Join Di Wittner for a leisurely walk, through riparian forest on the Cottonwood Loop. The trail is lush with a heavy crop of berries this year. We will look for birds, snakes, and mushrooms. At the beaver pond, Colin Spence will help us identify small fish. We might even see the resident muskrats and fresh beaver activity. We will take one short side-trip to the river mouth to look for shorebirds and waterfowl on the beach.

Upon our return to the parking lot/Interpretive Center, we'll stop for a snack or lunch where there is a pit toilet. After eating, some of us will take the western trail that is scarred by the recent forest fire. Fresh woodpecker sign appears on many of these blackened trees. This short walk (0.4 km) will take us to the lovely viewing platform where we might see some early salmon.

For those looking for a longer outing, Di will carry on to Scotch Creek to look for early salmon afterward.

NOTE: There are two pre-trip meeting place options. If you are leaving from Salmon Arm, meet at Junglemania at 8 am. For those living in the Blind Bay/Sorrento area, meet at Tsutswecw at 9 am in the large parking lot.

Difficulty Rating: DR-1 (trails visited on this trip will be easy, level and well-maintained, covering approximately 3 km)

A sidechannel of the Adams River (photo: Rory McKeever).