Category Archives: History of hikes and outings

January/February Outings

A Winter Hike for the New Year

Whidbey Stones

On January 4, 2019, the Natural History Society led a winter hike at Ebey’s Landing on Whidbey Island. Named after the first European settler on Whidbey, Ebey’s Landing is comprised of state, national, and private parcels totaling 17,400 acres. We walked across fields to golden bluffs that tower above the surf, then dropped down (a bit steeply) to wander along a beautiful beach and gaze at the snowcapped Olympic Mountains.

Nereocystis luetkeana (Bull Kelp)

We took the ferry and began at the Prairie Overlook for a 5.2-mile lollipop loop-hike with about 300 feet of elevation gain and loss.

Janell at JLTnatural@saveland.org organized carpools. Non-drivers paid $5 for gas.

 

Walk the Wildlife Corridor

Male Pileated Woodpecker

On January 25, 2019, the Natural History Society guided a four-mile walk between North Beach and Middlepoint through the Quimper Wildlife Corridor (QWC). The QWC is a conservation partnership led by Jefferson Land Trust. Lands within the corridor are owned and protected by the Land Trust, the state, county, city, and private landowners.

Licorice Ferns

According to Sarah Spaeth at the Land Trust, QWC “is important for managing storm-water and keeping our local water clean. It also creates an urban wildlife refuge that provides natural habitat and safe passage for mammals, birds, and amphibians. For Port Townsend’s growing population, it provides open space and recreational trails.” Lee at JLTnatural@saveland.org provided details.

Winter ID—Appreciating Plants All Year Long

On November 28, 2018, the Natural History Society joined for a morning exploring Fort Worden with botanist Cheryl Lowe.

Identifying plants in the winter involves looking for different clues than at other times of year. These clues also give us an increased appreciation for things that we might not notice when flowers or fruits are so obvious. Bark patterns, bud scales, prickles or spines, branching patterns, or maybe a few lingering berries are the winter characteristics we notice now.

BInoculars, a hand lens, and a field guide all came in handy. Trails were in good shape, with some wet sections.

Lee at JLTnatural@saveland.org provided details about when and where to meet.

A Natural and Un-Natural History of Cappy’s Trails

On October 10, 2018, the Natural History Society led an exploration of the wild and re-wilding pathways of Cappy’s Trails in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor (QWC). We investigated Jefferson Land Trust’s flagship conservation project with Preserve Steward Kathy Darrow. She focused on how the landscape is restoring itself, with some help from Land Trust volunteers, after 100+ years of colonization.

Pileated Woodpeckers, vintage vehicles, terrestrial orchids, English holly, natural wetlands, and sewer lines are all part of this complex blend of mixed coniferous forest and 20th century human influences.

Nan at JLTnatural@saveland.org was the contact person for more details.

September Outings

Explore Miller Peninsula

On September 10, 2018, the Natural History Society led a hike through a lush ravine to a remote beach on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This is a 7.7-mile walk with 590’ of elevation change on the Miller Peninsula off of Diamond Point Road near Sequim.

We arrived at the beach in time to explore the spit during a minus tide, and enjoy lunch and views of Protection Island.

Michele at JLTnatural@saveland.org was the contact person for trip details and carpool arrangements. Non-drivers paid $3 for gas.

 

An Insect Afternoon

Harpaphe haydeniana (Yellow-spotted millipede)

Entomologist Richard Lewis joined the Natural History Society on September 22, 2018, for a two-mile insect exploration around Gibbs Lake. We walked through an evergreen forest, beside the lake, and into areas of understory growth and deciduous trees, which all provide habitat for different insects.

Richard caught and identified insects in/under fallen wood, flying around, in the water, and on trees/leaves. He found common insects like beetles, butterflies, ants, bees, wasps, dragonflies, and flies, as well as lesser known springtails, crane flies, and water bugs. We also looked for signs of insects, discussed insect biology, morphology, and diversity, and the role insects play in forest health.

Rhionaeschna multicolor (Blue-eyed Darner) dragonfly

Richard Lewis has a bachelor’s degree in Entomology from the University of Delaware and a master’s from WSU. He works part time with WSU extension doing talks, insect ID’s, and raising honey bees.

Lee at JLTnatural@saveland.org organized carpools. Non-drivers paid $2 for gas.

A Summer Hike

On August 22, 2018, the Natural History Society led a summer hike along the Upper Dungeness River trail.

This was an easy stroll along a roaring river and among towering trees. The forest canopy was magnificent, with old growth Douglas-fir more than 200 feet high and hundreds of years old. The forest floor was a green, mossy carpet with an array of fascinating fungi.

The trail crosses the river at 2.6 miles, and a junction at 3.2 miles takes you right to the Camp Handy shelter. This is a great turn-around spot for an easy day on the trail.

It is a 1 hour 45 minute drive to the trailhead, a good portion of which is on dirt road. Carpools were organized, and non-drivers paid $10 for gas.