GCHBA Volunteer Service Project At IG (Indian Garden) / Grand Canyon Hikers and Backpackers Ass. (GCHBA) / at Indian Garden Campground and RS
(March 17 - 24, 2015)
Text © copyright by Rob; and Photos © copyright by Rob Jones and Kathy Hayes
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VIPs at IG:
GCHBA Volunteer Service Project At IG (Indian Garden) / Grand Canyon Hikers and Backpackers Ass. (GCHBA) / at Indian Garden Campground and RS (March 17 - 24, 2015) Text © copyright by Rob; and Photos © copyright by Rob Jones and Kathy Hayes |
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Co-Adventurer VIPs: Barry B., Michelle C., Kathy H., Mike H., Denise H., Kathleen J., Rob J., Dave R.,
Richard S., & Jeremy W.
Mule packing by packers of the NPS
(National Park Service).
Site-based planning by Elyssa S., Jeff S., Erika A.
GCHBA planning and organization by Rob Jones, GPP-SP
(Grand Penultimate Poobah of GCHBA Service Projects).
VIP is Volunteer In Park.
camera: Panasonic DMC-ZS19
Note: the opinions in this report are not necessarily those of the GCHBA or its Board. However, Junior the Mule approves this report.
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Prelim: 3-16-2015 pack & fly: 4 miles
Kathleen and I are up early to get to the Pack & Fly. Weighing 10 buckets
and two banana boxes, readying them for their mule trip to IG (Indian Garden) tomorrow morning.
Then a walk down the South Kaibab to check out the ice on the trail. Not much. Global warming
is wreacking havoc on the Canyon springs.
IG is one of the semi-developed corridor campgrounds, and rests
on the Tonto Platform, about 4.5 miles and 3,000' below the South Rim of The Grand Canyon, alongside
the BA (Bright Angel) Trail. Semi-developed in that there is treated water (piped in via the
trans-Canyon pipeline from Roaring Springs on the North Rim), composting toilets, and designated
campsites. There's a staffed RS (Ranger Station) and naturalist programs are sometimes offered.
The BA (Bright Angel) Trail is the most popular inner-Canyon trail
in the Park. It's a gorgeous trail, in part because the present trail is based on a Native American
route that followed a canyon created by a geologic fault line. That is, it's a natural route. Its
history reflects some of our county's current issues with corporate welfare, however. Ralph Cameron
found it easier to mine tourists by adopting the BA Trail as a toll road and charging people to use
it to access their public lands than to work on his purported mining claims. The NPS gained control
of the trail in the late 1920s and improved the trail to what you hike today. The CCC (Civilian
Conservation Corp) added rest houses and built the River Trail, which connects the South Kaibab
and BA Trails on the South side of The River, through solid basement rocks (granite and schist)
in the late 1930s. If you engage in a long hike in The Canyon corridor system, consider hiking
the contrasting trails of the South Kaibab (which follows a ridge) and the BA (which switchbacks
a canyon) on your route. My suggestion is to hike down the South Kaibab and up the BA (where you
will find more water). Plan a stop under the huge Cottonwoods at the IG rest area, where you can admire rocks
made by time along with some of the handiwork of the NPS, CCC, and the GCHBA.
Next, a walk on the Trail of Time before dinner and a final Rim
shower. Now here, the Trail of Time, is something visitors can enjoy without ruining our Eaarth (Bill McKibben
spelling and meaning - see links)
by joy-riding in those polluting air tour terrorist helicopters or planes. And, natural quiet
mostly reigns here. After all, it's in the no-fly zone - something the very primitive areas of
the park do not enjoy (it's horridly noisy in the wildest sections of the Park because of air tour
terrorist overflights).
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GCHBA Task List, IG 2015 (pdf)
(Click the image for the document) | ||
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 wgc-vips-at-IG-2015-kathy-7 Michelle, Denise, Kathleen refurbish signs.jpg |
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Day 1: Into The Canyon, to IG 7 miles.
The rock layers are piled above and below as we swirl the switchbacks into The Canyon. Rocks made by time.... goes the pneumonic. Know the Canyon's History, Study Rocks Made By Time.
Know - Kaibab Limestone
The - Toroweap Formation
Canyon's - Coconino SS
History - Hermit Shale
Study - Supai Group (including the Esplanade)
Rocks - Redwall Limestone
Made - Mauv Limestone
By - Bright Angel Shale
Time - Tapeats SS
Know The Canyon's History, Study Rocks Made By Time.
The going is easy without food in the pack. Those adorable NPS
mules are toting in the food. Thanks mulies. We'll get to say "Thanks!" in person to the NPS
Packers and mulies later today at the IG RS.
Arriving at IG, Kathleen and I secure two of the larger campsites
and go to talk with Ranger Elyssa S. about the task list. Later, Ranger Erika arrives and soon after
that the helicopter with a load of flooring for the RS (Ranger Station) suspended from a long cable.
