Deer Creek Agave Survey

September 25- October 1, 2020 with Lisa Kearsley and Wendy Hodgson

CLASS INFORMATION AND SYLLABUS  Symbiotic relationships of plants and animals The Phillips’ agave, Agave phillipsiana, is one of  General introduction to the rock layers, several species of agaves researchers believe was geography, and formation of Grand domesticated and farmed centuries ago by pre- Canyon Columbian farmers. Its populations survive as scattered archaeological relicts/artifacts from DAY 1 Grand Canyon in the north to the Tonto Basin in south-central Arizona, having persisted by We will meet at 1:00 p.m. at Hamblin Park, 556 N vegetative reproduction. Rose Collom first 100 E, Kanab, on the north part of town. At this discovered this agave in 1938 in Grand Canyon, outdoor space, we will spend some time on the distinguished first botanist of Grand Canyon introductions and logistics, gear and class National Park. information, including an introduction to the geography of the Grand Canyon and the history The Deer Creek population is only one of four of domesticated agaves in Arizona, focusing on within the Park. As part of its assessment, we will Agave phillipsiana. count the number of individuals and determine if there are obvious or potential impacts on the DAY 2 population. We will also discuss how these and other Southwest plants in and outside the Canyon We will meet at 7:30 AM at Hamblin Park and played important roles in the subsistence patterns caravan to the Indian Hollow trailhead. The hour of indigenous people, including potentially long drive follows forest service dirt roads, dusty cultivated wild species. We will also survey the but in good condition. area for other potentially rare species. We will also discuss the diversity of the Canyon’s plants and We will hike down the Thunder River Trail, the on-going research addressing its flora, approximately 6-miles and 1,800 descent, to a including the evolution and distribution of certain magnificent dry camp on the red slick rock plant groups as affected by the unique factors Esplanade with tremendous views across the characteristic of this area. canyon.

Partial List of Subjects Covered: DAY 3  Further roles of Agave phillipsiana and other domesticated agaves and other We will hike to the Deer Creek Campsite today, plants possibly cultivated approximately 6-miles and a 3,200 foot descent.  Speciation in Grand Canyon Along the way, we will pass through one of the  Desert Botanical Garden research in most scenically stunning and geologically collaboration with NPS in the Canyon significant and unusual landscapes in Grand Canyon; Surprise Valley--an ancient landslide at  Riparian restoration planning and status the base of the Redwall Limestone. (I’m moving  Overview of invasive plant species this option to the hike-out day…) management and decision making  Ecological effects of Glen Canyon Dam Deer Creek Campground, our home for three on the Colorado River nights, has a composting toilet.

 Native flora and fauna of Grand Canyon and efforts to support/reintroduce them

DAY 4 your car for when you get out. Bring a water purifier. No sharing of water filters or containers We will census the population of Agave phillipsiana, outside of family groups assess their condition, and count ‘pups’. After the census, we will further discuss the ecology and Ratsack future of Agave phillipsiana and general archaeology Bring your own. in the region. We will also spend time hiking to Deer Creek Falls, which plunges 140 feet over the ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS Tapeats Sandstone cliff near the river’s edge. Wendy Hodgson is a certified desert rat, having DAY 5 lived in the Sonoran Desert for 49 years. She is a research botanist, herbarium curator and botanical We will have a second layover day at Deer Creek, illustrator and has been with the Desert Botanical where we will collect and learn more about plants Garden for 44 years. Her areas of interest and in the area, learn about the effects of Glen Canyon research include southwest US and northern Dam on the Colorado ecosystem, and Grand Mexico floristics. For over 25 years she has been Canyon geology. We will also have free time to documenting and studying plants within Grand just relax in the shade of the cottonwoods, hang Canyon National Park, including the evolution out on The Patio, or chill in The Jacuzzi. and distribution of certain plant groups as affected by the unique factors characteristic of this area. DAY 6 Her research also focuses on taxonomy and systematics of Agave and Yucca, including the Today, we will begin our climb out of the canyon, study of pre-Columbian agave domesticates, back through Surprise Valley and up to the Cactaceae, Sonoran Desert ethnobotany, and rare Esplanade once more for a dry camp. Before and endemic plants. Wendy is the author of hiking out of Surprise Valley, we will have the numerous scientific papers and the illustrated option of a 3-mile round trip day hike (without book, Food Plants of the Sonoran Desert our big backpacks) eastwards to visit Thunder (University of Arizona Press), winner of the 2002 Springs, where thousands of gallons of spring Klinger Book Award, presented by the Society for water gush from the limestone wall. We will be Economic Botany. traveling approximately 4 miles and around 2,800 vertical feet. The trail is very steep, rocky and un- Lisa Kearsley came to love Grand Canyon while maintained on the way out of Deer Creek and up spending her childhood summers on the North to Surprise Valley. Rim as her father studied Kaibab squirrels. She finally was able to move to Arizona in the 1980s DAY 7 to earn a master’s degree in biology at Northern Arizona University. And, like many who have We will finish our hike out to Indian Hollow come to Arizona, she never left. today. We should be out of the Canyon around lunchtime and we will try and gather back at She has worked for the National Park Service at Kanab for a summary, an outdoor lunch (dutch), Grand Canyon as an interpretive park ranger and and farewells. as a researcher, studying vegetation trends and the effects of Glen Canyon Dam on river campsites. ABOUT FOOD, WATER, AND GEAR: Her love of river running drew her to Utah’s San Juan River, which prompted her to write and Cloth Face Covers and Sanitizer publish the San Juan River Guide, a comprehensive Bring your own from home. guidebook for river runners and to work as a commercial guide there for a number of years. She Food found that introducing people to the Southwest is No sharing of food outside of family groups her true calling, and she now focuses on helping experience the Grand Canyon through trips on Water the rims and on backpack trips. She also is a You must have at least 4 liters for your daily natural science illustrator consumption. In addition, bring enough water containers for 3 liters extra for our dry camps. Our first and last night's camps on the Esplanade platform are dry camps so we will need to carry extra water for those camps. Leave some water in RECOMMENDED READING

Anderson, Michael F. Living at the Edge: Explorers, Exploiters and Settlers of the Grand Canyon Region.

Coder, Christopher M. An Introduction to Grand Canyon Prehistory.

Pocket Naturalist Field Guide to the Grand Canyon.

Price, L. Greer. An Introduction to Grand Canyon Geology.

Ranney, Wayne. Carving Grand Canyon.

Sadler, Christa. Life in Stone.

Scott Thybony Grand Canyon Trail Guide: Bright Angel

Scott Thybony Grand Canyon Trail Guide: South Kaibab

Whitney, Stephen. A Field Guide to the Grand Canyon.

These books and other interpretive aids can be purchased at Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstores on the north and south rims, online at www.grandcanyon.org, or by calling 800-858- 2808. GCC members receive a 15% discount.