***Scroll down to the bottom to see all of our awesome upcoming events!***
All of our events are highly discounted or free to members.
All of our events are highly discounted or free to members.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Bridger Mountains Hike & Hawk Watch
with Sacajawea Audubon Society
Saturday, Oct. 12 (Sunday, Oct. 13 back-up weather day)
8:30 am to 5 pm
Bridger Bowl Ski Area
We will participate in the 29th Annual Bridger Raptor Migration Count. We will hike to the crest of the Bridger Ridge from Bridger Bowl Ski Area, a strenuous 2-hour hike to the observation point (elevation gain is 2,200 feet) where we will join Adam Bradley, the official season-long observer for the 2019 season, learn to identify the various migrating raptors, enjoy the views, eat snacks/lunch and assist with counting the migrating raptors!
About the Event:
Please read the details of this event completely and register by email.
DATE: Saturday, October 12th (Sunday Oct 13th is backup date if weather/conditions cancel Sat)
TIME: 8:30AM to 5PM
8:30 am Carpool from Bozeman
9:30 am - start hike to observation point, helicopter platform located atop the ridge above Bridger Bowl Ski Area
~11:30 am - reach ridge, enjoy learning to ID and count raptors, lunch/snack, walk along ridge line and enjoy the photo ops!
2 pm - return hike to the ski area
Return to Bozeman carpool location by 5 pm
NOTE: activities and time on ridge are weather and temperature dependent. There are no facilities on the ridge. Adam will advise day or so prior on conditions and recommendations.
WHO: All current Mountain Belles members and new members (current members have priority)
COST: FREE! $25 annual dues for new members and renewals.
LIMITED NUMBER OF SPACES: 15
WHAT TO BRING: Details will be provided to participants including ID and Count chart, however general items include layers for the weather, rain/snow gear, hat/ sunscreen, camera, binoculars, trekking poles, spikes/Yaktrax/grippers.
REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT: Email Michele Eckhardt at mooshele@yahoo.com if you want to attend (include your phone number and membership status). You will receive an email confirmation back if there is space.
NOTE: Belles stick together as a group so we will hike as fast as our slowest person, take breaks and enjoy our experience in the wilderness!
For more information, event URL: https://mailchi.mp/9d6de186b582/mtnbelles2019bridgerhawkwatch
Photo credit Kyle Dudgeon
Background Sacajawea Audubon Society Bridger Raptor Migration Count: Adam Bradley has returned as the official season-long observer for the 2019 season to count all raptors migrating along the crest of the Bridger Ridge. This year he is joined by Kyle Dudgeon. The Bridger Project is not only designed to scientifically assess the status and long-term trends of Golden Eagles and other raptors using this Rocky Mountain flyway, this project also monitors landscape-level environmental changes, using these apex predators as insightful barometers of ecological health.
SAS, in partnership with HawkWatch International (HWI), is coordinating this scientific project for the second consecutive season. (HWI initiated these counts in 1991.) A total of 17 raptor species are recorded each season, including Golden & Bald Eagles, as well as many species of hawks and falcons. The migrants originate primarily from breeding locales in western Canada and Alaska; their destinations include a wide range of latitudes (varying by species and population), from the American West & Mexico all the way to Central and South America.
Recent Golden Eagle counts in the Bridgers have varied from 1,000 to 1,800 per season, with up to 250 or more on a peak migration day (generally during the first two weeks of October). However, it is noteworthy that counts of Golden Eagles at this and other western sites have shown steady declines from 2000 through 2010. Importantly, however, counts have stabilized and even increased slightly over the past 7 years. The cause of this decline is not fully understood, but these findings have stimulated additional research, which is ongoing.
The best overall raptor viewing atop the Bridgers is from mid-September through mid-October. From the parking area above the Bridger Bowl Ski Area facilities it is a strenuous 1.5-2 hour hike to the observation point (elevation gain is 2,200 feet).
Check out the new Bridger Hawk Watch Blog. It's loaded with information, including directions to reach the observation site, and great photos from the count!
Please read the details of this event completely and register by email.
DATE: Saturday, October 12th (Sunday Oct 13th is backup date if weather/conditions cancel Sat)
TIME: 8:30AM to 5PM
8:30 am Carpool from Bozeman
9:30 am - start hike to observation point, helicopter platform located atop the ridge above Bridger Bowl Ski Area
~11:30 am - reach ridge, enjoy learning to ID and count raptors, lunch/snack, walk along ridge line and enjoy the photo ops!
2 pm - return hike to the ski area
Return to Bozeman carpool location by 5 pm
NOTE: activities and time on ridge are weather and temperature dependent. There are no facilities on the ridge. Adam will advise day or so prior on conditions and recommendations.
WHO: All current Mountain Belles members and new members (current members have priority)
COST: FREE! $25 annual dues for new members and renewals.
LIMITED NUMBER OF SPACES: 15
WHAT TO BRING: Details will be provided to participants including ID and Count chart, however general items include layers for the weather, rain/snow gear, hat/ sunscreen, camera, binoculars, trekking poles, spikes/Yaktrax/grippers.
REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT: Email Michele Eckhardt at mooshele@yahoo.com if you want to attend (include your phone number and membership status). You will receive an email confirmation back if there is space.
NOTE: Belles stick together as a group so we will hike as fast as our slowest person, take breaks and enjoy our experience in the wilderness!
For more information, event URL: https://mailchi.mp/9d6de186b582/mtnbelles2019bridgerhawkwatch
Photo credit Kyle Dudgeon
Background Sacajawea Audubon Society Bridger Raptor Migration Count: Adam Bradley has returned as the official season-long observer for the 2019 season to count all raptors migrating along the crest of the Bridger Ridge. This year he is joined by Kyle Dudgeon. The Bridger Project is not only designed to scientifically assess the status and long-term trends of Golden Eagles and other raptors using this Rocky Mountain flyway, this project also monitors landscape-level environmental changes, using these apex predators as insightful barometers of ecological health.
SAS, in partnership with HawkWatch International (HWI), is coordinating this scientific project for the second consecutive season. (HWI initiated these counts in 1991.) A total of 17 raptor species are recorded each season, including Golden & Bald Eagles, as well as many species of hawks and falcons. The migrants originate primarily from breeding locales in western Canada and Alaska; their destinations include a wide range of latitudes (varying by species and population), from the American West & Mexico all the way to Central and South America.
Recent Golden Eagle counts in the Bridgers have varied from 1,000 to 1,800 per season, with up to 250 or more on a peak migration day (generally during the first two weeks of October). However, it is noteworthy that counts of Golden Eagles at this and other western sites have shown steady declines from 2000 through 2010. Importantly, however, counts have stabilized and even increased slightly over the past 7 years. The cause of this decline is not fully understood, but these findings have stimulated additional research, which is ongoing.
The best overall raptor viewing atop the Bridgers is from mid-September through mid-October. From the parking area above the Bridger Bowl Ski Area facilities it is a strenuous 1.5-2 hour hike to the observation point (elevation gain is 2,200 feet).
Check out the new Bridger Hawk Watch Blog. It's loaded with information, including directions to reach the observation site, and great photos from the count!
Mountain Belles at Spire Climbing!
Saturday, Nov. 16
11:30 am to 1 pm
Spire Climbing Center
13 Enterprise Blvd., Bozeman
Cost: $15/person
About the Event:
When: November 16th, 2019 At 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Note: Please Arrive At 11:10 AM so you can check in, be fitted for your climbing equipment, and sign a waiver if you haven't done so already.
Where: Spire Climbing Center, 13 Enterprise Blvd, Bozeman
Who: All Current Mountain Belles Members
Note: Membership is $25 for New Members and Renewals
Cost: $15 Per Person
Note: Price is a special discount from our sponsor Spire and from being a Mountain Belle Member. It includes instructor, rentals (harness, shoes, chalk), climbing time.
Limited Spaces: There Are Only 20 Spaces Available
What to Bring: Please wear comfortable athletic clothing and bring water
Register For This Event: Please Register By Emailing Lynda at lyndaandrosclay@gmail.com
Please include your name, phone number, and member status.
When: November 16th, 2019 At 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Note: Please Arrive At 11:10 AM so you can check in, be fitted for your climbing equipment, and sign a waiver if you haven't done so already.
Where: Spire Climbing Center, 13 Enterprise Blvd, Bozeman
Who: All Current Mountain Belles Members
Note: Membership is $25 for New Members and Renewals
Cost: $15 Per Person
Note: Price is a special discount from our sponsor Spire and from being a Mountain Belle Member. It includes instructor, rentals (harness, shoes, chalk), climbing time.
Limited Spaces: There Are Only 20 Spaces Available
What to Bring: Please wear comfortable athletic clothing and bring water
Register For This Event: Please Register By Emailing Lynda at lyndaandrosclay@gmail.com
Please include your name, phone number, and member status.
Big Creek Cabin Winter Weekend
Friday, Feb. 7 through Sunday, Feb. 9
Friday, Feb. 7 through Sunday, Feb. 9
In SIX months, we will be holding our annual Big Creek Cabin winter weekend!
This event is from Friday, Feb.7 through Sunday, Feb. 9th and includes lodging in this forest service cabin, potluck dinners, socialization, cross country skiing excursion (extra fee) and unlimited FUN potential!
We will be registering participants in January 2020 which will be here before you know it! Stay tuned!
This event is from Friday, Feb.7 through Sunday, Feb. 9th and includes lodging in this forest service cabin, potluck dinners, socialization, cross country skiing excursion (extra fee) and unlimited FUN potential!
We will be registering participants in January 2020 which will be here before you know it! Stay tuned!
Would you like to be a board member and help plan events?
We meet about 3-4x a year at someone's house with pot luck and wine. We need more board members!
E-mail Sunni at tenhorsun@aol.com if you are interested!
We meet about 3-4x a year at someone's house with pot luck and wine. We need more board members!
E-mail Sunni at tenhorsun@aol.com if you are interested!