TOUR DESCRIPTIONS
I currently offer 10 different tours depending on the time of year.
They are described below in detail and can be booked under the “Book a Tour” tab.
Bird Watching in Missoula
Missoula has lots of great places to bird year-round. From bohemian waxwings and northern shrikes in the winter to yellow warblers and mountain bluebirds in the summer, every season is fun to bird in.
We will go to my favorite spot which has a variety of habitats including forest, riparian, and grasslands insuring that we can see the biggest variety of birds. To date, I have recorded 107 bird species here, which include raptors, waterfowl, shorebirds, owls and migratory songbirds.
Length: 2 hours- 9:00-11:00 a.m. OR 11:30-1:30 pm. The walk is 1.7 miles long on a flat gravel path that is handicapped accessible and there are restrooms at the trailhead.
If you would like to borrow binoculars I have new Vortex ones for you to use. I will bring my Vortex spotting scope to hone in really closely on the birds.
Transportation within Missoula provided if needed.
*This tour is available year - round.
Bird Watching in the Bitterroot Valley
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge in Stevensville has over 250 species of birds calling it home, depending on the season.
In the spring and fall, thousands of waterfowl migrate through the area, landing on numerous ponds. You will see up to 25 species of waterfowl from trumpeter swans to teal in addition to shorebirds and songbirds.
In winter, we may see rough-legged hawks, northern shrikes and common redpolls and in the summer of course, we can see a huge variety of birds including double-crested cormorants and common yellowthroats.
Length: 3.5 hours (2.5 hours of birding plus 30 minute drive each direction from Missoula), 9:00 a.m-12:30 p.m.
The hiking path is a total of 1.5 miles long and is mostly flat. A handicapped accessible restroom is at the trailhead.
If you would like to borrow binoculars I have new Vortex ones for you to use. I have a Vortex spotting scope to hone in on distant birds with fantastic accuracy.
Transportation provided to and from Missoula if needed.
2 Mile Guided Hike in Missoula
This guided hike is on a flat and handicapped-accessible gravel trail through a ponderos pine forest, along the Bitterroot river and through a grassland.
White-tailed deer, bald eagles, red squirrels, and several owl species call this magical place home year-round. We will do a combination of birding, identifying native plants and lichens and you will learn about fascinating Glacial Lake Missoula that filled the Missoula Valley 15,000 years ago!
New Vortex binoculars are provided if you’d like to use them.
2 hours, 9:00-11:00 am OR 11:30 am -1:30 p.m.
Transportation within Missoula provided if needed
5 Mile Guided Hike in Missoula
This hike is at the Blue Mountain Recreation Area. I discovered this secret hike a few years ago and really enjoy it when I want solitude and complete quiet with huge views.
We will hike uphill through a forest for 1.5 miles and at the top we’ll get amazing panoramic views of the Mission Mountains 25 miles north as well as the entire Missoula Valley. We will then hike downhill 3.5 miles through an old burn with lush regrowth and lots of flowers such as fireweed, indian paintbrush and lupine.The ecology of the area will be discussed while hiking and new Vortex binoculars are provided if you’d like to use them.
There is a 500 foot elevation gain and loss and the terrain is uneven and rocky on the downhill portion. Must be in decent hiking shape.
3.5 hours, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Transportation within Missoula provided if needed
Homemade cookies!
5 Mile Guided Hike in the Bitterroot Valley
The Bitterroot Valley is flanked by the Sapphire Mountains in the east and the Bitterroot Mountains in the west.
The west side has around a dozen drainages with steep cliff walls, talus slopes, forests, and creeks cutting through them. There are great trails up each drainage.
We will hike up Kootenai Creek, one of the prettiest and most dramatic drainages with a series of small waterfalls. The ecology of the area will be discussed while hiking and new Vortex binoculars are provided if you’d like to use them.
*This hike is available from the end of April to December due to snow and ice.
Length: 4 hours (3 hours hiking and 1 hour total driving time to and from Missoula). 9:00 a.m- 1:00 p.m.
Transportation to and from Missoula provided if needed
*This tour is available from May to November
Native Plant Identification Walk
There are 42 plant families in Montana with dozens of species in each. So how in
the world can you possibly identify anything?
There’s a trick: we will learn 8 of the most common plant families and the patterns found in each. Once you learn this, it will help you identify plants anywhere on the planet!
We will go to a botanical hotspot in Missoula, stroll approximately 1.5 miles while looking at everything from at least a dozen species of wildflowers to trees, shrubs and lichens.
In addition to identifying plants, we will discuss their edibility, medicinal qualities and uses for dyes, cordage and how animals use them.
Length: 2 hours , 9:00- 11:00 a.m. OR 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Transportation within Missoula provided if needed
“This tour is available from May to November
Wildcraft Native Plants and Make a Decorative Bundle
We will take a walk through the woods, identify native plants and talk about how humans and animals have utilized them for millenia. We will wildcraft (ethically harvest) sage, juniper, pearly everlasting and kinnikinnick or other plants that we come across.
We will then find a nice place to sit and use colorful embroidery thread to decoratively tie the plants together and add beads and other items to make it extra special.
I will bring all of the supplies including beads, shells and stones.
2 hours, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. OR 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 pm
*This tour is available from May to November
Watercolor Paint Wildflowers in Plein Air
For this tour we will visit a natural area in Missoula that’s loaded with native wildflowers and focus on painting one or more flowers using watercolor paint. Beginners are very welcome and appreciated!
We will practice mixing colors and using fun techniques with our brushes to make petals, stems and leaves.
I will provide you with all of the art supplies you need and you will go home with one or more small paintings that you will be proud of!
Length: 2 hours, 9:00 a.m-11:00 am OR 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Cross Country Ski in Missoula
Missoula Valley gets a good amount of snow from mid-December to the end of February.
There are several great places to ski and depending on your interest, we will ski anywhere from 2 to 6 miles on a mostly flat trail.
All abilities are welcome. I have 3 pairs of new skis that you can borrow- men’s shoe size 10, women’s shoe size 7 and women’s shoe size 8. If you need a different size, skis can be rented in Missoula.
*Available December to March
Length: 2-3 hours (9:00 am to 11:00 or noon)
Hot cocoa will be provided
Transportation provided within Missoula if needed
Cross Country Ski at Lolo Pass
Lolo Pass is located 40 miles southeast of Missoula on the Montana/Idaho border and it gets TONS of snow! It’s a winter wonderland of fir and spruce trees and is incredibly beautiful.
There is a 3 mile and 6 mile loop of groomed trails and a warm visitor center with hot cocoa and comfy places to relax when we’re done.
*I have 3 pairs of new skis that can be borrowed: men’s shoe size 10, women’s shoe size 7 and women’s size 8). If you need a different size, skis can be rented in Missoula at The Trailhead downtown.
*Available from December to March
Length: 5 hours (2-3 hours ski time and 2 hours driving time, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
Transportation from Missoula provided if needed.
