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FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2022
Any time
Site selection and sign in
Select a site, set up camp and sign in at the Larrison Tree. (PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY ON THE LIST.)
5:30 AM
Death March Prequel
Jack Seifert, Seattle Audubon
Reviving a fabled Wenas tradition, this “Death March” will hike over land from camp as far up Bald Mountain as snow conditions permit. The goal of this steady-paced hike will be the springs, tiny lakes and sweeping vistas from Bald Mountain. Potential to spot Williamson’s Sapsucker, Clark’s Nutcracker and Canada Jay. Return by camp-fire circle; bring food, water, extra clothing and 10 Essentials. This is a full day march.
7:00 PM
Evening Program
Wenas Org. Committee
Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle, look for signage for location. See programs for details.
SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2022
All Day
Wenas Little Free Library
Look for the Wenas Little Free Library and help yourself to a variety of books and magazines about birds and nature. Feel free to bring books to donate to the library as well.
5:30 AM
Early bird walk
A casual stroll around Wenas camp for early birding, returning in time for later morning trips. Morning birding is best, according to early risers.
6:30 AM
The Legendary Wenas Death March
Jack Seifert, Seattle Audubon
No one has truly died on this fabled Wenas “Death March,” an over-land trek from Wenas campground and up Bald Mountain as far as snow conditions permit. The goal of this steady-paced hike will be the springs, tiny lakes and sweeping vistas from Bald Mountain. Potential to spot Williamson’s Sapsucker, Clark’s Nutcracker and Canada Jay. Return by camp-fire circle; bring food, water, extra clothing and 10 Essentials. This is a full day march.
7:30 AM
Manastash Ridge Drive
Lamont McLachlan, Yakima Audubon
A drive along green-dot roads to Manastash Ridge features rolling hills, spectacular wildflowers and the potential to spot Mountain Bluebirds and raptors riding the ridge thermals. We’ll pause to look at birds and flowers; minimal walking. Back in time for lunch. While high-clearance 4-wheel drive is not necessary, this trip is off pavement. Carpool spots available.
8:00 AM
Downstream trip
Neil Zimmerman, Seattle Audubon
A casual stroll along the riparian areas within the Wenas Creek campground. Good chance to see warblers, Veery, American Dipper and other riparian birds. Easy walking. Meet at the vault toilet in camp.
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Bird Jim and Carolyn’s Place
Jim Leier and Carolyn Comeau, Yakima Audubon
Drop by the Wenas Creek Ranch, 21200 N. Wenas Road, to enjoy the birds in the immediate yard and north side of the road. In the yard you may see Bullock’s Oriole, Lazuli Bunting, Lewis’ Woodpecker, Cassin’s Finch and more. The north side of the property offers sagebrush steppe and a Ponderosa grove for a wider variety of species. Beverages and snacks will be available. While we enjoy visiting, please practice COVID-safe protocols.
9:00 AM
Campground Wildflower Walk
Paul Slichter and Susan Saul, Vancouver Audubon
Meet at the campfire circle to hike from the campground up Hog Ranch Road and return via Hog Ranch Ridge. Hiking boots are recommended for rocky off-road walking. Return to camp by lunch. The 2019 plant list is available here.
NOON
Larrison Tree
Lunch with other birders (Informal)
Join other campers at Larrison tree to picnic, socialize and bird watch. Bring a lunch or snack, binoculars,scopes and something to sit on. Meet new birders or old friends.
1:00 PM to 3:00 pm
Field Sketching
Carleen Zimmerman and Nancy Merrill, Seattle Audubon
Meet at the vault toilet for a field sketching workshop that will cover sketching tools, techniques and bird-drawing basics. A family activity for kids and adults; please bring your own art supplies and a lawn chair if you have one. Minimal walking required.
1:30 PM
BlueBird Monitoring
Carol Kohler, Vancouver Audubon
Great family activity. Help check the bluebird houses erected by Yakima Valley Audubon. Meet Carol Kohler at the Larrison Tree for a short orientation and to be assigned one of eight sections to monitor at your convenience. Any unclaimed sections will be placed in a box at the Larrison Tree for others to claim. Involves driving.
2:00 pm
Hardy Canyon
Liz and Ed Brown, Pilchuck Audubon
A “must do” walk for Yellow-Breasted Chats, orioles and other birds attracted to the fields and riparian areas along Wenas Creek. This area burned during summer of 2020, so we will explore how fire has changed the habitat and see the initial stages of revegetation. Meet at the campfire circle to carpool to the trailhead. Easy, level walking. Back in time for cocktails and dinner.
