Elk focus of Eatonville celebration

EATONVILLE, Pierce County — Northwest Trek wildlife park has its Get Out of the Rut celebration this weekend.

September is the beginning of the rut (breeding) season for Roosevelt elk. Events this weekend include moose storytime, antler and horn crafts, and a scavenger hunt. Cost is $4.75-$9.50.

Elk bugling tours are also available by reservation on Sept. 10-11, 17-18, 25 and Oct. 1-2. Details: 360-832-6117 or www.nwtrek.org.

• The Washington Butterfly Association will host a free presentation, 7 p.m. Sunday at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St., Seattle. The program is titled "Pigmentation in Butterflies." Speaker Kiyoshi Hiruma will discuss the mechanisms of seasonal morphs and other dimorphisms. Details: 206-364-4935 or www.naba.org/Chapters/nabaws.

• Anglers planning on fishing or camping at Cape Disappointment State Park near the Columbia River mouth are asked to stay out of the construction zone for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' repair of the north jetty.

This includes the jetty access road from Cape Disappointment State Park to Benson Beach, and most of the jetty.

The jetty access road is closed to foot and bicycle traffic 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday until Oct. 31. The Corps and Washington State Parks has created a temporary parking lot for access to Benson Beach.

The jetty is badly damaged and at risk of breaching. The Corps is warning people against climbing on the jetty because of dangers of crevasses, sinkholes, caverns, slippery rocks, sudden large waves and strong currents.

Details: www.nwp.usace.army.mil/pa/news/home.asp or 503-808-4510.

• The Washington Trails Association Dark Divide Camp-

out is Sept. 9-11 in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. There will be guided hikes, a barbecue, campfire program with geologist Daina Hardisty, camping under towering old-growth trees, huckleberry picking and other activities. Details: 206-625-1367 or www.wta.org.

• The free Rainier Mountain Festival hosted by Rainier Mountaineering Inc. and Summit Haus is 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 17-18 at Rainier Base Camp in Ashford, Pierce County.

Included are a sale of new and used mountaineering clothing and equipment; autographs, book signings, slide shows and films with mountaineers Ed Viesturs, Jim and Lou Whittaker, Dave Hahn and John Roskelly; a trail run ($10); salmon bake and brews; alpine games; kids rock climbing and inflatable bounce house; and live music.

Details: 800-238-5756 or www.rainiermountainfest.com.

• One of six nominees will be inducted into the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center's Wild Salmon Hall of Fame on Sept. 24 at the Kitsap Conference Center in Bremerton.

The award honors individuals that have dedicated their lives in efforts to restore, protect and conserve wild salmon populations. Cost is $55. RSVP by Sept. 15. Details: 360-275-3575.

• The Tacoma Nature Center is offering a free guided hike and other activities, 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 24 at the Morse Wildlife Preserve in Graham. The trails at the preserve also are open and free to use from noon-4 p.m. Sept. 11. Details: 253-591-6439.

Compiled by Mark Yuasa, Seattle Times staff reporter. He can be reached at 206-464-8780; e-mail: outdoorsnotes@seattletimes.com; fax: 206-464-3255; address: P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111.