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Grand Canyon Pioneers Society
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| Vol 6, No 11 | November 2002 |
Below the Rim & Beyond the Lake
(Two Commanding Canyons-Grand Canyon & Glen Canyon's Lake Powell)
Gary Ladd was our speaker for the October 19 program. Gary is an extraordinary nature photographer, with many books and projects to his credit. His most recent book is "Time Below the Rim", a photographic essay combined with text by Craig Childs. Gary has lived in Page, Arizona for 21 years. His choice to live there was because of the location. In his backyard is Lake Powell, Grand Canyon, Escalante-Grand Staircase, and the Vermillion Cliffs.
He knows his facts and figures about the lake - Lake Powell full is 27 million acre feet. It takes 2 years of the Colorado River flow to fill the lake. This year, the lake is down 80 feet due to the drought. The latest projection is that within 700-1000 years from now, Lake Powell will be silted in 90 feet deep. Hard to imagine from our vantage point in history - just like it would have been hard for the former inhabitants of our land, the Anasazi, to imagine our lives 700 years into their future.
Gary talked about the 1983 flood, which caught the Bureau of Reclamation with their pants down with all of the reservoirs full. Although it was known that there was a design flaw in the spillways, it was not corrected. Then the spillways had to be used - causing chunks of concrete to blow right out of the tubes.
Then Gary began his slide show - which was a visual feast. He talked about this part of the program being the Un-Grand Canyon - unconformities, unlikely routes, and unbelievable photographs. Some pictures showed backpackers clinging to expanses of sheer cliffs by their fingernails, with nothing but thousands of feet of air below them. Gary said jokingly that George Steck was responsible for most of his bad experiences in the canyon. After showing an exposed ledge less than a foot's width, Gary remarked that Harvey (Butchart) called these sporting routes. Gary related that one day he made a bad decision - he went on a day hike with Tom Martin. Gary was able to capture the dramatic play by play of a flash flood gushing down Soap Creek.
There was also a Toroweap flash flood, pushing a new delta into the river. There was the sensuous beauty of a coiled pink Grand Canyon rattlesnake, set off by the white rock it was on. There was highly polished Vishnu Schist, contrasted with that Arizona blue sky, and the red river rushing by. There was the beauty of layers of smoke lazily drifting among the buttes and spires down in the canyon, combined with the stark, harsh landscape left behind in the aspen groves after the fire had raced through. There was the graceful unfurling of a century plant stalk. There was the tunnel plowed into the snow in the road leading to the Grand Lodge on the North Rim. The snow went up to the roof, leaving the flagstone entry way open, yet cavelike.
Gary rows his own dory, and showed the bruises, bizarre river fashion statements and camaraderie formed only on the river.
The next part of his program showed the horrible and amazing spectacle of Lake Powell. Horrible because of its destruction of Glen Canyon, and amazing with a beauty all its own. The colors of sand and sandstone, the water reflections of sky, rock and stars. The exquisite palate of colors displayed in sunrise and sunset. The surprises of snow and stalactite icicles hanging down from hidden alcoves. Still water reflecting the incoming weather. Footprints on the crest of a ridge. Ripples in the water swirling the colors of the reflections. Waterfalls springing to life in the monsoon season. Delicate ripples in the sand sculpted by the wind. Slot canyons with unbelievably sensuous curves. The majesty of Rainbow Bridge. Remnants of cultures gone before us - pottery shards, clay pots, metates, ruins and petroglyphs.
Then there are the exotic species - tamarisk, tumbleweeds and Asian clams. But the worst of all exotic species is man - the cause of the bathtub ring around the lake - highly noticeable in this drought year. Also man brings graffiti, jet skis, trash, campfire debris, and oddly - golf balls
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What a great glimpse through the eyes of an excellent photographer this area we all love.
Article submitted by Nancy Green
Photos by Diane Cassidy
GCPS Outings for 2002
| November 16: |
Beamer's Cabin and Boucher's
Camp stabilization projects by Amy Horn,
archaeologist for Grand Canyon National Park.
The current restoration work includes park archeologist Amy Horn and has been going for the past few weeks. Much of the work includes stabilizing walls in "imminent danger." In 1968 saddles, a plow and other objects were removed from the cabin and are now in the park's museum collection. The cabin has been stabilized at least one previous time, in about 1984. Many river parties visit the cabin and hikers access it off the Beamer Trail. A few brief bio tidbits re Amy Horn: 1992 BA, Antiquities, Southwest Missouri State University; 1997 MA, Anthropology, NAU. Began work at Grand Canyon as a seasonal employee in 1995. Worked in various positions within the archeology program between 1995 and 2000. Horn was hired as Vanishing Treasures Archeologist in September 2000. In that capacity, she oversees the ruins preservation program in the park. This program is focused on prehistoric ruins with standing architecture. However, a number of historic structures, including Boucher Cabin and Beamer's Cabin, are included in the program. This year they completed stabilization projects at Boucher Camp and Beamer's Cabin. | ||||
| December: | No Meeting. |
New Member
Cynthia Bragg – Jefferson, ME
GRAND CANYON PIONEERS SOCIETY
Minutes of Board Meeting
October 19, 2002
The 2002 Board Meeting of the Grand Canyon Pioneer Society began at 10:10 am on Saturday, October 19, 2002 at a ballroom in Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Board members present were Lee Albertson, President, Carolyn Castleman, Vice-President, Nancy Green, Secretary, Mary Hoover, John Azar, Tom Carmony and Tom Myers.
