curiosity adventures flipbook

Experts in Residence Series | 2012

Anthropology

Arts & Humanities

Bird Watching

Environmental Studies

Equine Assisted Learning

Flora & Fauna

Geology

History of the Western Slope

Native American Heritage

Paleontology

Recreation

Star Gazing

Offered exclusively at

To book your Curiosity Adventure, call 970.931.2458 or visit gatewaycanyons.com

Indulge Your Senses in a Curiosity Adventure

Tap into your curious side and let your spirit soar with

the all-new Curiosity Adventures, a series of hands-on

workshops and presentations led by passionate experts.

Retrace the steps of outlaws, pioneers, prospectors and

colorful characters who created Gateway’s history.

Step back in time to the Jurassic age and kick up dust

where dinosaurs once roamed. Navigate the night sky

with an astronomer as your guide. Experience for yourself

unlimited opportunities and welcome a new perspective as

you unlock your Curiosity Adventure.

The Utes Must Go

Ute Ethnobotany

Perhaps the Meeker Massacre should not have been a surprise. In Colorado, the situation for the Utes in the 1850s and beyond was somewhat unique in the American West – the peaceful and prosperous Utes had rights to a vast territory of over one-third of Colorado – roughly 16-20 million acres. On September 29, 1879, Nathan Meeker, a 62 year old newspaperman turned novice, White River Indian Agent and founder of Greeley, Colorado (1870) was killed by a group of Utes, fed up with his smug lack of respect for their culture. The kill was over withholding provisions and money for helping federal troops to trespass on the Ute reservation, and forcing them to farm. This tragedy at the White River Agency, known as the Meeker Massacre, became the platform for expelling the Utes of their Colorado homelands. This presentation will introduce the complex elegance of Ute culture including rock art, subsistence strategies [and territory], and Bear Dance – and the disastrous collision of cultures resulting in Meeker’s death and the Utes’ loss of their ancestral homelands in Colorado.

This presentation will provide a visual overview of an applied anthropology ethnobotany project with the Northern Ute. It will examine how anthropologists collaborate with tribes on issues regarding cultural resource management, re-establishing connections with ancestral homelands, preserving language and traditional ecological knowledge. In the past 10 plus years, the Northern Ute tribe (of Utah) has begun collecting native plants. The resulting herbarium has been used in working with elders, whose recollections, reminiscences, and stories of plant use are being recorded and preserved by tribal members. This “Ute Ethnobotany Project” also includes youth whose field visits to ancestral Ute homelands with knowledgeable Ute tribal members has crossed generations and renewed an interest in recording these traditions.

As you explore the Gateway Canyons area, know that you are walking in the very places that many ancient peoples called home. Tribes such as the Ancestral Puebloans, Fremont and Ute people have all left their imprint on the area’s land and culture.

Keep your eyes sharply focused and glimpse clues to the past. A close look at the rocks and canyon walls around you may reveal ancient petroglyphs and picture stories left behind–relics of the past that experts and explorers alike try to decipher today.


Sally McBethProfessor of Anthropology

& Department ChairThe University of

Northern Colorado

Sally’s areas of expertise include Native American

studies, multicultural and women’s studies, folklore/

oral history/performance/life history, field methods in cul-

tural anthropology, religion, and cultural interpretation.

Her most recent research is working with federal

agencies to integrate Ute perspectives into the cultural

interpretation of these government agencies’ lands.

Anthropology

Heavenly Clues Here on Earth

For thousands of years, man has watched for clues in the heavens for ceremonial and agricultural insights. In this presentation, Zebulon Miracle explores the various solar and lunar calendar sites made by man in the American Southwest. Discover the wonder of the Ancestral Puebloans sites at Chimney Rock, Chaco Canyon, and Mesa Verde, and find out the fascinating Fremont rock art sites.

Zebulon, a Grand Junction native, is the Curator of Anthropology and Collections at the Museum of Western Colorado. He has played a major role in the Western Investigations Team and also serves as the chair of the City of Grand Junction Historic Preservation Board.

Zebulon MiracleCurator of Anthropology

& CollectionsMuseum of Western Colorado

Rock Art: A Key to the Ute Culture

The Uncompahgre Plateau contains Ute Indian rock art panels that experts say depict prehistoric trail systems – trails that could have given access over the plateau to locations of plant and game procurement. Ute tribal elder Clifford Duncan has indicated that the “abstract” circle and line style petroglyphs represent “maps” of their ancestral trail systems and hunting strategies. These “maps” are oriented to the South, to the sun, not the North as with the European orientation. This key to the placement of screened drawings of each petroglyph upon a topographic map of the adjacent area reveals how precisely some of these “maps” match up with the geographic features on the surrounding landscape. Exciting ongoing research and analysis of a dozen rock art panels in the project area show a positive correlation with game migration patterns and geographic features.

Carol is an accomplished author of several books. She has spent her career working throughout the southwest with numerous Native American tribes, interpreting petroglyphs and researching the myths associated with them.

Carol Patterson, PhDReserach Associate

Dominguez Archaeological Reserach Group

Anthropology


Gateway Canyons is infused with art, beauty and history at every turn. First, take

a look at the Resort architecture. Built to resemble the adobe structures of the

area’s early inhabitants, the buildings and facilities blend seamlessly into the vast landscape, allowing the

eye to travel freely. Zero in on details and soon discover artistic surprises that dot the Resort, from intricate

quilts and magical photographs to paintings and sculptures created by local and national artists.


Arts & Humanities

The True Value of Jewels and Pursuing your Passion

Let your creative side shine. Take your experiences to the next level and create your own written and visual gems. Through the use of visual and written images, the workshop leaders will guide participants with exercises that translate experiences to the creative page or canvas. By exploring photographic images and experimenting with language to describe impressions, participants will discover the connections between seeing and writing. Become an outdoor arts explorer and find your personal source of creativity. Whether using a mobile phone or real camera, paper and pen or iPad, anyone can participate and become a jewel hunter.

