Basalts and Balsamroots – A Geology and Botanical Walk with George Wooten
Saturday May 3rd, 2025
Join us for a visit to Balky Hill to see a rare outcrop of basalt containing unusual minerals on WDFW land. The age of the rocks are estimated to be approximately 50 million years old (Eocene-age), when earth’s crust thinned out and magma rose to the surface across large areas in the Pacific Northwest. We will also take a look at the conglomerates of the Pipestone Formation and the glacial flood deposits that burst out of Pipestone Canyon. Arrowleaf balsamroots and other native plants should be in full bloom so we will stop and appreciate the spring bloom as well.
We will carpool from the MVIC and park on a county road, where we can walk about a thousand feet up a moderately steep and rocky hillside to the basalt outcrop.
Please register beforehand with the trip leader, George Wooten (george.wooten@gmail.com). Space is limited
Free but donations appreciated which go to supporting programming like this!
Limited to 15 people so sign up now!
Meet at MVIC at 11:00 and after a brief talk, carpool from there with a short stop at the base of Balky Hill Road. Return to Twisp by 3:00. Dogs must be on a leash.
And…
Check out our latest e-Newsletter, where you can read about MVIC’s role as a fiscal sponsor, Bitterroot, Methow soils, and black bears + berries!
The Homestream Park Stewardship Campaign is still underway!
Learn more here!
