Want to deepen your love of the natural world, notice nature’s tiniest details and spend time surrounded by the beauty of the outdoors? Then start keeping a sketchbook nature journal! Join us for a free journaling field trip in a Jeffco Open Space Park each month and make this activity a habit.

At June’s outing, we will record nature’s twilight happenings in our journals, discover techniques for depicting sunsets in watercolor and colored pencil and enjoy a potluck dinner. This program will take place on the west side of White Ranch Park which provides an amazing view of the setting sun.

You will meet the naturalist at the west trailhead of White Ranch Park on Belcher Hill Road (not the one off of Highway 93). After making a right hand turn off of Crawford Gulch Road and east onto Belcher Hill Road, keep driving. After a short distance, you will pass one trailhead on the left. Keep driving past that one until you reach the main trailhead at the end of Belcher Hill Road. Look for directional signs posted at the kiosk to locate the group. There are no restrooms at our journaling location, but there is one located near the trailhead. For the comfort of fellow participants, please leave pets at home.

There will be short (less than .25 mile) flat hike to our program location from the trailhead.

All ages. Instruction will be geared for adults, but children who are interested in art are welcome to attend with an adult. Parents, please make sure to monitor your children's energy and interest levels during club outings to ensure that their behavior is conducive to a positive learning environment for everyone.

Please bring the following items:

-Your own sketchbook, a pencil, watercolors and any other art supplies you would like to use. We will also have some art materials to share.

-Sturdy footwear, warm layers in case it gets chilly and a rain coat.

-A bowl, spoon and portable potluck item for dinner.

-Water.

-A backpack or shoulder bag to carry your supplies.

-A flashlight as it will be getting dark as we hike back to the trailhead.

-There will be no picnic tables at our program location, so please bring a portable chair, stool, blanket or sitting pad.

Also, please join the Jeffco Open Space Nature Journal Club Facebook page if you are interested. The page is a great place to find out about club happenings, share your sketches and journal pages, arrange carpools (in the summer trailheads will start to get packed) and chat with each other.

                                    https://www.facebook.com/groups/JCOSNatureJournalClub/

To register please visit http://bit.ly/SketchingRockFormations or call Lookout Mountain Nature Center at 720-497-7600.

Already registered and need to cancel? Have questions about the program? Please give us a call at 720-497-7600 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let us know!

Office hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Tuesday - Sunday, inquiries made after 4 pm may not be answered until the following day. LMNC is closed on Mondays.