Malcolm and Pamela combine their creative talents through international workshops and presentations. Both have taught at all academic levels in art and writing and together were visiting professors at Utah State University. Both are immersed in the natural environment and are actively involved in the Mesa County (CO) Land Conservancy.

Malcom G. ChildersArtist

Pamela B. ChildersWriter

Malcom ChildersWriter Photography Tips and Tricks

Once you witness the awe-inspiring landscape of Gateway, you’ll want to share it with friends and family. Tanya will share some insider tips and tricks of the trade to help you capture your experience here at Gateway. Participants will start in the classroom with the basics of “Elements of Composition” and “Photographing the Landscape.” Then, step outside for a hands-on photo excursion to nearby Cutler Rim Trail and unleash what you have learned.

A Colorado native, Tanya is a professional photographer based out of Fruita. In addition to her photography business, she teaches workshops, photography excursions and software classes.

Tanya PearceOwner

Redhawk Photography


Arts & Humanities

Discovering Digital Photography

Digital Photography Field Trip

Digital Photography Image Editing Workshop

Whether you are experienced with digital image editing or you have not yet tried your hand at perfecting your own digital photos, you will find something new and interesting at this presentation. Taylor will focus on ways to improve your images through the editing process. Enter the digital darkroom with Taylor as he demonstrates how to simplify the process with dramatic results. Join in the discussion or just sit back and watch the magic!

Participants will meet at the reflecting ponds by the Adventure Center to catch the early morning light on “The Palisade.” From there, guests will follow the Wildflower Path and catch the morning glory of soft light on the blooms. There will be discussion on composition, how to look for and capture the best shot, and how to simplify the shooting process.

Using Photoshop Elements© Taylor will take you through setting up a digital darkroom and demonstrate some basic steps to enhance digital images. Guests will learn how to crop, clone, saturate and adjust shadows and highlights, as well as how to easily create a panoramic image to capture the greatness of the Gateway landscape. Bring your laptop and digital camera if you have them with you.

Taylor LiebmannPhotographer

Snowmass, Colorado

Taylor and his wife have lived in Snowmass, Colorado, for over fifteen years. He has

led workshops for amateur photographers on Adobe

Photoshop and iPhoto for the last eleven years, including

those at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies,

the Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass, Digital Arts in Aspen, and the Wyly

Community Art Center in Basalt, Colorado.

Bob has been serious about birds since 1972. He was the compiler for the Phoenix Christmas Bird Counts from 1978-1999, and was a Regional Coordinator for the Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas from 1993-2000. Bob has been a Breeding Bird Survey observer (U.S. Geological Survey) from 1972 to the present. A field trip leader for Maricopa and Sonoran Audubon Societies (Phoenix area) and Grand Valley Audubon Society in Grand Junction since 1974, he has listed 734 species on his ABA (US and Canada) life list.

Jim retired from the Colorado Division of Wildlife in 2004 where he had been district wildlife manager in the Rabbit Ears area, south of Steamboat Springs. He and his wife moved to the Grand Junction area in 2006, and enjoy the milder winters and the wide range of recreational opportunities. Jim has been an avid birder since the early 1990s, and continues to return to the mountains during the summer to coordinate Breeding Bird Atlas surveys of the Middle Park and North Park region.

Bob BradleyMember

Grand Valley Audubon Society

Jim LiewerMember


Grand Valley Audubon Society (GVAS) believes stewardship of the natural world begins with awareness, understanding, and appreciation of birds and other wildlife species, their habitats, and their connection to people. Through the power of education, research, and individual action, the Grand Valley Audubon Society strives to preserve a diversity of habitats for birds and other wildlife, and a sustainable, healthy environment for Western Colorado, the nation and the world. The GVAS is an active environmental organization committed to education, political action, scientific research, and habitat preservation. Originally called The Audubon Society of Western Colorado, GVAS was founded in 1972 as a non-profit, local chapter of the National Audubon Society. They have over 400 members and encourage all who share our concern for wildlife conservation to become members.

Bird Watching

Dave’s 30-year career began at Rocky Mountain National Park as a naturalist and backcountry ranger. For the next ten years he worked in interpretation and environmental education at Virgin Islands National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area near Gunnison Colorado, Everglades and Yellowstone National Parks. At Yellowstone, Dave shifted his service to the field of natural and cultural resources management where he worked with bears, bison, birds, botany, aquatic species, geothermal resources, and preserving historic and archeological sites. Dave moved on to Chief of Resources Management at Colorado National Monument. He stays active in retirement by hiking, backpacking, biking, skiing, worldwide travel, and volunteering for organizations including the Grand Valley Audubon Society.

Dave PriceMember



Birds of a feather stick together and so do Brenda and Coen, longtime western Colorado residents. Brenda is from Grand Junction and Coen is from northeastern Nebraska and came to western Colorado in 1976. At the conclusion of teaching careers in Grand Junction they moved to Nucla in 2000 where they currently reside. Their mutual love of birds has taken the couple to over 30 different countries. When not traveling, Brenda and Coen maintain a large organic garden where they keep themselves and their neighbors well fed. Over the past four years, they’ve worked at the Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas Project, spending time in all corners of the state. Coen is co-author of Birds of Western Colorado Plateau and Mesa Country.

Brenda Wright & Coen Dexter

MembersGrand Valley Audubon Society

Bird Watching


Environmental Studies

The Ecology of Place

The Fibonacci Numbers in Nature

Understanding the Environment in a Period of Rapid Change

Based upon 20+ years of experience at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, working with one of the world’s largest annual gatherings of top field biologists, Dr. Billick discusses the Ecology of Place. He reviews how a multi-generational collaboration across disciplines has led to an understanding of a single location that informs how we know and manage the world.

Ian oversees one of the largest annual gatherings of field biologists. He is the incoming President of the Organization of Biological Field Stations. He has chaired his county’s Planning Commission for three years and has had the opportunity to see how science informs (or doesn’t) local land use decisions.

The sequence of numbers, wherein each number is the sum of the preceding two, is credited to Leonardo of Pisa (a.k.a. Fibonacci). The remarkable properties of these numbers and their correlative, the “golden ratio,” find application in nearly every field of human endeavor including art, music, economics, and science. In living beings, the remarkable properties of these numbers relate to such diverse subjects as human anatomy, snail shells, and the morphology of plants.

