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Nature Center Events - Week of June 6-12

Hiking, Biking, Bird Watching, and Stewardship Stream Volume Measurements fill this week's Nature Center events.

MONDAY, JUNE 6
Hike: Cabin Creek-Dog Creek Loop
Time: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: Moderate
Standard Pace: 5.5 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 1,100’   Maximum Elevation: 6,910’
We will begin this hike at the trailhead to Cabin Creek located about 2 miles south of the Red painted bridge in the Snake River Canyon. We follow a maintained trail through the bottom of a beautiful forested canyon alongside Cabin Creek filled with numerous active beaver ponds. We gain almost all of our elevation in the first 3.5 miles to a beautiful forested saddle, then drop down through mature spruce/fir forests to the trail junction along Dog Creek. We then have an easy hike down Dog Creek to our vehicle. We will need to shuttle a vehicle about 2 miles to the Dog Creek Trailhead.
Bring: Daypack, lunch, water, sunscreen
Notes: Dogs are welcome.

TUESDAY, JUNE 7
Hike: Game Creek
Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: Easy
Standard Pace: 6 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 460’   Maximum Elevation: 6,630’
This is a very enjoyable ‘out and back’ loop hike where we’ll explore the beaver ponds near the upper part of the canyon. This trail follows a gentle but consistent uphill for the first 2 miles, then levels out. This is nice opportunity to get re-acquainted with some of the more common wildflowers we’ll see all summer.
Bring: bike, helmet, water bottles, warm layer, sunscreen.
Notes: Please stop by or give me a call if I can answer any questions.

Stewardship: Stream Volume Measurements
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center
Description: Conducting a ‘stream profile’ consists of using a ‘digital flow meter’ that records the average volume of water at mid-depth at every foot across the creek. This is how we come up with an average stream velocity. We will set up a standard protocol for recording at all three spring creeks. This is a great opportunity to pull on the waders, enjoy a slow quiet morning on the water, learn more about the ecology of our precious creeks and help me record meaningful data!
Bring: appropriate clothing for the morning, rain or shine!
Notes: We will provide hip waders.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8
Road Cycling: 3 Creek Ranch – Fish Creek Road
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Meet at Nature Center at 8:00 AM
Description: Moderate
Distance: 25.6 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 410’   Maximum Elevation:6,385’
With the new bike completed along HW 22, we will ride the first 8 miles and 90’ of elevation gain along the pathway from the Nature Center to the start of Fish Creek road. We will then ride the remaining 4.8 miles on Fish Creek, gaining the last 210’ of elevation gain in the final 2 miles to the end of the paved County road. Although there is not much of a shoulder on Fish Creek road, traffic is minimal and drivers are aware of cyclists.
Bring: bike, helmet, water bottles, warm layer, sunscreen.
Notes: Please stop by or give me a call if you need help preparing your bike or other cycling needs

Office Hours
Time: 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Nature Center
Notes: Stop by the Nature Center for a casual visit to say hello, request some help planning your next outdoor adventure, or bring your guests for a tour of the Center.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9
Hike: Willow Creek and Elk Ridge Loop
Time: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: MODERATE
Standard Pace: 6 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 1,170'     Maximum Elevation: 7, 482'
We will start this hike about 6 miles up the Hoback Canyon at the end of the Bryan Flats Road. This is a beautiful hike that loops through open forests to a ridge line that offer spectacular views in all directions of the Hoback Range. We will travel on a well maintained trail. Expect a beautiful display of wildflowers as we make our way along the ridge line.
Bring: Daypack, lunch, water, sunscreen
Notes: Dogs are welcome. Enjoyable early season hike.

FRIDAY, JUNE 10
Birding Walk: South Park Management Area
Time: 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 7:30 AM
Description: Easy & Slow Pace
Please join me for a very casual morning bird walk along the South Park levee. We will walk about 2 miles on a maintained two-track road through cottonwood and willow forest and adjacent to the Snake River-a fabulous place to see birds... The very first step to enjoying and appreciating birds is simply to increase our awareness of them. We’ll focus our time detecting the most common birds in the area, discuss identification skills using bird books and the latest ‘Birding Apps’ for the IPad, and some of the best places to watch birds. I encourage all of the ‘beginner birders’ out there to join us, as my goal is simply to help you ‘See more birds’…
Bring: Binoculars, water bottle, warm layer, sunscreen.
Notes: I have two pairs of binoculars to loan for the morning. Please stop by or give me a call if I can answer any questions.

SUNDAY, JUNE 12
Office Hours
Time: 10:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Nature Center
Notes: Stop by the Nature Center for a casual visit to say hello, request some help planning your next outdoor adventure, or bring your guests for a tour of the Center.

Roger Smith
Resident Naturalist
3 Creek Ranch Nature Center

3 Creek Outings are reserved for club members and homeowners.