Soaking in the PNW Fall with the Roosevelt Elk Calves at Lookout Mountain

Meeting up at Lookout Mountain on a drizzly December day, the Roosevelt Elk Calves were finally reunited with nearly the whole group. After our last outing navigating along Chuckanut Ridge with only half the group, it was great to see the whole gang of Elk Calves back together again. Of course, the playful energy of this group was on full display from the moment they were dropped off. However, after getting prompted by the mentors to circle up around the map they quickly pulled it together as they have continually proven capable of doing. We shared what we did on our last outing with those who missed it discussing navigation, honing our internal compass, and what natural features and tendencies we can utilize to help us navigate in wild spaces. The group was able to recall everything we talked about from using the sign to determine the cardinal directions, to remembering the number/direction of turns on a trail map, to pulling on local knowledge of the landscape to orient ourselves. The Roosevelt Elk Calves were then prompted with picking a location on the map to navigate to and with some collaboration and compromise we came to a consensus and hit the trail.

Planning our day on the trailhead map

Luckily, a friendly hiker informed us there was some brush clearing taking place along the main gravel road. Looking at the map we determined the best route to take to avoid the main trail and were able to make it all the way to our destination with only crossing over the main trail once. Along the way we encountered quite a few downed trees across the trail, so the Explorers took it upon themselves to use a pack saw to clear the way. Not only was this a nice way for us to leave a place better than how we found it, but taking turns sawing up the trees helped keep us warm on a chilly day. Eventually we made it to the waterfall lookout and stopped to eat some lunch before continuing on.

Working on tree #1

Working away on Tree #2

Many hands makes light work, plus taking turns kept us all warm!

 Mustering ourselves with full bellies we continued to push up the trail to our final destination to hang out by the creek area above the waterfall. Upon settling in to our destination we decided to spend some time playing games before transitioning to free time. The Roosevelt Elk Calves came up a with a game much like sumo wrestling where they took turns going one-on-one trying to push the other out of a circle. Of course we needed to make this into a tournament so the Explorers worked their way through a bracket system to arrive at a champion before splitting off for free time. 

Eating lunch by the waterfall

 With an expansive environment and a variety of interests to pursue in our remaining time we all broke off into smaller groups and got busy building a bridge to cross the creek, practicing our fire skills, or just hanging out and romping around the forest. The bridge building crew was under tight supervision as the creek was flowing quite strong and it was a cold day. The remaining Explorers got together to try and see if they could gather enough kindling in 10 minutes to start fire with matches. This was no easy feat as the forest was absolutely saturated and we couldn’t find any material that wasn’t at least a little damp. Of course, some of the Roosevelt Elk Calves remembered that Western Hemlock makes some of the best kindling you can find. With its spindly branches that remain on the tree after dying it is usually fairly dry and thin enough to light from a match in no time. Unfortunately we just weren’t able to get anything to light, but it was a good reminder of how important it is to practice our skills so when we need to rely on them they are honed and ready to take care of us in a time of need. We finished the day with a hike back down the trail in high spirits and hopeful for what is in store during our upcoming outings in the new year.

Bridge builders at work

Testing our fire skills

 Make sure to check out the rest of our photos from the outing here!

Roosevelt Elk Calves Navigate Chuckanut Ridge

The Roosevelt Elk Calves braved the drive up Cleator Road to meet the mentors at the Lower Chuckanut Ridge Trail Head. Although we were originally planning on traversing from Chuckanut Ridge down into Arroyo Park a couple of weeks ago, we had to reschedule due to strong winds. Driving up the road it was clear we had made the right decision as tree limbs scattered the side of the road, and once getting further into our hike the carnage in the forest was rather impressive to witness. However, before we could get going we needed to have an opening circle.

Gathering for opening circle

Although there were a handful of Roosevelt Elk Calves present for our outing, we were missing a good portion of our group as the newly opened ski area and fresh snow was too much to resist, and understandably so. That being said, when there is a vacuum created that space is inevitably filled and the mentors were happy to see those who were present fill the void with their voices and energy. It just so happened that the majority of our more boisterous Elk Calves were absent and the opportunity was not passed by for the remaining Elk Calves to speak up, engage in our lessons, and get a little goofy.

Inspecting a tiny mushroom

Our focus for the day was the Art of Navigation. We began with a discussion on navigation, what it means to use your “internal compass”, and heard an incredible story of a thirteen year old girl who was charged with navigating her families camel caravan hundreds of miles through the desert in search of a well that was merely one-meter in diameter. Thinking about all the ways we can navigate, especially when without map and compass, the group pointed out that we could use the landscape, the sun, and other natural phenomena paired with local knowledge to find our way around. Talking about it is one thing, but doing it is another.

