Nankoweap Creek is one of the foremost tributaries in the Grand Canyon traveling some 12 miles from the north rim to the Colorado River. The Nankoweap area harbors a unique flora with influences from the Great Basin and Mohave/Sonoran deserts colliding in a narrow canyon. This amazing riparian ecosystem was once overrun with tamarisk (Tamarisk ramosissima), an invasive tree that robs water from native plants and dominates western watersheds.
Join reknown biologists to complete tamarisk follow-up removal work in Nankoweap’s main creek and many distinctive tributaries and take part in botanical inventory and collecting activities to expand current knowledge of Grand Canyon’s unique flora.
Explore the botanical gems that reside in remote springs and tributaries of Nankoweap Creek while protecting this riparian refuge from tamarisk.
Special Notes: This class will meet at Kane Ranch, a property owned by the Grand Canyon Trust, in Marble Canyon the night before class for dinner and a camp out. Rides from Flagstaff and Phoenix may be possible for this class.
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Itinerary
Oct 1st Meet at Kane Ranch (GC Trust Property) for dinner and spend the night.
Day 1 Introductions and classroom orientation, carpool to trailhead. Hike to Marion Point.
Day 2 Descend remaining distance on trail to Nankoweap Creek. Establish 1st basecamp.
Day 3 Tamarisk control/botanical inventory and dayhike to the Colorado River.
Day 4 Tamarisk control/botanical inventory and relocate to 2nd basecamp.
Day 5 Exploratory hike upstream with tamarisk control/botanical inventory along the way.
Day 6 Exploratory hike upstream with tamarisk control/botanical inventory along the way.
Day 7 Begin acsent of the Nankoweap Trail to Tilted Mesa.
Day 8 Ascend the remaining distance on the Nankoweap Trail to the rim and wrap up session.
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