Dick’s research focus was in geophysics and other areas of mathematical physics. Since retiring, his interest has been in the mathematics and physics of plants, an endeavor which enables him to combine research with his outdoor pursuits.

Ian Billick, PhDExecutive Director

Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

F. Richard Yeatts, PhDPhysics Professor Emeritus

Colorado School of Mines

Fracking: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Hydraulic fracturing (often shortened to “fracking” or “hydrofracking”) is the propagation of fractures in a rock layer caused by the presence of a pressurized fluid. Hydraulic fractures form naturally, as in the case of veins or dikes. This process is used to release petroleum, natural gas or other substances for extraction. This presentation will present the technology and effects of hydrofracking in a dispassionate and non-advocacy point of view. How does it work? Why are we doing it?

Is Global Warming Real?

Global warming is an increase in the earth’s atmospheric and oceanic temperatures widely predicted to occur due to an increase in the greenhouse effect resulting especially from pollution. This hot button topic has become perhaps the most complicated issue facing world leaders. This presentation will discuss the evidence for and against the causes of the major global climate change we are experiencing as well as the consequences.

Bruce Bartleson, PhDGeology Professor, Retired

Western State College

Bruce spent the majority of his career as a professor of

geology at Western State College and doing summer

consulting for various entities.


Reflecting human nature through horses – Equine Assisted Learning ExperienceYou don’t ride the horses – you play games and interact with them. And through this game playing you can discover more about your emotions and behavior than you ever thought possible.Inside Lead Counseling & Consulting, LLC, in partnership with The Stables at Gateway Canyons Resort, offers you a unique way to engage in learning and discovery by partnering with horses in equine assisted learning (EAL) activities. Discover thought provoking, enlightening offerings that integrate the beauty of Western Colorado, the magnificent horses and personalized creative expressions of your choice, such as writing, art or just plain fun. into one collective experience. Skilled facilitators, Kelly and Melissa create a fun path to develop leadership skills, promote team work, enhance problem-solving skills, awaken self-empowerment and help improve relationships.

Why Horses?Horses are benevolent teachers and reflect our inner selves. They have an innate ability to tune into our feelings and attitudes and react accordingly. This offers us the opportunity to learn (and unlearn!) while considering new possibilities in a stimulating, non-threatening environment. Interacting with horses brings us outdoors, engaging all of our senses! • Horses react to body language which provides the facilitators with feedback • A herd is not unlike a work or family system, metaphor abounds • Horses are social animals, they have a pecking order, love to play and have emotions • They provide a safe space for humans to express feelings and are honest and in the moment • Horses are experts at non-verbal communication • Horses are nature in its finest form

Equine Assisted Learning

Kelly has been certified with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) since 2001. Her 24 year professional career has centered on service to groups, individuals, families and children within the behavioral healthcare environment. For the past eleven years, she has worked in the areas of quality improvement, clinical program and project management. She has developed and provided company trainings, has served in multiple capacities as a company liaison and committee member with partnering agencies in Colorado.

Melissa is a 4th generation Coloradoan, and has lived on the Western Slope most of her life. She brings over 25 years of professional horse experience to the Inside Lead Counseling and Consulting LLC team. She has been a lifelong student of the horse, participating in 4-H and Westernaires as a youth and studying dressage and natural horsemanship as an adult. Melissa is a certified Equine Specialist with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).

Kelly BowenPartner

Inside Lead Counseling & Consulting, LLC

Melissa JeffersonPartner

Inside Lead Counseling & Consulting, LLC


It’s All Connected!

Perfect or Poisonous? Living off the Land in Gateway

Draw connections between the underlying geology, native plants and the bird life of the Dolores River canyons around Gateway. The beauty and stark exposure of this red rock canyon area allows us access to individual rock formations and the resulting plant life that grows there. The differences in vegetation create the environment that draws the wide variety of birds and animals. Different fauna inhabit the river bottoms and rocky slopes, others the pinyon-juniper forest, and still others live on the canyon rims. We will discuss these varied environmental zones with emphasis on bird life, flora and geologic history. Then, we step out for a hike to experience these zones firsthand, observing birds, plant life and the geologic features of the canyons. Amidst this stunning setting, we connect these exciting aspects of the unique natural setting of Gateway Canyons.

Before teaching elementary and middle school science and literacy for 21 years, Cary worked as a ranger-naturalist for the National Park Service. Her passion is the “school of the great outdoors”.

Over many years of hiking and camping in desert environments, Leon has developed a deep understanding and appreciation for the natural world. Leon’s career as a professional geological engineer spanned 32 years.

You pass a plant and wonder – is it edible? If you are curious about indigenous plants that grow in the Colorado Canyon country, this is the presentation for you. Could you live off the land? Learn more about native plants and how to survive in the canyon country. This is a two part lecture/excursion beginning with an exploration of edible, poisonous and useful local plants and a discussion of local survival topics, followed by a short hike, more survival tips and plant identification.

Bruce teaches a number of courses, including: general biology, invertebrate zoology, anatomy, ecology, aquatic biology, ornithology, developmental biology, bioethics, honors field biology, and survival.

Cary AtwoodOutdoor Educator

Colorado National Monument

Leon ThurmonMember

Grand Valley Audubon Board

Dr. Bruce BauerleProfessor

Biological ScienceColorado Mesa University

The unique geologic features and unusual soils of this region create rich habitats for a wide variety of flora. Gateway Canyons Resort is committed to protecting this natural resource. In fact, the Resort has teamed with the Bureau of Land Management to locate and access the condition of rare species so that they can be better protected for all of us to enjoy for years to come.

Likewise, the canyons, riverways and mountaintops that surround Gateway Canyons are home to a rich and broad diversity of wildlife. Patience and a quiet mind at dawn and dusk will reveal a natural wildlife heritage that you’ll not soon forget.

