Gore Range Natural Science School

2010 Green river - gates of ladore - invitational
June 7 - 11, 2010

Join Gore Range Natural Science School on a 44 mile adventure on the Green River through Dinosaur National Monument in NE Utah, on a five night, four day rafting, hiking and natural history excursion. Following a tradition of exciting educational explorations, Science School Invitationals focus on natural and cultural history while offering an unforgettable adventure in the majestic outdoors!

Journey into a pristine wilderness as you raft through 1000 ft deep Precambrian canyons and hike up hidden washes perimetered with ancient ruins. Enjoy fine food, talented guides, engaging scholars, fishing in remarkable fishing pools and sleeping on beautiful beaches. This Green River Invitational is the perfect adventure close to home in a fascinating, remote region of Utah that begins and ends in Vernal.

Lodore Canyon is perhaps the most scenic of all the Utah river canyons and this adventure begins at the towering pre-Cambrian cliffs of the Gates of Lodore. Within the monument, the Green River winds its way through three distinct canyons: Lodore, Whirlpool and Split Mountain all of which contain incredible geology and rich human history. Lodore was the first major canyon encountered by John Wesley Powell and his men on their 1869 expedition. From the Gates of Lodore, the river then cuts through widening terrain, past broad meadows and side canyons that offer spectacular hikes to waterfalls and Fremont petroglyphs and pictographs. Some superb trout fishing spots that can only be reached by navigating down this pristine river, add a challenge for those interested.

The experienced staff of Dinosaur Expeditions guide you safely though exciting, moderate rapids as you select to navigate in inflatable kayaks or relax while guided in the oar boats. This remote region is protected within Dinosaur National Monument and because of its limited access, has limited human traffic. You can expect to see abundant wildlife though, including bighorn sheep, eagles, coyotes, deer and perhaps even bear. Add dips in waterfalls, sweeping vast panoramas of Island Park and Split Mountain, more challenging hikes for those interested, and the magic of a wilderness setting with an evening cocktail by a crackling camp fire, and you are sure to have an unforgettable experience.

Guides prepare and serve our meals and help with setting up tents. Evening discussions with knowledgeable guest speakers enhance our understanding of the natural and cultural history of this unique, magical place.

Itinerary

Monday, June 7: Arrive on your own in Vernal, Utah (about a 4 hour drive from the Vail Valley). Meet at our hotel for cocktail reception, then dinner at the Dinosaur Brewhaus. Meet trip mates and our local expert and enjoy an educational overview of the nearby Dinosaur National Monument and the region’s history, geology, natural habitat and archeology. The evening ends with a briefing by our river guides on what’s in store for the next days. Overnight is in a comfortable hotel in Vernal.

Tuesday, June 8: After breakfast at the hotel, depart Vernal in Dinosaur Expeditions vehicles on a scenic drive to the river put in.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights are spent in tents (personal or rented) on beautiful river beaches. Days focus on experiencing fun, moderate whitewater, pristine scenery, abundant wildlife, optional hikes to view petroglyphs and pictographs, waterfalls, scenic overlooks, fishing and relaxing while your meals are prepared and served.

Friday, June 11: Take out in the afternoon at Split Mountain and return to Vernal in Dinosaur Expeditions vehicles. Farewell cocktails and dinner and overnight in a comfortable hotel.

Saturday, June 12: Departure on your own after breakfast. You may consider including side trips before or after the Invitational including a visit to Dinosaur National Monument (www.nps.gov). Set aside as an American treasure in 1938 under the National Park Service, Dinosaur National Monument is an open-air archive of ancient Native American sites and fossils unearthed by wind, water and time.

Please contact Natalia Hanks at 970.827.9725 ext 30 or nataliah@gorerange.org with questions, detailed itinerary and to make your reservation.

Limitations: This trip is limited to 16 individuals. You do not need any river rafting experience to enjoy this Invitational. However, you do need to be comfortable sleeping in tents for three nights.

Cost: $1,100/per person of which $250 is a tax deductible contribution to the Science School. Includes five nights lodging: two nights in hotels and three nights camping on the river, four days guided rafting with kayaking option, five dinners, five breakfasts, four lunches, all guides, guest speakers, Science School staff coordination and most cocktails.

Not included: rental of tents, sleeping bags and pads (if you do not bring your own), personal gear, transportation to and from Vernal, Utah, any gratuities for Dinosaur Expeditions guides, alcoholic beverages at dinner Monday night.

2010 Reach for the peak - save the date

Reach for the Peak 2010, on August 21, 2010, will honor the philanthropy and community wide support of Susan and Harry Frampton. Please contact Natalia Hanks for table sponsorship opportunities and more information at nataliah@gorerange.org.

2009 Summer knapp Edventure

Read about the 2009 Summer Knapp EdVenture, as captured by Carolyn Pope

See event photos

2009 Yellowstone invitational

September 15 - 19, 2009

Read the 2009 trip report by Natalia Hanks

Read the Vail Daily article on the Fall 2008 Yellowstone Invitational

Those who have experienced a Science School Invitational know that these unique multi-day programs offer a small group of individuals the best in guided natural and cultural history explorations to places of inertest. Each adventure is led by science School staff and features local experts.

Limited to 12 guests, our next Invitational will take place in the northwest corner of Yellowstone. We will base this expedition from an incredible 600-acre private ranch that borders the Yellowstone National Park. With the Gallatin River running through the property and the majestic Tetons framing it, we will explore the geology, animal life, ecology and diverse landscape both on the property and the Park.

