Basalts and Balsamroots: Geology and Botanical Walk with George Wooten 

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.

Saturday May 3rd, 2025 

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. Meet at MVIC at 11:00 and after a…