Flora & Fauna


An Explosion of Colorado Native Plants

The Gateway area is blessed with numerous fascinating plants. This presentation will include a plant walk in selected areas near Gateway Canyons Resort and we’ll identify flowering plants and trees, how they adapted to their environment, attracted pollinators, and how Native Americans and set-tlers used these plants for their shelter, food, medicine, or culture.

Douglas is a certified Colorado Native Plant Master and an adjunct instructor with the Colorado State University Extension Office. His training as a CNPM covered study of plants in numerous climatological areas of Western Colorado.

Douglas GrodtMember

Colorado Native Plant Master

Flora & Fauna

The Secret and Fascinating World of Life on the Rocks

Enter the extraordinary world and amazing survival strategies of lichens, soil crusts, desert plants, and other fascinating creatures found in the stunning redrock canyons around Gateway in this workshop. Ancient geology, dramatic thunderstorms and an arid climate produce a unique habitat for unusual species in this area. Explore the little-known secrets of creatures that live on rocks and fragile soils, and in hidden alcoves and ephemeral pools. Following an introduction to lichens and other enigmatic desert survivors, we will spend time outdoors exploring the colorful beauty of habitats found in few places in the world. This workshop will focus on lesser-known creatures like lichens, but we will explore a broad range of natural features, including the birds, plants and geology of desert river canyons.

Barbara has conducted naturalist hikes and workshops in Colorado over the last ten years, sharing her knowledge of lichens and birds through Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, Colorado Native Plant Society, and The Wilderness Society.

Barbara HawkeDolores River Basin

Wildlands Coordinator The Wilderness Society


The Scorpion Man on Scorpions – The Ancient Arachnids

Mike takes you back in time for a prehistoric journey when the first scorpions inhabited the warm Silurian seas millions of years ago. Later these fascinating crawlers evolved as among the very first land dwelling creatures. Little has changed in their appearance since then and even today scorpions occupy a special place in our minds and most feared horror movies. From horror movie scenes and primal screams, Mike will discuss the myth and mystery of these incredible dwellers of the night.

Mike has taught classes and led night–time scorpion walks for groups for many years. Locally known as “scorpion man,” Mike collects these ancient arachnids from all over the world. He is currently doing research on scorpions of the Colorado Plateau.

Mike PerryExecutive Director

Museum of Western Colorado

The Crazy Courtship of the Gunnison Sage Grouse

Gunnison sage-grouse are amazing birds. They have one of the craziest courtship displays you’ll ever see. Even though they’ve lived in the west for thousands of years, scientists didn’t discover them as a unique species until the year 2000. In this presentation, you’ll see why the Audubon Society declared this grouse one of the ten most endangered birds in North America. You’ll also discover how people from all over southwestern Colorado have come together to protect this rare bird and its imperiled habitat.

Leigh has worked for the U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, state, and local parks. Currently, she’s the coordinator for the San Miguel Basin Gunnison Sage-Grouse Working Group.

Leigh RobertsonCoordinator

San Miguel Basin Gunnison Sage-Grouse Working Group

Flora & Fauna

Wildflowers and the Art of Discovery

Share the joy and pleasure of discovering new plant species. We will look at three new plant species that Al and his wife Betty discovered in the past few years, all within an hour of Gateway. How did the discoveries come about? How were Al and Betty, self-taught amateurs botanists, able to find these plants? What do these discoveries mean for science? Gateway has an abundance amazing wildflowers. We start indoors, taking a quick look at photographs of some of the wildflowers that are blooming around us. Many of the wildflowers are found on ground-hugging plants such as brilliantly colored members of the Pea family. Afterwards, we will head directly to the trail to see if we can spot some of these same wildflowers – and perhaps, many others! Who will be next to discover a new species of wildflower?

Al and Betty live in Southwest Colorado, near Mesa Verde National Park. They can be found roaming the Colorado Plateau – observing, enjoying, cataloging and photograhing its flora.

Al & Betty SchneiderAmateur Botanists

Lewis, CO


Gateway Palisade State Natural Area: Photo-Notes

This presentation is a visual record of the experiences of volunteer stewards of the Gateway Palisade Natural Area. The prime focus of this study was to document the flora by doing a comprehensive plant survey. After extensive hiking to explore the different habitats, a specimen of each plant speciesencountered is collected with appropriate data, dried, and distributed to regional herbaria for permanent storage. This process provides a scientific record of a plant’s existence in space and time. Many adventures and rare plant discoveries are highlighted in this presentation, as well as the beauty, solitude and challenges of exploration in this wilderness presents.

Loraine combines botanical expertise with a life-long interest in nature and macro photography. It is her hope that this presentation will inspire you to study, appreciate and help preserve Colorado’s native plants, animals, and the wildlands and spaces these creatures need for survival.

Loraine YeattsAdjunct Reseracher

Denver Botanic Gardens

Mesas, Monuments and the Majestic Colorado Plateau

Into the Pines to the Other Side

The majestic Colorado Plateau invokes images of slick rock canyon country, Butch Cassidy, Thelma and Louise and the detectives who chase skin walkers in Tony Hillerman’s novels. Beyond the romance of this storied place, participants will learn about the geology, ancient cultures, and dinosaurs that roamed this vast region of the American West. Join Nature Conservancy veteran, David Gann, for a lecture and hike and explore the beautifully colored rocks of Gateway Canyons that make for a magnificent, almost surrealistic landscape. Gateway Canyons is located near incredible escarpments, flat-topped mesas, towers, monuments and endless canyons. These are not just any rocks, these rocks date back hundreds of millions of years when the first signs of dinosaur and pre-dinosaur started to appear. Enjoy a hike through this ancient landscape and witness the work of wind, water, and time that shaped this spectacular canyon country.

West of Gateway Canyons, at the top of John Brown Canyon, find yourself in a paradise of high mountain meadows, Ponderosa pine, quaking Aspen, and cool mountain breezes. Join renowned naturalist David Gann on a hike through the beautiful high elevations of the Sky Mesa Ranch. On this excursion you will see a completely different side of the Colorado Plateau. Gone are the red-rock canyons and desert sands; in their place are the granite escarpments that overlook the valley below and the river headwaters that fill with winter snowmelt. On the Sky Mesa Ranch, you will see all the things that called the Native Americans to the cool plentiful mountains for food, shelter and fellowship during the beautiful summers of Gateway, Colorado.

