The Transects

We monitor flower phenology and bumble bee activity in montane, subalpine, and alpine meadows throughout the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National forest. The canopies in these meadows remain open by a variety of environmental factors including snow pack, shifting snow, water stress, and proximity to a riparian corridor. Each transect is 600 feet long and 30 feet wide (0.42 acres). Every other Monday throughout the flowering season, we estimate the abundance of each flowering species, and count bees that are seen on these flowers. Our transects and monitoring history is found below and our results can be found on a side bar. Contact us if you are interest in volunteering for this citizen science project or have questions about our protocols.

Heather Meadows Transects

Transect 1. Anderson Creek Road (2100'). Monitored: 2015; 2016; 2017; 2018, 2019

Park at the entrance to Anderson Creek Rd. (near Silver Fir Campground). From the beginning of the road, you will walk 840 yards to the beginning of the transect by walk southwest to the gate, west to a sharp corner, and southwest down a slight hill. You will climb gently up another hill and a small pump house on the left. The transect starts just before a creek. Look for a small rock pile on the left and blue flagging on either side of the road.

T1 Start point: 48°54'02.21"N 121°42'15.23"W

T2 End point: 48°54'01.94"N 121°42'24.07"W

Transect 2 A and B. Bagley Creek (2800’). Monitored: 2015

Park at the pullout on the right side of the road just past Bagley Creek. This transect is broken into two pieces portions (A and B). One going along west side of the Mt. Baker HWY, and the other along the east side. Only vegetation along the 15’ adjacent to the side of the road that the transect runs along is monitored. T2A starts at the white “Vehicles Carry Chains” sign and continues uphill to the yellow corner caution sign. T2B starts at a rock pile and continues uphill to a culvert.

T2A Start point: 48°52'32.17"N 121°40'6.96"W

T2A End point: 48°52'26.66"N 121°40'08.49"W

T2B Start point: 48°52'28.77"N 121°40'8.35"W

T2B End point: 48°52'24.29"N 121°40'07.54"W

Transect 3 A and B. White Salmon (3600’). Monitored: 2015 

Park at the large Raven next to the Mt. Baker Ski Area sign and road that goes towards White Salmon Lodge. This transect is broken into two portions (A and B). Portion A goes along the west side of the Mt. Baker HWY starting at the downhill side of the Jersey barrier and continues 600’ along the side of the road to the Mile post 52 sign. The other is accessible by walking up the road towards the White Salmon Lodge, and a right turn on a small gravel road. This transect continues along both sides for 600’ ending just before a water tower.

T3A Start point: 48°51'32.42"N 121°39'33.14"W

T3A End point: 48°51'37.49"N 121°39'28.96"W

T3B Start point: 48°51'36.63"N 121°39'23.13"W

T3B End point: 48°51'31.05"N 121°39'26.05"W

Transect 4. Picture Lake (4,200’). Monitored: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Park at the Picture Lake parking area and take one of the many trails leading to the main trail that goes around the lake. The transect starts at the beginning of the boardwalk and runs for 600’ on both sides of the trail to a short white stump on the left side of the trail (also just before the trail descends nearly to lake level with several small channels running under the trail). The transect extends 15’ feet on each side of the trail starting at the edge of the walkway.

T4 Start point: 48°51'57.86"N 121°40'40.02"W

T4 End point: 48°51'53.52"N 121°40'42.44"W

Transect 5A. Visitor Center (4450’). Monitored: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Park at the Visitor Center parking lot and look for the trail heading south (left) from the pit toilet. The transect starts where the trail narrows and turns to gravel and continues for 600’. Monitor 15’ on either side until you reach the last big tree on the right.

T5A Start point: 48°51'13.89"N 121°41'9.69"W

T5A End point: 48°51'10.02"N 121°41'15.38"W

Transect 5B. Visitor Center (4450’). Monitored: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

From the visitor center parking lot, walk toward Mt. Baker HWY and take the first large trail on the left. This goes NNE up a hill, past a few picnic tables, and then down hill with trees on the left and meadow on the right. Look for a blue flag on the left. From this point, monitor 15’ on either side for 600’. The trail continues along this trail, to an old gravel parking lot, and curves to the left past a large water tank. The transect ends just before a steep downhill. Transect 5c is visible from this point.

T5B Start point: 48°51'19.56"N 121°41'1.91"W

T5B End point: 48°51'23.86"N 121°40'57.55"W

Transect 5C. Visitor Center (4400’). Monitored: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

This transect begins near a four foot tall trail marker sign at the junction of two trails. Those conducting early spring monitoring may wish to access this from Mt. Baker Highway as this point is very close to the highway. Look for the blue flag on a Mt. Hemlock branch near a large clump of Black Huckleberry. The transect continues westward from here along the Wild Goose trail that climbs a hill as it turns north and passes through trees, and then continues along the east side of trees ending at a barkless snag on the west side of the path.

