edibles on Andesite: Easy 1-mile hike featuring bitterroots and other ancient food sources for Native Americans. Meet at noon at junction of State Highway 20 and Hall Creek Road, about seven miles east of Republic. Info: Republic Ranger Station, (509) 775-3305. June 8, Hoodoo Canyon: Somewhat difficult 5-mile hike with views of Trout and Emerald Lakes. Meet 9 a.m. at Kettle Falls Ranger Station. Info: (509) 738-6111. June 15, South Skookum Lake: Easy 1-mile hike around a mountain lake to search for fairy slipper orchids, bunchberry dogwood, shooting stars and water lilies, as well as osprey and moose. Meet 10 a.m. at Newport Ranger Station. Info: (509) 447-7300. June 29, Copper Butte fire tour: Difficult hike of up to 8 miles on Copper Butte, scene of 1994 forest fire. Participants can shorten hike if desired. Meet 9:30 a.m. at Old Stage Trailhead just off Lambert Creek Road between Republic and Curlew. Info: Republic Ranger Station, (509) 775-3305. July 13, Chewelah Peak: Difficult off-trail walk to see blooming flowers on steep skiing slopes. Meet 10 a.m. at lodge of 49 Degrees North ski area. Info: Kettle Falls Ranger Station, (509) 738-6111. July 13, Hall Mountain: Somewhat difficult 4-mile hike up Hall Mountain, site of various plant communities and home for bighorn sheep. Meet 9 a.m. at Sullivan Lake Ranger Station. Info: (509) 446-7500. July 20, North Baldy Mountain: Somewhat difficult 2-mile hike along ridge at elev. 6,200 feet, featuring blooming beargrass and views of Pend Oreille River and Priest Lake. Meet 9 a.m. at Sullivan Lake Ranger Station. Info: (509) 446-7500. Oct. 5, Sherman Pass Scenic Byway: Give feet a rest for this auto tour of fall colors near Sherman Pass. Meet 9 a.m. at Barney’s Junction (junction of Highway 395 and Highway 20 west of Kettle Falls). Info: Kettle Falls Ranger Station, 738-6111.