TOUR DESCRIPTIONS
Blue Heron Nature Tours offers 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.
BIRDING TOURS
Birding in Missoula
Missoula has many 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 place which has forest, riparian and grassland habitats, ensuring that we see a huge variety of birds. To date, I have recorded 119 bird species at this spot, which includes raptors, waterfowl, shorebirds, owls and migratory songbirds.
Length: 2 hours- 9:00-11:00 a.m OR 12:00-2:00 p.m.
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 need a wheelchair suitable for gravel trails, they are available to rent in Missoula for free.
New Vortex binculars are available if you would like to use them. I will bring my Vortex spotting scope to hone in really closely on the birds.
*This tour is available year -round.
Birding 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 dozens of species of waterfowl from trumpeter swans to teal in addition to shorebirds, raptors and songbirds.
In winter, we may see rough-legged hawks, northern shrikes and common redpolls and in the summer we will 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 am- 12:30 p.m.
The hiking trail is a total of 1.5 miles long and is mostly flat. The first .25 mile of the trail is paved and handicapped accessible and a handicapped accessible bathroom is available at the trailhead.
New Vortex binoculars are available if you would like to use them. I have a Vortex spotting scope to hone in on distant birds with fantastic accuracy.
Homemade cookies provided!
*This tour is available year-round.
GUIDED HIKES
2 Mile Guided Hike in Missoula
This guided hike is on a flat and handicapped-accessible gravel trail through a ponderosa pine forest, along the Bitterroot river and through a grassland.
White-tailed deer, bald eagles, red squirrels, an elusive porcupine 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 the fascinating Glacial Lake Missoula, which filled the Missoula Valley during our last ice age 15,000 years ago!
New Vortex binoculars are provided if you’d like to use them.
2 hours, 9:00-11:00 a.m. OR 12:00-2:00 p.m.
*This tour is available year-round.
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 silence with huge views.
We will hike uphill through a forest for 2.5 miles and at the top we’ll get amazing panoramic views of the entire Missoula Valley as well as the Mission Mountains 25 miles north. We will then hike downhill 2.5 miles through a 20 year-old burn with lush regrowth and lots of wildflowers such as fireweed, indian paintbrush and lupine. The ecology and geology 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 good hiking shape.
3.5 hours, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Homemade cookies provided!
*This tour is available from May to December
4 Mile Guided Hike in the Bitterroot Valley
The Bitterroot Valley is flanked by the Sapphire Mountains on the east side and the Bitterroot Mountains on the west side.
The west side has over a dozen drainages with steep cliff walls, talus slopes, forests, and wild 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.
Length: 3.5 hours (2.5 hours hiking and 1 hour total driving time to and from Missoula). 9:00 a.m- 12:30 p.m.
Homemade cookies provided!
*This tour is available from May to November
BOTANICAL TOURS
Native Plant Walk
Western Montana has a myriad of interesting plants from bitterroot flowers to ponderosa pine trees that are adapted to our dry, mountainous terrain.
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 and lichens, we will discuss their edibility, medicinal qualities and uses for dye, cordage and how animals utilize them for survival.
Length: 2 hours , 9:00-11:00 a.m. OR 12:00-2:00 p.m.
“This tour is available from mid-April to November
Wildcraft Native Plants and Make a Decorative Bundle
We will take a walk through a local forest, identify native plants and talk about how humans and animals have utilized them for millenia. We will wildcraft (ethically harvest) sage and 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 for decorating.
*To get to the plants, we will hike on a switchback trail that climbs up around 1 mile. Must be in decent hiking shape.
2 hours, 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
*This tour is available from May to October
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.
You will be provided 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, 10:00 a.m.-noon OR 1:00-3:00 p.m.
*This tour is available from May to October
Cross Country Ski in Missoula
Missoula Valley typically gets a good amount of snow from late December to late February.
There are several great places to ski on groomed trails in Missoula 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 2 pairs of new skis that you can borrow- men’s shoe size 10, and women’s shoe size 6.5. If you need a different size, skis can be rented in Missoula.
Length: 2 hours (10:00 a.m. to noon)
Hot cocoa will be provided
Please message me about current ski conditions-they literally change day to day!
*This tour is available from late December to late February
SKI TOURS
Cross Country Ski at Lolo Pass
Lolo Pass is located 40 miles southeast of Missoula on the Montana/Idaho border and 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 2 pairs of new skis that can be borrowed: men’s shoe size 10 and women’s shoe size 6.5). If you need a different size, skis can be rented in Missoula at The Trailhead downtown.
Length: 4 hours (2.5 hours ski time and 1.5 hours driving time to and from Missoula, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
*This tour is available from December to March
