Surprise Canyon Tamarisk and Exploration

[G2:6173 class=g2image_float_right exactsize=175 show=none]Surprise Canyon is an amazing canyon on the west side of the Panamint Range (mostly) in Death Valley National Park, the balance being BLM Wilderness and corridor through Wilderness. It is a rare desert stream, complete with year 'round water and a thriving riparian zone, and a candidate for National Wild and Scenic River designation. There are even waterfalls! Tamarisk, an invasive plant, has invaded the canyon and the various agencies have been working on controlling it for several years. Most of the big stuff is out and now we're just working on the resprouts and anything that's been missed. A new arrival in terms of invasive plants is Melalotis Alba, White Sweet Clover, and it is now clear that this plant, too, is a major threat to this (and other) sensitive riparian areas.

This trip aims to start the daunting process of getting the clover problem under control. We'll be using primarily mechanical means (read: hand-pulling) to start this process.

You can plan to arrive on late afternoon on Friday, allowing time to set up a comfortable camp, or arrive Saturday morning if you prefer. The FOI crew will most likely be arriving by dinner time on Friday.

Meeting time is 8:30 am Saturday

Meeting place: either at the campsite shortly after turning onto the Surprise Canyon road, about 2.5 miles north of Ballarat, or at the end of the road at 9:00 am.

Here you can find a map.

Saturday the plan is to start working the clover infestation from the bottom of the canyon on up. The work primarily involves kneeling, digging with small trowels or custom tools (ground rebar), breaking the plant off below ground level, and removing it. New sprouts can easily be pulled. Another team will canvas the area for any plants with seeds and these will be cut, bagged, and burned out of the canyon.

Sunday those who wish to work may certainly stay down and do so, others may want to take a trip up the canyon, through the spectacular narrows, and possibly up as far as Brewery Springs and beyond.

Logistics: bring camping gear, clothing for warm or cold, wet or dry. Some of the hike is in the stream so you will get wet feet if you want to hike as far as Brewery Springs. There are also some waterfalls which must be climbed. They are third class, easy to protect but some scrambling is required.

Please use the contact form should you have any questions, or give us a call.

Food: for those who contact us in advance we will bring food for dinner Friday and Saturday, lunch on Saturday, and breakfast Saturday and Sunday. We will pass the hat for food costs, expecting each person to pay their share, which is estimated to be about $25. Any dietary preference can be accommodated if you let us know in advance. No guarantees if you do not let us know.

Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the trip though they cannot go as far as Brewery Springs, which is in Death Valley National Park. The Park boundary is downstream from the springs. Also, Fido may have some difficulty surmounting the falls in the lower part of the Canyon.