Gazing to the West and the San Juan Islands

Hitting the trail we meandered a mile up to the Chuckanut Ridge Trail stopping from time to time to investigate natural history mysteries, let the mentors elaborate on teachable moments (Western Hemlock for kindling bundles, tracking widow makers in the canopy), and even peer out across the San Juan Islands at a view point. Things were pretty easy until we hit our first trail junction and had to figure out which way to go. It took a little bit of guidance from the mentors but this group quickly caught on, looking at the signage, orienting to the landscape, and determining the position of the sun we determined which way was North and headed out.

Trying to figure out which way to go on Chuckanut Ridge

 Cruising along the ridgeline we were met with multiple viewpoints East to the Cascades and North into Bellingham. Although the views were incredible, the wind really picked up and the heat loss from convection forced us to carry on. Dropping down onto Lost Lake Trail, there was a checkpoint with a map for us to utilize in making our next decision. While perusing the map and orienting ourselves, we were interrupted by the clomping hooves of two horses and their owners who stopped to say hello. After petting the horses and feeding them a few treats provided by their owners we said our goodbyes, took on last chance to internalize the information on the map, and got back on the trail.

Looking out to the East and the Cascades

Descending down towards Arroyo Park the Roosevelt Elk Calves demonstrated a keen memory and ability to overlay their knowledge gleaned from the map onto the landscape. Remembering distances, number of junctions, and proper direction to take, we quickly navigated multiple intersections and were down near Arroyo in no time. With our outing nearing its end we had to decide whether to explore Padden Creek or try and squeeze in a game or two. Circling up the group collaborated, compromised, and arrived at a consensus just like they’ve been taught to over the years. It was great to see some quieter voices step into leadership roles and help us decide to head back early and try and play a couple games along the way.

Checking out the trail map and orienting ourselves

Getting to our final destination of N. Chuckanut Mountain Trail Head was a big accomplishment. With little to no direction from mentors or use of a compass, this small group of Roosevelt Elk Calves navigated nearly four miles of twisting, turning trails through the Chuckanuts. Not only did we exercise our ability to navigate, but learned about various tree species, discovered a multitude of unique fungi, and met a variety of friendly, human and non-human, passersby along the way. The unique circumstances of the day; a traverse outing with a small group, allowed for an environment that fostered a strong level of group cohesion, plentiful focus for natural history lessons, and an energy of positivity that made the miles fly by. This was a really fun outing for Explorers and mentors alike and although we look forward to seeing the rest of the group on our next outing, this was a great day that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

Check out the rest of our photos from the outing here!

Roosevelt Elk Calves Explore at Lake Padden

A key part of Explorers Club’s culture is our long-term mentoring and consistent cohorts.

There are times, however, when a mentor gets to sub in for an outing with a group he

doesn’t normally lead. Last Saturday was just such a day for me. So, a few fresh

observations of the Roosevelt Elk Calves (REC).

These Explorers like to have fun and really enjoy rough-housing. Interestingly, they

have the sense to be safe while doing so (motto - safety first). They have their challenges listening and focusing as do most boys their age, but they are respectful when you get their attention. I noticed less talking over each other and over Mentor Conor and I than usual.

Most impressive, they appear to be good friends. They seemed excited to see each

other and, for the most part, stayed away from the cliques we sometimes see.

So, I was confident as we headed to the dog off-leash area of Lake Padden Park that

we had a good day ahead of us; I wasn't disappointed.

The REC skill for this season is navigation. We started at a park map and decided to

strike out for the “big fallen tree”. Using their knowledge of the park and the small maps

at some trail junctions, the boys easily directed us to the tree. Once there, we explored

for a while and had some lunch. While munching, we talked about why the trees (there

are actually two big fallen trees there) fell in the direction they did and how that could

help us with navigation (ask your explorer to explain it to you if you’re curious...hint- it

has to do with the prevailing winds in our area). Then to the hard work of the day. The

mentors divided the group in half and instructed each group to hide a bandana in the

woods. They then created instructions to guide the other group to the hidden object

using the cardinal directions, estimates of distance and landmarks. The objective was to

ensure the other group found the bandana.

Command of direction, distance and sited landmarks will enable higher level navigation

skills such as map and compass. Just as important in navigating the backcountry is

effective communication. Your Explorers quickly caught on to the importance of writing

from the reader’s perspective. “Tree” is insufficient, for example, as is “cedar tree”. Too

many cedar trees! The success of both groups is evidence of their good work.

Some more rough-housing, a round of thanksgiving and we were off to meet our rides

home. Thank you for allowing Conor and I to spend some time with your boys. The rest of the photos from are outing are here.