throughout thepark.Seebackpageforde Thanks toyou OF 185 MILLIONYEARS AGO, DURING THE AGE Jurassic Journey from the parents. angry andlarvae, its thick, bristly hide protects it wasp larvae. The creature licks upthe into the dune and uncovering anest of strong armshave notrouble digging deep sand ahole.swipes out Its of of short, dunes asquat,dog-sized reptile isclawing back from the lakeshore. Onone the of dunes riseabove the trees and meadows hinged shells on their backs. Vegetated the water. them Some of have translucent shrimp-likeof forms hurry deeper into good. As we wade into the lake, agroup sweaty 100degrees out and aswim sounds lakes, and setthe dunes inmotion. It isa climate shift to upthe dry vegetation, the feet. It probably wouldn’t take much a of vegetation easily breaks under apart our Walking on the dunes, the thin crust of high. the trees are afoot indiameter and 30feet fernsmeadows of and horsetails. Some of with stands conifers of and cycads amid nearly amile long. The lakeshore islined lake isafew hundred yards wide and presence achain lakes. of of The nearest from arefl above, the distant glint silver of and gold dwarf fernof and cryptobiotic soil. From sand dunesof stabilized by aliving carpet Returning to the early Jurassic, we fi to this lake, what might we see? ecosystem. we If could travel back intime Canyon, revealing evidence afascinating of one the of lakes ispreserved atHorseshoe Canyonlan of districts Canyon tops atthe Island inSky and Horseshoe dunes of Arches National Park, and mesa walls Zion National of Park, the petrifi the . It forms the cliff Today that great sand pile isknownas of and life fl formed inlowareas between the dunes, end to end. During rainy periods,lakes canyons, sand dunes covered the state from rocky isolated deserts, mountains and deep was avery diff dinosaurs knownasthe early Jurassic, Canyonlands Park News ourished inthem. ected Jurassic sun announces the , improvements are being made erent place. Instead of ds. In fact, nd asea ed

tails.

...... On the north more evidencethatatone timeHorseshoeCanyonwaslakefront property. Evidence ofalakeenvironment: piecesofpetrifi during theageofdinosaurs. fantastic landscape.However, itsoriginsare somewhatunusual:itwascreated bymircoscopic organisms It takesatrainedeye:tomostvisitors,thisrock outcrop mightblendrightinwiththerest ofCanyonlands' on the south-f theof mounds and the most of matsare pace by growing larger. We notice that all the living surface the of mound would keep theIt appearsthat lake if level were to rise, have built upinto large microbial mounds. worms and snails. In places, these mats marked by winding trails bottom-mining of limy sediment on the lake bottom, which is microscopic organisms deposit matsof dinosaurs walking around, each about the Beyond the mounds we see three-toed the most sun. these photosynthesizing organisms receive ern side acing side of the lake, of of the lake, of where Ed Red RockAd TEACHERS! Curriculum guidelinesandare cor six. Topics are takendirectly from theUtahState Science Core at www.nps.gov/cany/education. moreStandards. aboutthe program Downloadlessonplansandlearn u ca tion containsover100sci ven ed wood(aboveleft)andadinosaurtrack(right)provide tures: ATeach gulping down its meal, we seethat the dragonfl reptile, fl bug, but then ayoung pterosaur, afl hovers afew feet away. It chases afl Now ahand-sized green and gold dragonfl impressed athowfast they canmove. stand inthe shallows amid the horsetails, raise their heads inunison and bolt. We closer to get abetter look, but they suddenly sand andof awriggling crustacean. We wade narrow jaws and comes upwith amouthful with atoe, then quickly thrusts down its Onescratchesgroup Segisaurus. of the sand size askinny of turkey. They could bea er’s Guide toCanyonCoun y from the air. As it fl ence ac ashes down and snatches the re re lat ed totheNationalScience tiv i ties forgradesonethrough ies away, try Outdoor try ying ying y ...... Spanish Bottom,ColoradoRiver of CanyonlandsNationalPark The offi U.S. D National ParkService Museum ofMoab thisyear. the fossil evidence willbepublished bythe in it. Anexpanded version ofthisstory and indicators ofunusual habitatsandevents is theNavajo Sandstone, especially the living inOregon. His mainresearch interest Len Eisenberg have beenfound atHorseshoe Canyon. very rare in the Navajo Sandstone and none or innearby areas. Skeletal remains are invertebrate tracks have beenfound there plant remains, aswell asdinosaur and Fossilized wood, microbial mounds, other bulletin boards for more information). west sidetr is located just east and north the of The Jurassic lake atHorseshoe Canyon our starting place and return to the present. wanting to push ourluck, we swim back to without any sign slowing. of Not Whew! The animals soon disappearfrom view adult rushes after, braying and honking. around it to pursue the rest the of herd. The on this heavy, enraged animal and dodges at its foe. The meat-eater istoo small to take in confrontation and blows abraying honk is butted off into the group, snatching atthe smallest. It fours. The predator hasthe angle and plows and rush along the shore, galloping on all charge from the trees. The herbivores spin A large, meat-eating theropod makes a is it world, the adults watch for danger. In the Jurassic the shoreline for adrink,one or more of off smaller ones,of probably adults and larger individuals and asimilar number the tops plants. of There are two or three others riseupon thick hind legs to reach Some are on all fours pulling atferns; moving–possibly agroup of Ammosaurus. the shadows we seehead-high dinosaurs area meadows and of trees. In and out of Eventually, we arrive off web skin. of a long stiff pterosaur hasthe wingspan araven of and spring. While several make their way to epartment oftheIn cial newspaper tail that ends inawedge-shaped not long incoming. by the largest adult who turns ailhead parking lot(seethe isanindependent geologist shore the of main te ri living soilcrusts. information on back pageformore the park.See as you're exploring Watch yourstep IT'S ALIVE! or BY LENEISENBERG BY TIM GREEN National Park Service The Challenge of Drought U.S. Department of the Inte ri or

