Guidelines for compensation for drivers of carpools: $0.25 per mile per car, to be divided among the passengers.  Tolls and ferry fares are additional and are to be divided among all those in the car.

Puget Creek Watershed, Tacoma.  Scott Hansen, leader.  This will be a tour of the restoration work being conducted in the Puget Creek Watershed (north end area of Tacoma).  It will start with a look at the beach area and its native vegetation, followed by an exploration of both the upslope and stream/wetland areas where native species are being used to help restore the natural flora.  Scott is the Ecologist for the Puget Creek Restoration Society and is on its Board of Directors.  The Society is emphasizing the use of a variety of native evergreens, deciduous trees, shrubs and groundcovers in its efforts for the Creek.

The trip will be about 2 - 2.5 miles long, with a moderate elevation gain of about 60 feet.  It will last about 3 hours, depending on the number of questions from participants.  Rubber boots are a "must" (there will be some available to loan if necessary), and bring rain gear if appropriate, as well as snacks and water.

Elk Heights Road.  This will be a joint trip with the Central Puget Sound Chapter.  We will hike up the road from shrub-steppe into Douglas fir forest to the top of the ridge, about three miles.  Wild peonies, big-headed clover and mountain snowberry should be blooming along the road.   Meet at the southwest side of the Elk Heights interchange on I-90 at 9:00AM.  Don Knoke, leader.  Email:  donknoke@yahoo.com  Phone:  (509) 964-2274

State Audubon Campout. Flower hikes led by WNPS members on Saturday and Sunday.  For more information, see www.wenasaudubon.org

Iron Peak.  We will climb to Iron Peak on Trail 1399 from FS Road 9739 in the North Fork Teanaway.  This trail passes through the Eldorado Creek RNA that Art Kruckeberg helped establish, climbing 2100’ in 3.5 miles to 6100’ Iron Peak.  The trail climbs up a sparsely forested mountainside, through rocky meadows, across creek basins to the treeless ridgetop where the local endemics Chaenactis thompsonii, Lomatium cuspidatum and Claytonia megarhiza might be blooming.   Meet at the west side of the Super 1 parking lot in Ellensburg at 9:00 AM.   DJ Shook, leader.  Email:  shookdj@yahoo.com   Phone:  (509) 210-9694

Polallie Ridge Trail #1309.  The first 2.5 miles is a fairly steep climb, 2400’ to 4800’, passing through timber and around rocky bluffs.  Bring sturdy boots, layered clothing, water and a big lunch. 

North Fork Ahtanum.  This trip will explore another area of the Ahtanum State Forest.  We will drive to the Dead Hole (el. 5200’) and hike, depending on snow conditions, to either Blue Lake (el. 6200;) or Darland Mountain (el. 6980’).  Round trip distance is about 4-5 miles with 1000-1500’ elevation gain.  Dead Hole is a treeless, lithosol area, where we should find early-season alpine flowers up to snowline. 

Scatter Creek.  We will climb the Scatter Creek Trail 1328 from FS Road 2405 about a miles south of Tucquala Lake on the Cle Elum River.  When I hiked this trail years ago with a group led by Art Kruckeberg, I remember seeing Phacelia procera at the trail head, Ttollius laxus where we hit snow and turned back, and Habeneria unalaschensis somewhere in between.  

Sheep Lake in the Goat Rocks Wilderness.  WNPS Annual Backpack.  See Douglasia Winter 2008 for details. 

Andy Creek Trail, Russell Ridge.  We will hike the Andy Creek Trail (north of Rimrock Reservoir) to the top of Russell Ridge, then to Fox Meadow and Ironstone Mountain.  Round trip distance is about five miles.  Expect to see late season subalpine flowers. 

Naches Peak Loop Trail.  We will hike the loop trail around Naches Peak from the parking area at Chinook Pass, about three miles.  Grass of Parnassis, alpine aster and harebell are some of the plants we expect to find in bloom.

Moran State Park, Orcas Island Botanical Survey.

An inviation to all who like to botanize: bring plant books and loupes and spend a couple of days surveying sensitive plants in the Park.  Accommodation is free in Park cabins, not fancy, but most have bathrooms and showers and theire is a common dining hall.  Various options for meals.  Organized by the Center for the Historical Ecology of the Salish Sea and Moran State Park. All WNPS chapters welcome.  More details by e-mail.

Lake Padden Trails.  This walk starts at the west end of Lake Padden and wanders through mixed conifer and riparian habitats of this wonderful park. No registration is required.  Just show up and enjoy the walk.

Big Buck, Methow Wildlife Area.  Butterflying for beginners with a moderate walk to a few moist spots in the hills northeast of Shaw Lake.  Brin close-focus binoculars, nets, jars, and butterfly field guides if you have them.  No collecting, just catch-and-release.

We must limit the number of cars, as access is limited and there are a few gates to go through.  If it's too cool for butterflies and raining slightly, we'll walk anyway.  If it's pouring buckets, we'll postpone.  If you're uncertain, call Joyce that morning between 7 and 8:15 AM.

Thompson Spit, Miller Peninsula. This hike is to a lovely beach in state park lands along the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  Flora on the beach includes Fragaria chiloensis, Fritillaria lanceolata, Plectritis congesta, and other beachside favorites.  There are also great views of Protection Island. 

Point Wilson Conservation Workparty. We will continue to upgrade the areas we are trying to protect by installing more permanent trail barriers and replacing some of the deteriorating signage.  We may be doing some invasive plant removal also, so bring work gloves and a positive attitude. 

Griff Creek Trail. This is a strenuous uphill hike for three miles that ends at some intriguing balds that overlook the Elhwa River and Lake Mills. The elevation gain is close to 3000 ft.   Bring hand lens and botany books, some good food and be prepared for a change in weather.  This trip is somewhat exploratory in nature, as it is not a familiar haunt, so be prepared to deviate from the plans a bit.  For this reason, let us know if you are planning on joining us: Contact Sharon Schlentner sschlentner@waypoint.com, (360) 379-9810 or Wendy McClure (360) 779-3820 wendymac3@embarqmail.com.

Mt. Townsend. If there is enough interest we will try a key exchange with one group starting at the Big Quilcene trailhead #839 (arriving at the peak in 3 miles with a 3000 ft. elevation gain)and the other starting from the Little Quilcene trailhead #835 (3.2 miles, 2100 ft. gain). We will be treated to meadows of wildflowers as well as rare plant(s) and several endemics. Over 225 vascular plant species have been reported from this popular destination.

For details, changes or to let the leader know you will be coming, call the leader. Plant lists for many of these hikes are available on the chapter website or the WNPS state website. For general information, questions or suggestions call Jim Duemmel, 360-733-3448 or j.duemmel@att.net.