After stowing the flooring, we tour the area and then attend Elyssa's program about Bighorn Sheep. Excellent.
The wind is rustling the tent as inconsiderate campers continue to
sully the natural quiet. Owls hoot the night, a Screech Owl. Sounding lonely, he's part of the
natural quiet (yet doesn't seem so to Kathleen).
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Day 2: Paint and Flooring 3 miles.
Lacking a tail rotor, the hornet-colored chopper eases easily onto
the pad, bringing Randy to assist for the day with the start of the flooring project. Laminate
wood-a-like for the Ranger Station. Mike, Dave, Kathy, Elyssa, Richard, Jeremy and Denise remove
tack strips and staples as well as the old wood stove rock-works. Barry, Kathleen, Michelle, and
I start preparing the exterior of the clinic for painting.
The NPS mule wranglers arrive to transport the trail crew equipment
to the Rim. Stout and humorous men, they make our enforced break time (quiet for the mules) go quickly.
A high wind hinders the paint prep and painting and a rhombus-shape
room hampers the flooring work. Yet, this most excellent crew makes decent progress.
Winding down, some of us host a trail ambassador Canyon Chat in the
campground, while Mike, Dave, and Erika almost complete the flooring in one room of the Ranger Station.
All but two hikers at IG participate in the Canyon Chat, where we share a lively discussion about
Canyon trails and Canyon threats - such as the proposed escalade to the LCR (Little Colorado River),
the draining of Canyon springs by the proposed development at Tusayan, the ongoing destruction of Eaarth
and natural quiet by the air tour terrorists, and possible resumption of uranium mining on the South Rim.
So many threats, so much corporate welfare money, too little good information making it through the
corporate marketing press.
With the departure of the trail crew, some of us volunteers migrate up
to the bunkhouse. We all follow this migration for dinner and a luxurious shower. Thanks to the NPS
for the support of our work.
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Day 3: More painting 3 miles.
The crepuscular owl talks to us about the approach of the sun.
Apparently, he is still looking and hooting for a mate. It's been a lovely evening in the IG campground.
Off we go to breakfast prior to the initiation of the daily tasks.
More flooring frenzy and a plethora of painting. The petite women sing their way towards the
information center and the Rock House to rehabilitate these public places.
Mike continues on into early evening on the flooring project as others
clean up then either hike to Plateau Point or host Canyon Chat time with the GCHBA. The crowd is not
as unanimous as that last night, yet is large all the same. A lively discussion unfurls about Canyon
and other travels. Lots of Canyon Chat is about Canyon threats. What about the air tour terrorists?
Isn't there a provision in the Park charter about natural quiet? What about the beefaloo rampaging
and overpopulating the North Rim? The Canyon escalade, plans to invade the sacred Hopi and Navajo and
other peoples' sacred lands?! Money, it's all money that drives the disasterous decisions; does science
ever get a voice?
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 wgc-vips-at-IG-2015-day3-4 Michelle, Kathleen, Denise fluff CG.jpg |
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Day 4: Condors! 3 miles. .
A Canyon Haiku: Condor
The flying planks reel
Above Redwall cliffs they soar
Inspecting carcass.
Late afternoon and I am winding down when the Condors appear, working
the thermals, swirling the chimney near Redwall cliffs, hot air rising off The River.
More painting, more Pergo. Campground clean-up, sign refurbishment.
Lots to do. (49 signs are refurbished during this project.)
Barry and I again host a Canyon Chat session for campground campers,
which is well-attended and spirited.
Later, with the GCHBA group, more Mango Tango and wine lubricate enthusiastic discussion of the
nature encountered today and the long task list.
Very soon it's time for bed and gazing at a star-infested slice of
Canyon sky backed by the hootage of an enthusiastic Screech Owl.
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Day 5: Purple Haze Flannel Mouth Old
BA to Phantom to Miner's Route, 13 miles.
The native suckers lazily lilt the ripples of Bright Angel Creek in
spawning pods. Fascinating. Flannel Mouth Suckers.
We've hiked down the Old Bright Angel to the foot of the Corkscrew,
and from there to the busy hub of Phantom Ranch. Lunch is enjoyed under the big Sycamore near the cantina.
Next, back across the Silver Bridge and up through the jagged
basement rocks and the unconformity and the Tapeats Sandstone to the Tonto Platform on the Miner's
Route. Then, we return to IG on the Tonto Trail, dragging in as the glow of indirect sunlight fades
from the purple haze of flowering Redbud trees.
Arriving back at the RS, I encounter the prestigious Wayne and Helen
Ranney. They're enjoying some Canyon time and chatting with Elyssa about the GCA (Grand Canyon
Association) picnic table project.
A fabulous shower is followed by a taco dinner provided by Elyssa and
Erika. Good discussions ensues. The ballroom openness (no rock wall, no bookcase in the way) of the
RS resounds with cheerful, spirited conversations.