AS THE HEAT RETURNS TO CANYONLANDS THIS perennials, especially trees and shrubs. However, during a drought even the spring and the pools and streams fi lled with Of these, the pinyon pine has been hit healthiest trees can suff er infestations. winter snowmelt diminish, a race begins. particularly hard. Lack of water decreases a tree’s ability Canyonlands Park News Trees, fl owers, animals – all living things to produce sap and causes a buildup of – will compete for water. But this race is Pinyon pines (pinus edulis) occupy a sugars in its cells. This makes the tree both Published By nothing new: drought is common in the signifi cant niche in canyon country, making better tasting (to a beetle, anyway) and Canyonlands Natural Histo ry Association desert. Defi ned as an extended period of up nearly 60% of the forest cover in Utah. defenseless. Over the last fi ve years, this (CNHA), a nonprofi t orga ni za tion that assists lower than average precipitation, drought In the southeast corner of the state, they unfortunate combination has caused the the Nation al Park Service in its educational, has gripped the Canyonlands area since normally grow from 5,000 to 7,000 feet death of millions of pinyon pines in the inter pre tive and scientifi c programs. CNHA’s 1999. above sea level. Pinyon pines contribute Four Corners region. Unless an army of goals include enhanc ing every visi tor’s much to the desert ecosystem, including woodpeckers swoops in to eradicate the under stand ing and appre ci a tion of public Lack of water tests the fi tness of plants and habitat for birds and insects, shade for beetles, this trend shows no sign of abating. lands by providing a selection of quali ty, animals. Organisms that survive drought, overheated hikers, erosion control and, edu ca tion al mate ri als for sale at the park visitor centers. For more infor ma tion, whether by fi nding new water sources or of course, delicious nuts. However, a Interestingly, this large scale die-off contact CNHA at (435)259-6003, or visit tolerating some degree of dehydration, combination of circumstances now comes on the heels of twenty years of them online at www.cnha.org. pass on their abilities and genes to the next threatens the population of this important above average precipitation and forest generation. If droughts were abnormal, tree. growth. From 1976 to 1995, the southwest Editor they would be accompanied by a massive United States experienced some of its Neal Herbert die-off of plants and animals. Though The pinyon pine has one eff ective defense wettest weather in the past 1,000 years. there has been no catastrophic species against infestations: sap. When an insect This allowed the forests to grow denser Contributors loss during the current drought, scientists like an engraver beetle tries to burrow and perhaps set them up for an inevitable Chris Goetze, Gary Howatt, Len Eisenberg, working in Canyonlands have noticed into the bark of a tree, the fl ow of sap can pruning. After all, nature loves a cycle, and Melissa Memory, Mike Hill, Paul Henderson, many changes. prevent the beetle from advancing. In a the recent beetle infestation may simply be Tim Green normal forest, a small percentage of trees a display of the ebb and fl ow that is part of Although only a few animals are monitored will be infested with engraver beetles. the natural world. Park Mailing Address Canyonlands National Park closely in the park, there are indications These are usually unhealthy trees whose 2282 SW Resource Blvd. that many populations are shrinking. demise may very well improve the overall Moab, UT 84532 Researchers doing small mammal health of the forest. inventories from 2000 to 2003 were unable Phone to trap suffi cient numbers. Mexican spotted (435) 719-2313 owls, which are monitored closely in Canyonlands, have had lower than average Email reproductive rates. Mountain lions and [email protected] bears may be roaming farther in order to locate suffi cient food. In the past two Website years, there have been more and more bear www.nps.gov/cany sightings along the rivers as well as in the Cover Photo Maze and Needles Districts. Mike Hill Generally, animals are dependent on plant 4 mm The National Park Service cares for the production and seed output, which has special places saved by the American people also been low. The current drought has so that all may experience our heritage. had a negative eff ect on the growth of most Engraver Beetle Pinyon Pine

