All is well at SEOE Geology Field Camp.
After five days in the wilderness of the Henry Mountains, we are leaving the Colorado Plateau and are on our way to the Canyon Range in central Utah. We are finding snow in the high parts of the Gunnison Plateau en route, and are hopeful that it doesn’t mean Camp Six will be covered in snow, nor the road too muddy. We shall see in a matter of a few hours. Camp is 2000’ above our current elevation of 5800’, where it is 78° F. The 3.5° F/1000’ elevation rule of thumb suggests we should be OK, but vamos a ver.
The Henry Mountains and Camp Five were a hit for the students. After mapping the Maiden Creek sill and Trachyte Mesa, we made a run up the north ridge of Gold Canyon on the eastern side of Mount Hillers to see a classic laccolith margin locality a la G.K. Gilbert. With but a few prodding questions, the students were able to develop a model of laccolith formation and related intrusive deformation akin to that of the mighty Gilbert. Realizing that the giants of geology sometimes are so designated mostly for being first can help students realize that they too are capable of great things.
After a morning continuation of Lance Tully’s groundwater short course, and wrapping up their geologic histories of the Colorado Plateau, the students found some respite in a local creek as the Staff prepared for our camp move. We ended our stay with an optional sunset hike up into the flatirons along the southern margin of Mt. Hillers, just a few miles outside camp. Emily Baumann brought along Dr. Scott White’s drone which she has used to capture different perspectives of our project areas and the students’ work on them. She also deployed it at sunset on the south side of Hillers and is bringing home some stunning footage. Thanks, Dr. White!
We’re sad to lose Dr. Leier and Emily tomorrow, as they return to Columbia, but are excited to meet up with Dr. Yogodzinski in the San Juan Mountains at our final western camp in about a week. My family is joining us tomorrow as well — Amy for a few days and Ethan (10) for the remainder. Suffice it to say that their presence will be a welcome one, especially for this here Field Camp Director.
The field camp supper tradition continues — Meredith masterfully prepared flatiron steaks for tacos, and we rounded out our Henry Mountains stay with some comfort food including fancy grilled cheese sandwiches and a traditional tomato and ground beef sauce on farfalle.
Onward.
Comments