Snoqualmie Pass Area Field Trip (6/24/06) Highlights

On the way into Commonwealth Basin on this trip led by Jim Rettig, we came across a couple of significant snow fields. This scared two of the women that weren't sure about going on. We gave each of them a walking stick and with additional help they were escorted across the field. On the return trip, they both grabbed a stick and walked across the snow fields without help. After it was over, I wondered if I had put myself in a possible litigious situation, had one of them slipped on the snow and injured themselves. If I do this again I will insist that all wear heavy boots with lug soles and carry a walking stick. At another point I had to assist the same two women across a stream that was wide from melting snow. Nevertheless, everyone said they enjoyed the trip. One of the highlights was seeing two fledgling Gray Jays that were all dark gray to black. And, of course, it is always exciting to see an American Dipper and Olive-sided Flycatcher and hear the beautiful song of the Swainson's Thrush and Winter Wren. Other birds seen were Canada Geese, California Quail, Belted Kingfisher, Warbling Vireo, Steller's Jay, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird and House Finch.