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 wgc-vips-at-IG-2015-day5-11 Kathleen, Jeremy, Barry survey Tonto.jpg |
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Day 6: Painting Pains
3 miles.
More painting on the RS, inside the RS. Complete the flooring.
More sign work. A long day, without time for a Canyon Chat session. Yet, the flooring and painting
are mostly done. Barry and Jeremy go off to move the Tonto East trail sign, digging in Idaho top soil
(90% rocks and 10% dirt) with a digging bar and narrow shovel. The mules have been more frequently
using the Tonto section between IG and the South Kaibab Trail, and bumping the big panniers against
the sign has produced some mule rodeos. Richard is off to improve the drainage around Camp #8 and
rehabilitate the trail through the swampy area.
Sadly, our view of our big back yard is sullied by the absence of
our picnic tables, which have been cut up to make book shelves for the RS. The view is still there,
but the comfort to view is not.
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Day 7: Penultimate Plateau, or Swing Low, Hornet Flight 5 miles.
Finish up and Plateau Point.
Jeremy sits above the abyss of the Colorado, gazing into The Canyon.
Down below, he can see the cascades of Garden Creek. We've painted and cleaned and landscaped and built
swing loads before a late lunch and then a hike to Plateau Point. Glorious views and vistas galore, the
trail of time carved by the sinuous River winds through the depths below.
On my trip up from the pumping station after returning ladders, I hear the
flight of the Hornet, as the NPS chopper edges in to the RS area to tote off one of the swing loads. I race
up the trail, hoping for a video or at least a photo, and I am too late.
Following a final Canyon Chat session, we launch on a quest to deplete our
wine and mango tango supply. Wine and other libations ease the discussion along with the joy and relief of
a well done job. This is the most productive, stellar, and cooperative crew in my history with the GCHBA.
 wgc-vips-at-IG-2015-day7-1 Richard & Kathleen, swamp trail.jpg |
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Day 8: Canyon District Compliments. To the Rim 5.0 miles.
One last time the GCHBA crew is gathered in the Trail Crew Bunkhouse
for breakfast and discussion. This time, discussion is about last-minute items before hiking the 3,000'
to the Rim. Quick goodbyes and hugs to Jeremy and Richard, who are out on the trail early, returning to
work and other demands. Final cleaning of the Bunkhouse, final packing in the CG, Kathleen and I are the
last on the trail.
The RS glows Grand Canyon Brown in the early light, the Clinic is now a
lovely Park Service Brown, the interior of the RS now sports a new floor, an open ballroom atmosphere (due
to removal of the wood stove nook and shelves), and new rustic shelves. Parts of the RS interior display
new Ivory Tusk paint. The 49 or so IG signs are legible, and the swamp water flows through revised
drainage and alongside a newly graveled walkway. Camp sites are "fluffed" and cleaned. The facilities
are cleaner and ready for the Spring hoard on the BA. As we begin the grade to the Rim, we pass the signs,
gaze at the RS, and feel good about providing our bit of stewardship to some of our favorite public
lands. (See the complete task list.)
As we raise the first of the day dust on the BA Trail, the NPS hornet
chopper rotors in to snag the next to last, the penultimate, swing load. We encounter the typical
unethical self-absorbed trail runners and lots of ignorant (in the true sense, uninformed about trail
etiquette) day hikers and many regular Canyon hikers too. The NPS people we see smile and tell us that
"The word is out across the Canyon District that the GCHBA transformed the IG area." Ranger Jeff reports
that he is anxious to see the new ballroom in the IG RS, and that he will be sending additional photos
to Ranger Debbie B. Thanks, we muse, to our fellow volunteers, to the NPS people, who put the "Service!"
in National Park Service, and thanks to Chris F. and the GCHBA Board Members for their support of this project.
The last NPS people we see are the Packers, and we exchange "Thanks!"
in appreciation for what the others have done. Actually, it's Junior the Mule who is the last NPS
employee we see. Hey, once the supremely republican court declares Mules as people, we won't have
this chronic underfunding of public lands, and corporations will pay their fair share. Imagine that.
Until then, I hope you enjoy some Canyon time of your own, replete with natural quiet.
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Links:
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GCHBA Task List, IG 2015 (pdf)
(Click the image for the document) | ||
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Related Links:
Grand Canyon Hikers and Backpackers Association site (GCHBA)
Task accomplished at IG during this volunteer service project (pdf; same list as seen above)
Grand Canyon Volunteer Vamoose - Volunteering at the bottom of The Canyon
the geology of the Grand Canyon by the NPS
Eaarth - Living on a fundamentally altered planet by Bill McKibben
Other WV reports about the Grand Canyon:
Click here or on the Looking Lizard to go to all WV reports about The Grand Canyon
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Map:
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More Truth Than Joke:
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