Margins of the Eastern Cascades Field Trip

Central Washington University 400 E University Way, Ellensburg

Margins of the Eastern Cascades:  Western Kittitas Basin—Lower Teanaway—Lower Swauk Loop Topics will include volcanism, tectonics, alpine glaciation, landslides, and stream channel changes in the area between Ellensburg, Cle Elum, and Lauderdale Junction.  Here’s the schedule and the topics to be covered:  9:30     Meet at CWU Parking Lot O-5 9:45     Depart 10:00  Stop 1—WA Highway 10 Along Yakima River—Climate transitions; Yakima River Watershed; Ellensburg Formation origin & age; 10:45  Depart 11:00  Stop 2—Hayward Hill Road—Thorp Gravels origins & age; Alpine glaciation; Outwash terraces 11:45  Depart 12:00  Stop 3—Teanaway River Floodplain—Columbia River Basalts; Teanaway River floodplain, discharge & flooding; Lookout Mountain landslide 12:45  Depart to find restrooms in Cle Elum 1:30     Stop 4—Swauk Prairie—Teanaway Formation flow origin & age; Glaciers & climate; Glacier impacts on Teanaway & Swauk paths 2:15     Depart 2:30     Stop 5—Horse Canyon Overlook—Horse Canyon enigma; Wrap-up 3:15     Depart 3:30     Arrive in Ellensburg  Logistics: This trip is free and open to the public. Plan on carpooling.  We have, at most, about 30 parking spots at Stop 1. There will be very little hiking associated with this field trip.  On all stops, we will be within a couple of hundred feet of our automobiles. There are no restroom or picnic facilities along our field trip route.  Therefore, we will break briefly so you can make a very quick trip to Cle Elum between Stop 3 and Stop 4.  Plan on eating lunch/snacks on the road or at the stops.  There won’t be a formal lunch stop given the lack of facilities and time. Dogs and kids are fine to bring as long as they are well-behaved. Dress for the weather.  Early April here can vary from sunny and warm to windy & chilly, all in a day!  A windbreaker is a really good idea. I will post a pdf of the field guide by 19 March on my CWU website at https://www.cwu.edu/academics/geography/_documents/karl-lillquist.php.  Scroll down the page to “Field Guides”.  You will find it under “Margins of the Eastern Cascades”.  Feel free to download and bring it on the field trip in digital format or print it out. The Ellensburg Chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute will also provide ~40 hard copies of the field guide for the trip.  There is no cost for the field guides.  However, if you are not a member of the Ellensburg Chapter, please consider making a donation to the chapter to help cover the costs of the field guides (each cost ~$12). I hope you can join us on Saturday April 5th. Karl Lillquist

Cheney-Spokane Chapter Hike – Fishtrap Lake Scablands

Fishtrap Lake North Loop Sprague

The Cheney-Spokane Chapter of the IAFI is scheduling a hike at the north loop trailhead of Fishtrap Lake on Saturday, April 5th. The hike will start at 10:00 a.m. It will be led by Don Chadbourne, geologist and board member of the Cheney-Spokane Chapter. You will meet the leader at the trailhead. Fishtrap Lake, Washington (BLM Photo) Description of Hike The hike will begin and end at the north trailhead at Fishtrap Lake. The hike will follow the north loop trail, with a total length of about 5 miles.  The trail is mostly single track over dirt and rock, with an elevation gain and loss of about 500 feet.  The hike will provide an intimate view of the channeled scablands that were carved out by the ice age floods.  Features will include pothole lakes, rock benches, Mima mounds, and streamlined and scarped Palouse hills.  The hike will also provide wide open views of Fishtrap Lake and the surrounding country.  This hike is included in On the Trail of the Ice Age Floods – Northern Reaches, by Bjornstad & Kiver.  However, we will be following trails that were constructed after the book was published. Directions to the trailhead From I-90 take Exit 254 and proceed south 2.4 miles on the Sprague Highway. Turn left (east) on Fishtrap Road and proceed 0.6 miles to the trailhead parking on the right. Register for the hike using the buttons below. This event will be limited to 20 hikers. Items to bring with you: appropriate shoes, day pack, water, snacks, appropriate clothing for changes in the weather, sun protection, emergency items, camera and binoculars. Walking poles will be helpful. The hike is free; however, donations for support of Chapter activities will be accepted. For addition questions contact Don at 509-891-5875.