“Unaweep Canyon” means “canyon with two mouths” in Ute and describes this u-shaped canyon perfectly. Said to be the only canyon in the world where one river drains in two directions, it is also one of the few places on the planet where you can see Precambrian rock, some of the oldest exposed granite rock in the world. The most prominent feature here at Gateway Canyons is the Palisade land formation, which is composed of layers upon layers of sedimentary rock, laid down over millions of years, revealing Earth’s geologic history. It is truly a unique and awe-inspiring sight, one that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has designated the Palisade Wilderness Study Area and named an Outstanding Natural area.

David GannDirector, Colorado Chapter

Energy ProgramThe Nature Conservancy

David has spent a lifetime learning about the natural

resources of the magnificent west. His life-long interest in nature and conservation brought him to The Nature Conservancy, where he has

lead initiatives on Energy Impact Mitigation, Land and Water Conservation, Climate

Change Vulnerability Analysis, and Threatened

Species Protection.

Geology

The Geologic History of Western Colorado

The rise and fall of the Ancestral Rockies, the Mesozoic sand dunes and great Cretaceous seaway are all part of this fascinating presentation. Explore the Laramide Orogeny that started the formation of the Modern Rockies and the final chapter of glaciation, as well as various life forms. Enjoy an afternoon field trip to see some of the spectacular beauty.

Bruce spent the majority of his career as a professor of geology at Western State College and doing summer consulting for various entities. While at Western, he was named Outstanding Professor of the year several times and was honored as Outstanding Emeritus Professor of the year in 1998.

Bruce Bartleson, PhDGeology Professor, Retired



Geology

Landscapes of the Southwest

A Radical Idea – the Unaweep Canyon formed by a Glacier

Mesas, plateaus and mountains – these are the three types of landscapes in the American Southwest, each with a different geological origin. Processes of erosion have modified each to give us the present day landscape. All three landscapes can be seen from the Gateway area and will be illustrated through a dynamic slideshow presentation.

Originally a Nebraska native, Tom fell in love with the Southwest during his thesis studies in the Elk Mountains of Colorado. He spent 35 years as a Professor of Geology at Western State College. Since retirement, he has kept active, teaching adult groups about the geology of Colorado and Utah.

Unaweep Canyon is globally unique – it is the only canyon in the world with two mouths. For over a decade, Lynn has conducted research in and around Unaweep Canyon on the “radical” hypothesis that its uniqueness reflects a remarkable geologic history: that it is a paleo landscape dating from ~300 million years ago and that it was carved by glaciers when this region lay in the tropics. The history of previous hypotheses, research that is uncovering evidence for this radical hypothesis, the significance of that work for understanding both Earth’s climate system and the mountain building that occurred here over 300 million years ago will all be covered.

Lynn’s research focuses particularly on Earth’s Late Paleozoic record (~300 million years ago). She is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and a recipient of the Society for Sedimentary Geology’s Wilson Award, for Excellence in Sedimentary Geology by a Young Scientist.

Tom Prather, PhDGeology Professor, Retired


Lynn Soreghan, PhDBrandt Professor of Geology

University of Oklahoma


Calamity Camp and Uranium Mining

What Makes the West “The West”

Barnstormers and Aviation on the Western Slope

The Colorful History of Gateway, Colorado

The Colorado Plateau became a hotbed for uranium mining in the 1940s and the boom lasted well into the 1970s. Gateway, Uravan, and Moab all became mining towns while Grand Junction became the economic and supply hub for thousands of prospectors. However, mining for radioactive material dates back to the 1910s and provided not one but three booms and busts. This lecture will discuss the mining history of the area and concentrate on Calamity Camp; a mining community recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places located near Gateway. A half day excursion to Calamity Camp will be offered.

While western Colorado was one of the last places to be settled in the western frontier, it still captures the spirit of the American West. Ranching, mining, railroads, religion, outlaws, and a rich cultural history can all be found in the deserts and mountains just west of the Continental Divide. This lecture will compare how the early histories of Grand Junction, Montrose, Meeker, and Gateway match against other areas in the American West and will ask the question, “What makes the West the West?” A half day trip to the historic Hanging Flume and local historic sites will be available.

Celebrate the centennial of flight in western Colorado by hearing about the heart stopping Barnstormers who first hauled their planes to Colorado via trains, the military importance of local airports, and the unique ways in which aviation has fueled the local economy including use in the oil shale and uranium booms. Following the lecture, a chance to get up close and personal to a Cessna Caravan and other aircraft will be offered.

The Dolores River area is rich in beauty and breathtaking scenery but the area has an equally colorful history. The story of Unaweep Canyon, Gateway, and the Dolores River will be discussed. Who were the area’s first inhabitants? What brought settlers to region? Learn why a New York socialite quickly left his dream home behind, what ghost towns we are driving through on Highway 141, and the story behind one of the West’s most impressive engineering feats.

As you venture through Gateway Canyons, you’re joining the likes of prospectors, pioneers and a variety of colorful characters who discovered Gateway. Early European settlers to the area were primarily miners and cattle ranchers. While much of Colorado is known for its silver mining, this area was famed for its rich uranium deposits, which played a role in developing the atomic bomb. Today, the area is home to a small population of townspeople in Gateway, with neighboring towns sprinkled throughout the canyons.

Zebulon MiracleCurator of Anthropology

& CollectionsMuseum of Western Colorado

Zebulon, a Grand Junction native, has worked for the

Museum of Western Colorado since graduating from the

University of Colorado where he focused his studies on the history of the American West and southwest archaeology. He has played a major role in the Western Investigations

Team, a joint program between the Museum of Western

Colorado and Colorado Mesa University, since its founding and also serves as the chair of the City of Grand Junction Historic Preservation Board.



