Well, this is our first full day with Coe College. There are nine students and one AmeriCorps*VISTA leader. This morning it was a little cold and rainy, but everyone was in good spirits and excited to get going.
Tamsin led a morning lecture on local geology, land issues, history, and current project sites. Students were able to connect what they would be doing in the field to what is happening both locally and state-wide.
After packing some lunches we headed out into the field. Our first stop was near Lone Mesa. We dug up rice grass along the side of the road to plant in re-vegetation sites. Then we headed to Wolfe Ranch in Arches National Park to plant some of our rice grass as well as a few other plants Plateau Restoration already had growing. While we were there the weather cleared up nicely and we were able to shed our outer layers. Once we finished planting the students took a short trip down the Delicate Arch trail to seeJohn Wesley Wolfe's cabin, rock art, and unexpectedly spotted a muskrat at Salt Valley Wash.
Once we got all of our gear packed up we headed to Park Avenue Trail for a short mile long hike down the canyon. It was quite spectacular to see all of the water flowing from the recent rain. Small pools of water were scattered throughout the sandstone and tiny streams flowed through the ground in grooves. The trail also offered a wonderful view of Courthouse Towers. At the end of the hike everyone climbed on top of a large boulder for a group photo.
On the way back out of Arches National Park we were able to learn about and take pictures of Bloody Mary Waterfall (which rarely flows) and the fault across from the visitor center.
It was an exciting first day full of adventures and turned out to be very nice weather despite the rain in the morning. Keep reading the next four days of posts to find out what other adventures Coe College went on during their alternative spring break trip with Plateau Restoration.
Signing off...
Alisa Dean
Plateau Restoration Volunteer - Minnesota State University Mankato
Tamsin led a morning lecture on local geology, land issues, history, and current project sites. Students were able to connect what they would be doing in the field to what is happening both locally and state-wide.
After packing some lunches we headed out into the field. Our first stop was near Lone Mesa. We dug up rice grass along the side of the road to plant in re-vegetation sites. Then we headed to Wolfe Ranch in Arches National Park to plant some of our rice grass as well as a few other plants Plateau Restoration already had growing. While we were there the weather cleared up nicely and we were able to shed our outer layers. Once we finished planting the students took a short trip down the Delicate Arch trail to see
Once we got all of our gear packed up we headed to Park Avenue Trail for a short mile long hike down the canyon. It was quite spectacular to see all of the water flowing from the recent rain. Small pools of water were scattered throughout the sandstone and tiny streams flowed through the ground in grooves. The trail also offered a wonderful view of Courthouse Towers. At the end of the hike everyone climbed on top of a large boulder for a group photo.
On the way back out of Arches National Park we were able to learn about and take pictures of Bloody Mary Waterfall (which rarely flows) and the fault across from the visitor center.
It was an exciting first day full of adventures and turned out to be very nice weather despite the rain in the morning. Keep reading the next four days of posts to find out what other adventures Coe College went on during their alternative spring break trip with Plateau Restoration.
Signing off...
Alisa Dean
Plateau Restoration Volunteer - Minnesota State University Mankato
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