Photo: Doris Sherrick Grand Canyon Parashant Archaeology, Arizona Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08083A Price: $495 Deposit: $50 Capacity: 12 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Doris Sherrick On this trip we will search for and document ancient Paiute and Ancestral Puebloan sites in the Hidden Hills area of Grand Canyon-Parashant, the nation's newest national monument. This part of the Colorado Plateau has been inhabited by humans for more than 10,000 years. The desert environment is challenging and varied in terrain and plant life. East of where we'll be working, near Mt. Trumbull, there is evidence of volcanic activity and concurrent habitation. There will be some free time for hiking, exploring, and photographing this beautiful area. We will camp in a primitive campsite on the edge of a wilderness area. A professional archaeologist, John Herron, will be with the group throughout the trip, and he'll direct the training, surveying, mapping and recording. The Project  Photo: Doris Sherrick We will spend much of our time surveying (walking in grid patterns), mapping, and documenting unrecorded habitation sites that may be associated with rock art in the area. This is not a dig. The Sierra Club's policy of conducting non-invasive surveys will be the operating practice. Mapping, GPS skills, drawing skills, or prior archaeological experience are greatly appreciated but not required -- John Herron will give you the training necessary to identify surface artifacts and document the sites.
Day 1: We will meet at 9 a.m. at the Bureau of Land Management office in St. George, Utah. Directions will be provided. We will then go to the site and set up camp and have a brief orientation. If you have a high-clearance vehicle with sturdy tires, you can drive it to the campsite (it takes about two hours over rough roads). However, if you have a rental sedan or an equivalent low-slung vehicle, you will need to leave it at the BLM office parking lot. A van will be provided for those who need transportation. Carpooling to the site is encouraged.  Photo: Doris Sherrick Days 2-7: Each participant will be assigned to one of three groups based on interest and ability: explorers, who will seek new rock art sites; surveyors, who will walk grids and record what is found; and recorders who map and draw. There will be one free day to explore or relax as you wish. There may also be an exploring crew to find new rock art sites. Day 8: We will pack up and head back to St. George by noon.
 Photo: Doris Sherrick The Sierra Club will provide meals, beginning with lunch on the first day and ending with lunch on the last day. Participants will help prepare the meals. Vegetarian diets can be accommodated; please notify us of any dietary restrictions on your trip forms. Once camp is set up you will not have to relocate during the week. There will be a primitive outhouse, trees, and a screen tent for shade. There are many pinon and juniper trees at the campsite. Water is hauled into this site so it will be rationed. There will be adequate water for drinking and food preparation, but little for bathing.
This trip requires that you be in excellent physical condition. We will not be close to any medical facilities. The surveying often requires you to climb over rocks and up steep inclines. You must be able to make this hike carrying equipment and at least three liters of water. The identification of sites requires good eyesight and hiking skills. An adult must accompany anyone under 18.
 Photo: Doris Sherrick Necessities include a tent, personal mess kit, a reusable container for lunches, a daypack, at least three one-liter water bottles, broken-in hiking boots, and a personal first aid kit. A complete packing list will be provided to registered participants. If you want a sun shower and/or use more than a quart of water per day to shower then you will need to bring extra water. All of your equipment should fit in a duffel bag for transport to the campsite.
Conservation We will see first-hand some of the results of public land management, both good and bad. We will also conserve resources during the trip by recycling everything possible (including water). We will not use paper towels and will attempt to minimize the amount of driving we do.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Marietta Tretter has been leading archaeology service trips for more than 14 years. In real life, she teaches computer and statistics courses at Texas A&M University. She grew up in southern Colorado and considers herself a native of the Southwest. Many of the trip participants enjoy her sense of humor. General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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