Bountiful Water in the West

Gold and Silver Mining in Colorado

The Colorful Early History of Colorado Skiing

Colorado’s Western Slope has just 10 percent of the state’s population but 33 percent of the land area and 70 percent of the water! This roughed and isolated region has a mean elevation of 7400’ and a colorful history involving mining, railroads, cattle, skiing, and the tremendous importance of water.

Explore the rich history of placer and quartz mining in Colorado in this fascinating presentation. Learn about the characteristics of the mining camps Leadville and Aspen, two of the greatest silver towns in the West and Cripple Creek-Victor, the number one gold region in the United States will be highlighted. In addition, narrow gauge railroads and transportation will be covered.

Back in the 1860s, skiing was a mode of transportation and a necessity for the locals, involving skis 9-14” long, weighing 8 pounds with a leather toe piece and featuring the guide pole and Telemark turn. Skiing has a colorful and rich history, and this vibrant presentation will highlight the early days through a slideshow complete with narrow gauge railroads, top early ski towns, and some of the great early skiers.

Duane Vandenbusche, PhD

Professor of HistoryWestern State College

Dr. Vandenbusche joined the Western State faculty in 1962 as a history professor.

He’s made numerous presen-tations and organized several seminars on historical topics

of Colorado. Duane has written several books about

the Western Slope area with particular focus on the

Gunnison area.

Stories and History of Gateway

The Gateway area is rich with the Wild West heritage and a ranching culture that continues today. The landscapes offer dramatic scenery, but the stories and history of the area offer the very essence of the “Old West.” This video project captures the tremendous heritage and stories of Western Colorado in the Gateway area; offering a unique perspective into what makes the Northern Dolores of Gateway so special and worthy of preservation. Presented by Colorado Canyons Association and Gen9 Productions.

Mara is a professional filmmaker, bringing her passion for storytelling alive through the rich history and countless public land and natural resource issues in the West.

Joe is the director of Colorado Canyons Association. They foster community stewardship of our National Conservation System Lands with a focus on Dominguez-Escalante, Gunnison Gorge and McInnis Canyons National Conservation Areas in Western Colorado.

Mara Ferris Owner

Gen9 Productions

Joe Neuhof Director

Colorado Canyons Association



Grounded in Gateway

The Hanging Flume: A Wet and Wild Ride

The year is 1889. Wealthy Eastern Financiers are betting that the Colorado Gold Rush will pay off for them. The placer deposits near the banks of the San Miguel River and Dolores River are promising, but miners are unable to divert enough water to make the claim profitable. Nearby, the San Miguel River and Dolores River possessed the volume of water necessary to provide enough pressure for a successful hydraulic mining endeavor. Although these rivers were relatively close to the Bancroft mining claim, they flowed just out of reach. They say necessity is the mother of invention but perhaps greed joins the family as well...either way, people do some crazy things. Really crazy things.

The Hanging Flume is a 7-mile long wooden aqueduct attached to the side of the canyon. The three year project was completed in 1892, and carried water to a nearby hydraulic mining site. The flume carried 23 million gallons of water a day, and even though it’s no longer functional, it’s amazing that after a century, much of the wooden structure still exists.

Jerald’s efforts led to the Hanging Flume being placed on the World’s Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Places and helped catalyze the upcoming authentic reconstruction of 50 feet of the flume.

Chris Miller is the Executive Director of the Western Colorado Interpretive Association.

Kate GrahamDolores River Basin

Public Lands Organizer

Jerald Reid Member

Unaweep/Tabequache Scenic & Historic Byway Council

Chris MillerExecutive Director

Western Colorado Interpretive Association

Where the heck am I anyway?

Peel back the layers of the landscape and look back to understand the present. Revel in discus-sion topics ranging from the westward expansion and the Homesteading Act (which celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2012) to the development and evolution of public land use and public land management. Dig in for a better understanding of the intricate dynamics of the landscape of our locale – a veritable tapestry of both public and private lands. Explore through modern and historic maps and photographs, leaving participants more grounded in Gateway, ready and able to more fully enjoy their rich surroundings whether at the pool or on the trail!

Kate is a public lands organizer working on a conservation focused designation for the public lands of the Northern Dolores River watershed, located in and around the town of Gateway on Colorado.



Porcupine Quill Workshop and the Story of Double Woman

Magic, Songs and Legends: Native American Storytelling

BlessingWay Hogan: Stories and Traditions of the Diné/Navajo tribe

Tradition is at the heart of the stories to the proud Lakota People. And women were the center of the family and the life givers. The story of Double Woman brought the teachings of Porcupine Quill work to the woman who, in turn, would teach others. Before the introduction of beads, porcupine quills were used to decorate their clothing. Quill work is becoming rare and the techniques less used – but this workshop helps keep the rich tradition alive. Enjoy an overview of the culture, history, techniques and design of the traditional art of quill work used by the Lakota Sioux women. Participants will create a keepsake bracelet while learning the wrapping technique of placing porcupine quills around a strip of rawhide.

Discover Native American culture with CJ Brafford, a member of the Lakota Sioux. Through authentic reflection, this storyteller and musician weaves a magical story, song, history and personal reflection that leaves audiences enchanted. Reflecting the dignity and spiritual wisdom of her ancestors, CJ inspires reverence for the earth, gratitude for the diversity of human experience and appreciation of the beauty of traditional Native songs and stories, many of which have been handed down for hundreds of years.

The Hogan, a sacred dwelling of the Diné/Navajo tribe of the American southwest, is built in harmony with the universe and all living things. This presentation will reflect the history and important cultural teachings of the Navajo Hogan, Diné Bíhooghan Baa Hane’. Soak in the wonderful tradition with our group, strengthened by a foundation of prayers, songs, and walking the corn pollen trail of beauty and happiness. Enjoy a powerful storytelling experience of ‘Áłtsé Hooghan Ályaa Jiní, the First Hogan Story. Together we will also enjoy a traditional Navajo Hogan Blessing, Hooghan Baa’ts’o’hó’odiizin.

