Natural History Institute: Mogollon Highlands Naturalist Field Camp at Granite Basin Field Trip

The Monsoon has come to the Mogollon Highlands. Scarlet Gilia flowers open beneath the scattered canopy of pines and oaks. Thunder rumbles through the afternoon. The smells of wet decomposed granite and pine needles mix in the humid post-rain sun. Finally, the long days of summer shorten noticeably.

Pack your bags and join Professor David Gilligan in the heart of the Mogollon Highlands for quality time with fellow naturalists. We will spend our mornings birding, our afternoons botanizing, and our evenings telling stories by starlight. Each day will include structured sessions on highlands geology and ecology, hikes to field sites, and ample time for break-out sessions focused on plant and animal identification and the practice of natural history. We will explore Granite Basin as well as the adjacent Granite Mountain Wilderness Area.

Hiking will include both moderate and intermediate options. We will camp in the recreation area’s Yavapai campground, which has water, picnic tables, established tent campsites, and vault toilets. Camping is primarily tent camping with shared picnic tables for our group. There are three parking spots available for people with camper-vehicles. Options are available for either driving your own vehicle directly to the campsite or carpooling from the Natural History Institute in downtown Prescott.

The field camp is a meet-up concept rather than a guided trip. You can expect professionally facilitated natural history programming throughout each day and a casual, relaxed, communal environment in the evenings at camp. All parts of the program are designed for maximum participation: our goal by day is to practice natural history together and by evening to tell stories about it. Daily natural history sessions are well-suited to all naturalist ability levels, from beginner to advanced. You will be provided with a thorough packing list, including ideas for food and meals for the duration of the trip. You will need your own tent, sleeping gear, and cooking equipment.

September 9-11, 2024

SCHEDULE:

September 9th:

• 12-1pm Afternoon arrival and welcome circle; set up camp
• 2-5pm Natural history sessions: granitic geology and landforms
• 5-7pm Unstructured and dinner time
• 7-9pm Community time: natural history stories

September 10th:

• 8-9:30am Natural history sessions: birding
• 10am-12pm Botany sessions
• 1-5pm Day hike
• 5-7pm Unstructured and dinner time
• 7-9pm Community time: the night sky

September 11th:

• 8-10am Natural history sessions: birding at Granite Basin Lake
• 10-11:30am Break camp; trip highlights closing circle