7:00 PM
Evening Program
Carol Kohler, Vancouver Audubon
Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle. See programs page for special speakers and agenda.
SUNDAY, MAY 29, 2022
All Day
Wenas Little Free Library
Look for the Wenas Little Free Library and help yourself to a variety of books and magazines about birds and nature. Feel free to bring books to donate to the library as well.
5:30 AM
Early bird walk
A casual stroll around Wenas camp for early birding, returning in time for later morning trips. Morning birding is best, according to early risers.
Any time
Bluebird Monitoring
Great family activity. Help check the bluebird houses and collect data. See Saturday entry.
7:00 AM
upper dry creek
Michael Hobbs, Eastside Audubon
A hike from camp along Dry Creek, an excellent place to see flycatchers, Veery and warblers. The hike is roughly 3.3 miles on a fairly broad, level but rocky path. Dry Creek is anything but this year so we will have to cross the stream at least twice and navigate overflow on the trail in places. Once you go on this hike, you’ll want to repeat it every year!
8:00 AM
Black canyon
Ed and Liz Brown, Pilchuck Audubon
The classic Wenas trip. This is an all-day hike of 8 miles round-trip that goes to the alpine area at the top and back. This area burned in 2020, so there may be surprises. We’ll stop at an old homestead cabin, where a riparian area offers good birds, a shady stop for lunch and sometimes owls. The trail continues through Ponderosa groves and past a livestock tank that’s usually birdy. The top offers sweeping vistas of the surrounding valleys. Walking is on abandoned logging roads. Meet at the campfire circle for carpools to the trailhead.
8:00 AM
Downstream Trip
Neil Zimmerman, Seattle Audubon
A casual stroll along the riparian areas within the Wenas Creek campground. Good chance to see warblers, Veery, American Dipper and other riparian birds. Easy walking. Meet at the vault toilet in camp.
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Bird Jim and Carolyn’s Place
Jim Leier and Carolyn Comeau, Yakima Audubon
Drop by the Wenas Creek Ranch, 21200 N. Wenas Road, to enjoy the birds in the immediate yard and north side of the road. In the yard you may see Bullock’s Oriole, Lazuli Bunting, Lewis’ Woodpecker, Cassin’s Finch and more. The north side of the property offers sagebrush steppe and a Ponderosa grove for a wider variety of species. Beverages and snacks will be available. While we enjoy visiting, please practice COVID-safe protocols.
NOON
Larrison Tree
lunch with other birders (informal)
Join other campers at Larrison tree to picnic, socialize and bird watch. Bring a lunch or snack, binoculars,scopes and something to sit on. Meet new birders or old friends.
1:00 PM Wenas Lake
This field trip is the best opportunity to add ducks and water birds to your weekend bird count. It is a short drive, then an easy walk along inlet marsh to spot birds, including Bank Swallows, orioles, kingbirds and tanagers. There will be a stop for ice cream after the birding at the Wenas Lake store, where Say’s Phoebe often nests and the hummingbird feeders stay busy. Carpool from the Larrison Tree.
1:00 PM to 3:00 pm
Field Sketching
Carleen Zimmerman and Cinny Burrell, Seattle Audubon
Meet at the Larrison Tree with your art supplies and seat for nature field sketching. The locations will be in camp and/or at the Wenas Creek Ranch, weather permitting and transportation allowing. Minimal walking required.
7:00 PM
Evening Program
Carol Kohler, Vancouver Audubon
Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle. See programs page for special speakers and agenda.
MONDAY, MAY 30, 2022
5:30 AM
Early bird walk
A casual stroll around Wenas camp for early birding.
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Bird Jim and Carolyn’s Place
Jim Leier and Carolyn Comeau, Yakima Audubon
Say farewell to Wenas and drop by the Wenas Creek Ranch, 21200 N. Wenas Road, to enjoy the birds in the immediate yard and north side of the road. Bullock’s Oriole, Lazuli Bunting, Lewis’ Woodpecker, Cassin’s Finch and more. Beverages and snacks will be available. While we enjoy visiting, please practice COVID-safe protocols.
7:00 PM
Evening Program
Wenas Org. Committee
Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle. See programs page for details.
Wenas Audubon Campout 