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Non-consumptive appreciation of butterflies is central to our purpose and basic to our approach. This is the guiding principal behind general membership field trips. Collecting of adult butterflies is not allowed on general membership field trips. Collecting of eggs and larval stages for rearing is accepted on the condition that individuals raised to adult stage are to be released at their original location.

The butterflying season in Washington lasts from March through August or September.
See additional notes about field trips following the schedule.

Sign up for field trips at a WBA monthly meeting.
or by contacting WBA Secretary, Donna Shaeffer at 206-525-5328.

General membership trips for 2009:

Date	Destination		Trip Leader
Sat April 4	Schnebley Coulee between Ellensburg and Vantage rescheduled to April 5		David Nunnallee
Sat April 18	Lower Umtanum Canyon near Ellensburg		David Nunnallee
Sat May 23	Manastash Ridge near Ellensburg
Sat May 30	Tahuya - near Hood Canal Meet at Belfair State Park at 10am.		Idie Ulsh / Carolyn Heberlein
Sun June 14	Discovery Park Seattle - Rain or shine beginners trip		David Droppers / Al Wagar
Sat June 20	Reecer Big Day near Ellensburg		Richard Youel
Sun June 28	4th of July Butterfly Count Chumstick Mountain near Wenatchee Unofficial Butterfly List		Al Wagar / David Droppers / Richard Youel
Friday-Sunday July 17- 19	WBA Annual Conference, Yakima Unofficial Butterfly List		David James
Sat Aug 1	Monte Cristo Trail and Mountain Loop Highway - Snohomish County We will be hiking up to the old mining town of Monte Cristo, butterflying along the way. Learn of the research that has taken place in the Darrington Ranger District concerning the Johnson's Hairstreak, while walking through 250 year old forest along the beautiful Sauk River. We will also be looking for several county records, possibly Large Wood Nymph or Great Spangled Fritillary. Hope you can join us.		David Droppers
Sat Aug 8	Mount Townsend - in Olympics Cancelled The last trip we took up there we saw 31 different species, but we could see as many as 41. There are seven subspecies that we could see that fly ONLY in the Olympic mountains. We will meet at 8:00 am at the Quilcene Ranger station. The reason for the early departure is that those wanting to go to the top and see the spectacular view as well as some unique subspecies, need this time to be at the top during good butterflying. The hike is a steady uphill going, but those of reasonably good physical condition should have no trouble. The meadows half way up are very good in themselves, so not all need to go to the top. So far we have a group of five, but could use some more.		Bob Hardwick
Sat Aug 15	Sauk Mountain on North Cascades Highway 20 Vimeo video by Al Wagar http://www.vimeo.com/6181568 Youtube video by Al Wagar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQBsMCBZWMw Expect to see Clodius Parnassians, Margined Whites, Blues (possibly including Arctic), Coppers, Western Meadow Frits, Mylitta Crescents, and possibly Vidler Alpines. Trailhead is almost exactly 100 miles from Ravenna Park & Ride, of which the last 6 miles are a steep, winding gravel road-- some potholes, no clearance issues, and any passenger car can make it without problem. Trailhead is at 4300 feet, summit at 5500 feet, with trail 2.1 miles one-way. But, one needn't go all the way up for a good outing. There are good flower beds along the road a few miles before the trailhead as well as at the trailhead and lower part of trail.		Al Wagar
Sat Aug 22	Quartz Mountain near Ellensburg Cancelled Quartz Mountain is a great late-season butterflying destination south of Cle Elum on Manastash Ridge. We'll carpool to beautiful high-elevation meadows and the mountaintop. Long, dusty, washboard road, mostly with no clearance problems. However near the top of the mountain some rough spots need at least moderately good clearance. Elevation at the top approx 6000 ft, should be green if anything still is. Should be lots of parnassians flying at the crest.		Maureen Traxler

WHERE & WHEN TO MEET: Trips will depart from the Ravenna Park & Ride at 7:00 a.m. unless expressly stated otherwise. The park & ride is located under I-5 at Ravenna Blvd between NE 50th & NE 65th St. We meet in the north half of the park & ride.

On request will also stop at the Issaquah Park & Ride at 7:30 a.m. To reach the Issaquah Park & Ride, From I-90 turn south at Exit 15 (the westernmost of the two Issaquah exits). Go 0.4 mile south, through ~4 traffic lights, to a traffic light at Newport Way. Turn left (east) on Newport Way and drive a short block to the first traffic light, where turn right (south) into the park & ride. Note: the multi-story parking garage north of Newport Way is *not* where we meet for field trips.

If you live in another part of the state, contact the trip coordinator to make arrangements to meet the field trip group.

All field trips are conducted by carpool. Without the volunteer participation of drivers the trips are not possible. If you have a car you are willing to drive, please have the gas tank full and ready to go.

All WBA-sponsored field trips are fully insured through our parent organization, NABA.

COSTS:Passengers are expected to share gasoline expenses. Typically this is $8-10 each. It is suggested that each rider also pay the driver a share of any park entry fees, ferry fares, etc.

The trip leader will collect a voluntary donation of $5 per person (children under 12 are free) for each field trip to help offset expenses of the organization.

CANCELLATIONS: If you need to cancel, please remember to contact the trip coordinator as soon as you can so the group does not wait for you at the park & ride.

SCHEDULING & WEATHER: Weather is always a major factor for planning butterfly trips in Washington, particularly March through June. The key to dealing with weather is flexibility; our leaders reserve the right to make last-minute itinerary changes in order to provide you with the best possible butterfly experience. On occasion it may be necessary to cancel or postpone an outing if the weather does not permit a viable alternative. The flow of the season is also important, and it may be necessary to adjust some trips to earlier or later dates to best match the seasonal weather patterns. WBA will make every effort to keep you informed of any changes.