......

Exploring Island in the Sky

Basics What to do with your day • Visitor center is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April to late Octo ber, 8 a.m. First, stop at the visitor center for current infor ma tion on trails, roads, to 4:30 p.m. the rest of the year. Features exhib its, book and map sales, interpretive programs, weather, or to watch the park orien ta tion movie. audio-visual programs, backcoun try permits, general infor ma tion, and park rangers on duty. If you have 2 hours: • There are no free water sources at the Island. Water is sold in the visitor Drive to Grand View Point or Green River Overlook. Hike to . center at the front desk and at a vending machine outside. • Orientation movie: Wilderness of Rock is shown on request at the visitor If you have 4 hours: Interpretive program at Grand View Point center (15 minutes). Drive to Grand View Point, Green River Overlook and . Hike • Vault toilets are located at the visitor center, Grand View Point, Green the Grand View Point, Mesa Arch, and Upheaval Dome Overlook trails. River Overlook, Upheav al Dome, White Rim Overlook and Willow Flat Campground. The visitor center toilets are wheelchair accessible. If you have 8 hours: • Campground at Willow Flat has 12 sites available on a fi rst-come, fi rst- Visit every overlook. Hike several mesa top trails or one of the more served basis. No water or hookups provided. Nightly fee is $5/site. strenuous trails descend ing to the White Rim. Enjoy lunch on the trail or at White Rim Overlook or Upheav al Dome picnic areas. Scenic drive A 34-mile (round-trip) scenic drive allows visitors to tour the entire mesa If you are interested in geology: top. The Road Guide to Canyonlands - Island in the Sky District offers an View the exhibits at the visitor center and pick up a geology handout. Visit in sightful narrative for the trip and is sold at the visitor center. Wheelchair Grand View Point to see the rock layers. Visit Upheav al Dome and hike to ac ces si ble overlooks include Grand View Point, Green River Overlook and the fi rst overlook. There you can learn two theo ries about how the crater Buck Canyon Overlook. There are picnic areas at White Rim Overlook and might have been formed. Mountain biking on the White Rim Road Up heaval Dome. If you are interested in natural history: Interpretive activities View the visitor center exhibits and pick up a free natural history handout. • Interpretive trails (with printed guides) include Mesa Arch and Neck As you pass through Gray’s Pasture, keep an eye out for mule deer or Spring. bighorn sheep. Walk the Mesa Arch or Neck Spring trails and learn about • Ranger programs: Geol o gy talks (20 minutes) are present ed daily at native plants. 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. at Grand View Point (April to late Octo ber). Afternoon talks and walks as well as evening campfi re programs are If you are interested in human history: presented several times a week (April to September). Check at the View the visitor center exhib its and pick up a free handout. Hike the Aztec visitor center or campground for times and topics. Butte Trail to see ances tral Puebloan ruins. Hike the Neck Spring Trail to view remnants of the ranching era. Old fences and corrals are visible along For kids the scenic drive and Murphy Point Trail. Also, old mining roads are visi ble Free Junior Ranger booklets are available at the visitor center. Kids age 6 to from most overlooks. 12 can earn a Junior Ranger badge by complet ing fi ve or more ac tiv i ties in the book. For hiking, kids enjoy peeking through Mesa Arch and climbing If you are interested in watching sunrise/sunset: the back of the whale at Whale Rock. Use caution as there are unfenced Find out sunrise and sunset times at the visitor center. Visit Mesa Arch at overlooks on both of these trails. dawn. Visit Green River Overlook or Grand View Point at dusk for incom- Hiking the Grand View Point Trail para ble views of sunset over the canyons. Hike to the top of Aztec Butte for a spectac u lar view of the Island in the Sky and surround ing countryside.

