Bonney Butte Hawk watching and Forest Creek Loop trail
Bonney Butte is known in the fall to be a good spot to watch for migrating hawks. Hawk Watch International has an official hawk watch site established on the top of Bonney Butte and has been recording the numbers of migrating hawks for several years now. They even catch, band and release hawks which sometimes are released by people viewing on the top of the butte. This is an informative and interesting spot. People going on this trip are encouraged to bring binoculars and a field guide, even though there will be people identifying hawks on the wing for you.
We will leave at 09:00A from the Gateway Park and Ride (southern most parking lot). We will then drive over Government Camp to Bennett Pass on Hwy 35. From Bennett Pass we will ride our bikes on the double track road up to Bonney Butte where we will observe migrating hawks and other birds for several hours. After that we will do some singletrack riding on the Forest Creek Loop trail (or possibly ride down to Boulder Lake) before returning to Bennett Pass.
This will be a good chance for novice riders and intermediate riders to explore some new territory. It will also be a great chance to get to know more about birds. Bring your binoculars! The trip will be repeated in two weeks.
Badger Butte, Boulder Lakes canyon
Here's the area we will explore on the two planned rides to Bonney Butte
Rideshare offered: Bonney Butte
I would love to go, but cannot justify the gas cost if I drive alone. I could take up to 5 bikes and riders in addition to myself. (three is the best number though, it's a Dodge Durango and the third row seat is a bit sketchy for an adult.)
Call me on 360-607-9222 OR email fastboy143@yahoo.com
Barry
Carpoolers for Bonney Butte
Carpoolers for the Bonney Butte ride will meet at the southern parking lot at the Gateway Park and Ride at 8:30A and LEAVE there by 9:00A. We will car pool up to Bennett Pass. From Bennett Pass we will be riding our mountain bikes. Bring food and water. Expect at least 15 to 20 miles of riding. Oh, and since this is a hawk watching ride, bring your binoculars!
See you Saturday!
Dave
we saw hawks!
We saw Sharp-shinned, and Coopers Hawks, Turkey Vulters and Osprey. Barry even got to hold and release a Sharp-shinned Hawk after it was banded! After watching hawks for awhile we rode down to Boulder Lake and explored some of the Boulder Creek drainage before returning to the car.
Gotcha, Thanks Dave!
That was a glorious day of
That was a glorious day of riding and birding. I don't know yet about joining the next ride, but I'm planning to take the fam' up to the hawk watch site next weekend.
Thanks again Dave!