|
| | | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 4.52 Miles |
302 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.52 Miles | 2 Hrs 30 Mns | | 1.81 mph |
| 302 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Every year, when the San Pedro River, and its tributaries, are at their lowest point, the Nature Conservancy measures where it has water. For instance, at the San Pedro crossing in Dudleyville, it is dust. But further downstream there is, again, water. "How?", was my question. Because it also flows underground. Hundreds of volunteers, including in northern Mexico, walk every inch of the river, on the same day. Or, at least, those inches where land owners give permission. I drew the middle segment of the Aravaipa River. I doubt Crazy Emily gave permission, but I walked the couple hundred yards past her plot anyway. No way around it, really. (Canyon rumor has it she has been without power for several months; if you see some maltreated horses in a corral near Aravaipa Road, that's her plot.)
Anyway ... the start point on my map was actually about 3/4s of a mile upstream from the grid coordinates I was given. Even though I knew the river had water in it upstream, being conscientious I hiked up to my actual starting point. Then I accidentally zero'd my TNC-provided Garmin 62S. (Hate it: Too hard to navigate the menu; much prefer my 60CSx.) After a fair bit of cursing, had it to where it was usable, and began walking.
If the river was dry for more than 30 feet, you were to mark a waypoint at the dry segment's beginning, then again at the end. If the river was wet for more than 30 feet, likewise. So small segments of dry and wet were not marked. Side channels are not counted, unless they flow around a sandbar. It did not matter how deep or wide the water was. In my case, I marked at the beginning and end, because it was all wet.
I saw a fair number of vultures, including one that took off a few feet over my head. (Too quick for a photo.) Lots of creatures skittering in the brush, but none I saw. About eight cows, in ones and twos, including a pair that blocked my path for about ten minutes of splashing, hollering and clapping. Saw a half dozen blue herons in the marsh just west of the large fish barrier. (Where there was garbaged, and tire-tracked up, campground.) River was heavily algaed, including spots where you could not see the water the algae was so heavy. River bottom varied from rocky to sandy, with water depth from a few inches to mid-thigh. |
| _____________________
| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