2 Canyonlands Park News Living Ruins BY MELISSA MEMORY

IF YOU ARE PADDLING ALONG THE GREEN OR select which sites have the potential for more over time is beginning to emerge. Although Colorado Rivers this spring or fall, don’t detailed study, such as wood for tree ring the data has yet to be formally analyzed, be surprised to fi nd prehistoric ruins full dating, intact midden (or garbage) deposits most prehistoric sites appear to date from of life again! This is the second year of the with food remains and other household the Formative Period (900 to 1250 A.D.), Canyonlands River Corridor Architectural debris, or stone quarried for making and combine elements of both ancestral and Rock Art Survey. Funded entirely prehistoric tools. Puebloan and Fremont prehistoric tradi- through entrance fee receipts, this project tions. Historic sites refl ect ranching, mining is the fi rst to sytematically document Preservation assessments include describing and river exploration in the late 1800s Clovis Point Found prehistoric granaries, habitation structures, building materials and techniques, through the designation of the park in 1964. rock art panels as well as cowboy camps determining the stability of structures, Roughly 12,000 years ago, people archeologists call Paleoindians wandered along the rivers. This project is also the assessing future threats to the sites, and Fortunately, most sites are in relatively good the landscape of what is now Canyonlands fi rst for Canyonlands’ emerging Vanishing recommending appropriate treatments condition. However, many show signs of National Park. They led a nomadic lifestyle Treasures Ruins Preservation Program, to stabilize them. These assessments also visitor impacts. Entering structures, mov- which included hunting large Pleistocene which seeks to combine archeological and indicate whether a specialist such as a ing stones, collecting or moving artifacts all mega fauna like wooly mammoths and cave architectural documentation with baseline structural engineer, rock art conservator or reduce the ability of archeologists to recon- bears that are now extinct. preservation assessments. architect would be needed to assist with site struct the past. Imagine trying to solve a preservation. mystery if important evidence was removed These people didn’t leave much in the In the fi eld, archeologists create digital from a crime scene! Eventually, everyone way of artifacts with one exception: the maps of sites, including any rock art panels The data from last year’s fi eld work revealed loses when the site collapses, or a rock art Clovis Point, a stone projectile point with and structures. They photograph site many more structures and rock art panels panel completely disappears. Canyonlands a distinctive “fl ute” or channel running up features, identify artifacts and write detailed than were previously known. These include was established partly to protect the area’s both faces of the tool. These points were descriptions of the area. With this level of granaries used to store corn and other ma- spectacular archeological resources. You tied with sinew to large sticks and thrown as spears during the hunt. They were probably documentation, archeologists can address terials, structures thought to be seasonal can help preserve these sites by not entering quite effective since one theory suggests questions like “When did people occupy this homes, and circular structures of stacked structures, moving or collecting artifacts, or that over hunting by Paleoindians was site?”, “What were they doing here?” and rock. Through mapping the sites over the touching rock art panels. By visiting these partly responsible for the extinction of the “How does this site relate to others in the length of the rivers, an understanding of sites responsibly, you will ensure that future Pleistocene mega fauna. surrounding area?” This work will also help how the river corridors were used by people generations can enjoy them too. Clovis Points are rare and when one is found it is greeted with great excitement. Such was the case in January of 2005 when a complete Clovis Point was found in the Maze District of Canyonlands. This discovery was even more remarkable because ten years ago, another Clovis Point had been collected in nearly the same spot. These appear to be isolated fi nds as no there is no archeological site associated with this area.

