2017 WBA Field Trips

DateDestination/DescriptionDifficultyTrip Leader/Contact
April 22Cowiche Canyon. A joint Cowiche Canyon Conservancy/ Washington Butterfly Association Earth Day Hike2David James
May 6-7WDFW training session on ‘threatened’ butterfly species fol- lowed by a hike at Juniper Dunes near Pasco to hopefully see the rare Juniper Hairstreak3John Baumann, Ann Potter
May 13Waterworks Canyon. A spectacular flower and butterfly-filled shrub-steppe canyon near Yakima3David James and Melanie Weiss
May 20Snow Mtn Ranch, Yakima. Joint WBA-CCC trip focusing on catching and tagging Coronis Fritillaries for research.3David James
May 20Little Spokane Natural Areas Rutter Canyon John Baumann and Brenda McCracken
June 3Umtanum Canyon. Well-known butterfly canyon between El- lensburg and Yakima, up to 4 miles round trip easy hike, $5 parking fee.3-4 (creek crossings)Melanie Weiss
June 3Dishman Hills Conservancy Illers Creek John Baumann
June 17Swakane Canyon. Spectacular butterfly location near Wenatchee David Nunnallee
July 15-17Annual Conference, Ellensburg  
August 5Bethel Ridge. Spectacular views and high elevation butterfly meadows4David James
August 12, 19, or 26Monarch tagging day at Lower Crab Creek (actual date deter- mined by abundance of Monarchs) David James

Non-consumptive appreciation of butterflies is central to our purpose, basic to our approach, and the guiding principal behind general membership field trips. Collecting of adult butterflies is not allowed on these trips. Collecting of eggs and larval stages for rearing is accepted on condition that individuals raised to adult stage are released at their original location.

DIFFICULTY RATINGS:

  1. Easy, mostly by car, minor walking along roads
  2. Fairly limited walking, some slopes involved.
  3. Moderate, up to 2 miles walking with moderate slopes.
  4. Difficult, hiking required, trails or terrain are steep in places
  5. Very difficult, extended hiking on trails or steep terrain.