Coming back to Camas Meadows

It is still winter on Three Brothers Peak; however, down on the meadow spring is bursting out with wildflowers, flowing creeks, and the annual return of summer residents to the meadow.  On the drive along Camas Creek Road, I spied a large tom turkey with his female friends out for an easy stroll.  And yes, the camera was packed away.

On Friday afternoon, the Sandhill Cranes spiraled down from the sky to feed in the meadow.  It looks like they are back for another romantic stay at Camas Meadows.  The average lifespan for a Sandhill Crane is twenty years, so we can look forward to many more years of their spring visit.  The following picture does not do justice to the size of the birds.  When they flew down into the meadow you could see every inch of that eight foot wing span.

The frog chorus is slowly starting up.  As their numbers increase through the spring, so will the volume.  But for now, they are just warming up.

The songbirds have returned to the meadow.  The wildflowers are blooming.  We are currently "showing" Glacier Lilies, Spring Beauties, and Blue Bells.

But the meadow royalty are the elk.  They return every year on April 15th.  This year they were a day late.  We suspect it had nothing to do with filing a tax extension.

It looks like the current elk herd is 10 animals and, hopefully, it will increase when the babies are born in a few weeks.  At one time, the Camas herd numbered two hundred animals.  Unfortunately, the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Department is trying to kill off the entire herd.  They have scheduled a rifle cow season open to all hunters for three years in an attempt to eliminate the herd.

So come to Camas soon, before a historic and natural part of eastern Washington becomes a collection of fading photos in a book.

We are booked the following weekends in May:  May 1st and May 13th.  Memorial Day weekend is still open.  Camas Meadows is peaceful and quiet on Memorial Day weekends; and with the wildflowers and elk it is a very special place.

In June, we are booked from June 2nd through June 8th, but the rest of June is still open.

In July we are booked from July 8th through July 19th.  The 4th of July weekend is still open.

So book now for that special weekend.

You can contact us through our website:  www.camasmeadowslodge.com