A GEOLOGIC TREK ACROSS CASTLE COUNTRY Land of Dinosaurs and the Sleeping Rainbow June 7 June 14, 2012

The Anza Borrego Institute Spring 2012 Desert Hostel presents A GEOLOGIC TREK ACROSS CASTLE COUNTRY Land of Dinosaurs and the Sleeping Rainbow June 7 June 14, 2012 AN EARTH SCIENCE INTRODUCTION TO THE NATURAL WONDERS AND SCENIC ATTRACTIONS OF THE COLORADO PLATEAU SAN RAFAEL SWELL WATERPOCKET FOLD GRAND STAIRCASE

ABFI FIELD TRIP LEADER: Paul Remeika ABFI PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Joan Carskaddan PROPOSED PROGRAM ITINERARY: This is a high clearance, 4X4 field trip. Although the majority of the field trip will be on pavement, we will have the unique opportunity to travel on a few secondary backcountry dirt roads that may have washboards, rocks, high clearance problems, soft sand, ruts, and washouts. If appropriate, we will stop at strategic visitor centers to obtain road conditions prior to heading out on the dirt roads. Back up routes are planned in case roads become impassable due to rain, or rock falls, but most should be okay during the early summer months prior to the monsoon season.

FIELD TRIP DAY 1 Thursday, June 7, 2012 THE SAN RAFAEL SWELL Meet at the College of Eastern Utah Prehistoric Museum in Price, Utah Since today is an altitude adjustment day, we tour the College of Eastern Utah Prehistoric Museum in Price, Utah, for a brief introduction to the paleontology of the area. JURASSIC PARK: THE CLEVELAND LLOYD DINOSAUR QUARRY

After departure from the museum, we will drive south to the Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry in the San Rafael Swell for a tour of one of the most prolific Jurassic age Allosaurus dinosaur quarry sites in North America. CASTLE COUNTRY WILDERNESS After lunch, we venture into the heart of the San Rafael Swell to the magnificent Wedge Overlook for a great introduction to the colorful stratigraphy of Castle Country. A field lecture on the Grand Staircase and Colorado Plateau is planned. At the end of the day we end up in Green River, Utah, on Interstate 70, staying at the Super 8 Motel. Dinner is on your own. FIELD TRIP DAY 2 Friday, June 8, 2012 RED DESERT LANDSCAPES HOODOO ARMY OF GOBLIN VALLEY The morning session includes a visit to the John Wesley Powell River History Museum on the banks of the Green River to enjoy a history lesson of the area, view the Book Cliffs, and watch a movie on the early exploration of the Colorado River. Afterwards, we drive south from Interstate 70 along the San Rafael Swell to Goblin Valley for lunch and an easy hike through the fascinating sculptured land of the hoodoos carved out of the Entrada Sandstone. DISCOVERY DRIVE TO CAPITOL REEF In the afternoon, we follow back roads from Goblin Valley to Factory Butte along outcrops of the Mancos Shale. This rock unit is significant to the story of the ancestral Colorado River and its evolutionary history cutting across the Grand Canyon which led to deposits featured in the badlands of Anza Borrego. A brief stop to examine a prolific fossil shell bed of devil s toenails along the Notom Road is planned, followed by a scenic drive through Capitol Reef and the Waterpocket Fold. We stay the night at the Sandstone Inn in Torrey, Utah. Dinner is on your own.

FIELD TRIP DAY 3 Saturday, June 9, 2012 NATURE S GREAT WALL: THE WATERPOCKET FOLD CAPITOL REEF S SCENIC DRIVE A visit to Panorama Point and the Goosenecks Overlook makes for a good introduction to the stratigraphy of the Waterpocket Fold. Then we follow the scenic drive along the Capitol Reef escarpment to Capitol Gorge for a rewarding hike to examine the stratigraphy up close, see developing waterpockets, and historic pioneer inscriptions. We eat lunch at the trailhead shade ramada. FREE AFTERNOON FOR EXPLORATION OF CAPITOL REEF After lunch, participants will have the opportunity to do further exploration with hikes into side canyons or up to natural bridges (Hickman Natural Bridge), view ancient rock glyphs, pick fruit in the park orchards, and visit more geologic viewpoints along the backside of the Waterpocket Fold. We stay the night at the Sandstone Inn. Dinner is on your own. FIELD TRIP DAY 4 Sunday, June 10, 2012 STRIKE VALLEY AND THE GRAND STAIRCASE ESCALANTE UPENDED WORLD OF SLICKROCK SANDSTONE The morning session is a drive south on the Notom Road to the historic Burr Trail Switchbacks. Stops will be made at the Hall s Creek Overlook, the Oyster Beds, and a newly discovered dinosaur footprint. A lecture on the Western Interior Seaway will introduce participants to the ancient landscape setting of Laramidia and its stratigraphy. Once we climb up the switchbacks we have a fantastic view of the Waterpocket Fold monocline, Strike Valley, and the Henry Mountains laccolith to the east. Lunch is at Upper Muley Canyon picnic area (no facilities here).