There is currently $850 in the scholarship account. No scholarship awards were made this year, so the money will roll over into next year's account.
The treasurer, Linda Anderson, could not attend. But she had prepared an extensive report. Copies were distributed to the board members.
The Pioneer Society, along with the National Park Service, inducted 2 individuals into the Hall of Fame this year, Gomez and Shellbach.
The Pioneer Award, 2002, was received by Bill Suran.
Bouquets were verbally delivered alphabetically to the following individuals for their contributions to the Society this year: Linda Anderson, for a job well done as treasurer, as well as all of her behind-thescenes work on the Grand Canyon History Symposium in January. Mike Anderson, for his superb organization of the Grand Canyon History Symposium, with hopes for future such events. John Azar for the "Long Walk" from Lee's Ferry to Pearce Ferry. Dan Cassidy, Gus Scott and Tom Carmony for being the Pioneer Award Nominating Committee. Dan and Diane Cassidy for the writing, organizing and taking care of the mailing for the Bulletin and the mailing of the Ol" Pioneer. Carolyn Castleman for the hard work involved with being the Outings Coordinator. All of the Pioneer Society authors who gave presentations at the Grand Canyon History Symposium. Keith Green and Janece Ohlman for being the nominating committee for the new board members. Julie, Kelly and Rebecca - the three brave women who rode river boards from the dam to Pearce Ferry. Nancy Green for creating a calendar of monthly occurrences necessary to keep the Society running smoothly. Tom Myers for nominating officers for the Society's board. National Park Service for their work on the Colorado River Management Plan. Bill Suran for all his hard work on the Ol' Pioneer.
Suggestions for the future board to consider are: Changing the name of the Pioneer Award to the Harvey Butchart Award. Changing the dues structure to include annual, 5 year and lifetime dues. Formation of a membership committee to work on increasing membership. The definite need for assistance for the outings coordinator instead of having it done all by one person. Consider better ways of advertising the Society's programs.
John Azar made a motion, seconded by Carolyn Castleman to accept the 2001 board meeting minutes. Motion carried.
Linda Anderson and Diane Cassidy will compare rates for using bulk rate vs non-profit bulk rates for mailings. Tom Carmony moved to analyize the possible solutions for mailings, and have the Cassidys let the board know what will work best. John Azar seconded, motion carried.
Linda Anderson, Gale Burak and Bill Bishop were voted on to the Grand Canyon Pioneer Society's board.
Lee Albertson asked for help in resolving an issue. Linda Anderson was board appointed for one year to fill out Betty Leavengood's term. Carolyn Castlman actually took Betty's duties as Outings Chair. There had been some miscommunication on this issue and it needed clarification.
Membership is now individual, with one individual having one vote.
Election of Officers.
John Azar made a motion that Linda Anderson
continue as Treasurer, and Nancy Green continue as
Secretary. Tom Carmony seconded, and the motion
carried.
Nancy Green made a motion to nominate John Azar as Vice-President, to include the duties of Outings Coordinator. Carolyn Castleman seconded. It was made clear that this position definitely needs a number of people to assist. These members do NOT have to be on the board in order to help the Outings Coordinator. Motion carried.
Tom Myers will contact Mike Anderson about accepting the office of President. Nancy Green made a motion to have Tom contact Mike. Carolyn Castleman seconded. Motion carried.
Al Richmond will continue to coordinate the scholarship through NAU. Currently it is only offered through graduate programs. There is a possibility of expanding to undergraduate programs as well. The amount is still $1000.
Lee Albertson made a motion to continue to allow Al to coordinate the scholarship program. John Azar seconded. Motion carried.
Tom Carmony and Lee Albertson will spearhead the Pioneer Award Nominating Committee.
Keith Green will work with the National Park Service on adding names to the Powell Expedition Plaque.
Jim McCarthy will spearhead the Membership Committee.
Diane Cassidy will explore website options.
Tom Myers made a motion to change the name of the Society from the Grand Canyon Pioneer Society to the Grand Canyon Historical Society. John Azar seconded. Discussion included the confusion that the word "pioneer" causes some people to believe that they may not join because they weren't an actual pioneer. At this point, there are no persons alive who were actual pioneers. Jeanne Schick expressed that she preferred the original name. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 12 noon.
Nancy Green, Secretary
Grand Canyon Historical Society
Letter To The Editor
Dear Editor: I am looking for information on my relatives, the Tolfree's. I am JH's great granddaughter. I have found a few sites with a little info, but not much. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Laura Tolfree Barton Lbarton@bak.rr.com 6749 Mignonette Street, Bakersfield CA 93308 PS My mother, father and I came out for the 100th anniversary of the Tolfree Post Office few years back. But, when my husband and I were at the Canyon last week, we couldn't find anyone that might be able to tell us where the site was!
Correction
The following notation was inadvertently omitted from the article "Each Year Finds Local Man Back In Grand Canyon – Afoot, Alone" on page 3 of October/December 2002 of The Ol' Pioneer:
Special thanks to Merrel D. Clubb Jr. for providing Dove Menkes with this information. And, a thank you to the people at the Lawrence Daily Journal for granting Copyright permission to reprint this article.
Outings / Programs
If you have a suggestion for a future outing/program or a question about an upcoming event, contact the 2003 Outings Coordinator: John Azar, PO Box 1121, Fredonia AZ 86022; phone 928-643-6423; email: TontoWalk@aol.com.
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