Arizona Field Ornithologist
©2008
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AZFO FIELD EXPEDITION

 

1-3 May—Galiuro Mountains (Graham County)

 

Leader: Eric Hough & Marceline Vandewater

Contact: expeditionsATazfo.org

 

Overview:

Out of all of the “sky island” mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona, the Galiuro Mountains are among the most remote and least-visited. Situated in western Graham County south of Aravaipa Canyon, west of the Pinaleño Mountains, east of the San Pedro River, and north of the Muleshoe Ranch Preserve, the Galiuro Mountains are a rugged range with life zones ranging from upland Sonoran Desert scrub up to mixed conifer and ponderosa pine forest. A few major riparian drainages with perennial water contain sycamores and maples. During the Breeding Bird Atlas surveys in the 1990’s, the northernmost range of Whiskered Screech-Owl was documented in these mountains and as recently as 2011, two Elegant Trogons were detected in Rattlesnake Canyon. Via both backpacking and day hiking teams, on this expedition we will try to sample the avifauna present across the different life zones present in the Galiuro Mountains and determine if more southerly occurring species that have not yet been documented here, such as Yellow-eyed Junco, might occur. Come join us on this exciting and adventurous expedition!

Itinerary:

Registered participants will be instructed on meeting time and place for the afternoon of Friday, May 1st. Since high-clearance, 4WD vehicles will be needed to access the roads going to the base of the mountains, we will try to organize carpools to accommodate those that do not own such vehicles. During surveys on Saturday and Sunday, we will try to organize into at least two different groups, with at least one group backpacking up into the higher elevations while others survey lower stretches of canyon on day hikes and camp with the vehicles. We will plan to depart the area by early afternoon on Sunday, May 3rd, to allow time for participants to travel home.

Things to Know/Bring:

  • We will need to travel down unpaved, potentially rough roads to reach canyon mouths and trailheads to access the mountain range from. If you have a 4WD, high clearance vehicle that you would be willing to drive and carpool people with on the trip, please consider bringing it.
  • Hiking will be moderate to strenuous, so plan on bringing sturdy hiking boots and a walking stick. There are trails within the mountains that we will try to use, but some off-trail hiking in canyons is to be expected. Backpackers should expect to hike 7+ miles per day.
  • You will be responsible for your own food and water on the trip. A gallon of water per person per day is recommended. A daypack to carry water and snacks while we are out surveying is recommended. Backpackers should plan to bring adequate water and food.
  • We will be doing primitive camping, either by vehicles or via backpacking. A tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and/or cot, camping chair, lantern, and flashlight or headlamp (bring extra batteries for your flashlights) are recommended. For the backpacking team, the less weight you have to carry the better.
  • Please bring binoculars and cameras, with extra batteries.
  • If you have two-way radios and GPS units, please bring them.
  • Please bring an Arizona gazetteer and/or topographic maps if you have them.
  • Backpackers should bring a small first-aid kit.
  • Restrooms are not available, so plan to bring toilet paper, a shovel, and any other necessary toiletries.
  • Weather at this time of year may be hot at lower elevations (90’s F), but cooler at higher elevations and at night (50-60’s F). Therefore, it is recommended that you bring a hat, gloves, jacket and/or sweatshirt, and warm socks so that you may dress in layers. Prickly desert vegetation and ample sunlight warrant wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants.
  • A wide-brimmed hat and sunblock are also recommended.
  • Encounters with rattlesnakes, black bears, and/or mountain lions are possible, and populations of these are likely higher here due to the remoteness of this mountain range.

 

Carpooling, Meeting Time/Location:

Upon registering via email with the expedition leader, details on meeting time and place will be arranged. Carpooling possibilities can be arranged among registered participants.

 

 

 

 


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