Lucinda is a full-blooded Diné/Navajo, raised with traditional Diné values and beliefs. Her grandfather was a Blessing Way Medicine Man. She is the English Language Learners teacher and founded the Diné/Navajo Club at her school.

The Gateway area has been home to the Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi), Fremont and Ute peoples for thousands of years. Learn more about these original inhabitants through hands-on programs and unique experiences that bring American Indian history and culture to life.

CJ BraffordDirector

Ute Indian Museum

CJ has been the Director of the Ute Indian Museum since 1996. The museum

boasts one of the most complete collections and exhibits featuring the Ute

people of Colorado. CJ provides on-going lectures

on Indian culture and works with adults and

children, providing hands-on cultural programs.

Lucinda Long-WebbEducator

Diné/Navajo Tribe

Native American Heritage


Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Late Jurassic Lilliputian

Fossils of the Mygatt-Moore Quarry

Dinosaurian Reptiles of the Triassic-Jurassic Era

Look around. You are in one of the premiere areas for dinosaur footprints in the canyons surrounding Gateway. The Triassic-Jurassic boundary and the emergence of dinosaurian reptiles appeared late in the Triassic Period, but they did not dominate the scene until tens of millions of year later, beginning in the Early Jurassic. Most of the reptiles that existed with the dinosaurs during the Triassic were bigger and, in many cases, nastier than the early dinosaurs of the time. Although rocks of this age have produced good skeletons of such animals in places such as Petrified Forest in Arizona and other sites in the Four Corners region, some of the best evidence of the animals of this time comes from footprints. We’ll take a look at some of these animals and the evidence of them found in the rocks both locally and regionally.

Great Big World of Tiny Microvertebrates

Although the Morrison Formation is famous for its large Jurassic dinosaurs such as Stegosaurus and Apatosaurus, the diversities and abundances of vertebrate populations in Late Jurassic terrestrial ecosystems of North America were dominated by small animals less than 2 pounds in weight – many much smaller. These small vertebrates of the Morrison landscape were groups quite familiar to us today – fish, turtles, crocodiles, frogs, salamanders, lizards, and mammals. The mammals alone matched the dinosaurs for total known species diversity. This is the little-known story of the Lilliputian animals that have so far remained out of the spotlight of Jurassic fame.

Dinosaur Bone Bed in the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation

Thousands of bones, mostly of seven species of dinosaurs, have been removed from this fascinating site since its discovery in 1981. We’re talking about the Mygatt-Moore Quarry in western Colorado, one of the largest dinosaur sites in the Morrison Formation of the western United States. But this quarry is different from many other large sites in the Morrison Formation, such as Dinosaur National Monument, and seems to reflect a different aspect of the paleo-ecology of the deep past of the Late Jurassic.

Turn back time and immerse yourself into the Triassic and Jurassic eras, when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Gateway, Colorado is one of the few places on the planet where you can see Precambrian rock, some of the oldest exposed granite in the world, and remains of a land ruled by dinosaurs. Join top paleontologists for lively discussions and excursions that reveal prehistoric mysteries. Unlock their world through dinosaur tracks left behind as you roam the paths they once walked. Every inch of your experience is living proof of dinosaurs, right here at Gateway.

Paleontology

John Foster, PhDCurator of Paleontology

Museum of Western Colorado

John’s research focuses on the dinosaurs, footprints,

and paleoecology of the Late Jurassic terrestrial

ecosystems of North America. He is the author of Jurassic West: The Dinosaurs of the

Morrison Formation and Their World as well as more than 30 scientific papers on

paleontology and geology.


Fossils of Western Colorado and Eastern Utah

Investigate the fossil resources that abound in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah. Bones, teeth, shells, plants and tracks from dinosaurs, meaner reptiles, clams and squids, and ancient mammals, all preserved in a dizzying record of seaways, floodplains, sand dune deserts, and jungle-enshrouded deltas – the fossil record of this area tells an amazing story! Learn about these local finds and why they occur where they do. You might be surprised what is found right in our own back yard.

Paleontology

Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Dinosaurian Reptiles of the Triassic-Jurassic Era

Look around. You are in one of the premiere areas for dinosaur footprints in the canyons surrounding Gateway. The Triassic-Jurassic boundary and the emergence of dinosaurian reptiles appeared late in the Triassic Period, but they did not dominate the scene until tens of millions of year later, beginning in the Early Jurassic. Most of the reptiles that existed with the dinosaurs during the Triassic were bigger and, in many cases, nastier than the early dinosaurs of the time. Although rocks of this age have produced good skeletons of such animals in places such as Petrified Forest in Arizona and other sites in the Four Corners region, some of the best evidence of the animals of this time comes from footprints. We’ll take a look at some of these animals and the evidence of them found in the rocks both locally and regionally.

ReBecca Hunt-FosterPaleontology Collections

ManagerMuseum of Western Colorado

ReBecca has worked as a paleontologist in western

Colorado since 2007. ReBecca is currently the Paleontology Collections

Manager for Dinosaur Journey Museum, a unit of the Museum of Western Colorado. Her research interests include

chasmosaurine ceratopsian dinosaurs and taphonomic

processes.


Mountain Bike Back in Time

Ride on trails and roads in the Gateway area to discover and understand the beauty of this red rock country. We’ll explore Gateway’s rich mineral history ranging from Alabaster to Uranium, the dinosaur and biologic history that is fossilized in the region, and the many layers of strata that define the valley. Explore the sequence of events that created the Uncompahgre Plateau, including the Ancestral Rockies of which this area had an important role, the Palisade, the formation of Unaweep Canyon, and the incising of the Dolores River to create the spectacular topography as we ride. Some skills refresher before we go out and other helpful hints for safe and enjoyable riding.

The Finesse of Mountain Biking

Learn the finesse of mountain biking by using an understanding of your weight distribution on the bike, balance skills, and anticipation of trail terrain and obstacles. By mastering these skills, mountain biking becomes less about strength and more about finesse and riding fluidly. We’ll cover skills like lifting front rear and wheels independently and simultaneously, riding like a cat, picking a line, shifting smoothly for the terrain, balancing drills, climbing, descending, cornering, and other helpful hints for safe, more efficient and more enjoyable riding.