View the tentative 2009 itinerary

Invitational includes:

4 nights, 5 days
4 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 4 dinners - featuring local fresh produce, as available, and healthy choices at each meal
Lodging at the Ranch. Rooms are double occupancy and most have a private bath.
Horseback riding
Fly fishing guide
Wildlife Expeditions of Teton Science Schools biologists, Montana Outdoor Science
School naturalist and Gore Range Natural Science School staff
Entertainment, beer and wine
All transportation during the Invitational
Park entrance fees

Not included:

Transportation to and from the Ranch

Getting there:

Approximate drive time from Avon is 11 hours.
Flights are available from Denver to Bozeman (1.25 hour drive to Ranch) and to West Yellowstone (30 minute drive to Ranch).

Cost: $1,600/per person

Space is limited to 12.

This Invitational includes a very full schedule and requires that participants be able to hike 2 – 3 miles round trip .

Please reserve your spot with Natalia Hanks: nataliah@gorerange.org, or 970.827.9725 ext 30.

San Juan River Archeology & Natural History Invitational

Tuesday, April 14 – Sunday, April 19, 2009

Rich with scenery and history, southeastern Utah can take your breath away. Blend river rafting through deep, Precambrian canyons with hiking up hidden washes perimetered with Anasazi ruins, add fine food, talented guides, engaging scholars and sleeping under a canopy of stars – and you have the recipe for a perfect adventure in a fascinating, remote region so close to home.

Sixteen Vail Valley and Front Range colleagues of Gore Range Natural Science School recently set off from the beaten track to discover the unexpected on a five night, five day rafting and hiking Invitational along the San Juan River. Invitationals are unique multi-day adventures that offer natural and cultural history explorations in a small group format. Each Invitational is led by Science School staff and engages local scholars, outfitters and experts to enhance the educational and outdoor experience of participants.....

Continue reading Natalia Hanks account of this fascinating Invitational trip down San Juan River.

View Sherry Dorward's photos from the San Januar River Invitational

View the complete itinerary

Citizen Scientists "CAtch" Wildlife

This fall, volunteer Citizen Scientists with the Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project “caught” a bounty of wildlife – with the aid of digital cameras. Motion-triggered cameras positioned throughout the I-70 corridor near Vail Pass have photographed elk, deer, cottontail rabbits, pine marten, porcupine, coyote and hikers. The cameras are part of several wildlife monitoring stations located near Shrine Pass, south of I-70 near Vail Pass and along I-70 from the summit of Vail Pass to the west. Since August, Citizen Scientists have spent time in the field downloading images from digital cameras as well as recording any incidental wildlife or tracks they see on their way. Launched in June 2006, the CitizenScience Wildlife Monitoring program is the first of its kind in Colorado.

Spearheaded by the Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project (SREP), the Citizen Science Wildlife Monitoring program is part of a greater monitoring effort that SREP is coordinating along I-70 to assess the barrier effect that I-70 has on wildlife. The intent of the Citizen Science program is to collect information about the species present near I-70. Data gathered will tell scientists what species are utilizing these habitats as well as the abundance of those species.

SREP teamed up with the Denver Zoo and Gore Range Natural Science School (GRNSS) to launch this unique effort. The program trained 31 volunteers in June and has an additional 30 volunteers on a waiting list. Program partners are currently assessing how to provide field opportunities for the wealth of volunteers. The next training session is planned for the summer of 2007.

Vail Pass is the site of a proposed wildlife bridge—the first of its kind in Colorado . Congress set aside funds for CDOT to begin an environmental review and preliminary engineering design on the bridge. Citizen Science data will help to find the most effective location for the bridge as well as provide baseline data on the effectiveness and impact of the structure.

“I am proud to be part of a project that is making a contribution to the safety of one of Colorado’s highly traveled roadways while making a contribution to the life and safety of Colorado’s rich wildlife heritage,” said Citizen Scientist Julie McCahan.

“The sheer number of citizens offering to volunteer their time and energy to help us study the impact that roads have on wildlife is a testament to the importance of this issue,” said Monique DiGiorgio of the Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project (SREP).

Funding for the program is off to a solid start with $25,000 from the National Forest Foundation, $5,000 from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), $6,000 in corporate sponsorships, and $2,000 in individual contributions. In-kind support from the Denver Zoo and Gore Range Natural Science School tops $15,000.

“This is the first opportunity Gore Range Natural Science School has had to connect local citizens to wildlife research,” said Carol Busch, Director of Marketing and Communications. “The program’s popularity has shown how much people want to learn about their backyard forest – especially when it comes to wildlife. The program is a great model for citizen science research and we look forward to creating other opportunities like it throughout Eagle County.”

For more information, how to volunteer, and to access the SREP media room replete with wildlife photos, visit www.RestoreTheRockies.org.

Science on the Green

The first annual Science on the Green golf tournament at Red Sky Ranch was a tremendous success, raising significant funds to support Gore Range Natural Science School youth programs, and providing a new angle on the 'eagle', the 'hole', the 'iron', and more! The very popular "Marmot" (a cousin of the mulligan) allowed teams to improve their handicap and is expected to make an appearance, by popular demand, at the 2nd annual Science on the Green in 2007.

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2010 Green river - gates of ladore - invitational June 7 - 11, 2010