T5C Start point: 48°51'26.13"N 121°40'59.38"W

T5C End point: 48°51'31.02"N 121°40'59.77"W

Transect 6. Austin Pass (4700’). Monitored: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

The transect begins about 20’ to 30’ past the Lake Ann Trail sign near the parking lot. Look for blue tape on the first large tree to the left of the trail (start of the transect). Follow the Lake Ann Trail for 600’ monitoring 15’ on each side of the trail until you reach Austin Pass (i.e., spot on the trail where the road and trail diverge).

T6 Start point: 48°50'59.96"N 121°41'8.87"W

T6 End point: 48°51'3.14"N 121°41'3.28"W

Transect 7. Artist Point/Wild Goose Trail (4950’). Monitored: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Park in the Artists Point overflow lot, which is on the right about 200’ before the main Artists Point parking lot (shown as a large snowy area on this image. The Wild Goose trail starts at the North end of the gravel lot. Begin monitoring at the first cairn and continue down the Wild Goose trail for 600’ monitoring 15’ on each side to a stone cairin found just after the trail begins a steep descent with stairs.

T7 Start point: 48°50'52.55"N 121°41'27.41"W

T7 End point: 48°50'55.20"N 121°41'21.29"W

Transect 8 Huntoon Point (5200’). Monitored: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

This transect begins about 900 yards from the Artists Point parking lot, nearly to Huntoon Point. You are close when you descend a staircase with 5 stone stairs. Continue straight where the trail forks and begin monitoring at the switch back through a stone terrace above a small lake. Follow the trail for 600’ around the lake and then straight south. Monitor 15’ on each side until you come to an overlook way above the Lake Ann trail. This is the furthest south you can go on the main trail in the Huntoon Point area.

T8 Start point: 48°50'35.25"N 121°41'11.58"W

T8 End point: 48°50'32.21"N 121°41'7.75"W

___________________________________________________________________

Hannegan Pass Transects

Transect 9A Hannegan Pass (4200’). Monitored: 2017, 2018, 2019

This transect runs along Hannegan Pass rd starting at mile post marker 5 and continuing for 600’. Monitor 15’ on either side of the road.

T9A Start point: 48°54'37.08"N 121°35'55.67"W

T9A End point: 48°54'36.94"N 121°35'46.60"W

Transect 9B Hannegan Pass. Monitored 2017, 2018, 2019

Park in the Hannegan Pass parking lot and walking up the trail about 300 yards. The transect begins just before the trail emerges in a slide meadow and continues into the forest on the other side.

T9B Start point: 48°54'37.59"N 121°35'17.22"W

T9B End point: 48°54'34.39"N 121°35'10.38"W

Transect 9C Hannegan Pass (4300’). Monitored: 2017, 2018, 2019

From the end of T9B, continue along the trail for another 250 yards. The transect begins on the other side of a recent pile of avalanche debris. Monitor for 15’ on either side for 600’ up the trail, ending at a large tree on the left side of the trail.

T9C Start point: 48°54'29.25"N 121°35'2.14"W

T9C End point: 48°54'25.82"N 121°34'55.12"W

____________________________________________________________________

Baker River Transects

Transect 10A Baker River (750'). Monitored: 2017

Park at the Baker River Trail parking lot. Walk about 450 yards from the trailhead through forest with relatively small trees. After the transition to old growth forest, start the transect at the leaning big cedar tree on the right. Follow the trail for 600’ to the end of the transect  The transect ends at the short path off to the left leading to the biggest tree along the trail.
T10A Start point: 48°45'8.53"N 121°33'5.19"W

T10A End point: 48°45'12.45"N 121°32'58.52"W

Transect 10B Baker River (750'). Monitored: 2017

Continue walking straight ahead on the Baker River Trail after the short trail to the left. Begin the transect where the river just becomes visible on the right before the trail turns left and follows along the river.  Walk 600’ feet along the trail to the end of the transect. End the transect where the trail forks and leads on the right to a large footbridge across Baker River. If you can not find the described beginning of the transect, walk to the end of the transect at the trail fork near the bridge and work your way back 600 feet to the beginning of the transect.

