Tweets,
Unable to steal away until late in the morning/early afternoon we decided to chase the sunshine and drive east. Just outside of Cle Elum is the Teanaway area, which most of you know is beautiful. My husband and I drove out to the Bean Creek Basin Trail # 1391.1 (Green Trails Map # 209). A beautiful 3.7 mile hike starting at 3600 feet to a peak at 5800 feet and views of Mt. Stuart. Gorgeous Pine forests along Beverly and Bean creek with meadows in between. The last .5 miles is steep switchbacks but the first 3 miles was great for birding.
Highlights of the day were the seemingly endless Western Tanagers feeding low among the Pines and on the ground, a hunting Northern Goshawk was at the last of two creek crossings in the forest opening. On the way back was a hunting American Kestrel hunting the creek drainage. MacGillivray's, Nashville, Yellow-rumped, and Yellow Warblers were all singing along the creek. Many Chipping Sparrows were seen as well. A lone Lazuli Bunting sang for a bit atop a Pine tree early in the hike.
A great trail for birding as the trail follows either Beverly or Bean creek almost the entire way. We didn't stay late enough to listen for wolves but I read that there is a lovely campsite just past the last creek crossing before you head up.
Cheers,
Amy SchillingerRenton, WAschillingera at hotmail.com