Photo: John Everett Archaeology in Canyonlands National Park, Utah Highlights:
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Trip Number: 09064A Price: $ 545 Deposit: $100 Capacity: 13 Leader:
The title and capacity of this trip have changed from what was previously published. If you have questions, please contact us. 
The Trip Canyonlands National Park is classic red rock desert canyon country with arches, slickrock, wide vistas, excellent hiking, amazing sunsets and many archeological ruins. The Needles district is located south and west of Moab, Utah, and a world-class destination for mountain bikers, rafters, off road and canyoneering enthusiasts. We will work with the park archeologists documenting several new sites located on previous outings in Salt Creek and Horse Canyons and walking search grids to locate new sites. We will probably take at least a half a day off to explore the area, hike to arches and other local features. The Project: Last year the Sierra Club assisted the park archeologists with a systematic survey of Salt Creek Canyon from the gate to Peek-A-Boo Springs and located 34 new sites including a major one. The first year of our survey we discovered over 10 new sites, documented several known sites and located several occupational areas. In one occupational area a willow and yucca basket in nearly mint condition was discovered and excavated from under an overhang. It's likely our work on this outing will be in Horse Canyon near the Tower Ruin documenting some sites we discovered in 2007. Access to this area is by 4x4 up Salt Creek. Occasionally the road washes out and if this happens there will be some hiking into our work area (up to 3 miles each way). The National Park Service Archeologist has expressed a strong preference for participants who have prior archeological experience with Ancestral Puebloan (Anansazi) structures, rock art and artifacts. This experience can come from other Sierra Club archeological trips or formal archeological training or experience. Please be prepared to discuss your archeological background with the leader when you sign up.
Please be at Split Top Group Campsite between noon and 3 p.m. on day one. The ranger at the entrance station will provide you with directions to the group camp site. Park entrance fees will be waived if you show the entrance letter I will provide you. If you arrive after hours, go past the entry booth, past the turn off to the visitor's center and watch for the first left turn within a mile going to ranger residences, Cave Springs and Salt Creek. Go past the ranger residence turn off to the T in the road. Turn left and go less than a mile on a good gravel road to the sign indicating a junction to Cave Spring and Salt Creek. Split Rock Camp is located on the left side of the road. Day one will be for setting up camp, general trip orientation, exploring the archeological sites and nature trail near camp and getting to know each other. A typical day will start with breakfast at around 7 a.m. and the workday begins at 8 a.m. Cooler morning temperatures make working early in the day the best option. We'll pack lunch after breakfast and eat it in the field. When it gets hot, usually around 3:30 p.m., we will take the rest of the day off to clean up, go exploring or relax. If we have located an interesting site, the day can go longer. On the half-day off, usually Wednesday or Thursday, small groups with a common interest usually go off to hike or explore places like Druid Arch or Chesler Park. The option of continuing to perform archeological surveying is usually available. On the last day there is no organized activity after breakfast other than breaking camp. You can expect to be on the road to your next adventure or heading home by 10 a.m.
This campsite is small (limited to 15 people) but is located away from the principle campground. It has shaded tent sites near interesting rock formations and oak trees. Unlimited water is available on tap for cooking, cleaning and filling shower bags. There are picnic tables, a central fire pit, and a fancy pit toilet as well as daily garbage service. The food will be vegetarian but will include cheese, eggs and other dairy products and soy products. Several of the dinners can be prepared with meat products if participants indicate in advance their interest in having meat available. A maximum of three vehicles can be parked near the campsite. All extra vehicles will be shuttled to the visitor's center and provided parking permits for the week. We will shuttle you to your car if needed for the day off activity you select.
The location and accommodations in the camp make the tenting and food preparation portion of the trip easy. The desert can be hot, windy and dry at any time of the year. You can prepare for these conditions by bringing the correct clothes and drinking adequate quantities of water during the trip. The process of walking grids over uneven terrain in hot weather all day can be physically challenging. Occasionally the sites we seek are located on cliff sides where steep climbs on loose rock and soil is required to observe the site. You will not be asked to climb anything you are not comfortable with. Please be in good physical condition with the ability to handle long walks at a slow to moderate pace. Each participant will be asked to volunteer to assist with preparation of several group meals. All group cooking utensils, food and instruction for meal preparation will be provided.
The equipment list below spells out nearly everything you will need for this location at this time of year. Essentially this is luxury car camping so feel free to bring whatever equipment, special snacks, food and clothing you need to be comfortable. You must bring your own cup, bowl, dishes, water bottles and cutlery for your meals and a plastic container for your lunch. All tools will be supplied by the NPS but many people like to bring their own compass, binoculars, GPS and digital cameras and volunteer their use during survey work. All the cooking equipment for group meals will be provided. You are welcome to use the stoves and cooking equipment for your personal needs except during group meal preparation. CAMPING EQUIPMENT:
PERSONAL GEAR:
OPTIONAL GEAR:
If you do some reading and research before coming you will better know how to spend your free time. Please visit these sites: Good books to read include:
Conservation In years past, Salt Creek Canyon was open to any motor vehicle at any time with no limit on the number of vehicles per day or on how far up the canyon they could go. Currently, only ten permits per day are issued to visitors to the canyon and the road has been closed to motor vehicle traffic above Peek-a-Boo Spring. When the NPS gated access to the canyon and limited the number and distance vehicles could travel in this environmentally and archeologically sensitive area, a number of lawsuits were filed by groups seeking continued free access. This outing is a chance to help protect this unique and archeologically sensitive area while getting to see it before any changes in the regulations preclude access or limit it further. Each night we will be discussing conservation and environmental issues as well as other outdoor skills and activities. All evening programs are optional.
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.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips |
Jim has spent over 20 years, trekking, mountain biking and leading a wide variety of trips in the southwest. His background includes leadership positions in corporate life, local Sierra Club outings, experiential learning outings, Outward Bound and aboriginal arts and life skills trainings. Jim has a special interest in the archeological history of the Canyonlands.