How these points might have arrived here and whether they are associated with each other remains a mystery.

Detailed site maps show the location of artifacts, middens, rock art, structures and topography. Mapping a site on the Colorado River. The yellow tags serve as reference points for architectural drawings.

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Exploring The Needles

Basics What to do with your day • Visitor center is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from April to late October, First, stop at the visitor center for current information on trails, roads, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the rest of the year. Features exhibits, book interpretive programs, weather, or to watch the park orientation movie. and map sales, audio-visual programs, backcountry permits, general information, picnic area, and park rangers on duty. If you have 2 hours: • Water is available year-round at the visitor center and at the Squaw Flat Drive to Big Spring Canyon Overlook and hike the Pothole Point trail along Campground. the way. Drive to a view of the Needles on the Elephant Hill access road. • Orientation movie: Wilderness of Rock is shown on request at the visitor center (15 minutes). If you have 4 hours: • Restrooms are available at the visitor center and Squaw Flat Explore the scenic drive and graded dirt roads. Hike the Cave Spring, Pothole Point Campground (wheelchair accessible). There are also vault toilets at Pothole Point and Roadside Ruin trails or the longer Slickrock trail. El e phant Hill. • Squaw Flat Campground has 26 sites available fi rst-come, fi rst-served. If you have 8 hours: No hookups. Nightly fee is $10/site. After exploring the scenic drive, hike to Chesler Park or around the Big Spring-Squaw Canyon loop. Enjoy lunch on the trail. Scenic drive The scenic drive continues 7 miles past the visitor center, ending at Big If you are interested in geology: Spring Canyon Overlook. Along the way are several pullouts for short View the exhibits at the visitor center and pick up a free geology handout. hiking trails, viewpoints and a picnic area. Graded gravel roads lead to Every Needles trail provides unique views of rock formations, and marine Cave Spring, where there is an interpretive trail, and to the Elephant Hill fossils are visible in the canyon below Big Spring Canyon Overlook (follow trailhead, where there is a second picnic area. The Elephant Hill access the Confl uence Trail). road provides excellent views of the Needles from a car (about one mile from the pavement). If you are interested in natural history: View the visitor center exhibits and pick up a free natural history handout. On the trail to Chesler Park Interpretive activities Bighorn sheep are seen most frequently from overlooks along the • Interpretive trails (with printed guides) include Cave Spring, Pothole Slickrock Trail. Squaw, Lost and Salt Creek canyons are great for early- Point, Roadside Ruin and Slickrock. morning birding. • Campfi re programs are presented fi ve nights a week at Squaw Flat Campground (April to October). Check at the visitor center or If you are interested in human history: campground for topics and times. View the visitor center exhibits and pick up the free human history handout. Hike the Roadside Ruin and Cave Spring trails. If time permits, For kids visit the Peekaboo rock art panel in Salt Creek Canyon. Free Junior Ranger booklets are available at the visitor center. Kids age 6 to 12 can earn a Junior Ranger badge by complet ing fi ve or more If you are interested in watching sunrise/sunset: ac tiv i ties. The Cave Spring Trail, featuring a cowboy camp and prehis tor ic Find out sunrise and sunset times at the visitor center. Sunrise is pic to graphs, is always a hit with kids. Pothole Point is another popular spectac u lar from the campground area, especially along the short trail hike, especially if the potholes are full of water. Before you set out, rent over the butte between Loops A and B. Visit Pothole Point or Wooden a kids’ discovery pack from the visitor center. Packs include a natu ralist Shoe Arch Overlook as the glow of sunset washes over the Needles. Rock spires in Chesler Park guide, binoculars, hand lens and more (small fee and deposit required).

