There is no better way to experience the geology of the Grand Canyon than to view it from the bottom up. This 3-day backpacking trip will examine the geologic formations that display 1.7 billion years of earth’s history, from the Precambrian metamorphic basement rocks at the canyon bottom along the Colorado River to the Permian sedimentary rocks exposed on the canyon rim. On Day 1 we will backpack down 4.5 miles to Indian Garden campground (3 to 4 hours), stopping along the way to study upper Paleozoic rocks. After making camp and unloading our gear, we will have an evening meal, then hike 3 miles to Plateau Point (3 hours round trip) to an overlook of the river below to discuss the geologic history of the Grand Canyon area and view the sunset, weather permitting. On Day 2, after breakfast we will hike 5.5 miles down to the river and Phantom Ranch, studying the lower Paleozoic and basement rocks along the way. After lunch at the river we will hike back up to camp at Indian Garden (8 hours round trip). On Day 3, we will backpack out of the canyon (3 to 4 hours). Dave Palmer will lead the field trip, with logistical support and a guidebook provided by the AIPG Arizona Section.

The San Francisco volcanic field is located north of Flagstaff, Arizona. It contains some 600 cinder cones, as well as five large composite volcanoes. This geologic field trip will take a look at some of the youngest cinder cones of the field, in the northeast sector. We will start at Sunset Crater National Monument, which contains a colorful cinder cone and crater that erupted into part of what was likely the most agriculturally productive sector of the Flagstaff area. This eruption occurred about AD 1083 and eventually led to new agricultural techniques and settlements at previously uninhabited (on a year-round basis) altitudes to the north. The field trip leader, Dr. Michael Ort of Northern Arizona University, has worked extensively on the interactions of humans with this volcano, so he will discuss these in detail, as well as explaining the eruption story. We will then continue through Wupatki National Monument, looking at the countryside to which people moved and examine the well-preserved Wupatki ruins. We will also stop at Doney Mountain, a ~70,000-year-old cinder cone that erupted along a fault, producing a fissure eruption with several cones. We will then head to SP Crater, a very young cinder cone with a fantastic lava flow field to explore. Finally, if time permits, we will go to Colton Crater, a large cinder cone that was erupting and building when groundwater gained access to its plumbing. This water flashed to vapor and provided the force for some large explosions, blowing out a large and spectacular crater. Some of this field trip includes short hikes in rugged, high desert terrain, and sturdy hiking boots are recommended.

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This geologic and hydrologic field trip will provide an integrated overview of the geology, hydrology, and land use history in the Lake Mary/Walnut Creek watershed, along with post-settlement changes in the ponderosa forest, watershed function, and Walnut Canyon riparian corridor. We’ll drive through the scenic ponderosa forest of the Mogollon Highlands region southeast of Flagstaff, with the San Francisco Peaks lying on the northern horizon and reflecting in several lakes along the way. The trip will first visit Mormon Lake, the largest natural lake in Arizona, created as lobes of basalt from the Mormon Mountain volcanic field encircled to form a basin. We will stop in areas that demonstrate ponderosa pine forest changes over the last 140 years, and discuss effects on watershed function. The trip then returns to Upper Lake Mary and Lower Lake Mary, man-made reservoirs constructed in 1941 and 1904, respectively. The lakes fill a narrow graben, bounded on the northeast by the Lake Mary Fault, with Anderson Mesa on the up-thrown side. The surface bedrock in the graben is fractured and jointed Kaibab Limestone, with leakage along the fault greatly compromising the ability of the lower lake to hold water. After lunch along one of the lakes, we will hike about 3 miles near Walnut Creek, from the base of the Lower Lake Mary Dam to where the creek enters Walnut Canyon. The canyon walls quickly rise to 400 feet, with the Kaibab Limestone, Toroweap Formation, and Coconino Sandstone exposed from top to bottom. During regional uplift, the sinuous Walnut Creek stream course was captured in the erosionally resistant limestone, and the modem topography reveals strong geologic structural control by local faults and fractures. The natural flow regime of Walnut Creek was disrupted after the Upper Lake Mary Dam was constructed, with effects on the stream channel and riparian vegetation. Locally perched waters in stream terraces and leakage in the sandstone at the bottom of the canyon appear to be sustaining pockets of riparian deciduous trees, but some species are likely in long-term decline. The City of Flagstaff, Coconino National Forest, and National Park Service recently agreed to explore ways to maintain the integrity of the lakes while increasing the possibility of flows into Walnut Creek. A range of preliminary ideas to accomplish these objectives will be discussed. The 3-mile hike along Walnut Creek will involve moderate exertion at an elevation of 7,000 feet, requiring descent and ascent of about 200 vertical feet of switchbacks at two locations along the trail. Field trip leader is Paul Whitefield, who is a Natural Resource Specialist with the National Park Service.