RESOURCES OF THE CIRCLE CLIFFS BACKCOUNTRY In the Circle Cliffs, we visit the Wolverine Petrified Forest wilderness to examine petrified wood derived from the Triassic Chinle Formation. This includes a short one mile hike. Once back on the main road through Long Canyon, we will make a brief travel stop at the Anasazi Museum in Boulder to view a movie on the ancient ones, and examine ruins. DISCOVERY DRIVE TO TROPIC VALLEY A discovery drive south along the scenic rim backbone of Highway 12 down to Escalante and Tropic is a rewarding experience. We stay the night at the Bryce Canyon Inn Cabins in Tropic, Utah. Dinner is on your own. FIELD TRIP DAY 5 Monday, June 11, 2012 DISCOVERY DAY AT BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK HIKING THE SILENT CITY AND QUEEN S GARDEN This is a free day up at Bryce Canyon National Park to discover and hike through the Bryce Amphitheater. A recommended hike down the Navajo Trail connecting with the Queen s Garden Trail makes for a rewarding loop hike of about 3 miles. Another afternoon hike along the Bristlecone Loop Trail at the end of the park road is also encouraged. After the hikes, and in between, free time is allowed for lunch at the lodge and to visit other points of interest, plus the visitor center. Stay the night at the Bryce Canyon Inn Cabins. Happy hour. Dinner is on your own.

FIELD TRIP DAY 6 Tuesday, June 12, 2012 TOURING ACROSS THE PAUNSAGUNT PLATEAU TRACKING THE SEVIER FAULT TO MOUNT CARMEL JUNCTION An early morning visit to the Grand Staircase Escalante Visitor Center in Cannonville, and the Red Canyon Visitor Center outside of Bryce Canyon is planned followed by a stop at Mount Carmel Junction to examine fossil shellfish from the Carmel Formation. NAVAJO SANDSTONE: STANDING UP CANYON COUNTRY A stop at Checkerboard Mesa within Zion National Park is planned. Entering Zion Canyon, lunch will be at the Cultural History Museum in Zion Canyon. After lunch a lecture on the Navajo Sandstone and development of Zion Canyon is planned. Stay the night at the Bumbleberry Inn Motel in Springdale, Utah. Dinner is on your own. FIELD TRIP DAY 7 Wednesday, June 13, 2013 ZION NATIONAL PARK TEMPLE OF SINAWAVA AND THE VIRGIN RIVER The morning is dedicated to exploration of Zion Canyon. We take the Springdale shuttle bus to the Zion National Park Visitor Center then pick up the park s shuttle bus for a ride to the end of the road at Temple of Sinawava. A lecture on the carving of the canyon and the principle rock units that make up Zion Country, and the Grand Staircase, is planned. Lunch will be at outdoor café located at Zion Lodge. DISCOVERY AFTERNOON IN ZION CANYON The afternoon will be free time to hike various side canyon trails, The Narrows, or do more sightseeing within this sublime canyon. Stay the night at the Bumbleberry Inn Motel. Dinner is on your own.

FIELD TRIP DAY 8 Thursday, June 14, 2012 THE ST. GEORGE BASIN HURRICANE FAULT ESCARPMENT In the morning, we visit the Hurricane Fault Overlook. This is a great stop for viewing the Hurricane Fault escarpment and pointing out the offset stratigraphy of the St. George Basin. An inverted terrain is interpreted based on dynamic lava flows that cap mesas across the landscape. DINOSAUR FOOTPRINT MUSEUM AT JOHNSON FARM A visit to the Dinosaur Footprint Museum at Johnson Farm will reinforce earlier interpretations of footprints visited on the field trip. We will have an extended private tour of the museum and its footprint exhibits. Lunch will follow. A short field trip to view more dinosaur footprints in St. George may be planned. TBA. End of field trip. This field trip roadlog will be accompanied by a more expansive travelogue narrative which will assist you in reaching our planned destinations, weather permitting. Follow it only as a courtesy guideline in case you inadvertently become disoriented, fall behind in traffic, or miss an important turn. Every effort will be made to wait for the group at key intersections and/or inform you ahead of time of necessary directions to planned stops or points of interest. The travelogue will be designed as a best case scenario and will be followed as closely as possible in order to present to you the best introduction to this fascinating area. Due to the possibility of inclement weather, some dirt roads throughout the San Rafael Swell, the Red Desert south of Goblin Valley, and the Notom Road Burr Trail may become locally impassable, even if you have a 4X4 vehicle, due to rain, flashfloods, or unpredictable rockfalls. If this is the case, optional paved routes or