Canyonlands Park News 3 Thanks to You

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK WILL ENCHANT YOU WITH ITS MYSTERY AND BEAUTY. MILES OF roads and trails off er access to a colorful geologic wonderland in the heart of the high desert of southeastern Utah – a masterpiece of nature’s work. From sagebrush and claret cup to bighorn sheep and lizards, hundreds of species of plants and animals weave color and texture into Canyonlands’ diverse landscape.

A raft plunges through a rapid on its way through Cataract Canyon. With all this majesty, hundreds of thousands of hikers, campers, boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to Canyonlands each year. The park’s popularity creates a challenge – to assist and protect its visitors, while preserving the natural and cultural treasures that WATCH YOUR STEP! Cryptobiotic soil crust is a living Backcountry Areas groundcover that forms the foundation of high Much of the land in Canyonlands remains brought them here in the fi rst place. With your park fees and continued support, we can desert plant life in Canyonlands and the surround ing un de vel oped, a fact evident at any of meet this challenge together. area. This knobby, black crust is dominated by cyanobacteria, but also includes lichens, mosses, the overlooks along the Island in the Sky green algae, micro fun gi and bacteria. scenic drive. The park’s primitive charac ter In 1996, Congress authorized the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program in order has made it a popular desti na tion for to reverse the deteriorating scope and quality of federal facilities and address natural backcountry travel. In every district, and cultural resource issues. In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Protect Your Park • Avoid trampling cryptobiotic soil crusts. rugged roads, trails and rivers provide Enhancement Act that continues the fee programs for an additional 10 years. Prior to these Always walk on trails, slickrock or in paths into remote corners of the park. programs, user fees were returned to the general fund of the federal government and parks sandy wash bottoms. were reimbursed only for their collection costs. Now, Canyonlands keeps 80% of camping The White Rim Road, a 100-mile loop • Pets are not allowed on hiking trails or and entrance fees. During the past eight years, over 5 million dollars in retained fee revenue below the Island in the Sky mesa, is a four-wheel-drive roads, even in a vehicle. has been put to work at Canyonlands. favorite of mountain bikers and four- Pets may be walked along paved roads wheel drivers. The Needles provides ideal and in the campground, but must be itineraries for backpackers in search of For the fi rst time in nearly 20 years, the park has a trail crew to perform routine maintenance leashed at all times. solitude. The Maze offers oppor tu ni ties on over 120 miles of trails. Major trail reconstruction projects have been undertaken at • Protect water sources. Do not swim or for lengthy exploration by foot and Grandview Point, Mesa Arch and Roadside Ruin. All of the paved roads at Canyonlands bathe in potholes or inter mit tent streams. ve hi cle. Due to its remoteness and the have received preventative maintenance that extends their life and makes travel safer. • Preserve your heritage. Do not enter, diffi culty of roads and trails, travel to the Visitor centers have received fresh paint and new carpets. A sprinkler system was added alter or deface arche o log i cal sites. Leave Maze requires more time, as well as a to the Island in the Sky Visitor Center. A Backcountry Information Offi ce was constructed ar ti facts undisturbed. • It is illegal to remove natural or cultur al greater degree of self-suffi ciency. at Needles. Additional restrooms have been installed at Upheaval Dome and Green River features including plants, rocks, arti facts, Overlook, and the Island in the Sky Visitor Center. Campsites have been rehabilitated both Yet another way to see the park is on driftwood or antlers. in the frontcountry and along the White Rim Road. the rivers. Boaters can fl oat down the • Vehicles and bicycles must travel on fl atwater sections of the Colorado desig nated roads. Many other projects are in progress. and Green rivers to the Confl uence, or • ATVs are not permitted. contin ue downstream to face 14 miles This year, power-generating systems are of rapids as the river tumbles through being upgraded, the fi rst-ever survey of Protect Your self Cat a ract Canyon. paleontological resources will enter its • Drink at least one gallon of water per day second year and the fi eldwork for the fi rst if you're activ e in the desert. Rock art enthusiasts should be sure to systematic archeological survey of the river • Always carry a map, adequate clothing visit Horseshoe Canyon, a detached unit corridors will be completed. and fl ashlight in the backcountry. of Canyonlands northwest of the Maze. • Remain in one place if you become lost A moder ate ly strenuous hike leads to a National Park Service employees and or sepa rated from a group. series of picto graph panels creat ed by volunteers work hard to protect the • Always let someone know where you are hunter-gatherers over 2,000 years ago. resources of Canyonlands. Now you’re a going and when you expect to return. partner in this important work. Thanks • Never cross a canyon that is fl ooding. If you’re interested in planning a trip to • During lightning storms, avoid lone trees to you, park facilities and programs are any of these areas, request a copy of the and high ridges. Sit in a vehicle if possi ble. improving, and visitors can continue Canyonlands Trip Planner, or visit our • Be careful near cliff edges, espe cial ly to experience this national treasure for website at www.nps.gov/cany. when rock surfac es are wet or icy. generations to come. Rebuilding steps on the Upheaval Dome Trail

