Arizona Field Ornithologist
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AZFO FIELD EXPEDITION

Superstition Mountain Exploration, Maricopa Co.
6-8 May 2016

Leaders: Troy Corman and Felipe Guerrero
Contact: aplomadoATcox.net, fplguerreroATgmail.com

Overview:

In our ongoing effort to better understand the status and distribution of birds in Arizona, we often find ourselves drawn the furthest corners of the map. However, sometimes our destinations are not so far afield, but just a little harder to reach. This expedition falls into the latter category.

The Superstition Mountains, in Tonto National Forest, contain some of the highest elevations in Maricopa County. This rugged and beautiful range harbors isolated habitats that may yield some interesting discoveries in relation to rare and local breeding birds in the county. In particular, patches of pine-oak forest in canyons and on north-facing slopes may host Northern Pygmy Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Spotted owl, Mexican Whip-poor-will, Band-tailed Pigeon, Magnificent Hummingbird, Greater Pewee, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Stellar's Jay, Red-faced Warbler, and maybe even Yellow-eyed Junco. Our goal will be to backpack to these high-elevation forests, set up a base camp, split into teams, and explore/document our findings.

Our discoveries will be used for the upcoming revision currently being prepared of "Birds of Phoenix and Maricopa County, Arizona" that was last published nearly 20 years ago.

Itinerary:

Friday: Expedition leaders and participants will camp near the Roger's Trough Trailhead (4,800 ft elevation). Those participants that cannot make it Friday evening may join the expedition at the trailhead very early on Saturday morning.

Saturday: The expedition will meet at the Rogers Trough Trailhead at 6:00 am and depart promptly at 6:30 am. The trailhead is accessed from Phoenix via US-60 E. Take a left on N Queen Valley Rd (turns into Hewitt Canyon Rd) and follow it 18.3 miles to the trailhead. Leaders and participants will backpack approximately 6 miles along the Reavis Ranch Trail (#109) which is part of the Arizona Trail system, to the location of our ponderosa forested base camp. This section of trail ranges from 4,400-5,300 foot elevation. Here, the expedition will split into two (or three teams) and survey the area for birds over the course of the afternoon and evening. Camp near Reavis Ranch Homestead.

Sunday: Surveys will commence shortly after sunrise and continue through late morning. Leaders and participants will pack up camp and return to the Rogers Trough Trailhead by mid-afternoon.

Things to know and bring:

Carpooling and Parking
If you wish to carpool please contact one of the expedition leaders. Parking will be available at the Rogers Trough Trailhead. Please do not leave valuable items in your vehicle.


Hiking and Backpacking
We will be backpacking and hiking as our means of travel. Backpacks must be large enough to fit all of the gear you may want to bring. Day packs are recommended for shorter trips out of base camp and should be large enough to carry lunch, water, field guides, layers, sunscreen, etc.


Food and Water
Participants will need to provide their own food and water.
Food is needed for the following days: Friday: dinner, Saturday: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Sunday: Breakfast and lunch. Three liters of water capacity is suggested. There are multiple water sources available along the trail. Camp leaders will have water filters.


Gear
Participants should bring the following: binoculars, field guides, hats, sunscreen, several layers of clothes, tent/tarp, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, insect repellant, day pack, backpack, sturdy hiking shoes that cover and support ankles, headlamp/flashlight, pencil/pen, paper, phone, GPS unit, toothbrush/paste, toilet paper, ziplock bags, phone, watch, sunglasses, first aid kit, compass, utensils/container, lighter, rain gear (depending),


Bathrooms
We will be in the Superstition Mountain Wilderness Area throughout the expedition. “No Trace” practices are encouraged. For more information, click here.

Weather
May and June are typically the driest months of the year, when little to no precipitation can fall and cloudless skies are the norm. Temperatures can be moderate to hot (80s to low 90s) while hiking to and out from base camp. Once in the pines, it should be pleasant with layers needed in the evening. We will monitor predicted weather for that weekend.

 

 

 

 


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