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Fossil Creek, once one of Arizona’s premier watercourses, had its flow diverted for hydropower generation beginning in the early 20^th century. A feat of construction for the era, the facility was prominent in the history of Arizona’s Verde Valley mining centers and, during a time of drought in the late 1920s, even provided electricity for Phoenix. In 2005, Arizona Public Service (APS) commenced decommissioning of the Childs-Irving hydroelectric facilities. At that time, the full base flow of nearly 46 cfs was restored to 14 miles of creek below the Fossil Springs, which supply the near-constant majority of the Fossil Creek base flow from a series of discrete vents in the Naco Formation. The Fossil Springs flow is supersaturated with respect to calcium carbonate and a travertine system is actively building characteristic step pool morphology. This hydrologic trip will include an 8-mile round-trip hike into the Fossil Springs, a visit to the historic Irving power plant, along with overviews of native fish restoration efforts, modern day concerns regarding ground water resource development in adjoining communities, and aspects of the ongoing facility decommissioning. Time permitting, we will visit the Clover Springs stream restoration site, a large-scale channel stabilization and re-vegetation project of an upland wet meadow. Field trip leaders are Dr. Charlie Schlinger and Dr. Abe Springer of Northern Arizona University.

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This field trip is designed for geologists and will examine the geologic origin and history of the Grand Canyon, arguably the world’s premier location for exposure of rocks that display the geologic record. There are three geology field trips planned, and the itinerary may vary slightly depending on the field trip leader. [There is also a non-technical field trip on Monday that is recommended for non-geologists.] This field trip will travel north to Cameron and a look at the Little Colorado River gorge. We will then travel west to view the Kaibab monocline and the deepening of the Little Colorado River gorge. When we enter Grand Canyon National Park our first stop will be at Desert View overlook, where a 3-story tower provides a spectacular view to the north (up the canyon) and west (down the canyon). The trip will continue west to Lipan Point and a short hike to a vantage point to discuss the geologic evolution of Grand Canyon, including a take-apart geologic model. This stop will include a lunch break (box lunch provided). We will then continue west and view roadside view points, and take a one mile hike to Shoshone Point over easy terrane. The final stop will be at Mather Point to view the Great Unconformity, and/or Hopi Point to view a patented (private) uranium mine that operated inside the park until 1965. The trip includes a hike along the rim, which is at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Sturdy hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, and cameras are recommended. Field trip leader on Sunday is Paul Lindberg, AIPG geologist from Sedona.

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This is a field trip designed for those who wish to experience the volcanic scenery of northern Arizona and explore ancient Anasazi and Sinagua ruins. The field trip will travel by bus north of Flagstaff on Highway 89A, then east to Sunset Crater National Monument. There will be a brief talk on both the geology and the history of this geologically young region. We will have the opportunity to walk among recent lava flows and cinder deposits. The bus ride will continue through the many volcanic craters and cinder cones of scenic San Francisco volcanic field to reach Wupatki National Monument. There will be a walking tour of the multi-room ancient ruins, ball court, and other features. The tour will include a history of the anthropology and archaeology of the area. After leaving Wupatki, the next stop will be for lunch at the world renowned Cameron Trading Post, famous for its huge Navajo tacos. The trading post also offers an opportunity to shop for gifts of Native American jewelry, pottery and art. The trip includes a couple of short hikes at high elevations (about 7,000 feet). Sturdy hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen and cameras are recommended. The field trip leader is Pam Palmer, with technical guides Erick Weiland, a geologist with Malcolm Pirnie; and Michael O’Hara, an anthropologist with Arizona State University.