other secondary roads may be entertained with alternate stops not reflected in the travelogue. Again, every effort will be made to notify you in advance of changes to the day s itinerary including impromptu stops, turns, unplanned routes, mechanical problems, and any informal free time for more relaxed adventuring and enjoyment. There is no hurry. Please be safe, drive carefully, and use common sense. This field trip, from beginning to end, may cover an estimated 700 miles of paved roads and unimproved dirt roads. It does not include travel days from home up to our meeting place in Price, Utah, on the morning of Day 1 nor travel days back home from the end of the field trip in St. George on Day 8. Keep in mind that on any lengthy field trip a few days here and there may be longer or shorter than other days. That is to be expected. Plan ahead, be patient, learn something new, and enjoy. Discovery Drives (usually scheduled in the afternoon) may include up to 100 miles of driving between points of interest, rest stops, or motels, and are considered free times for you to enjoy not only the drive but various points of scenic and educational interest along the route. These drives are often necessary during field trips that may range over long distances. Discovery Hikes are guided hikes of one mile or less and are geared to educate you as to the landscape presented plus any points of interest outcropping along the trail. We acknowledge that designated Discovery Days and Discovery Afternoons are important to participants and are listed as dedicated free times to allow adequate time for you to do an extended hike and become better educated and intimately familiar with the particular area we are visiting. Hiking during planned free times is definitely encouraged. Please take advantage of hike recommendations listed in the travelogue. Nature and the outdoors may be hazardous especially during the monsoon season. So be careful, be responsible, and use good judgment. On any intended hike, carry plenty of water, snacks, hat, boots, sunscreen, map, and proper clothing. We are not responsible for your safety. If you need to experience a thrill beyond the field trip we suggest visiting Disneyland. Cellphone coverage and services may be nonexistent in many remote and undeveloped areas we visit so carry sufficient water, food, tools and equipment, and plan ahead, especially for obtaining gasoline. Remember that Utah is on Mountain Standard Time in June which is one hour ahead of California time (Pacific Standard). Plan accordingly. Gratuities are welcome for guided tours during the field trip. In this case, we have arranged for a private tour of the fossil footprints at the Dinosaur Footprint Museum at Johnson Farm. Most important of all enjoy the geologic landscape setting of Castle Country and the magnificent stratigraphic layering of the world class Sleeping Rainbow featured throughout the Grand Staircase.

REGISTRATION FEE: $1310 / $1275 for ABF members Single Supplement: $350 What IS included? Accommodations: 1 night at Super 8 motel in Green River, Utah, 2 nights at Sandstone Inn in Torrey, Utah, 2 nights at Bryce Canyon Cabins in Tropic, Utah, 2 nights at Bumbleberry Inn in Springdale, Utah, and most lunches (sack or restaurant). Fees are based on double occupancy. For participants traveling alone but wishing to share a room, we will try to arrange for a roommate. If a roommate is not available, the single supplement will be charged. We calculate the single supplement by adding one half the cost of the double rooms that are priced into the tour. What is NOT included? (1) Breakfasts and Dinners: Except for buffet breakfasts at Sandstone Inn, we do not include or charge for breakfasts and dinners. This frees participants to enjoy eating when and where they prefer, and to choose the foods and portion size they desire. Since many restaurants are unable to accommodate large groups eating together, we found this to be a favorable solution. (2) Alcoholic beverages: Keep in mind that alcoholic beverages of any kind may be hard to find in Utah, especially in Green River, Torrey, and Tropic; although the availability is slowly getting better. BYOB. (3) Transportation: participants are required to bring their own vehicles (4 wheel drive required), carpooling is encouraged. We expect to travel at least 600 miles during the field trip. Vehicles should be well maintained and in good working order for touring on the Colorado Plateau which averages about 5,000 feet above sea level. Expect some improved gravel roads. In the unlikely event that a vehicle becomes disabled during the trip, every attempt to fix the problem will be made, however, the owner will be responsible for attending to the matter and the field trip will continue without unnecessary delay. Paul is an excellent tour leader and will do everything within his power to assist you. Physical difficulty: Most stops will feature informative field study. Short hikes to points of interest are on uneven terrain but within close proximity to the vehicles. Planned hikes involve cross country travel and may be one mile one way. Always wear protective sunscreen, sturdy shoes, and a hat. Carry water, food, and essential firstaid equipment. Bring waterproof rain gear and river shoes. Don't forget your camera, a folding camp chair and your National Parks pass. Cancellation Policy $200/person deposit is due at the time of booking and can be made online by credit card. Full payment is required by April 1, 2012, and can be made by check made payable to Anza Borrego Foundation, or call us with a credit card number at 760

767 0446 (not American Express). In fairness to others and because of expenses incurred, cancellations will be charged the per person fees below: If you cancel prior to March 9, 2012, $25 per person is not refundable. If you cancel between March 10 and April 9, $200 per person is not refundable. If you cancel between April 10 and May 30, 50% of tour price per person is not refundable. If you cancel May 31st or after, no refund unless we can fill your reservation. Please note that we cannot make any exceptions to this refund policy for any reason, including but not limited to medical reasons, illness, travel delays, personal situations, emergencies, or weather. While inconvenient, please understand that this policy enables us to sustain our programs even with last minute cancellations. Tour fees only cover a portion of Anza Borrego Institute program costs.