Off the Grid in the Wild West End

Mastering Mountain Biking

This one hour illustrated presentation will highlight the mountain biking opportunities available near Gateway, Colorado, along with the planning and preparation that is necessary to have a success-ful outing. The landscape surrounding Gateway is not only scenically stunning; it is rugged and unforgiving. Travelers are truly off the beaten path – off the grid – when they visit the Gateway backcountry. Backcountry travelers have to depend on the basics of map reading, exercising good judgment and preparation to improve the odds of experiencing an enjoyable ride. Helpful hints, as well as some suggestions on where to ride near Gateway, the Uncompahgre Plateau, and the Paradox Trail will be discussed.

Bill HarrisFounder

Tabeguache Trail,Board Member

COPMOBA

Gateway Canyons is a one-stop adventure destination with access to a multitude of recreational opportunities. Your only job is to decide what you want to do first! Whether it’s touring solo or taking a guided tour that suits your interest, we’ve got you covered.

Recreation


Laurie BrandtAward Winning

Mountain Bike Enthusiast

In 1991, Laurie started racing full-time on the

World Cup, National and Colorado race series. She finished with a ranking of

10th in the world in 1992. In 1998, she transitioned back

to her scientific career, in which she specializes in

geotechnical evaluations, site assessments, mineral resource evaluations and geologic hazard analysis.

Recreation

I Got Home Alive! Mad Adventures on Mountains

For the past 15 years, this has been a central drive in life for our presenter, Ken Sherbenou: pursu-ing adventure with close family, friends and his wife on any rock wall he could find. This has lead to many triumphant moments, satisfying well-spent days, and thankfully, only a couple close calls. One of those close calls happened climbing in the Black Canyon, not too far from Montrose and Gate-way. Ken’s cousin and climbing partner badly broke his leg in the middle of a 2000 foot route. The self-rescue that followed lasted 20 hours and thankfully led to safety. The adventure was recently featured in the Travel Channel’s “Got Home Alive” series.

Ken SherbenouExecutive Director

Montrose Recreation District

Because It’s There: The Photographer’s Journey

Take a marvelous photographic journey with more than 90 adventurous and spectacular images from five continents. Authors/Photographers Charlie and Diane Winger believe there is no better reason to move beyond a familiar horizon, explore what lies around the next bend, and discover a world outside our previous experience than “Because it’s there.”

The Wingers draw on their extensive collection of photographs taken while writing guidebooks, climbing and trekking among some of the most beautiful peaks in the world, and enjoying time in special outdoor areas which they have come to love. Along the way, they tell a few stories and share a few laughs.

Lost and Found: GPS and Geocaching Lesson and Hike

A 50 State Tour of the Lows and Highpoints

Will you ever need the S.O.S. signal? Find out what you need to know as we embark on the basics of using a hand-held GPS device to help navigate while hiking. Part two takes us outdoors to search for hidden geocaches on campus. Also demonstrate the use of a SPOT emergency messenger device, which can be used to signal for help or simply notify others of a hiker’s or traveler’s exact location.

The Wingers will take participants on a fun virtual tour of the highest spot in each of the 50 states, traveling from the lowest “highpoint” in Florida (345’ above sea level) to the tallest: the summit of Mt. McKinley (Denali – 23,320’) in Alaska.

Charlie & Diane WingerPublished Authors &

Photographers ~Mountaineers & Outdoor

Enthusiasts

Charlie and Diane live in Colorado and are co-authors

of several guidebooks on outdoor recreation.

They also collaborated on Charlie’s memoir which

delves into more details about his numerous climbing adventures and divulges his

very surprising and inspiring personal history.


A life-long resident of Colorado, Stewart lived in Denver and worked as a musician until 2001, when he retired and moved to the Grand Junction area. Since then he has explored his interest in astronomy, currently living in Glade Park, where he has dark skies and the time to observe regularly. He is a member of the Western Colorado Astronomy Club and enjoys participating in events where he can share his love of the stars with others.

A recent retiree to the clear skies of Grand Junction, Douglas volunteers as a docent and lecturer at the John McConnell Math & Science Institute of Western Colorado. His interest in astronomy goes back many years. Douglas now enjoys exploring the heavens with a delightfully-large Orion XX12 Go-to truss Dobsonian telescope that hat can automatically find and track over 40,000 stars, nebula, galaxies, and planets.

A Respiratory Therapist, Ricky became interested in astronomy in 1989 while stationed in Hawaii. After viewing the rings of Saturn for the first time, he was hooked! His current scope is a Meade 12” LX200R Schmidt Cassegrain. Ricky is eager to share his passion for observational astronomy with guests while looking at the planets and deep sky objects such as galaxies, nebulae and star clusters.

Stewart GoodmanMember

Western Colorado Astronomy Club

Douglas GrodtMember


Ricky SmithMember


Take in a star gazing opportunity in one of the earth’s most beautiful places. Members of the Western Colorado Astronomy Club (WCAC) will provide guests with an evening of star gazing and observation. Formed in 1989 as a non-profit organization for the purpose of astronomy education,the WCAC is a member of the International Dark-Sky Association as well as the Astronomical League. Members have extensive experience in observing, astrophotography, and telescope making. The club regularly hosts star gazing events in the region and have lead discussions and lectures related to astronomy throughout western Colorado.

Star Gazing


Thad has been an astronomy enthusiast since 1995 and a night sky landscape photographer since 1997. He is presently involved with TWAN (The World At Night, part of Astronomers Without Borders, a non-profit organization) as an invited member/photographer. While Thad is always on the lookout for dramatic natural scenery to capture on camera under a starry night sky, he is just as eager to share the many wonders of astronomy with the public - day or night. He has participated in many astronomy-related activities with K-12 schools, Colorado State Parks, and the National Park Service.

Thad V’SoskeMember


Star Gazing


curiosity adventures flipbook

Documents

ancestral ute homelands

ute people

ute reservation

colorado homelands

ancestral homelands

ute ethnobotany project

prosperous utes

utes loss