Join me, Chris Evavold, on the Solstice to count all the birds we can for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count! You can participate as much or as little as you are able. Our lower Rock Creek count circle, Quigley, was established in 2022. The past two years I have mostly been the counter as I have sought to understand the count circle better. I have identified the following routes/locations:

• Ranch Creek Road/Grizzly TH/Grizzly Campground

• Brewster Creek Road

• Welcome Creek Swinging Bridge/Dalles Campground (only in safe driving conditions)

• Solomon/Spring Creek TH

• Rock Creek Road (mile 6-12)

• Rock Creek Road (I90 to mile 6)

• Valley of the Moon

• FVLT Rock Creek Confluence Property

• Hot Ponds (both sides of I90)

• Beavertail Hill State Park

We want to cover each of these areas once on the count day and record numbers and species and count hours and count miles. I serve as the count compiler so will coordinate data and volunteers and enter the data into the database.

If interested in helping out or being part of a count group at one or more of these locations, or, be a feeder watcher, let me know. I can be contacted at 406-529-4233 or chris.evavold@gmail.com.

Thanks to the RCPA for being the sponsoring organization!

I hope you will consider joining us.  Below are the details for our upcoming project.

• October 19 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Let’s be prepared to begin promptly at 10 AM with brief introductions and a few safety guidelines.

• What to bring/wear: 

• We will be working somewhat close to Rock Creek Road so bright colored clothing is a good plan.

• Please wear long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy boots or shoes.  Some of the fencing is barbed.

• Everyone will need eye protection at all times.  If you do not wear glasses or have safety glasses, we can provide some.

• Work gloves are a must. Again, we can bring some extras.

• Hat and sunscreen depending on weather

• If you have pliers, fence cutters, etc, please bring them.

• What we provide: 

• Safety glasses and gloves as needed

• Tools and buckets for the job

• Pie at Ingrid and Chris’ place at 2 PM

If you wish to participate and/or have any questions about the fence removal project, please contact project leader Ingrid Johnson-Evavold at 715-781-4027 or johnson.evavold@gmail.com. Thanks for your interest!

ROCK CREEK PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION
TRAIL WORK

Calling For Trail 10 Volunteers!

I am Chris Evavold and have entered a volunteer agreement between our Rock Creek Protective Association (RCPA) and the USFS to form a trail crew to work on trails that need attention in our drainage. I am looking for volunteers for our fall trail day on October 12. We completed our first trail day in early May and some of you were on the crew that day. This year we have focused on Trail 10 (Babcock Mountain Trail) at mile 2 on Rock Creek Rd. This trail certainly has the most use and for good reason, it quickly affords the hiker some nice views. Please read below for a description of the work day and additional details.

Description:
Under a Volunteer Agreement with Lolo National Forest, the RCPA will be adopting Trail 10 (Babcock Mountain Trail) to perform tread and drainage work. The USFS is unable to put enough boots on the ground to maintain the vast network of public trails and relies on volunteer groups to help. Wild Montana, Backcountry Horseman, and many others help fill this need. We have chosen Trail 10 as it sees a high amount of use in our valley, is short (3 miles), and mostly requires improving the tread (a.k.a. foot path) on the gravelly slope. 

Work Day Details:

Trail: Trail 10 (Babcock Mountain Trail)Date: Saturday, October 12 (10am to 2pm) Meeting Time & Place: 10am at trailhead parking (mile 2)

Driving Directions if coming from interstate: turn south onto Rock Creek Road from Interstate 90 (exit 126); drive south just over two miles to Trail 10 (Babcock Mountain) trailhead; parking area will be on your right or west side of the road. 

Please be prompt at 10am for an overview of the day, safety discussion, signatures on two forms, etc. If you can only attend part of the day we ask that you try to focus on the morning so you can be present for the overview. 

Bathrooms: the only public toilet will be at Rock Creek Confluence Trailhead just a 1/4 mile north of the Mercantile. It is located in a small parking lot on the right or west side of the road if coming from I-90. 

What to Bring:Sturdy boots/shoes (no sandals), long pants, eye protection, work glovesDaypack with: snacks/lunch, rain gear, sufficient drinking water, sun screen

What we will provide:Trail tools (A big thanks to the Shining Mountains Chapter of Wild Montana)helmets eye protection (if you have none) work gloves (if you have none) 

If you wish to participate and/or have any questions about the trail work day, please contact me via text, voice, or email at 406-529-4233 or chris.evavold@gmail.com. Thanks for your interest and look forward to working with you on the trail!