DatesSep 5th - Sep 11th 2010 Service ProjectRussian olive eradication in main river corridor Free DaysExploring slot canyons, photography, swimming, dayhiking AccommodationsBackpack camping Trip RatingStrenuous : 5 mile backpack, no pack animal support. Sawing, lopping, digging, river hiking, tree dragging. LeadersDon Meaders Equipment |
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is best known for its central attraction, Lake Powell, but it's the Escalante River that forms the wonderful network of canyons between Waterpocket Fold to the east and the Straight Cliffs of the Kaiparowits Plateau to the west. This wide, deep redrock canyon cuts numerous narrow slot canyons and is surprisingly riparian with springs hidden deep in shaded walls. Our work will be a continuation of ten year's work eradicating Russian olive in the main river (over 39 miles of river have been cleared from the reservoir up); we'll use saws and loppers and apply an herbicide to the stumps. This invasive non-native tree is well known for choking rivers and streams in the west. The incidence of Russian olive in the area is such that it is possible to get it out of the corridor and keep it from expanding its grip. The miles of river that have been cleared are much more pleasant for hiking and rafting, and our project will assure that the native trees continue to thrive. We'll backpack to the river approximately five miles and camp just upstream of Choprock Canyon. This project is for experienced backpackers in great shape. There is no pack animal support, so we'll carry group food to base camp and make short hikes to the worksite each day. Weather permitting, we'll explore a slot canyon on our day off. This is a real treat -- a great backpack into a very remote area on the Colorado Plateau.
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