Bonney Butte Hawk Watching Bike Ride

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, and get in some bike riding at the same time!

Bring plenty of food and water, and dress according to the weather conditions which can be cool, or warm on Bonney Butte at this time of year.