Wild and Scenic Rivers
For regular readers of this website, it looks like we haven’t been busy this summer, but the exact opposite is true. We’ve been so busy with our science projects, and the event’s in our personal life, that I just haven’t had the time to update things here. I’ll strive to do better.
Short Wild and Scenic Rivers Recap
Our Wild and Scenic River Summer
So our summer entailed making 3 separate trips out to our collection site on the Suiattle River. As a matter of fact, doing the same evolution during the summer is easier as well as more enjoyable than doing it during the winter collections.
The only thing that was really different is that we did make some time to explore more of the Mt. Baker_Snoqualmie National Forest. We traveled as far as FS26 would take us which is the bridge that crosses Downy Creek. It’s my understanding that there was a washout further on. Also of interest was the Buck Creek Campground which was open and situated on the banks of its namesake. It’s a beautiful area and we have plans to explore more.
Support
Our mission is a labor of love, but it does come with overhead. If you’d like to support our efforts we’d certainly appreciate it. Currently, we’re actively participating in the following field research:
- COASST Beached Bird Surveys
- Wild and Scenic River Project
Thank you.
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Steve and Theresa spend the summer making multiple trips to the Suiattle River for the Wild and Scenic River Project.
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This set of pillars made from columnar basalt at the terminus of Frenchman Coulee is popular among rock climbers. Read more about this in the link in bio.
We started our hike to the Frenchman Coulee Waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge early in the morning to beat the heat. However, when we reached the bottom of the waterfall, it was already scorching hot. Follow the link in the bio to read more.
Stormy weather over Fort Worden.
Point Wilson Lighthouse at night. This is a hand held shot with the new iPhone. Hard to believe where tech has taken us.
Large waves from the evening storm crashed against the rocks at the base of Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.
Spending the weekend on the Washington coast near the mouth of the Columbia River. Last night it poured in camp, but this morning the sun broke throught for a bit. Make everything seem a bit warmer.
A road less traveled through the Northern Cascades during the fall season.
Sunset over a lonely section of coastline on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Enjoying the quiet and solitude of an evening camp on Whidbey Island.
A view of Baker River just south of Baker Dam. We arrived midweek and had the place to ourselves despite enduring some showers.
Theresa clings to her cap atop Goats Rock on the SW side of Deception Pass, admiring the view of Puget Sound after a steep climb.
This group of Common Rustgill were at our campsite on the Sagkit River. This is a great time to go out and brush up on your fungi identification skills.
Nature's masterpiece painted across the canvas of the sky, as fiery hues intertwine with the tranquil waters of Deception Pass. Last night's sunset at North Beach left me in awe of the world's endless wonders.
That time of the year to pull out the mycology reference books. Spending a week exploring the forests of the North Cascades. #MycologyMagic #ForestAdventures
Deception Pass State Park is our starting point for a 7 day camping trip through the North Cascades.
A view from last summers trip to Frenchman’s Coulee along the Columbia River Gorge. Missing the warm dry temperatures.
Washington's Recent Fires
As summer gives way to winter, we’re already geared up for another season of monitoring and collecting. We’ve received our calibrated monitors and sampling gear, however, everything is at a standstill due to the late seasonal fires that erupted here in Washington.
As a matter of fact, one of the fires is along the north side of our access road FS26. It’s believed that the fire was sparked by lightning on August 30th. It seems to have consumed at least 2,300 acres. Checking the National Forest Update page it appears that as of October 17th they’ve closed FS26 for its entirety.
As of publishing this article I have a few inquiries out but haven’t heard back if perhaps our permit would allow us access to the river. I’ll post updates here as I receive them.