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This field trip is designed for non-geologists and will primarily be a guided sightseeing tour of the Grand Canyon and vicinity. The trip will include a general discussion of the geology within the context of the spectacular scenery of the Colorado Plateau region. The field trip will travel northwest out of Flagstaff through the inactive volcanoes and cinder cones of the San Francisco volcanic field and onto the Coconino Plateau. At the Grand Canyon we will first stop at the new visitor center for an overview of the canyon’s attractions. There are many viewpoints, turnouts and scenic views along the south rim. The field trip leaders will select several stops to showcase the awesome views of the canyon that change during the day depending on lighting conditions. Suggested stops include Hopi Point, Mather Point, Lipan Point and Desert View, where a 3-story tower offers a panoramic view of the eastern half of the canyon. There will be time at each stop for photographs. The trip may include a short hike along the rim, which is at an elevation of 7,000 feet. One of the scenic stops will include a box lunch provided as part of the trip. Time permitting, we will stop at an overlook of the Little Colorado River gorge east of the canyon. The final stop will be at world-famous Cameron Trading Post, which offers an opportunity to shop for gifts of Native American jewelry, pottery and art. Sturdy hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen and cameras are recommended. Field trip leaders are: Dr. Larry Fellows, retired Arizona State Geologist, (and an excellent resource for techniques on taking landscape photographs); and guest trip leader, Pam Palmer.

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This geologic field trip begins on the Colorado Plateau and travels southwest into the Transition Zone to the Basin and Range Province. The trip leaves Flagstaff and stops at the Oak Creek Canyon overlook for an orientation to the local geology. Dropping down into Oak Creek Canyon, we will stop to observe ancestral and modern phases of faulting that have shaped the canyon. The third stop is in Sedona for a view of the Mogollon Rim and red rock cliffs, which mark the edge of the Colorado Plateau. In Sedona there will be a short hike to Devils Kitchen sinkhole, which is a modern collapse feature underlain by a solution cave in the subsurface Redwall Limestone. The trip continues southwest and stops at Dry Creek bridge to view one of many Verde graben faults characteristic of the transition zone. We will stop in the Verde Valley to eat a box lunch and a geologic discussion of the graben faults. The field trip will climb up to Jerome, a small former mining town built on a steep mountainside, and visit the mining museum at the Jerome State Historic Park. The next stop will be next to the United Verde open pit where the geologic history of the 1,738.5 million-year-old Early Proterozoic world class copper-zinc-gold-silver ore deposits will be explained. An interactive fault block model will help demonstrate the geology of this volcanogenic massive sulfide ore deposit. The final stop in Deception Gulch will visit Precambrian rhyolite host rock. Because some hiking is planned, we recommend sturdy hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, and camera. Field trip leader is Paul Lindberg, AIPG geologist from Sedona.

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This is a non-geologic field trip designed for those who wish to relax and experience the famous red rock scenery of northern Arizona. The field trip will travel by bus down the winding road of Highway 89A through scenic Oak Creek Canyon to beautiful Sedona, the jewel of Arizona. In Sedona, for those not registered for the jeep tour, you will be free to explore the town. For those registered for the pink jeep tour, you will enjoy a 2-hour tour up Schnebly Hill and around the red mesas and buttes. The morning jeep tour will offer a majestic, panoramic view of the town and the surrounding area, with plenty of photo- graphic opportunities. There will be a brief talk on both the geology and the history of this beautiful red rock country. Upon returning to Sedona, participants are free to explore the town. Lunch will be on participants’ own in one of the many wonderful restaurants. The two main art gallery and shopping areas are connected by a free town trolley: the Uptown area, where the jeep tours originate; and the always popular Tlaquepaque (pronounced tuh LOCK ee pock ee) at Los Abrigados Resort, which resembles a Mexican village. There are many art galleries and novelty shops accessible by walking or by riding the trolley. On the way back to Flagstaff we will stop at the scenic Oak Creek Canyon overlook, where local Navajo artisans have tables set up to display authentic Native American jewelry, pottery, and other crafts for sale. Field trip leaders are Steve Maslansky, AIPG geologist from Prescott, and guest field trip coordinator Pam Palmer.

