Paradise Birding Trip
July 25
WHEN: Thursday, July 25
TIME: All day with early morning start
Leave Martin Way Park & Ride, Lacey at 4 AM
5:15 AM at Whittaker bunkhouse in Alder, Washington
6 AM Paradise Parking Lot
DESTINATION: Pebble Creek, Panorama Point, Mt. Rainier National Park
LEADERS: Miles McEvoy and Lin Stern
REGISTRATION: This trip will be limited to 3 cars with 4 occupants each. Please register with Miles McEvoy at smileybirdmiles@nullgmail.com.
DESCRIPTION: Birding and hiking from Paradise to Pebble Creek in search of White-tailed Ptarmigan, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, American Pipits and other alpine specialties. The hike starts in Paradise and ascends steeply to Pebble Creek. This alpine creek marks the boundary between the front country trails that crisscross Paradise meadows and the trail-less zone of tundra above.
Pebble Creek is halfway between Paradise and Camp Muir. The trail is 4.4 miles roundtrip with 1,760 feet of elevation gain. The highpoint is 7,180 feet. The trail is well-traveled but is steep and at high elevation.
Bring food and water for the day, hiking poles, binoculars, layered clothing as the weather can be unpredictable.
BHAS has loaner binoculars for our field trips. If you wish to borrow, please contact us at 4info@nullblackhills-audubon.org a few days ahead of the trip.
Photo credit: Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch at Paradise, by Rachel Hudson.