Over almost 40 years of hiking in the area, we have gotten to know many of the spots that poison ivy can be found and to spot it in the bush in new areas. It is easier to identify after it has leafed out in spring-summer, and in the fall, the leaves turn scarlet and the berries are white.

In winter the leaves drop off and the white berries remain for a while, but are not visible late in the season. We know that goats can browse on poison ivy without much of a problem and we assume the bighorn sheep can too. What we can see in February is the stalks and buds of the shrub. The whole plant is still toxic, especially the sap. Even burning it can cause lung problems. Steer clear.

We know that the north side of Cooney Bay has many clumps of poison ivy above the highwater line. We saw this shrub quite near a beach campfire. I wonder if the beach-goers knew they were surrounded by poison ivy?