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AZFO FIELD EXPEDITION

Elegant Trogons of the Galiuro Mountains, Graham Co.

3-5 June 2016

Leaders: Nick Beauregard (Backpacking) and Jennie Macfarland (Day Hikes)
Contact: Nick Beauregard nbeauregard AT tucsonaudubon.org, Jennie Macfarland jmacfarland AT tucsonaudubon.org

Overview:

The Galiuro Mountains, located in the Coronado National Forest, is one of the least-studied of the Madrean Sky Islands in southeast Arizona. This rugged, remote, and scenic range contains the classic "Sky Island" elevational biomes, lending itself to incredibly high biodiversity of birds, plants, and other wildlife. In 2015, biologists encountered several Elegant Trogons in remote canyons of the Galiuros. While trogons have been documented in the region previously, they have yet to be confirmed as breeding. If confirmed, this would extend their known breeding range about 100 miles northward. Our expedition will return to this part of the range and survey for trogons and other Sky Island specialties that have also been under-studied in this range. The Galiuros are certainly one of the most rugged and remote ranges in southeast Arizona and tough backpacking will be required. However, the rewards are potentially very exciting!

 

Itinerary:

Friday: Backpacking participants will meet at the Deer Creek TH on the eastern side of the Galiuro Mountains. We will leave vehicles there and then load into one vehicle to drive to Powers TH via Rattlesnake Road. 

Deer Creek TH directions: take I-10 to Fort Grant Rd exit in Wilcox. Follow Fort Grant Rd north until you reach a stop sign at a T intersection. Take a left onto Bonita Aravaipa Rd. Follow for several miles and look for Deer Creek Rd on the left. Take this road until you reach a small camping area and trailhead. 

Saturday: Backpacking crew will get an early start backpacking in to the mountains from the Powers TH. Trogon surveys will begin immediately upon hiking into Rattlesnake Canyon. We will scour Rattlesnake and Pipestem Canyon for trogons and other birds and eventually make camp near their confluence. 

Day-hiking crew will meet at The Nature Conservancy's Aravaipa Canyon Preserve. There is a parking area with a bathroom, and this is a good place to leave cars that do not have high clearance or 4x4. Using high clearance/4x4 vehicles, participants will carpool to Turkey Creek where they will primitive camp and plan logistics for Sunday & Monday.

Sunday: Getting an early start, backpacking crew will start the hike out to Deer Creek TH via Rattlesnake Canyon. Along the way we will have opportunities to continue surveying for trogons in addition to higher elevation species such as Yellow-eyed Junco. Upon returning to Deer Creek TH we will shuttle back to Powers TH to pick up our vehicles. Those who wish to stay in the area to help survey Aravaipa Canyon on Monday will head towards the trailhead, while those who need to leave can return home. 

Day-hiking crew will split into two teams. One team will take a vehicle to Oak Grove Canyon (further up Turkey Creek) to conduct surveys, while the other crew will return to TNC's property to survey Aravaipa Creek's spectacular sycamore groves. The crews will both work their way back towards camp at Turkey Creek. 

Monday: We will spend the day surveying for trogons and other birds in the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness. This means extensive hiking, but there is little elevation gain, lots of shade, and lots of water to help keep us cool. We will spend roughly 8 hours in the canyon, trying to get back to the trailhead by 4pm to allow plenty of time for the long drive back to Tucson. There is a limit of 8 spots available for the Aravaipa Wilderness day-hike.

Non-backpacking Options: Enthusiastic participants who are unwilling or unable to backpack may choose to explore other areas of the range as day hikes accessible by 4x4 vehicles. In particular, there are areas near Aravaipa Canyon that have strong potential for trogons. On Saturday, a crew will camp near the canyon and survey side-canyons such as Turkey Creek, Oak Grove Canyon, and potentially the Nature Conservancy property. Those interested in this alternative trip should be fit for day hiking in the remote desert and will need their own personal 4x4 vehicle to use. 

 

Things to Know and Bring

Parking and carpooling: Parking will be at remote trailheads on rough dirt roads. Participants with high clearance 4x4 vehicles are encouraged to use them for this trip. There is an option of parking low-clearance vehicles in Wilcox and carpooling. Participants should not leave valuables in their car. Contact trip leaders to coordinate vehicles and carpooling.

 

Hiking and Backpacking: This trip requires strenuous backpacking in one of the most remote mountain ranges in the region. Participants should be experienced and fit enough for this trip. Backpacking participants should carry all standard backpacking gear including water filter, sunscreen, clothes appropriate for climate, and sturdy shoes/boots. Day hike options are available for participants who would prefer to survey other nearby areas that are more accessible. Day hikers should be prepared with plenty of water and appropriate clothing/footwear.

 

Food and Water: Participants are responsible for their own food. Backpackers should pack enough food for at least two full days in the backcountry, plus something extra for emergencies. There are a few small water sources in the mountains, but none at the trailheads.

 

Bathrooms: Bathrooms are not available at the trailheads or anywhere in the mountains. Participants should expect to use Leave No Trace practices during the trip.

 

Weather: June is typically the hottest and driest month in southern Arizona. Participants should be prepared for intense heat and exposure to direct sunlight. Come prepared with sunscreen, lots of water, and long clothing to protect yourself. 

 


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