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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Camping for a few days on Marrowstone Island. It’s a bit chilly, but the beauty of winter camping is having the campground practically to oneself.
Toleak Beach is located on the coast of Washington. The sea stacks in the background are part of the Giant's Graveyard.
This Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) was unusually relaxed during our hike out on the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge boardwalk. We almost tripped over him before noticing him. Never could see what he was so intently looking at.
Mt. Rainier as seen from the mouth of the Nisqually Delta.
Sunset over the Pacific on Washington's coast.
Just published our latest adventure, or maybe misadventure. You can find the link in my bio up top. - "A Regenerating Dip in Coldwater Lake"
Here's my latest news article regarding the world of citizen-science | "A Summer of Wild and Scenic Rivers"
Low tide on Crescent Bay.
Lake Crescent after the big wind storm we had last night. We got hammered on the beach, losing our weather station from atop the RV. I was recording gust of nearly 40 before we lost our instrumentation. However, all’s good this morning.
Pinto Falls in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This little hidden ravine sits on an otherwise nondescript hillside. Never know what you’re going to find.
Took advantage of the clear skies and set up a day camp on the Washington coast. After a week of forest fire haze, it was a relief to see blue on the horizon.
The North Head lighthouse was built in 1989 just north of the Columbia River on the Washington coast.
Just published our latest adventure - "A Night at Dusty Lake" - You can find the link in my bio up top.
Lewis & Clark had their dog, 'Seaman’ and we have 'Ghost' to round out our team of explorers. Pinto Falls is in the background. A big thanks to Brad for bringing him along.
Tower Rock in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This monolith soars 2000' above the Cispus Valley floor.
Sunrise from basecamp over Tower Rock in the background. Are we sure this is October?
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.
