Page 69 - 2005 DT 12 Issues

way Canyon” – This is a staff favorite! Hike Fire and Flood at Red Rock will be necessary to minimize invasive
into Gateway Canyon and enjoy the polka species that could return to colonize
dotted and candy striped sandstone. We’ll pproximately a month after the area. Plans for a fi re ecology inter-
journey 6 miles from Sandstone Quarry to the rash of lightning-sparked pretive trail as part of the Moenkopi
Calico Basin. Mod- Stren. Afi res that scorched thousands system are being developed with as-
Sat. 24, “Health Fair” – Special Event! of acres in Southern Nevada, includ- sistance from Friends.
The Rhodes Ranch Community Center is ing the Pine Creek and Turtlehead fi res On Sunday, August 14, a monsoon-
celebrating its grand opening with a Health within the Red Rock boundaries and al storm deluged the Canyon, fl ooding
and Fitness Fair. Located near Warm the 33,000-plus acre Goodsprings fi re several areas of the Visitor Center.
Springs and Durango, the Center will have just south of the Canyon, dry lightning Manager Kim McLean reported that
informative displays, activities and education struck once again. A fire which burned power was shut down immediately over

on maintaining a positive lifestyle. Make approximately 1,500 acres jumped the safety concerns and the Scenic Drive
sure to stop by the Red Rock Canyon In- Scenic Drive and caused the Visitor was closed. The Center was closed on
terpretive Association table between noon Center to be evacuated on July 22. Monday, but reopened Tuesday. Par-
and 3 p.m. The fire reportedly came to within 500 tial tortoise habitat flooding required

Sun 25, “Boy Scout Overlook and ft of the facility due to shifting winds. moving one of the female torts to
Tanks” – This is a great route for bouldering Residents of nearby Calico Basin higher ground.
and just 3 miles roundtrip. Stren. were asked to evacuate, but no homes Damage assessments have
Tues. 27, “Canyon Clean Up” - were damaged. been undertaken.
Join us as we help to improve the land- The Visitor Center and the Scenic
scape from things left behind. A feel good Drive were closed for several days. The New State Director
morning program! major damage in the area was primar-
Tues. 27, “Pueblo Park” – Take an olorado State Director Ron
evening stroll through a working arroyo! ily along the Moenkopi Trail and the Wenker has been named to
This is an introduction to light hiking over Calico II and Sandstone Quarry parking Creplace Bob Abbey as Bureau
flat terrain. Easy, 3 mi. lots up to the Turtlehead Peak/Calico of Land Management (BLM) Nevada
Wed. 28, “Fletcher Canyon Trail” Hills Wash. State Director.
– This trail begins by wandering through NCA Manager Mark Rekshynskyj Prior to his last position, Mr. Wen-
open stands of pinyon pines, manza- reported that the heavily treed and ker spent two years as District Manager
nita and mountain mahogany. The trail then vegetated wash between Calico I and of the Medford District, Medford, Ore.,
makes an easy ascent up to a peaceful II was completely burned over. Por- and was a former Field Manager in the
spring where wild rose columbine, shoot- tions of the Grand Circle Loop/Calico Winnemucca, Nev. Field Office from

ing stars and ferns thrive in the lush, cool Hills Trail system and the connecting 1988 to 1998.
environment. Mod. 4 mi. trail between Calico I and the Moen-

kopi Trail pass through the damaged His first assignment with BLM was
Visit www.redrockcanyon.org area. Along the drive, damage was as a Range Technician during the sum-
mainly to roadside sign posts and as- mers of 1971-73 in the Ely, Nev. District
sociated stickers and signs, as well as while attending college. He received his
News & Notes, continued from p. 3 the rail fence at Calico II. These will AA degree in liberal arts from Gross-
mont College, El Cajon, Calif. and his
be replaced. BS degree in Range Management from

will be available to all the Federal Land Three more small roadside fires California State University, Humboldt,
Agencies, as well as approximately 12 were started along Rtes. 159 and 160 Calif. Mr. Wenker will assume his new
local individuals from Friends, Red the following week by careless smok- position in the fall of this year.
Rock Canyon Interpretive Associa- ers or other unknown means. Dry Bob Abbey retired from the BLM

tion, other partner organizations and lightening ignited more fires, including in July after a 32 year career in both
City/County representatives. another along the Moenkopi, during the state and federal government service,
Thank you, REI, for providing week of August 7 . All were put out by including eight years as Nevada State
th

funds to support this training. fire crews with minimal damage. Director. We thank him for his support of

Please contact Pat Williams The extent of the fires along the Red Rock Canyon and Friends, and wish
or Blaine Benedict for further in- Moenkopi will provide an opportunity him well in his future endeavors.
formation about the training to study fi re ecology as the area reha-
opportunity. —Pat Williams bilitates. Replanting of native plants News and Notes, continued on page 7

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