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Meteor Crater, located about 45 miles east of Flagstaff, is recognized as the premier meteor impact crater on the planet. It was formed about 50,000 years ago. In the 1960s it was used by the Apollo astronauts as a training location for moon walks. This geologic field trip will examine the origin and history of Meteor Crater. On the way to the crater we will stop for an overview of the San Francisco volcanic field and a narrative of geology along the route. Upon arrival at Meteor Crater, we will walk along the rim and hear a discussion of the crater’s origin and history, including many attempts to locate fragments of the meteor. This is a relatively easy hike on a well-traveled trail. Box lunch will be provided at the crater with an informal discussion during this lunch. The trip will include a visit to the Museum of Space Exploration (one hour) and a historical film. Field trip leaders are Dr. Carleton Moore, and professor emeritus Dr. Dale Nations, Northern Arizona University.

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This field trip is designed for geologists and will overview the spectacular geology of Grand Canyon as seen from the South Rim. There are three geology field trips planned, and the itinerary may vary slightly depending on the field trip leader. [There is also a non-technical field trip on Monday that is recommended for non-geologists.] This field trip will travel from Flagstaff northwest through the San Francisco volcanic field and enter the park at the South Entrance Station. We will visit several viewpoints in the Grand Canyon Village area. There is a geology museum at Yavapai Point that we will visit, and we can take a short hike on the nearby "Trail of Time" or on the rim that provides many photo opportunities. Traveling east along the canyon rim road we will make stops to discuss the canyon geology and history, and view the spectacular scenery at Grandview Point, Moran Point, and Lipan Point. One of these stops will include a lunch break (box lunch provided). Our last stop in the canyon will be at Desert View overlook, where a 3-story tower provides a spectacular view to the north (up the canyon) and west (down the canyon). We will leave the park at the East Entrance with a drop in elevation at the Kaibab monocline. We may stop at the Little Colorado River overlook near Cameron, time permitting. The trip includes one or more short hikes along the rim, which is at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Sturdy hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen and cameras are recommended. The field trip leader on Wednesday is Dr. Ron Blakey, Northern Arizona University geology professor.

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Since Flagstaff was established in the 1880s it has relied on a combination of surface-water and groundwater sources for a water supply. The first sources of water for the City were from springs and later from reservoirs. In the 1950s, in response to a long-term drought, the City drilled its first deep boreholes to tap the deep regional aquifers. In the 1990s in response to increasing growth, the City developed reclaimed water as a new supply and launched a new campaign to explore for additional favorable locations for deep wells to relieve pressure on existing wellfields. In the past few years, the City has begun looking for solutions to water supplies for anticipated growth out to the year 2050. This hydrogeologic and hydrologic field trip will discuss these historical sources for the City, their responses to climate change, and the options the City and region have for the future and all of the innovated science, management, and planning which have made the City and region a model for other communities to follow. Field trip leaders are Dr. Abe Springer and Dr. Charlie Schlinger of Northern Arizona University.

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This is a non-geologic field trip designed for those who wish to experience the scenery of northern Arizona and explore ancient Sinagua ruins. The field trip will travel by bus south of Flagstaff on Interstate 17 to Montezuma Castle National Monument. The monument protects a 20-room ancient site. There will be a brief talk on both the archaeology and history of this region and an opportunity to walk around the monument. The bus ride will continue to Montezuma Well, which is separated from but a part of the monument. The well occupies an unusual geologic formation and water enters the well at more than 1 million gallons per day. The feature is still used for farmland irrigation. A lunch stop with box lunches will be provided at Montezuma Well. The field trip will return to Flagstaff via Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. Many photo opportunities will present themselves on that route, including Bell Rock. We also will stop at the scenic Oak Creek Canyon overlook, where local Navajo artisans have tables set up to display authentic Native American jewelry, pottery, and other crafts for sale. The trip may include a couple of short hikes at moderate elevations (about 5,000 feet). Sturdy hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, and cameras are recommended. Field trip leaders are Steve Maslansky, AIPG geologist from Prescott, and guest field trip coordinator Pam Palmer.

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