T10B Start point: 48°45'15.85"N 121°32'56.89"W

T10B End point: 48°45'21.30"N 121°32'54.10"W

Transect 10C Baker River (750'). Monitored: 2017

From the fork leading to the bridge, continue walking straight ahead on the Baker River Trail for about 390 yards. The transect starts near three large alders on the right side of the trail. The transect starts about 20-30 before a low hump in the trail. Walk 600’ along the trail to the end of the transect. The end of the transect is where the trail narrows with a drop off to the river on the right and a sharp left turn leading up the hill.  If you can not find the beginning of the transect, first walk to end and then work your way back 600' feet to the beginning of the transect. The photo image for this transect is very challenging to use. I think the map shows the trail much further from the river than it really is and it is impossible to locate the trail on the photo due to heavy tree cover. Depend more on this description to find this transect. 
T10C Start point: 48°45'30.65"N 121°32'45.11"W

T10C End point:  48°45'36.54"N 121°32'45.02"W

 __________________________________________________________________

Anderson Watson Lakes Transects

Transect 11A. Anderson Watson Lakes (4700'). Monitored: 2017

This transect starts very close to where the trail first emerges into subalpine meadow. Just as the trail emerges from the forest, take a ninety degree turn to the left away from the trail and walk 15+ feet to the beginning of the transect (flags on shrubs to the left). The center of the transect follows just outside the tree line (mostly small trees on your left side) around the meadow including several winding curves. Monitor 15 feet on both sides of the transect. The transect ends very near where the trail splits with one fork continuing straight up to the butte and the other main fork turning right (slightly downhill) and then continuing up the meadow. Flags are in trees on both sides of the end of the transect.  
T11A Start point: 48°40'15.15"N 121°36'24.68"W

T11A End point:48°40'16.29"N 121°36'22.50"W

Transect 11B. Anderson Watson Lakes (4700'). Monitored: 2017

This transect follows the primary creek flowing through the meadow with monitoring 15 feet on both sides of the creek. To find the beginning of the transect, turn right at the above mentioned trail junction and walk about 150 feet to where the trail crosses the main creek (not one of the several small creeks crossing the meadow). Turn left up this main creek and walk about 30 feet (plus or minus??) to find flags in trees on both the left and right sides of the creek. Follow the main creek up through the meadow for 600 feet monitoring 15 feet on each side. The transect ends just slightly above where the creek emerges from a clump of trees. Flags are in trees on both sides of the end of the transect.
T11B Start point: 48°40'12.28"N 121°36'19.56"W

T11B End point: 48°40'8.94"N 121°36'13.22"W

Transect 11C. Anderson Watson Lakes (4700'). Monitored: 2017

This transect is along the main trail through an open part of the meadow to the right and above transect (b). To find the beginning of the transect, turn right from the end of transect (b) and backtrack up the hill to a major tree island in the middle of the meadow (maybe 200 feet from the end of transect (b)). This is one of the few tree islands in the meadow that has large trees. This is the second major tree island along the trail coming from the junction mentioned above.  It is not the tree island with wooden steps. The transect starts on the trail near the middle of the tree island. Flags are on both sides of the beginning of the transect with one back in the tree island and the other out in the open tied to a small tree (near the very temporary and very small snowman I built to help you find the transect). The transect heads up the meadow for 600 feet with monitoring 15 feet on both sides of the transect. To find the trail when snow covered, walk mostly to the left of the few small trees scattered through the meadow. The transect ends at a small clump of relatively short trees that are leaning heavily to the left after emerging from the snow. The end of the transect is marked by flags in one of these small trees. If you can not find the flags try pacing six hundred feet up the meadow from the transect beginning.  

T11C Start point: 48°40'10.32"N 121°36'18.64"W

T11C End point:  48°40'6.05"N 121°36'12.58"W

_______________________________________________________________

Table Mt. Transects

Transect 12 South Slope Table Mountain. Monitored 2018, 2019 (5350')

This transect starts as the real ascent begins at a small rock cairn 100’ past the 2^nd “no dogs” sign and at the base of the first and largest major switchback. It ends about 50’ past the last ascending switchback and just before arriving at the top of Table Mountain. The end point is marked by a large picturesque gnarled stump perched overhead.

T12 Start point:  48°50'52.72"N 121°41'55.01"W

T12 End point:   48°50'54.12"N 121°41'54.76"W

Transect 13. Table Mountain Ridgeline. Monitored 2018, 2019 (5450')

Once you have reached the plateau at the top of the trail switchbacks, the second transect begins at a large boulder on the right side of the trail. The trail (and transect) curves left and follows the vegetated south ridge. Follow the ridge trail for 600’ where the transect ends at a sharp rise, with trees to left and a bigger than most knoll to the right. Small rock cairns currently mark both the beginning and the end of the transect.

T13 Start point:  48°50'54.41"N 121°41'55.00"W

T13 End point:   48°50'54.42"N 121°42'3.29"W


Transect 14. Table Mountain West end. Monitored 2018, 2019 (5550')
This transect continues on the trail along the southern rim of the Table Mt

. plateau. The transect starts 1800' from the west end of T12 on the top of a small knoll with a clump of trees on the left. It runs for 600 feet and ends in an uphill section of muddy trail with trees on both sides and a good view back to Mt. Shucksan. 300 feet further down the trail their is a steep cliffy section that the trail traverses. The start and end points are marked with blue flags.
T14 Start point: 48°50'50.75"N 121°42'28.66"W
T14 End point:  48°50'49.21"N 121°42'36.75"W