...... The Indomitable Juniper BY GARY HOWATT

AMONG THE MAJESTIC SPIRES, CANYONS, junipers rarely exceed 30 feet in height or and headaches. The dried seeds were pointing in all directions, have a mystical buttes and mesas of Canyonlands can be three feet in diameter. (and still are) used for beading necklaces quality. Each tree is like a fi ne work of art found a truly amazing tree: the Utah juniper and bracelets and as the “rattle” in rattles. that one might fi nd in a museum. While (Juniperous osteosperma). Junipers grow in No two junipers ever seem to look alike: Juniper logs were used to build ceremonial these trees are protected at Canyonlands, in some of the most inhospitable landscapes some are bushy, some have multiple trunks, hogans and other structures. Pioneers and many other locations they are cut down for imaginable, thriving in an environment of and many have poorly-formed crowns that cowboys found the rot-resistant wood great agriculture, grazing and urban development. baking heat, bone-chilling cold, intense are a mixture of live and dead branches. for fence posts and shingles, and it has long sunlight, little water and fi erce winds. Often To conserve water junipers can self-prune, been favored for fi rewood. The soft bark What would a park like Canyonlands be they appear to grow straight out of solid stopping the nutrient supply to one branch has been used as bedding, toilet paper and, without juniper trees? It would still be rock. On the , the juniper, in order to ensure the survival of the tree. when tightly twisted, as a slow-burning beautiful, but perhaps less enchanting. The along with the pinyon pine, forms the most match. juniper adds charm, color and splendor, to prevalent plant community – the pinyon- Junipers can be identifi ed by their bark, the landscape. It provides a stark contrast to juniper woodland – between 4,500 and leaves and fruit. The bark is gray or light Junipers have other important functions the lifeless rock, seemingly happy living in 7,000 feet above sea level. brown and often hangs in loose, fi brous as well. Their thick green foliage provides a place where few plants can. It is a master strips. The leaves are dark green, fl at and shade in an otherwise shadeless landscape. of survival in a harsh environment where The juniper can withstand drought scaly and do not drop in the fall. The fruit is Their oddly twisted trunks, with branches ultimately rock perpetuates over time. conditions that often kill other plants a pea-sized light blue berry which is actually and trees. Its hidden secret: a massive a tiny pinecone covered with a drought- underground root system which can resistant waxy coating. account for 2/3 of a tree’s total mass. A juniper’s tap root can penetrate 25 feet Animals fi nd the juniper very inviting. The straight down in search of water. It can also berries are edible, though they are not as send out lateral roots 100 feet or more from popular as pinyon pine nuts. However, the tree. The roots are especially hardy: juniper berries are a staple for jackrabbits, even when knocked over by wind, junipers coyotes and a variety of birds. This is often continue to grow. important for the tree as well since it helps to disperse its seeds. Junipers grow very slowly. A juniper standing only fi ve feet tall may be 50 years Humans have found many uses for juniper. old. Junipers typically live from 350 to The ancestral Puebloans took advantage 700 years, with some even passing the of its medicinal qualities, which include Juniper “berries“ (they’re actually tiny pinecones) are Drawing water from a stone: this juniper grew out of millennium mark. Despite their longevity, the treatment of stomach aches, coughs a source of food for many animals. just a few fractures in the surface rock. 4 Canyonlands Park News